And here's another setup I've been working with. The purpose in mind here is for Run & Gun / Tactical Biathlon events like Waco Tactical Fitness (WTF), The Gun Run, and similar. I've got one coming up at the end of April (2023), and took it as a chance to rethink how I want to carry my gear. These events to have a handgun component, which rules out two of my three LBE kits- but I also didn't want to go with a battle belt and chest rig like I've done in the past for training courses.
This particular rig is built on a First Spear Tactical Patrolling Harness that I picked up on closeout sale back in 2016 or 2017. They've discontinued them since, with their only remaining LBE being the JOKER rig (which, honestly, is probably better). This patrolling harness is a similar design to the Eagle MLCS h-harness or the Air Force DF-LCS rig that never really caught on. It's a heavily-padded harness with three main sections plus the yoke. Around the waist is three padded panels held together with thick bungee cord.
Working left to right:
- Tactical Tailor Magna pistol pouch
- G-Code Soft Shell Scorpion speed reload
- Emdom Double M4 mag pouch
- Open utility space for additional ammo, radio, GP pouch, etc
- (Lumbar) SO Tech Viper A1 IFAK
- (Upper back) First Spear 3L hydration pouch with Source 3L bladder
- Open space for pistold draw, holster is a Dara Level II for my CZ P07
- Emdom M4 Double mag pouch
- Emdom Small Vertical Pouch
- T3 Gear TQ Pouch
On trend for me, I use one speed reload pouch and then keep the rest in covered/flapped pouches. The TT Magnas pistol mag pouches can be kept open or closed as well. I keep the rig at about naval-height so that the bottom edge of the pads sits atop my hip bones. I also avoid having anything tall in front of the hips so that it doesn't interfere with leg movement going up hills or obstacles.
On the support side is a single double mag pouch with two additional columns available for something else. The most obvious thing to keep here would be more ammo, but a typical run and gun match doesn't have a high ammo count requirement, so I'd rather save the weight. Alternatives here would be a radio, dump pouch, or some GP space for misc items.
One thing about this harness is the tradeoff caused by the bungee cord holding the panels together. On one hand, it provides a lot of nice tension so that the rig "hugs" me during athletic movement. On the other hand, it removes the space around the kidneys that I would typically put canteen pouches.
For that reason, this is the only rig where my plan from the beginning is to use a water bladder for hydration. Races are typically 1-2 hours long, so 2L to 3L is plenty. If the water ruptures or leaks, then that sucks but isn't a deal breaker. Of course, the bladder gets in the way of integrating with an assault pack. I accept that tradeoff because this harness is so heavily padded around the shoulders that it doesn't work well with a backpack anyway.
On the lower back is an SO Tech Viper A1 IFAK. This one is quite a bit larger than the Mini I use on other kits. It's accessible by either hand, and even though it's larger it still does not get in the way of sitting in a chair or vehicle. I know I could stick two canteen pouches down in this position, but I really try to avoid putting any hard objects next to my spine like that for safety reasons.
On the strong side, I kept three columns open to facilitate drawing the pistol. I originally put a Tactical Tailor modular holster here, mounted directly to the MOLLE. It worked fine, but a dedicated holster designed for the pistol works better. So I keep the space free and run a Dara Level II with a slight drop from my belt line. Were I in a situation where I didn't need the pistol, then I could repurpose this open space for more rifle ammunition, a fixed blade, or something else.
All loaded up with 5 magazines of 5.56 and 3 liters of water (6.6 lbs), this rig weighs 20.2 lbs complete. Add in Add in my rifle and pistol, and we're up to about 30 lbs for a race weight.
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