Tactical vests have evolved from their early forms to become essential equipment for the military and law enforcement. Over time, advances in materials science and design have transformed tactical vests into functional, lightweight, and durable pieces of equipment.
The purpose of this article is to explore the history and evolution of tactical vests, in the hope that it will help military enthusiasts understand the tactical vest.
What is a Tactical Vest?
A tactical vest, also known as a "tactical carrier vest," is a specialized piece of gear worn on the torso by soldiers during combat or military operations. It is designed to carry ammunition, support weapons, and other tactical equipment, serving as an essential component of a soldier's loadout.
Why Did the Tactical Vest Emerge?
On the battlefield, soldiers carry various weapons, equipment, and ammunition. As military technology advances, the complexity of what soldiers carry has increased. While soldiers often need their hands free for tasks, they also require a means to transport their gear effectively. This necessity led to the development of tactical load carriers, which have been integral to military equipment for centuries, allowing soldiers to integrate their gear seamlessly with their bodies.
In ancient warfare, for example, generals typically carried multiple weapons: long weapons like spears, short weapons like swords, and bows and arrows. They would carry their bows and arrows on their backs, swords at their waists, and spears either in hand or hung from hooks on their saddles. The straps for bows, belts for swords, and hooks for spears acted as early forms of tactical carriers, allowing a general to maneuver without being encumbered by their gear.
With the advent of modern firearms, soldiers required various carriers to transport not only their primary weapons but also ammunition and ancillary equipment, such as communication devices.
Despite the long history of tactical carry equipment, for thousands of years, these items were typically worn in a fragmented manner, leading to several significant drawbacks. First, the multitude of separate pieces made it cumbersome for soldiers to put on and take off their gear. If all equipment was stored in backpacks, accessing items quickly on the battlefield became difficult. Additionally, hanging equipment could become tangled and interfere with movement. Soldiers desired a design that distributed weight more evenly, minimizing fatigue and enhancing coordination.
Guided by these considerations, the tactical vest was introduced. Tactical vests consolidate various types of weaponry and equipment, providing several advantages:
1. Optimal Carrying Capacity: The torso is the largest part of the body, allowing for significant storage space and weight distribution.
2. Reduced Resistance: Carrying items close to the body minimizes resistance and impact on movement.
3. Ease of Access: Gear can be quickly accessed with either hand, enhancing flexibility during operations.
The History and Evolution of Tactical Vests
Major military powers in Europe and the United States began developing individual carrying systems in the early 20th century, marking the emergence of the tactical vest prototype. However, these early designs were relatively simplistic, often consisting of straps to hold equipment rather than a fully integrated vest. This basic form of tactical vest was widely used during World War I and II.
During the Gulf War, the U.S. Army utilized the ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) system, which featured a thicker belt and backpack. The ALICE vest provided uniform weight distribution, rapid access to ammunition, good fit, and effective camouflage. Soldiers could carry nearly 60 kilograms of equipment for extended periods, allowing them to march comfortably for four to five hours.
By the end of the 20th century, significant advancements in tactical vest design were made. The U.S. Army introduced the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system in 1997. The MOLLE vest featured a complete wrap around the body with horizontally distributed load-bearing strips, enabling soldiers to attach various modular pouches according to their specific needs. This modularity allowed for a highly customed configuration.
Since the launch of the MOLLE system, military forces worldwide have developed their own modular tactical vests tailored to their unique requirements.
Categories and Features of Tactical Vests
Modern tactical vests are generally designed to be durable and lightweight. In contrast, early tactical vests were primarily made from materials like leather and canvas. These water-absorbent materials could become heavy in rainy conditions or during wading. Today, most tactical vests are constructed from high-quality military-grade nylon webbing. They are stitched with high-tensile-strength threads and feature multiple rows of stitching, providing them with a high weight capacity. Additionally, tactical vests are designed to carry items in a logical manner that minimizes interference with other equipment and movement.
The design of tactical vests varies based on the missions undertaken by different soldiers. For those in attack roles, vests typically accommodate large reserves of ammunition for their primary weapons, grenades, short rifles, knives, radios, personal first-aid supplies, and tools for tasks such as breaching doors. This equipment must be easily accessible and quickly retrievable during operations to address sudden emergencies and optimize attack effectiveness.
Snipers, who engage in medium- and long-range missions, require vests that can carry a sufficient amount of ammunition along with specialized gear, such as long-range camcorders for monitoring the enemy and video communication equipment for relaying images to teammates. They also need to carry personal items like dry food, water, and first-aid supplies. Similarly, special forces on long-range reconnaissance missions carry compact GPS devices, satellite communication equipment, and other specialized tools.
Medical personnel in tactical teams have unique requirements; in addition to their personal weapons and equipment, they must carry a substantial supply of first-aid materials. Police officers engaged in high-stakes confrontations often require special ammunition, such as tear gas canisters, along with essential tools like fire extinguishers and handcuffs.
Tactical vests used by special forces have significantly higher performance requirements than those designed for regular soldiers. These vests must allow for greater flexibility of movement and compatibility with other gear, including helmets, bulletproof vests, boots, and gloves, without interfering with functionality.
They should be easy to don and doff, with the ability to be assembled and adjusted to fit within 30 seconds without assistance. Furthermore, tactical vests must be suitable for combat in various environments, including steam locomotives, aircraft, ships, and combat vehicles. Special silent buckles are often included to ensure that removing items from the pouches produces minimal noise.
Tactical Vests by Country
U.S. Army Tactical Vests
The U.S. Army has a long history of developing and utilizing portable equipment. Since the introduction of the ALICE system during the Gulf War, the Army has created a variety of tactical vests tailored for different applications.
