Making Tactical Vests (need input)
 

Hey Guys, I'm thinking of designing and making tactical vests. I was wondering what you guys look for a vest, what you like and things you don't like. Also what you'd like to see that is not currently out there, whether it be material, colour, comfort, and specific pouches for your loadout.

Well First off, I'd prefer a plate carrier. After that I have a bunch of Ideas.

It'd be nice to have things for bigger pistols like holsters/ammo pouches, such as the Desert Eagle, TM MK23, KP45 Match, etc. A heightened protective collar would be nice too, and I think a built in one point or two point bunglie sling would be nice too... maybe sewn into the collar

I'm looking for a vest designed by someone with extensive field experience.

/thread

The guy who does my lawn Knows fields real well...

On a serious note though, I would like a vest designed similar to the 6094, But with a built in removable chest rig system held on with fastex clips for multiple quick change loadout options. MOLLE would be on the chest, but the area where the chest rig would sit would have female velcro while the removable section of the rig would be lined with male velcro for added stability. Also, padded shoulders would be nice with removable pad options for different load weights. Wiring keepers would be a must, and drag handles would also be appreciated.

So you want an IOTV with a MAP...

No.

why not ask military people who have been over seas and ask them what they like dislike about their rigs. they have more experience and knowledge then anyone on here wearing a rig everyday for 8 months you know waht you like and what you dont

You might want to head over to the RYO section of LightFighter. Tons of guys there that can provide you with suggestions based on experience both in the field and making their own gear. Just make sure you don't mention airsoft.

Yeah but at the same time, I think everyone has there own opinions on there own stuff. Thats why hes asking.

Is your target market airsofters, or real deal operators?

Considering hes asking on an Airsoft Forum, i think its safe to say Airsofters.

Come back after you have actually made something.. and have a clue

Also.. any post that starts with the phrase

"hey guys I'm thinking of X" is pretty much safely ignored

isn't there someone selling gear making equipment in the classifieds right now?

Do you have a sewing machine that can pierce ballistic nylon/ cordura?
Do you have a working knowledge of what kind of threads will be needed?
Do you know where to procure the proper materials?
Do you know how to properly stitch together nylon weave material?
Do you know the different stitches used in tactical equipment to keep it from falling apart?
Do you have extensive knowledge of the construction of equipment with ergonomic factors taken into account?
Do you know what a bartack is without googling it?
Do you know the dimensions of PALS systems?
Do you know what denier means?

I know this stuff, and the thing that's stopping me from making tactical equipment is the $500+ for the proper sewing machine (If I had a Juki, my life would be complete), never mind the typical $20/yd with minimums of 5-10 yards for the material for anything that has even the slightest camouflage print on it.

Not trying to be a jerk, I'm just trying to make sure you know the level of commitment this takes.

I've looked into this extensively and it's outside my price-range, so if you're looking to try and save a few bucks, you'll end up failing at that mission. If you're looking at it for a hobby, you might want to stick to airsoft, it's cheaper. If you're looking at it as a secondary source of income and want to invest in the time and money required to start up, then by all means go for it.

Also be prepared for anything you make that is decent, to be instantly copied and reproduced overseas at a significantly lower cost under cutting anything you sell by a big margin.

^^ lol

1- High speed low drag.
2- Molle so it can be configured and reconfigured as needed.

To answer some questions:

-This will be specifically for airsoft.
-We own a factory in Hong Kong and we deal with law enforcement uniforms.
-No, I do not know alot about tactical vests or how to make it. I just wanted to know what you guys want and don't want to see on the vests.
-We will be hiring individuals with experience in making them and they will be involved in the designs.


Thanks to everyone throwing their input keep them coming. I'll keep watching the post.

Military spec, without the military price tag :)

Oh.. so you did not think some of that information was relevant to your original post..

you may have received a different response if you said

Hi, my name is...

I represent a textile manufacturer in Hong Kong and we are considering expanding into the design and production of Tactical gear for the airsoft market.

I'd like to do some market research.

what sort of features are considered critical for tactical gear?
What sort of features would you like to see , that heretofore doe not exist in the marketplace?
What sort of features are considered unnecessary.

any input would be valued as we are new to tactical gear design and production.

