which vest should I get?

[kev50088]

im having trouble deicing between these two vest

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_165&products_id=30421

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_165&products_id=26986

which one do you guys think is better and which one will look better in tan

[Infect1d]

Those two are actually the same exact thing. The only difference is the second one has mollee pouches on it in the picture, while the first doesn't.

[Snipez]

They are not exactly the same. The condor one has flaps on the front and the matrix doesn't. The condor adjusts differently also. I have the condor one and it is actually very good for the money. I suggest you get it. The matrix one is too bright and looks fake anyway.

[kdb135]

Condor compact plate carrier FTW.
I had one of those for several years, only for it to be replaced by two of their operator PCs and a MOLLE belt, and the thing was still in formidable condition. Just sold it to a friend as a matter of fact.
The thing had great stitching.. Few frays here and there, but nothing a lighter wouldn't fix. I would recommend it, and buy it again in a heartbeat.

[Ghostfire]

Get a pantac Wasatch. Otherwise just get the condor.

[kev50088]

I was gonna get this or should I get a molle vest?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/eagle-industries-universal-tactical-vest-chest-rig.html

[paynee]

Get a chest rig (like the one you linked) for a lightweight breathable rig that cannot be modified.

Get a MOLLE vest for customization and greater protection. Tradeoff is usually more weight and less maneuverability.

A great compromise would be the Tactical Tailor MAV. It has MOLLE webbing so it can be customized, but is as lightwight and maneuverable as a chestrig. An RRV can also fill this purpose.

[kev50088]

I'm looking for a lightweight vest thats breathable would this be a good choice?

http://airsoft-club.com/shop/tactical-gear/tactical-vest/airsoft-molle-canteen-hydration-combat-rrv-vest-coyote-brown

[cptpackrat]

A great compromise would be the Tactical Tailor MAV. It has MOLLE webbing so it can be customized, but is as lightwight and maneuverable as a chestrig. An RRV can also fill this purpose.

i second this statement, i used to own the condor CPC and it was very comfy, but not breathable.

the TT MAV is a very nice rig from what ive heard. At the moment ive been using a Condor RRV like the one you linked and its alot better than the CPC. its lightweight, breathable, and not very bulky. I reccomend it highly.

[paynee]

The vest you linked looks like it will fill your purpose. My only concern would the quality of the vest itself.

From my experience with gear in airsoft, it is best to find a comfortable middle ground as far as quality and price.

Here's my scale:

Cheap Chinese Repro Gear(Cheap, Lowest Quality) => Well made airsoft gear(Balance quality/price) => Real Deal Gear(Expensive/Best Quality)

Although this is not a perfect guideline as to quality of gear, it serves my purpose. I have dealt with all three categories of gear. If you can afford it and want to go that route, then get real deal stuff. If not, I HIGHLY recommend that you get the middle ground stuff (IE Pantac, Flyye). The stuff is usually not that much more than the Chinese Repro gear, but will last ALOT longer and will have better resale value than gear that doesn't even have a brand. Again the choice is yours.

And why, you ask, do you need higher quality gear? Because the cheap stuff will come unthreaded as you begin to use it. Webbing will come apart, buttons will fall off, and velcro will cease to be adhesive. Better quality gear will stand up to use and abuse, wear/tear, much better than cheaper alternatives and
have and overall longer lifespan

http://www.airsoftsmith.com/store/index.php?cPath=31_77

There's a link to some pantac stuff. If nothing else, it's at least worth looking at 

[kev50088]

would this be a good vest?

http://www.airsoftsmith.com/store/product_reviews.php?cPath=31_77&products_id=1967

[paynee]

I actually own a FLYYE 1961a rig. I like it alot. It's super lightweight (compared to my MOLLE vests) and has plenty of space. Carries eight m4 mags, room for radio, and misc other stuff. One thing about the rig though, if you aren't using stanag mags, I would not recommend it as it does not seem to accommodate other mags very well.

Something else to consider: this rig has does not have a hydration system integrated. So either wear a camelback of some kind or carry a canteen/water bottle on you.

[Ghostfire]

My personal opinion on tac gear in rank.

Cheap Nameless China Repro
Condor
Flyye
Pantac (Pantac has better stitching than Flyye, but Flyye is still good)
Real Deal Gear

Tactical Tailor and Eagle Industries are great choices, but keep cost in mind.

[GlockMasterG9]

Condor is more than you need and you WILL be happy with them.

