It doesn’t take novice airsoft players very long to realize that taking their airsoft experience to the next level requires an upgrade in gear. Integral to that upgrade is a chest rig setup that supports them during gameplay and allows for quick reactions on the fly. 

The guide below includes everything you need to know about chest rig setups, from the best features to look for to how you can customize your new chest rig to support you during gameplay. 

What Is a Chest Rig? 

Chest rigs take the idea of functional clothing and maximize it for use with combat or on-the-move training for accessibility, functionality, and versatility. 

Having a chest rig full of magazines can help you quickly reload your rifle or pistol (including real-steel and airsoft variants) with ease without having to attach a bunch of pouches to your belt. The chest rig is a valuable piece of tactical gear that distributes weight across your torso so your movements aren’t hindered as you run around the airsoft field. 

Additional benefits of chest rigs include comfort and silence. Most chest rigs are flexible and silent as you stalk your enemy and move into position. With a chest rig and a sling mounted to your primary airsoft gun, you can also keep your hands free to change magazines, clear jams, or otherwise react to the situation at hand. 

Carrying around a chest rig may seem tedious and cumbersome to first-time airsoft players, but the truth of the matter is that these setups do help you have more fun and put up a good fight when engaging with your opponents. 

A chest rig setup’s portability and accessibility make it one of the primary pieces of gear you’ll happily pack along the next time you suit up for an airsoft game. 

Chest Rig vs. Plate Carrier 

One of the most common questions surrounding chest rig setups is, “How are they different from plate carriers?” Beyond the noticeable difference in carrying plates and pouches, plate carriers and chest rigs are two common types of gear on the airsoft field. Airsoft plate carriers are designed to mirror the real thing, which are devices that stop life-threatening rounds from entering your body. 

In contrast, chest rigs offer little protection but much in the sense of stowing as many things on your person as possible, given your available space. 

Similar to tactical vests, chest rigs help airsoft players keep their tools at hand, including magazines. Yet, to make it even more confusing, you can run a chest rig over a plate carrier, but most players often choose one or the other, not both. 

What Are Some of the Best Chest Rig Setup Features?

Personal preference ultimately dictates the best chest rig setup for you. However, considering the following features can help you make a more informed decision. 

Adjustability 

A chest rig setup does nothing for you if it doesn’t fit you or adjust for maximum comfort. Most chest rigs feature adjustable shoulder and waist straps to ensure a snug fit. Before you purchase a chest rig, ensure that you measure not only the size but also look into how adjustable it is. 

For example, shoulder straps in the X, Y, and H styles can all be adjustable, but if you’re particular to a specific style, comparing chest rigs of that design only can help narrow down your choices. H-style shoulder straps distribute weight across the body, while X-style straps work best for smaller body types and women. 

Y-style shoulder straps are less common but can be a welcome middle ground between H-style and X-style straps. Padded shoulder straps can also make a difference. Note that your waist strap should sit slightly above your lower back and cinch down to keep your chest rig from moving around as you run. 

Compatibility 

As you shop for a chest rig, you'll notice that some include pre-installed or detachable magazine pouches. 

Many of these are designed for 5.56-style magazines, so if you’re running an airsoft gun that requires AK-style mags, this can be a problem. However, there are rifle mag pouches out there that will fit your airsoft platform. 

Customization 

Like any other piece of airsoft gear, the best chest rig setups should be customizable. Most manufacturers achieve this by offering multiple colors or patterns you can choose from. Players often choose to match their chest rig with the environment they tend to play in the most or invest in multiple chest rig colors to adjust as needed. 

Durability 

The nature of airsoft is that, at some point or another, you’re probably going to get dirty, scratch things up, and push materials to their limits. That’s why the best chest rigs have to be durable, meaning they should be made of breathable yet sturdy materials like nylon fabric in cordura or ballistic. 

The stitching, zippers, and other types of closures should also withstand a few tugs here and there.

Modularity

The best part about chest rigs is that you can easily start with a basic setup and then build on that as you go along. The most basic types of chest rig setups — also known as micro chest rigs — typically only have space for a few magazine pouches and not much else, but full-size and tactical chest rigs carry a more comprehensive set of gear. 

Modularity also means adapting MOLLE webbing to your needs, using the various attachment points to make room for what you need in the field. 

Versatility 

A chest rig setup’s versatility is measured by how much gear you can carry and how easily it adapts to new airsoft scenarios. 

MOLLE webbing can also help in this regard, in addition to the available magazine retention types (velcro or bungee cord straps, for example). A versatile chest rig setup also allows you to keep your personal belongings close and organize large and small pouches to your heart’s delight. 

How To Choose the Best Chest Rig Setup For You 

Figuring out which chest rig setup is right for you can feel like a guessing game, but it’s really all about deciding what you want and narrowing down your options. 

Here are a few key questions you should ask yourself before you start looking at chest rigs: 

  • What is your budget? 
  • What size chest rig do you need? 
  • What colors or patterns do you like or fit your gaming environment? 
  • How many pouches do you need? 
  • What compatibility do you need to run your favorite airsoft platform? 
  • What type of shoulder straps or material do you want? 
  • What will you carry in your chest rig? 

As you answer these questions, prioritize which aspects mean the most to you. Once you’ve determined what you’re looking for in a chest rig setup, it’s time to start comparison shopping. 

Compile a shortlist and write out the pros and cons of each to inform your final decision while knowing that you’ll probably have to test and adjust as necessary as you play. 

How To Customize Your Airsoft Chest Rig 

Although you can typically run chest rigs “out of the box,” so to speak, customizing them to fit your airsoft playing style can be fun. 

Before you go too far in customizing your chest rig, ensure that it sits in the right spot. The rig itself should sit high on your chest, above your belly button, and centered on your torso. 

Once you’ve achieved the proper placement, it’s time to start thinking critically about how you’ll train with your gear, what items you want to carry and where, and if you want to stick with a basic setup or craft a purpose-built system. 

If you’re not in love with how a chest rig is set up, you can easily start with a basic setup and work from there. Just keep in mind compatibility between your new chest rig, sling, and any other gear that will interact. 

Item placement is often the area where airsoft players spend the most time customizing their chest rig setups. Laying out all the items you want to carry with you and thinking about where they’ll go can help you put critical items close at hand and store less important items in harder-to-reach areas. 

Find a Superior Chest Rig Setup at RedWolf 

When airsoft is the name of the game and finding a chest rig setup that fits you is all you need to dominate the field, RedWolf has you covered. Check out our wide selection of chest rigs that range from a minimalist, modular setup to a decked-out, top-tier setup that’s sure to impress as much as it delivers. 

Sources:

Nylons (Polyamide) | BPF

What is MOLLE? | Knivesandtools

What is a Plate Carrier? | In-Depth Guide | Sarkar Tactical

Velcro Fasteners – What You Need to Know | Firwin Corporation