Vest advice.

[Hatemonger]

I am looking for some advice on a new vest/pc. I'm getting older and haven't always been kind to my body, namely my back, and I find myself in a lot of pain after a day of airsofting. I figured if I used a vest that distributed the weight more to my midsection and off of my shoulders that might help so, I recently borrowed a teammates pc for a day and after playing half of the day my back started hurting, inserting a replica sapi plate in the back seemed to help out some, however I found the pc had a tendency to ride up in the front. So my questions are...

1. Can anyone suggest a vest that helps distribute weight away from my shoulders? The pc that I borrowed only had an outer cumber bun, so I'm wondering if one with both an inner and outer would help. I'm especially looking for advice from people who have had, and solved, the same back pain issue.

2. So far a pc seems like the best route (actually the Crye cage looks like it would work amazingly well, but it's completely out of my price range), however the riding up in the front issue I mentioned before was really annoying and uncomfortable. Would an inner cumber bun remedy this? Or inserting a front sapi?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Tollis]

I would probably reccommend something that is really light, like an RRV or a WeeSatch, Those are very light weight, and if you put in a sapi in both front and back, it would eliminate your problem of it riding up, just if you get the weesatch, get some shoulder pads, because the straps will cut into your shoulders.

[Rogue1]

H.M., I feel your pain! No one one this forum is older and more abused than I am! My take is to start out with something light like an MAV or a really light vest and only add pouches for what you carry for a minimum load out.Most op's I go to, even the MIL-Sim allow for a lunch break 1/2 way thru the day so you really only need ammo and water. If you really want to load up on a bunch of extra gear and fake sapi's,then you gear will start to load you down and hurt your back. It's impossible to get the weight off your sholders unless you get a vest that has loops on the bottom for a belt.That may help some but your sholders bear the brunt of it. I use a TT split front MAV with an X-harness to spread the weight on my shoulders and add a hyd. pouch and mag pouches. When I go out, I only fill the 3 liter about 1/2 way as I know I only have to last about 3 hours and then I can break for a refill of ammo and H2O. If you are in a hard core Mil-sim where you must carry it all then I replace the Hyd. pouch with a small pack and bring what is needed. The role you play or look you want to achieve makes a difference too and if you want to really look the part,you will get tired lugging all that stuff around. I think that is why the military does not take 53 year old males and insists on a lot of physical training so you can hump a 75 pound ruck all day. I would have to train a lot to carry that kind of weight for more than a couple hours!

[Knife]

My suggestion, Eagle PC with Cummerbund. Most comfortable rig I've worn. When I originally wore an HSS PC, my shoulders didn't fair well after the end of the day. Switched to the Eagle PC and it was night and day in regards to comfort for myself. Keep SAPI plates in both sides, that'll help provide rigidity and help support your back as well. I'd recommend not getting an Eagle RRV in your case, most of the weight gets spread along your shoulders, and some along your mid section. It's not uncomfortable, but it's not gonna work for what you want. I've been told CIRAS vests are extremely comfortable, so those might be worth looking into. The BAE Eclipse RBAV is an improved CIRAS, and is supposed to be a lot nicer, as well as lighter. It's also cheaper than a CIRAS, but still fairly expensive.

Another alternative is to look into MOLLE or non MOLLE H Gear. Gbiscuit says his BHI ISSAK is extremely comfortable as it spreads weight along your shoulders, as well as mid section. If you do this, it might be worth getting a PACA and putting plates into that to help give it rigidy as well as more back support. You can look into an Eagle or BHI MOLLE H harness if you still want it to be modular.

[GrinchBiscuit]

If your back is an issue, fuck plate carriers. LBE's are a godsend.

Try an FLC, or a modular LBE. Pantac makes a replica of the latter.

[cqbr]

If you want one that hugs your body, get a EI CIRAS. When tightened up mine hugs me more than all my rigs.

I believe I've met you in person Hatemonger, and if I recall correctly your pretty skinny. A Wasatch or Weesatch you definitely don't want. I have both a Wasatch and a Weesatch made by HSGI and even with them cinched all the way down they still don't fit me tightly enough. (And I'm a bit larger than you are) Granted they're nice because I can get them on and off very quickly/easily, but if your looking for something to "Attach" itself to you, they are not what you want.

[Zorak]

How much gear do you carry? Could you cut it down to a big ol' war belt and suspenders? If you wear a war belt and tighten in down, you ought to be able to get the weight onto your hips instead of your back.