Multiple setups can be both good and bad. Good because it allows many options, bad because you develop muscle memory for different things that might not be on the kit you’re wearing.
For belts, I’ve been able to work various setups to allow very similar indexing. Not so much for the various chest rigs. They will work, but reload times go way up. The only difference is with my micro-chest rigs. I do a simple magazine management system where my primary reload is still on my belt, secondary is the first magazine on the left in my chest rig. If I have time and cover, I will move a magazine down to my belt rig and shift mags to the left on the chest rig. It sounds far more complicated than it really is and is easy to master and even do when under stress. While the goal is to change mags with cover in a tactical pause, this system keeps your reload-index handy for speed reloads when on the move, in the open, or in dynamic drills. The only system close to perfect is the one you repeatedly and routinely exercise and drill that system under as many conditions and situations as possible.
Some words to think about:
1. Profile.
Do you need to go discrete... or overt? Low profile minimal gear wearable under concealment garments... or open carry of whatever greater amount of shiznit you need to carry the day. Can you make one rig do both?
This can be a significant challenge. I do have a dedicated belt kit for “discreet carry” if needed; however, it’s pretty difficult to wear Level III+ plates discreetly. This is where I’ve had to compromise, take some risk, and apply to situations that haven’t become completely WROL. I ended up with some very light, thin Level IIIA plates vice soft armor as the plates are also stab-proof. With a minimalist carrier, I can get by wearing it under a T-shirt that is sized up one full size, but’s best used with a loose fitting button shirt or light jacket/hoodie. Why IIIA? This is my phased plate carrier choice when the threat level is elevated, but not a full blown SHTF. It’s only rated for handgun rounds which is simply the risk I have to take to keep it the protection concealable. The whole rig only weighs 3.5 pounds (both plates and carrier), so it’s an ultralight rig.
2. Scalability.
Does it have enough inherent stowage capacity (pockets, pouches, etc.) to upload to a maximum practical amount of bullets and water? Can I go lighter and more svelte by just not filling up every pouch? Just because my rig can carry 12 rifle mags... doesn't mean I'm forced to carry that many every time I go out. But the standing capacity is always there for when I need to go heavy... without having to change out to a different rig or reconfigure pouches.
This is where I really like the micro chest rigs. For colder weather, I can wear my level III+ slick carrier under a large jacket; I just look a little rotund, but it will work without drawing too much attention. I normally wear a battle belt, so I have a couple extra mags. If I add my Spiritus or Haley micro chest rig, they snap in and attach to the slick carrier giving me three extra mags. While less optimal, I could don my largest HSGI Denali chest rig over my slick carrier for maximum capacity (up to 12-16 AR magazines), but that would really be a static load kit; not a lot of maneuverability or dynamic dance moves with that heavy of a load out.
3. Mobility.
Can I run, dodge, low crawl, climb, jump over obstacles, tread water, or wear in combination with a big pack and/or body armor? Can I wear this thing in snow while skiing/snowshoeing, or snowmobiling? Can I wear it while riding a horse, a bicycle, a motorcycle, an ATV, etc.? Can I wiggle through a culvert, small window, tight doorway, or hole in a fence with the rig on my body? Can I wriggle through thick brush and wait-a-minute vines?
This applies to the above comment as well. I have some decent level Level III+ plates that if I keep the combat load reasonable, I can still do dynamic drills; that’s either a slick carrier-plus belt, or with the micro-chest rig and/or belt. Again, I have to sacrifice combat load to maintain mobility. It may only be 4-5 spare magazines on-hand, but it beats a mechanical injury that puts you down in the open with 400 rounds weighing your down. What I’ve also found is that I will only use a smaller assault pack with a plate carrier; combining with a full size pack just isn’t going to work anymore. I’ll haul the big pack to the truck but keep the smaller assault pack handy for a bail-out bag. Again, I have to make my own risk assessment and if I'm trying to trek long distance on foot with a large/heavy pack, the plate carrier is going to get cached. Mobility is the hardest aspect to address and balance with maximum protection with a determined combat load. The vast majority of people never train hard with their armor setups, I’m guilty to some degree. When temps are hovering near 100 degrees, plate carriers get dumped within the first hour. Looking tactical is easy; being tactical is difficult; training tactical can be a down-right PITA!
ROCK6
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