MOLLE Vests

[Sindagon]

Hi,

I am really confused here, and I could really use some help. Basically I am in need of a MOLLE vest so I searched a lot and a lot of websites and found that there are a real lot of types of vests; FSBE, MBSS, CIRAS, RRV, RAV, MCLS, PC, Paraclete, Weesatch, Wasatch, Woosatch and lots of others. I would find it immensely helpful if you guys could help me point out the main characteristics of each one of the above and of any others that I might have missed.

For the record I am looking for a replica not real deal stuff and I am nearly 6 ft and weigh 67 kg so I'm a slimmish guy. But that is unimportant at this stage as first I am looking to be able to distinguish the different types of vests and then I'll move on from there.

Thanks in advance,

Sindagon,

Malta,
Europe

Sindagon,

If you could list out your requirements I could help point out which type of platform will best suit your needs. IE, do you need armor? If so, soft armor or hard plates? Do you require a hydration system or do you run canteens etc?

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by Sindagon

FSBE, MBSS, CIRAS, RRV, RAV, MCLS, PC, Paraclete, Weesatch, Wasatch, Woosatch and lots of others.

Buy them all!

[Sindagon]

i do not really need armour but i guess if i get a vest which can take plates i can use it both with and without. I use a Camelbak Thermobak 3 litre. My aim with this post was more to distinguish between different types of vests htat exist. I was thinking of an fsbe or a rav based on looks. Any help regards each one's characteristics is greatly appreciated

[Sindagon]

Can't anyone help tell me the difference between RAV, RRV, FSBE, CIRAS, MBSS etc. Please

[White_knight]

well i use a wasatch with a 3l camelbak and i love it. come with internal mag pouches that fit all types of mags, cheaper then the crias and i wear mine over a soft armor / plate carrier and still have great mobility

(pics so it happened)

[jtjcheng]

From what I know, they all have MOLLE systems.

They just have different outlook and placement of pouches with different functional uses.

Different military units use different vests in different time, so I guess that it's up to you to choose which unit you want to simulate as well.

You should type in each vest name in online encyclopedia (e.g. wikipedia) and you will get detailed pictures of each vest, as well as detailed description of when and where each vest has been used. This is what I did when I chose my BDU.

I don't have time to search and list the links for you now, but I hope that I helped a bit.

Originally Posted by Sindagon

Can't anyone help tell me the difference between RAV, RRV, FSBE, CIRAS, MBSS etc. Please

Yes I can, but it's like describing the difference between an SUV, a sports car and a pickup truck. They all share common elements but are intended for different usage.

Essentially, you have four basic categories. Plate carriers, assault vests, chest rigs, and load-bearing vests. All of them come in vastly different or remarkably similar designs.

Within those four categories, there are two design principles; modular, or fixed. Fixed systems are just that; a platform with permanently affixed pouches typically designed for a specific purpose. For example, a "Rifleman's Chest Rig" or a "Delta Operator Assault Vest".

Modular systems allow you to choose the pouch layout and greatly increases the functionality and usability of the platform by allowing you to equip for mission-specific requirements. Modular systems come in a myriad of designs, the most common being MOLLE.

All of the items you've listed are Molle-compatible armor carriers. They're designed to take hard plates, and with no plates (or replica plates) may not keep their form properly or adequately distribute load.

The RRV and MBSS are partial-coverage plate carriers. The sides are open. These rigs are typically worn overtop of soft armor carriers like the BCS carrier.

The FSBE, CIRAS and RAV are all releasable full-coverage vests that integrate soft armor and hard plates. They're all very similar in design, although comfort varies.

In a word, the difference is REAL ESTATE. How much space do you need for your loadout? Space is limited on the plate carriers. The releasable vests have a lot more room for goodies.

[Sindagon]

So I have opted for the FSBE look because I like the look and also the fact that theyre not too bulky. I have found two versions that fit my budget since I am going for replicas.

The first is from ebaybanned:

http://ebaybanned.com/product_info.p...roducts_id=161

The second is from ehobbyasia:

http://cgi.ebay.com/USMC-MOD-MOLLE-P...QQcmdZViewItem

The architechture of the vest shows better here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/USMC-MOD-MOLLE-A...742.m153.l1262

Now I was looking for an OD one but I prefer the ranger green colour to which the ehobbyasia one comes closer so on grounds of colour I would pick that. However I realised that these 2 aren'texactly the same and the EB version actually has 2 more rows of MOLLE loops, also the top section of the 2 backstraps looks stroger on the EB one so build wise it wins. What other differences can you point out between them? Does the ehobbyasia one have a cummerbund?

Thanks for your help.

It would appear to have a cummerbund, yes. Otherwise, I can't comment on difference as I'm not personally familiar with either of these replicas.

[SINN]

the ebaybanned is an actual FSBE copy where the sides open up and close via velcro. Nothing internal. The other two you show appear to be more of an Eagle plate carrier hybrid of some sort.

[Sindagon]

So what would be the main difference between the FSBE and the Eagle Plate Carrier? The FSBE has less real estate?

[SINN]

The FSBE is a little higher cut around the neck etc. It's an older design. The plate carrier has more real estate on the sides because of the cummberbun. I haven't read the entire thread yet (sorry), but if you go replica, I would go pantac and go for the plate carrier.

http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol...l?prodID=22535

[panda86]

The EBanned one has a couple extra rows on the back which tells you 2 things:

1. you have 2 more rows so the vest body is slightly longer
2. it allows you to put more stuff on the back (potentially longer hydration packs / backpacks).

The Ehoby one is a replica Eagle plate carrier, not a replica of a genuine FSBE. I have this vest and it fit shoter framed people well since the torso is a bit shorter (I think in the sales description it says "smaller Asain fit" or something like that.

It's also OD green, not ranger green. I know because I have gear in both OD and Ranger green, and the Ehobby vest is definitley OD.

[Sindagon]

do you think the ehobby asia one can take fake plates?