Best Chest Rig on a Budget even if you're not budget minded 

Career Marine here retired (IED) Listen, I assume we are talking operating in current SHTF situations. If you look like military you are wrong, carry what you can conceal and train for it. You won’t be rolling around decked out with your whole arsenal . You want to be under the radar and fast, chest rigs, helmets all that shit people think is cool will just get you popped from a distance, look like a average joe. Be the grey man. Why carry 6 or 8 mags? With zero support the options are break contact , possibly out maneuver and draw into a hasty ambush. you will not be standing and fighting (unless in a group) Your rig should fit under a shirt or jacket , I don’t want to type a book so I hope you can kinda understand what I’m saying. Don’t be a loot drop. Not to shill for certain companies but I find the T Rex arms ready rig perfect for current times. Obviously if you have a specific mission equip yourself according to the need, but in general do not look like you are in full battle rattle. 3 or 4 mags, and one inserted is plenty. Find a low profile plate carrier , or vest. Use a civilian back pack, too many variables to speak on , anyhow one comment in a sea of armchair commandos lol. Cardio, marksmanship, planning and mindset. These things will save your life Gucci gear and weight will not. Also build a team. Good luck and God bless!

I’m not sure who decided a micro chest rig (3 magazines) is a fighting load but I completely disagree. Maybe three to disengage but what if you can’t or don’t want to disengage? Maybe three is good if you’re a contractor because most contracting is glorified guard duty, ie no movement to contact, no assault, no reaction to ambush, etc. I’ll keep saying it. The mantra for preppers should be - less contractor, more MACV-SOG.

The Krydex H harness is a great inexpensive replacement

I can also recommend the old LBV. Holds 6 mags and still has a wide open (mostly) pistol belt for mag pouches. I have also used a smaller chest rig without mags above the vest, but havent practiced drawing mags with it on yet. Remember, old gear was state of the art at one time. Never underestimate surplus.

Headed over to Sportsman Guide. You knocked it out of the park with this video. Be safe.

I picked up a Marine Corps TAPS brand new from Venture Surplus. Same thing, came with the repair kit and even the instruction manual. Modified mine, acquired an H-harness. I mainly need this thing to incorporate OVER a slickish plate carrier for a "Plus up" role. Definitely this is slept on. Also, the modularity and mission adaptability the TAPS can do, is definitely looked over. Is it the best of the best out the box, Negative. Do you have to work with it and make it work for you, Yes. Are you gonna spend an arm and a leg, Negative. But with some work, can this be viable for what you need it to do, Yes. Love the content. Stay Safe out there. Semper Fidelis.

As a amry veteran i would recommend army surplus because you can get them for cheap and you get more pouches too.

This was a great video and that's a great setup. Thanks for sharing that information.

This is so inspiring to this newbie that I just subscribed to your channel, thank you for posting this and cheers from Detroit Michigan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

7 Bravos & Deltas were those 2-to-1 tube nods. Keep up the great work !!!

Very good information I never used either a plate carrier or chest rig . They were NOT around when I was in the army 1975-1981 and 1985-91. We had canvas Harnesses in 1975 and Nylon Y harnesses in the second enlistment. So this is all new to me.

You are 1000% correct I discovered the USMC TAPs last summer and I wish it would have been sooner because of the money that I spent on Haley and Mayflower Chest rigs but now I have two USMC TAPs setup different ways for different weapons and missions plus I also pickup a set of Danish Military Surplus Load Bearing Suspenders, 3 Pack, New from Sportsman guide which are AWESOME to spread the load and have just enough padding to be perfect for the TAPs. I also pickup a Eagle Industries H-Harness that I am working on as a 308 AR10 Rifle Combat loadout rig but that is still a work in progress.

Awesome video, thanks!

I run a taps rack. I love it and the only use I see for the micro fight rigs is more covert, but I run an agilite K20 that can fill that role and give me soft armor or plates

Very surprised the FLC wasn't mentioned...cheaper and more versatile than a TAPS rig. You can pick them up for $15 and customize them however you'd like, and you're not tied down to ONLY 5.56 magazines. Also Chicom rigs are $20, and with a few mods are extremely versatile piece of kit which again accommodates more than just 5.56 mags.

UW Gear makes excellent chest rigs and are highly underrated.

I got one of those from Coleman's Military Surplus a while back...sadly not for $24. Good for the price though still. I also have a Viktos pouch similar to your Haley version on sale for under $100 a year ago. My go to if price isn't an issue is SOE Tactical. Will literally last a lifetime, many different option - 6 mag, 8 mag or an AR/AK Micro rig. All their stuff is heirloom quality.

Just found your channel because of a facebook comment you made. I was just thinking about grabbing one of these. Thanks for the information

Hey man! Always great to hear from you. In your opinion if you could only afford one would you get a war belt? A chest rig or plate carrier?

Great philosophy of use

FYI: Getting the Shock Cord from Amazon 50ft of it plus the Haley Strategic pull are a great way to have your Mags Secured plus you can set the tension you want on the Mags and since I have the Magpul Mags with the baseplates that have the built in pull tab setting up my own retention was a better way to go and I have extra shock cord incase of an issue later on. Amazon also has the Kydex inserts for the mag pouches for 5 bucks each when you get 4 of them and I have put the inserts in all my rigs and are working great.

A good cheap mini rig is the acetac chest rig. I've been using mine as a plarcard for my mepc.

I have never been a fan of chest rigs for the reason you say the money just two carry 2 or 3 mags depending on caliber. I like the a-taps over the taps surplus is a viable options that dont get the credit they deserve. I my self run a plce setup from Britain

I ran a modified TAP for years professionally, until recently I saved up enough to drop coin on a lbt split rig. Having the modularity to learn what you like and don’t like, is priceless. After a few hundred hours of sucking, I knew exactly what worked for me. God bles

I got a mayflower gen 4 for 100 bucks used on eBay. It holds for mags in the main pouches. And it can hold an additional two mags in the side pouch for a radio or med kit. And then use the a dangler as a medical. Giving me 6 mags on a chest rig. Plus more in a ruck sack. Ballin on a budget.

