Drop Zone Modular Universal Loadbearing Equipment System (MULES) Chest Rig
 This front view shows the chest rig without any pouches, exposing the mounting bandoleers. Note that there are three rows allowing you to vary the height of the pouches that you mount. |
Chest rigs were first popularized for modern warfare during the Vietnamese conflict, from there the chest rigs modern history can be traced to the african civil wars of the 70's and 80's. Most recently, though it can be attributed to the Brits and the Irish actions. The Brits rode into action in Saracen Armored Vehicles with very tight seating. Impossible seating if you were wearing traditional web gear because of the butt bag situated in the rear kept interfering with the narrow bench seat's back rest. Taking off web gear was not an option because one may have had to spring into action on a moments notice. The solution was to eliminate the butt bag while not losing load capacity through the use of a chest rig. |
| Our designers studied chest rigs very closely in an effort to make them more comfortable and versatile and they did just that with the Drop Zone MULES Chest Rig. First on the agenda was to address the comfort issue, and that was handled with ease by lining the chest and shoulder straps with super breathable, sweat absorbing 3 D mesh. Many users of chest rigs like to adjust the shoulder straps while on the march, in effect, moving the load about. Ours are adjustable, in fact you can remove them! But more on that later. |  A detail view of the shoulder strap and it's disconnecting buckle. Also note the bandoleer on the shoulder strap, perfect for mounting pace beads or a knife. In the same drawing you can also see the zipper access to the map pocket. |
 A detail view of the 2" wrap around strap and adjustable quick release buckle. |
Most chest rigs use very narrow back straps, not ours though. We know from building back packs that a wider strap distributes the load better, so we used 2" wide webbing for the back strap and attached it with a fully adjustable quick release buckle. We didn't chinz out on the length of the webbing either, keeping in mind those customers that will use their chest rigs in the winter over heavy clothing. |
Earlier it was mentioned that the shoulder straps are removable. We've done this so that the whole rig can be worn as a belt, or ideally use two in combo, a chest rig and a belt rig for maximum comfort and versatility. (Tip: When using as a belt rig while sitting in a vehicle or aircraft, loosen the main buckle and slide the belt around your torso allowing the pouches to sit on your lap. This action clears the pouches from your back allowing you to sit comfortably against the backrest of the seat!) |
 The Drop Zone MULES Chest Rig worn as a belt rig. |
 The versatility of the Drop Zone MULES Chest Rig is demonstrated again while used as a belt rig. Note the U.S. ARMY shovel carrier mounted to the rig. |
While on the subject of versatility it should be noted that the Drop Zone MULES Chest Rig is part of our MULES System which allows the user the option of using practically any military or civilian pouch on the rig. Located behind the pouch mounting bandoleers is a zipper closed document and map pocket for convenience. For more on this unique system details check out our Load Bearing Equipment page |
©Copyright July 2001
Spike Camp Wilderness Safety Supply Ltd.
8003 Argyll Road, Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4C9
Telephone (877) 461-5700 Fax (780) 461-5771 dropzone@drop-zone.cjb.net
Clothing and Gear favored by Soldiers, Police and Emergency Workers.
