Chest rigs are used for a wide range of purposes. Instead of being restricted to a large, bulky, and constraining plate carrier or vest, users often prefer to opt for a minimalist chest rig for missions that require unrestricted maneuverability. The pros of using a chest rig over plate carriers or tactical vests include maintaining a lower profile, having to bear a lighter load, and the ability to efficiently conceal your tactical gear.
Having a low profile is often overlooked by many airsofters. Many players will utilize a loadout that consists of as much tactical gear as possible. Sometimes, this can be useful. For example, if you are a support gunner, you may want to carry extra ammunition and magazines for the rest of your squad to resupply them. Doing this requires a larger plate carrier/vest to mount extra pouches for carrying the resupply goods. However, if your role is to primarily be a sniper/recon, you will want a low profile loadout. A chest rig is the best option to fulfill this purpose. This helps by removing restriction on your arms for faster reloading and also allows your movements to be made in a far stealthier manner. For a sniper/recon role, you’ll need to take into account the essentials that you’ll have to bring on the field. You won’t need any medical supplies, grenades, buddy magazines, bolt cutters, etc. as you will be farther away from the enemy and (hopefully) will not need any tools/weapons for close quarters combat. Chest rigs carry only the essentials on the field, which in turn helps you to utilize your role effectively.
In intense environments where weather, field terrain, and obstacles all contribute, having a lightweight loadout is ideal. Chest rigs provide superior ventilation in warmer environments while also being incredibly lightweight. This helps to reduce stress on your back/spine & shoulders which will increase your endurance and overall maneuverability. Chest rigs also help when you are at a multiple-day event where backpacks are required to carry supplies. You’ll be able to swap out the weight of a vest/plate carrier and use a more compact chest rig with a larger pack. When you feel like you need to take a break, donning the chest rig and pack off is much easier than having to mess with a bulky plate carrier.
Concealment is key when it comes to many field tactics. With chest rigs, a majority of camouflage parkas, liners, or other outerwear can be easily worn over top to provide a consistent pattern that helps operators blend in with their environment. With vests and plate carriers, the exposed colors pop-out and break up the consistency of the pattern. Some outerwear is specifically designed with zippers that provide fast access to the chest rig pouches concealed underneath. Another useful aspect of a chest rig is complete compatibility with ghillie suits. Ghillie suits are the superior choice if you need to stay hidden as well as possible. However, they provide no method of carrying any equipment externally due to their bulkiness. Many users opt for a chest rig to wear underneath their ghillie suit as the combination is efficient yet keeps maneuverability intact.
