SPEAR LOAD BEARING VEST 

Really cool piece of duce gear, I've never seen it before.

You don't have 5 faithful perscribers, you have 95 of us. I enjoyed this video.

I picked up one of these last year at a local antique mall for $20. Wasn't sure what I had until i did some research also. Neat piece of kit! Thanks for the video!

The SPEAR/ELCS system came after the MOLLE system which began in 1997. The SPEAR ELCS are dated by the white tags you see sewn under the printed resin paper labels with the nomenclature and care & use information. I might have an extra H Harness front adapter panels in Woodland Camo here. The DCU pattern SPEAR ELCS and BALCS armor system were only issued to 5SFG because of their AO. You have the Individual issue kit in the Storage Device then there were specialized Unit issue expansion modules for other weapon systems from M14 to MP5. For some time USMC Recon were supposed to be equiped with MP5 but experience showed the 9mm to have too short range and not be effective on enemy troops wearing body armor. The adoption of the Colt Abu Dabi Carbine as the XM4 changed that. SEALs had a preference for the M14 in cold regions, even had their own Mk14 built with special metal folding stocks off the BM59. Rangers had the R.A.C.K. Ranger Assault Carry Kit chest harness kits with leg drop bag issued both in Woodland and DCU, depending on which Bn assigned.

I have loved the web gear since the vietnam set up but i haven't seen this one before even though the H-harness is very similar to my defensive fortis H-harness wich i think is one of the best. Thanks for sharing 👍

My favorite feature of the LBV is the canted mag pouches. The natural reload from the strong side is really nice. It's neat to see they angled the pals on the chest here too. I wish this was more common.

The spear system I knew of way back in 2000. A guy I knew in the 5th had one it was cool. At that time I was using lbt 1195j same principle but no upper panels. They float good but more of an aid in swimming, not as well as a life jacket. Between your ruck and this system you should be ok in water.

According to the use and care manual, 01 Oct 1999 also known as Equipment Load Carrying Subsystem ELCS

Great video! It's really quite a rare find. I actually really like the LBV-88E vest as an all around (armor free) fighting rig. However if I run across a SPEARS vest... Don't know exact dates (early to mid 90's) but SEALs tested and gave feedback to the original LBV-88 (1988) which resulted in the LBV-88 'E'nhanced model you previously reviewed. No doubt the SPEAR vest was the MOLLE upgrade as they share some features - sans the ALICE belt. It's really just a standard issue FLC (Fighting Load Carrier) on steroids. Looks like it was designed to go over early body armor as well - like FLC. The PALS panel on the back eliminates the 4 straps on the back of an FLC. As you mentioned the 'angled' PALS on the side 'mesh' panels allow magazine pouches to be worn at an angle for easier access just as on the LBV-88'E' - one of the SEALs improvement recommendations along with the mesh material. The zippers on the LBV-88E vest was originally for Kevlar inserts but likely a 'flotation insert kit' around for it also. LBV-88E vests were part of the short lived IIFS (Individual Integrated Fighting System) as an improvement to ALICE gear but before the MOLLE system (approx. 2002). BTW - found complete used woodland camo SPEARS ELCS set up (vest, all the pouches etc.) for $350 on eBay. Too rich for me but you did well. I'll stick with my LBV-88E. I've got that same 'problem' - Semper Fi.

Love the strutting chicken ❤

Faithful #5 again. As always great video. Neat system, never seen it before. Like you said, I remember see the H Harness straps on Uncle Sams Retail Outlet. Seems like an evolution of the junk they called the LBV 88. I would bet it’s the predecessor to the FLC. The full system load out pic you showed reminds me of the SFLCS or RCLS SYSTEMS. Probably similar to how the FLC/Molle systems could be issued as Rifleman/grenadier/machine gunner configurations. Now I gotta head to eBay! Keep up the great videos! Forgot to add….this looks a lot like the Brit Osprey vest.

Sustainment pouch on the hydration pouch works great

I love the one on the left. I have it and used it in the service for many years. The new systems are similar to the one on the right but have different color pattern. I didnt like it and wasnt my style. I have mine set up for my 9mm and ar15 set up. Still needs minor adjustment of things but still excellent piece of gear.

lol.."i have a problem"...to funny. stay frosty brother

I have a coyote brown version that I saved from the trash while I was at the fifth marines , also check out the lbv88 molle medic vest

That’s a fine looking LBV all decked out! Gotta love woodland

It’s amazing you have a surplus store that sells actual military surplus. Our local store went out of business a decade ago.

Holy shit I never seen this piece of kit before. Been looking for something like this for everrr

Good stuff!

I LIKE THIS ONE

Thanks for making this video

More great info Brotha .. thank you .. I have actually been working on getting and setting up my deuce gear , I actually found the butt pack I have been looking for at a yard sale today got it for free .. and it is actually in great condition ..

😂😂😂once the cat showed up (and I was still laughing at the feather friend) I fully expected DING-DONG “oops. Stand by folks. Fed Ex is here.”

Awesome video thanks for sharing!

I was dorking around with a chest rig and decided to go with the ELCS. More flexibility in my opinion and just as much capacity

Very interesting and totally something I would try if I ever somehow had a rare piece like this, seems useful as it is ventilated and light weight. I recently adopted a mil-tec german made mesh molle vest that's actually much better then some of the cheaper alternatives out there. A OPS vest of sorts basically replica wise. But has it's own features and enhancements, rare French CCE camo pouches with 600D nylon and PU inner coating in the pouches for weather and abrasion resistance I presume. Pretty rad, it's well made too. I think mesh molle vest type systems are underrated, load bearing systems like this can easily be layered over a slim slick modern plate carrier.

Great video, I bought on of these recently. I wasn't able to find much about it and this was good info.

great piece of equipment. Love your channel

Looks like a variant of the ranger rig. Also, I have a buddy, whose first sergeant back in the day, jumped into Panama way back in the day. Dude was Chinese and barely spoke English, but they were jumping into the ocean. As they’re on the plane he’s dumping out his canteens and all the other Green Berets were ask him what the fuck he was doing. He said “you sink, I float!” well, sure, as shit. The other dudes were struggling to tread water, and a few canteens work at his flotation device.

Good information. And I like the critters too.

I’ve got the patrol pack that is made by Gregory. Awesome solid pack

It's the out come after the lbv88 premiere flc vest

You might have a problem but LBE is a lot cheaper to collect than cars.

Add some 1/2 in thick closed cell foam in the H Harness and front chest panels, not a life saving bouyancy but as help to make your combat load somewhat neutrally bouyant.

I believe it was the next evolution/advancement from the FLC.

I spend 5yrs in the army (infantry), and didn’t even know this type of LBV existed. Thanks to your video, I just cop me a new one from eBay! I wonder where I can find those flotation sets, curious to try them out with this vest…

Life isn't complete until you have a cat all up in your business. Ask me how I know... =^..^=~

The "flotation" was just to take part of the weight of the gear, not really to float everything on its own. If you take the shoulder pad out and look at it, it's the same material and thickness as the missing pads.

You could cut up your isopor/ensolite sleeping pad to make flotation panels in those pockets.

I have that spear system complete with the instruction booklet, and bag it comes in. I am currently using the two 2 liter canteen pouches on my hot weather pack. I haven't really done a video on it other than showing some of the system in a video. It's definitely a nice peice of kit. I wonder if it goes hand in hand with the Gregory SPEAR system rucksack. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed it much👍🤗