Thank you.

I have a few designs to suggest, but my current vest is a plate carrier that has pistol mag pouches horizontolly lined on the right breast, radio left breast, carabeaner on rib cage plate for sling, pistol holster left gut, right shoulder rollpad and a hydration unit on the left shoulder blade. Dump pouch on left hip area. I like my modular stuff. =D when paintballing I use a vest made up of the backing of a schoolbag and a full bag to pack all my stuff in at the end of the day. It can also holster two pistols under the arms.

In short, it's all about how you play: not everyone will feel confortable with the way some gear is set,

In that case, you don't need our input. You'll simply steal whatever awesome idea someone has invested time and money into developping, produce it for a fraction of the price using cheap labor and cheaper materials, and sell it for a fraction of the cost since you don't have to recover the R&D costs.

To be fair however, there's not much money to be made in static platforms. Build a modular platform using conventionally available design specs (IE PALS webbing and MOLLE attachements).

An updated PLCE would be nice with Molle pouches( for 2 7.62 mags per pouch) ( or even better Bren pouches), a pouch for Kenwood TK378 type radios and a hydration carrier on the back.

A cheaper RBAV replica would be welcomed.

You should also message Firewalker, he seems to have a lot of info, I'm sure he could help you out a lot, maybe even be a part of the design/manufacture team.

by who?

that's all we need another "junk gear" producer.. the market is already flooded with crap gear, and rip offs

What we need is shop that produces solid gear at fair prices, and is responsive to the market

Wey Ferro? :)

Word.

Then this is most welcome.

As for features:

Modular elements are great.

Have specific front, side and back sections the user can purchase in packages or individually to make their own customized rig that all connect to each other via either a good molle to molle connector or some sort of snap system (velcro on vests is annoying).

Essentially anything customizable from the manufacturer that might have a "Build your own vest" sort of idea.

Also, 20rd M4 mag pouches = full of win.

The reality is that, except for a very small select group with die-hard followers that service the high-end security and specops community, the bulk of the high end gear shops have lost out to China and it's utter disregard for trademarks, copyrights, or intellectual property laws.

All that's left is cheap knock offs.

There's no money to be made in high end gear anymore, since anytime you make anything revolutionary, it gets stolen and mass produced in China and sold to consumers who don't give a fuck about the manufacturer and care only about the price.

And now they come to us for recommendations. Nothing left to steal, eh?

It's not even a matter of stealing anymore. It's a matter of the market not even bothering to set up in the US.

Look at Condor and their "TAD Gear" Inspired jackets. 90 bucks for something made in China.

TAD's stuff is being made in China. Why the hell would I pay 300 bucks for a moderately better piece of clothing made across the god damned street from the $90 jacket? It makes no god damned sense!

If it were up to me, I'd set up a sewing factory and make gear that kicks ass and charge a good price for it by finding ways to keep costs down and quality high. However, that isn't realistic. So We deal with what we get. That's why I support companies like Ares Armor, Shellback Tactical and SORD. They get it. Make it bomb-proof, don't rip people off and people will pour in.

Hi, sorry to say I don't have any suggestions but I think this is a fantastic way to do market research. Go right to where the players and enthusiasts hang out. Good luck on this effort and keep us posted.

Right. You can't compete with a sweatshop full of people make pennies an hour when you have to pay minimum wage, deal with Unions and regulatory bodies, pay insurance and more to produce the same piece of equipment in North America. The material costs alone are that much higher here since those things are factored in to the product price, even before the taxes and business fees are applied.

Anyway, it won't matter soon anyway. The US is heading for a meltdown real soon. It'll be cheaper to do business in the US than it is in Mexico if things keep going the way they are.

And then everything made would end up being BERRY compliant and they would buy your shit lol...I never thought of it that way until you mentioned that.

Actually, I meant their dollar is going to be worth about $0.16...but good point :)

What you should really do, Is find what existing models people already like, Use those designs, But ask what people do not like or would like changed to said models. So if enough people want a CIRAS, ask what they would like changed or modified, and build your selection form there.