TAC-V1 N series
One of the most iconic tactical vests in the U.S. military is the Eagle Industries 's TAC-V1 N series, which continues to be used by police and special forces personnel. This vest is highly versatile, suitable for urban environments as well as specialized missions in dense jungles.
The TAC-V1 N series features a reinforced nylon mesh base with various pouches sewn onto the vest for multiple purposes. It includes six magazine pouches on the abdomen, each equipped with elastic straps to secure magazines and minimize noise. The chest area has horizontal gear pouches with Velcro inside to secure modular gear. The larger pouches also feature elastic straps for additional security, accommodating items like auxiliary ammunition, grenades, and knives. Shoulder pouches can hold essentials such as compasses and first-aid supplies.
Additionally, the vest has internal document pockets for important papers or flat items. The hem includes fastening loops for a belt, secured by brass buckles and Velcro. On the back, there is an ALICE mounting point for attaching various ALICE equipment.
The TAC-V1 is adjustable using cords on both sides; however, this method is not very convenient. Later models improved this feature with three adjustment straps on each side of the vest. A rescue handle at the collar, connected to the shoulder straps, allows a combatant to be dragged from danger or lifted by helicopter in emergencies. The vest also has a water pouch capable of holding up to three liters, providing hydration in critical situations.
RCBS
DBT's RCBS tactical vest is frequently used by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. It was one of the first tactical vests to incorporate a quick-release system. The vest can accommodate ballistic panels, providing bulletproof capabilities when a plate is inserted, though this significantly increases the vest's weight.
To address this, the design includes features for emergencies, such as falling into water or needing to be quickly extracted by a teammate. A quick-release ring on the front allows the wearer to detach the vest rapidly in emergencies without disassembly. Additionally, the vest has an inner Velcro system that enables easy removal of the ballistic plate, transforming the heavy bulletproof tactical vest into a lightweight, non-bulletproof version.
The U.S. Army offers a wide variety of tactical vests, including standard infantry combat vests and patrol vests that emphasize defensive and information capabilities. There are also specialized vests for grenadiers, designed to carry additional rifle grenades, as well as custom combat vests for special forces like the Navy SEALs. Some vests even feature modular buoyancy panels for use by Marines or special forces in swim-through operations.
Russian Military Tactical Vests
Russian military equipment is traditionally known for its use of durable materials and robust construction. Russian tactical vests are often designed to complement the AK rifle series.
Defender 2
The Defender 2 Tactical Vest is a heavy-duty vest developed specifically for Russian special forces. It is designed to carry a significant amount of tactical gear, greatly enhancing overall protection. Constructed from 1000D CORDURA nylon fabric, the vest is highly abrasion-resistant and suited for demanding environments. Similar to some tactical vests used by the U.S. Army, the Defender 2 features a removable collar and crotch protector, which shield the soldier's neck, lower abdomen, and other vital areas from shrapnel. Additionally, ballistic inserts can be added for enhanced protection.
The vest has a pullover design that allows the user to easily put it on and take it off by pulling apart and reattaching the Velcro on the front. The fit can be adjusted using side nylon webbing. The front, back, and sides of the vest are heavily equipped with MOLLE webbing, allowing various weapons and equipment to be securely attached, effectively making the vest a mobile storage unit.
However, the Defender 2 does have some disadvantages due to its bulk. The net weight of the vest alone is 2.2 kg, and with the addition of ballistic inserts, collar guards, and gear, it becomes even heavier. When fully armed, a soldier can feel cumbersome, which may hinder mobility and prevent quick movement. In hot weather, the vest can cause the soldier's body temperature to rise, leading to increased sweating and potentially impacting combat effectiveness.
German Military Tactical Vests
As a modern military power, Germany maintains a unique approach to military technology. German tactical vests do not strictly follow U.S. military designs but incorporate their own distinctive features.
IDZ SET
The IDZ (Infantryman of the Future) tactical vest can be equipped with various pouches, including those for radios, G36 magazines (both single and double), grenades (single and triple), GPS units, and other miscellaneous gear. It utilizes a webbing system similar to the U.S. Army's MOLLE system, allowing equipment attachments to be easily inserted into the webbing. However, the straps for the attachments and the vest's webbing are softer than those found in the MOLLE system, making installation easier while still ensuring a strong hold.
Additionally, the IDZ allows users to rotate attachments 90 degrees, providing greater flexibility in accessing gear based on personal habits. Underneath the vest, there is a row of linking buckles designed to hold multiple sets of equipment. Overall, the German IDZ is lighter than the U.S. MOLLE system, but this difference also creates incompatibility with U.S. equipment pouches. This design choice may reflect the German or European military's commitment to maintaining a certain level of independence in their tactical gear.
Get to know:
After reading the history and evolution of tactical vests above, you may have an in-depth understanding of tactical vests. But maybe you are still asking: What is the difference between a tactical vest and a bulletproof vest?
Tactical vests and bulletproof vests are two different types of equipment. Although they are both vests, they have completely different functions. The former is mainly used to carry ammunition and supplies, while the latter is mainly used to protect soldiers from bullets and shrapnel. Of course, in actual use, a soldier usually needs both functions.
There are two main methods of providing both. One is for the soldier to wear two vests at the same time, with the bulletproof vest on the inside and the tactical vest on the outside. That way, if the soldier wants to use ammunition or other tools, he can go to the tactical vest to get them. If the soldier is hit by a bullet, there is still a bulletproof vest on the inside to protect him.
The second is to add bulletproof modules inside the tactical vest, such as inserts to protect against bullets and attachments to protect the neck and crotch, so that the two can be combined into one and dismantled and separated if necessary.