That and the FLC are underrated. I like the FLC because it gives you molle expansion on your back. So if you want to run something with the new spiritus LBV vibes it is an option. Not saying its a better option but it is cheap and fairly durable. And building one out with all surplus stuff can be done for less than $200. And you walk away with a very capable system. If you are trying to save a buck, stop getting chiniesium stuff. Surplus is cheap and it works. And if money is a non issue go wild.

The TTP'S and the FLC are the goat for sure. Also ALICE.

As a former Marine (77-97), 145#, 32 inch waist, I'm doubtful about the TAPS. From what I know, most Marines thought it was too expansive. There's a reason micro chest rigs are catching on. Also, a real battle belt works great when you're actually foot mobile infantry. Chest rigs became a thing as a result of vehicle borne operations. When I was in, we walked everywhere. You only rode in a vehicle if you were a casualty. Sheesh.

I was a medic from 90 to 98 and this will work great for med gear as well compared to what I was issued back then crap has come along way

I Love Sportsman Guide,

What is your take on the FLC?

My Man!!

You can hit up any surplus store, snag a few buckles and those 3 mag shingles and make a quick split rig, super cheap, super easy, super effective

Like the video because;a lot of us don’t work for the military.We don’t know when we can replenish our gear and or ammo.Eight mags or more is just the way to go…

Wish I’d had this information two rigs ago. Lol.

I was in the Army and given the option we preferred to run a Rhodesian over a simple plate carrier. We preferred one that buckled in the front middle. When fire starts coming in, you could open the rig and get your chest ON THE GROUND. The guys that had 8" of shit stuck to their front were crapping their pants when they realized they couldn't get down or they had to roll onto their back. Live and learn I guess... I do have a few standard plate carriers because they're cool, but my good old beat to sh-t rhodesian is my best old friend.

I’ve used my original harness for 6 years never had any problems I think it just about your body style

That seems like a "Back in the day" price, they now range from $40 to $100. The only thing you can get for that price is the Chinese "Chicom" SKS chest rig, I have four of those and they fit AK mags too.

I have the trifecta: a TAPs, a micro chest rig, and a split rig. Each has a purpose that’s fits a scenario better than the other. All my gear came from Venture Surplus. All fit over plate carriers. Not every scenario goes according to plan and not every set up will fit all scenarios. I’d start with the TAPs. Look at military surplus the same way your girlfriend looks at your hoodie.

That has the same flimsy setup that my USMC issued harness had for the battle belt

Where can I get an assault pouch with the Velcro on it ?

The ability to scale up or scale down is important…. In my never humble opinion.

My modified TAPS has been my go-to for years. When I saw the similar USMC rigs for $12 it was a no brainer to pick up a couple. I think a lot more people would make an LBE/LBV their primary option if they spent more time using the gear than watching others on social media.

TT MK4

Damn I didn’t even know the marine corps issued chest rigs. We are forced to wear plate carriers for every hike, range, recon, etc. lol

I prefer the gucci gear setups.

👍

TAPS and FLC

I got a chest rig that is surplus Chinese from Vietnam era.

I just looked and that rig is almost $50 now. I saw that they are selling the repair kit by itself. Didn't look to see if it's still included with the rig

Where can you buy this rig

Do you have any links to these rigs and harnesses?

Where did you buy the base tap?

I really want one of these, but I heard that P mags don't work with it. They're too tight. Do you know if gen 2 p mags will work with this chest rig?

As of Feb 17, 2024 0600 CST they're $44.99 at Sportsman's

Great choice but still prefer my flc. Its also set up for mosin clips ahahahah

"Mid-Tier" is my life. I'm not impressive enough to ever need more.

If it can't hold 6 M4 mag's etc, then its just a home defense rig? Or active shooter/range rig..... Were from?

Snagged one for $13. Shouldve got 2

What is that battery container?

That flag is awesome!

Haa I had 20 mags in my vest but I didn't load them with ammo I'd die of being weighted down

What’s your opinion on buying gear from temu

16 AR mags?

FANNY PACK FOR MEN 👍😳😳👍

As of 2/18/2024 this is $45 on Sportsman's Guide. Might get it for my shotgun cards! If your problem can't be solved by a shotgun, then it can't be solved. ;-)

$57 is cheapest I can find it.

I use molle pouches from all over the world

Sportsmans Guide, Now there's a JOKE!

These are like omelets, put whatever you want in them.

Ok guys who is this type stuff for? Where or when would you really need this stuff?

3 mags and 1 in the gun is better than nothing, my current rig has 12 on the plate and 1 in the gun. I do have a micro rig that’s always in my truck I’d rather have that than nothing at all.

They are $40 now so not really a deal. Better to get higher quality at that price

Sound mixing on videos is awfully important. Viewers shouldn't have to turn the volume down during the intro and back up when you start talking. Something that separates high from low quality content is sound fidelity, levels, and of course video resolution. Good info, but it was tough to listen to.

doomsday loadout

Inexpensive, but not cheap, mil surp, or arts and crafts project from garages, small companies, are my speed.

T-rex arms H-harness, backstrap, and HSGI bungees. Spent more money on that than the rig but it is 100% worth it. Reject modern, overpriced, "high-speed" kit. Return to milsurp. The ammomaxxing will continue until morale improves.

That harness looks a lot like someone took an old ALICE harness, removed the shoulder padding, and replaced the snap hooks with plastic buckles. No wonder it's awful.