Standfirst
Micro chest rigs have been around for some time now; the first notable appearance was back in 2018 when Hailey Strategic revealed the D3CR Micro at Shot Show. Since then there have been many different real-world tactical gear manufactures releasing their own versions onto the market all with their own pouches, pockets and attachment systems, which gave the user the ability to attach the chest rig to a variety of plate carriers- should the need arise. Although the Micro chest rig has never been out of vogue, its popularity has increased in recent years as several Airsoft gear manufactures have bought out their very own affordable versions.
Well as always this got us thinking here at AI HQ about the practically of Micro chest rigs on the skirmish field. Each manufacturer has certainly played by the rules and adopted the "less is more" philosophy and we are all for the high-speed, low drag mantra so its time to find out just how practical these are on the skirmish field.
Welcome to the Airsoft International Micro Chest Rig Challenge! The rules are simple, over the coming months we are putting a number of specifically Airsoft manufactured rigs head to head to gauge their storage ability, versatility and practicality against carrying what we consider to be skirmish field essentials and include:-
Primary magazines
Secondary magazines
Radio
Pistol
Pyro
Utility storage
Viper Tactical VX Buckle up Ready Rig
The latest chest rig to come off the Viper Tactical production line and arguably their best to date.
The Viper VX Buckle Up Ready Rig is an excellent addition to anyone's gear locker. Whatever equipment you decide to use in the field, this rig can be easily customised to carry a variety of different sized primary magazines by using any sleeves compatible with Viper VX system. The main pouch is lined with a hook and loop covering allowing you to insert any mag or pistol sleeves. The magazine sleeves can also accept a radio, which will, of course, detract from the rigs magazine carrying capability, but that's a choice for you to make.
7.62 Magazine Capacity
As you would expect the larger the magazine you carry the less of them you will be able to fit in. The Ready rig will carry a maximum of three of this type of magazine. But seeing as the larger 7.62 magazines in airsoft are mainly restricted to DMR's you’re not going to be hampered with a lack of magazines, but you won't have the ability to carry anything else in the rigs main pocket.
5.56 Magazine Capacity
As a straight M4 magazine carrier the rig will easily carry four magazines, by adding a radio and or pistol you will essentially lose the ability to carry one magazine.
SMG Magazine Capacity
The smaller the magazine, the more you're going to be able to carry. The ready Rigs main pocket will easily accommodate four SMG magazines and or a pistol sleeve and or Radio.
Pistol Magazine capacity
There are what appears to be two fixed magazine pouches on the front of the rig, but we are somewhat sceptical that they will secure your magazines as they seem to be rather oversized, but because they are universal we can see what Viper tactical was trying to achieve; however, we feel that some form of retention would have gone a long way to resolving our and no doubt your scepticism, however, it's not all bad as the pouches work very well indeed with larger pyro.
Utility storage
On the front of the rig, you will find two zipped, general-purpose utility pouches. The one on the left is the more functional of the two and features a plastic map window and internal organisers, however here we have stowed a multi-tool and the contents of a simple personal first aid kit. You could cram the contents of your first aid kit into the smaller pouch on the left however we decided to place a BB loader or some small micro smokes. You could if you wish to also stow your pistol mags in there as an option, but bear in mind it's by no means going to be ideal for those quick-change situations you might find yourself in.For extra storage, we added a Viper Tactical "scrote" pouch. This welcome addition gave us the ability to add extra skirmish field essentials that we needed, which came in the form of pyro- and lots of it!
At the rear of the pouch, there is a large Velcro flap that fits securely to the back of the rig and produces a seamless string join
The glove-friendly zips make it easy to open, once inside you'll find a large compartment for loose items and three large elastic retention loops ideally placed for pyro.
The rig
You can wear Vipers Ready Rig as a stand-alone chest rig, which is adjusted using a removable shoulder and waist webbing strap. Thanks to quick release buckles throughout and hook and loop panel on the back of the rig, it can be mounted onto any Viper Buckle Up compatible carrier.
The rig is primarily designed for shooters and gives the ability to carry magazines and ammo onto the skirmish field. Its size suggests it's very much a "High-Speed, Low Drag" product that in our opinion delivers a balanced and well thought out chest rig that gets its inspiration from the real world and delivers what was intended as a “covert” product onto a skirmish field.
Scores
Primary magazines 4/5 the smaller the magazine, the more you can carry
Secondary magazines 2/5 the double pouch does exist but requires some form of retention to secure your pistol magazines.
Radio 4/5 using a 5.56 magazine sleeve you can secure a radio in the rigs main pocket, but this does mean you'll carry fewer rifle magazines.
Pistol 4/5 by adding a pistol sleeve you will have fewer rifle magazines.
Pyro 3/5 the ability to carry pyro is enhanced by adding a Viper Tactical Scrote pouch.
Utility storage 5/5 all of the skirmish field essentials are catered for.
Cost 5/5 at this price point you can't go wrong.
Colour Options
Black
Coyote
Green
Titanium
V-Cam
V-Cam Black
Features:
VX Buckle Up compatible
Main pocket hook and loop compartment for mag sleeve customisation
Two elasticated pistol mag/tool pouches
Two zipped general-purpose utility pouches
Two hook and loop ID panels on the front
Clear view minimap case
Quick-release buckles throughout
Internal and external elastic loop retention for attachments
Fully adjustable
Drainage grommets on main compartments
Material: 700D Polytech
Rig size excluding straps (approximately): 33cm x 17cm x 7cm
One size fits most