A tactical vest is a great way to stay protected and carry any essential gear you might need. But, many people are unaware of what to look for when it's time to buy a tactical vest or other tactical gear for the first time. Whether you are investing in a tactical vest to protect yourself or your family or have the peace of mind that you own protection, just in case, it pays to make sure you are able to get the most out of your tactical vest.
Get the appropriate vest and be aware of your task. Because a plate carrier is modular, you may add or remove attachments at any time and move them around the carrier as needed, giving you a lot of freedom.
If you decide to utilize a vest, be sure it has the built-in features you'll need since, despite the fact that you can add a few pouches here and there, it will most likely come with its current configuration when you purchase it. Whatever style you decide on, it must be reliable and comfy. Cheaper does not always equate to a better offer.
Getting a Tactical Vest
Simply put, a tactical vest is basically a vest or vest-like piece of gear made to carry your gear out in the field. The category of tactical vests includes a few distinct types of vests, and in order to correctly set up any of them, it's crucial to know those variations.
A tactical plate carrier isn't a vest in the strictest sense. The front and rear plate carrier pieces are joined by straps located at the sides and across the shoulders; despite the fact that they are sometimes described to be a tactical vest, they aren't. They are intended to transport hard Level III or IV protection plates, as their name suggests.
Additionally, plate carriers include MOLLE straps in the exterior so that accessories such as holsters, magazine pouches, and first aid kits may be fastened to them. The side straps include a mechanism such as quick-release buckles and are simple to set up. Typically, to put on the carrier, the wearer must first slide it over their head, just like wearing a poncho, and tie the side straps accordingly. This is easier said than done once the vest is fully equipped.
The benefits of utilizing a tactical plate carrier are that everything is in one unit, making it easier to access the equipment you need and that it is modular, allowing you to adjust the arrangement to suit your needs.
As the name implies, a tactical vest is a vest. It is put on similarly to a sleeveless jacket and fastened with a front zipper. It comes with several MOLLE straps for attaching accessories, but it also includes built-in features like magazine pouches, map pockets, and compartments for field dressing or portable radio, and on certain versions, a cross-draw holster for a handgun.
Since vests open along the front, they don't feature pockets for solid plates; however, they could have a pocket that's built-in for a hydration bladder in the back. Additionally, it is much easier to put on and take off.
Setting Up a Tactical Vest
If you came here looking for the perfect setup for your tactical vest, then you will be disappointed. The reason for this is that your tactical vest's setup is a question of personal preference. That's because wearers get quite picky about how they set up their tactical vest, similar to how gun owners are highly particular about their weaponry.
Mastering the Setup
Mastering the setup of your tactical vest is going to take time. Split-second judgments frequently determine whether a life is saved or lost in high-stress circumstances. Under these circumstances, you wouldn't want to be caught scrambling to find that essential first aid package or magazine because you installed it on your tactical vest without carefully considering when you will need it and how you would retrieve it in an emergency.
As a result, those who wear tactical vests will arrange their pouches in a method that is the simplest for them to remember. To further develop their muscle memory, many even go so far as to consciously practice pulling out their equipment in a hurry. Once you have the vest and all of the necessary gear, you may also familiarize yourself with your tactical vest with practice.
Carry Equipment for the Job
When owning a tactical vest, it is important to only carry equipment that's essential for the job. It may be quite simple to get lost in the catalogs and purchase whatever attachments strike your fancy when there are so many possibilities. If you wind up purchasing more pouches than you will really use, this is obviously not only incredibly inefficient but will also turn out to be very costly.
To keep that from happening, list every piece of equipment and accessories that are required for the particular task at hand. Then, while you browse the market for pouches and accessories for your tactical vest, search for the best options that can hold the least amount of the gear you'll be storing in it. So, for instance, if you just need to transport two pistol magazines, you should get a magazine holder with just two slots and not four.
Body Armor Plates
Good body armor shields the weak places while maintaining mobility. Without a doubt, body armor gives combatants a significant edge, and numerous police officers and military owe their lives to the invention.
The National Institute of Justice's testing criteria, which specify protective levels, are used to categorize body armor. The least effective level IIA only offers defense against dangers posed by common handgun calibers like 9mm and .45 ACP, while Level II defends against threats from pistols and some dangers from magnum weapons, such as the .357 Magnum.
Be Comfortable
In the Army, soldiers jump up and down before they embark on a patrol to check for any loose equipment that may generate noise or flail around. You can try this technique using the pouches on the vest and fill it up as you would for a day of duty before putting it on.
Put on both your tactical vest and your separate plate carrier if you have one. Jump up and down and trot around to see if it fits perfectly. This easy exercise should be about enough to feel how everything feels. You should have everything on your vest fastened. As you move, nothing should jingle or flap around. This can only be achieved by spreading the load rather than putting all of your equipment on one side.
The amount of comfort and safety you are able to get from your tactical belt all depends on the type of belt you choose and the way you configure it. You can visit ShieldConcept.com to find out more useful information on tactical vests and other tactical gear.