[TehLlama]

Scales like Ghostfire are actually pretty well thought out - chinese made 600D gear won't stand up to continuous airsoft use, whereas the quality made 100D stuff will handle multiple deployments.  Build quality is another thing that's hard to quantify over the internet, but getting what you pay for us usually the right maxim.

IF you look closely enough, it's not hard to find real deal gear (used), if you're a bit flexible, that are cheaper, and much, much better. Stuff like DiamondbackTactical's $7 sales, the 5.11 VTAC closeouts from LA PoliceGear, the tactical tailor closeouts, ATS site closeouts, SKD exclusives on Eagle gear (and PIG line gear), and then there's eBay - I've gotten deal on HSGI and Paraclete stuff for cheap too.
As much as I like the Pantac gear I have, I've been able to find every product in their product line (save the CIRAS - patent issues) the real version for cheaper (though often limited color/sizes). That's not to say I won't use Pantac gear (I have some old Phantom marked Pantac gear that I've used in a combat zone), but you can find real stuff in the same price range if you're patient.

As far as layout - I love the look and practicality of plate carriers (Condor is the lowest end; the DBT FAPC used to be available for $80, less used) for dedicated use. Cummerbunds really help a lot with load bearing and added real estate, and to really get the most out of them you need the added cummerbund.

Otherwise, a chest rig combined with a backpack, and maybe belt load carrier is the way to go. Maximum flexibility, especially with the three peice system. If you want to go minimum weight, belt rig is great - just holster, and a few magazines/shells for each system - this can be bolstered in an airsoft specific sense with speedloaders (again, pistol mag pouches rule). Add a backpack if you want to add sustainability, If you need a lot more pre-loaded plastic on hand, and/or supplementary launchers, add the chest rig.

Basically, don't limit your search to only airsoft sites.  Don't limit yourself to only plate carriers (they're awesome with IIIA soft armor and SAPI/ESAPIs - otherwise there's other stuff that's lighter, breathes better, and can be used more effectively.
 That said, if you want to replicate a look, it's really tough to beat a mix of PANTAC base gear with MOLLE attachments taken from anywhere (Condor/Flyye/BDS/Real stuff)
If you're not strictly going to replication, it's worth taking some time to see what improvements you can make after each airsoft outing, or practice. These small differences really can come into play - I'm putting added emphasis on this because I'm starting to dual-purpose my rigs, the lessons learned really are that valuable.

[kev50088]

is this good quality?

http://www.opsgear.com/index/page/product/product_id/1795/product_name/MOLLE+Ranger+Rack+Vest

[RealDeal]

My personal opinion on tac gear in rank.

Cheap Nameless China Repro
Condor
Flyye
Pantac (Pantac has better stitching than Flyye, but Flyye is still good)
Real Deal Gear

Tactical Tailor and Eagle Industries are great choices, but keep cost in mind.

Very sound advice.  I've already stated my opinion in threads like this.  Buy cheap, pay twice.

Also available:

Original Special Operations Equipment
SKD
Tactical Assualt Gear
HSGI
LBT
Paraclete
DiamondBack Tactical

[reddeth]

I'd look in RS forum classifieds for Real gear, it can be found in good condition for the same cost as new Pantac gear, and it will still be more value per dollar. If you're hard headed like me, its RS or nothing, but some people are, well admittedly smarter, but fine with Pantac as that's more than enough toughness for the level of abuse their gear will take

[TehLlama]

I'm not even picky that it be dedicated RS gear - I was rocking two pantac pouches everywhere I went in Afghanistan.
I'm just saying that deals can be had on top end gear (Eagle/Paraclete/DBT/OSOE/HSGI/BFG/PPM/SKD/VCAS/VTAC/5.11/ATS/TT/MoO/BlackwaterGear/Specter/Crye/etc.) that is CHEAPER than the airsoft gear that copies it. 

[RealDeal]

Very true.  I've seen people selling their copy gear and saying they put in all kinds of money to build it up when they could've went to a RS site or looked around and gotten high end gear for cheaper. 

It's about patience.  I waited a month before I got my OSOE MWRL 8 mag.  I got a good deal on it w/shipping.  Guy said it was used.  When it showed up at the house, it was brand new.  He considered it used because he had set it up and worn it to the range once.  Same with my DBT FAPC.  But that guy was local and I knew it wasn't used but he needed the cash bad.

I've seen some good deals on ar15.com and some other sites.