IDF vest, which one to choose....?

[Vi-King]

Hi guys, I'm looking to purchase an IDF tactical vest for real use(not airsoft) and I'm uncertain which one to buy. It need at least to allow for 6no. m-16 type magazines, gas mask, collapsable spade,water canteen, and a couple of utility pockets... All this to be carried with comfort and ease of use... I'll also need to carry a big backpack(bergen) over it sometimes...

Any suggestions?

Please, see link attached.
http://www.zahal.org/gear/p4.htm


Thanks in advance, lads!:)

[Cstafford]

http://www.israelmilitary.com/-c-24.html?osCsid=4dm6unph7bh8evi8sqqsc1u9q6

[IDF_TANKER]

Man, I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer your question (I finished my service a long time ago and not in infantry), but pretty much all vests answer your specs, although you have take certain things into considerations:
1) Almost all modern IDF vests do not have pouches for canteens, but only for a hydration bag.
2) Usually the big pouches for extra-stuff and water are on the back, so if you need to carry a backpack, you usually would have to take out your stuff from the back pouches and transfer it to the backpack.

We had a couple of threads discussing IDF vests in deapth, you might want to take a look on them:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137704
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=129695

[Lasse]

I think you'll have problems with using the vest along with a recon pack due to the large pockets on the back. If you need a recon pack, you'll probably be walking some distance, then I wouldn't want something "digging" in my spine.

I'd rather go for a chestrig or a normal vest like BEAR.

[Marsuitor]

IDF vests with pouches on the back has been found to work fine with backpacks. Haven't gone too long a distance with an IDF-rig and reconpack, but have walked a few miles with rig and a heavy loaded three-day. Remove items from pouches, flatten the back out and put pack on - problem solved.

As for model, go for the Marom-Dolphin where the entire back is a small'ish, removable backpack which velcro's on and off. That way you'll have a good, modern IDF rig and can choose yourself when you want pouches on your back. Believe this rig was discussed in this thread (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137704), as linked to by IDF_TANKER.

[UoUo]

Those prices are outrages.

[Kaplanr]

Sounds like he's talking about a good old-fashioned 80s era ephod. Nothing on the upper back and holders for 2 canteens.

[Vi-King]

Thank you very much for the advices and inputs!

[Givati575]

Hi guys, I'm looking to purchase an IDF tactical vest for real use(not airsoft) and I'm uncertain which one to buy. It need at least to allow for 6no. m-16 type magazines, gas mask, collapsable spade,water canteen, and a couple of utility pockets... All this to be carried with comfort and ease of use... I'll also need to carry a big backpack(bergen) over it sometimes...

Any suggestions?

Please, see link attached.
http://www.zahal.org/gear/p4.htm


Thanks in advance, lads!:)


wtf?? none of these vests are issued to soldiers. These aren't the good ones. I have a couple of BRAND new standard infantry vests ' vest makat '.

Here's the one I had made for me to use in the PMC world

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786754_1745.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)



http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786755_2106.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)



http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786756_2450.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)


http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786757_2770.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)


http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786758_3145.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)


http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786759_3504.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)


http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786760_3861.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)


So that vest carries about 8 magazines instead of 6, 4 grenades instead of 2. I had the radio pouch removed for 2 extra grenades. I requested the grenade pouches be the farthest things to the left and right but when I actually put grenades in the pouches it was a little hard for me to get them out because I had to reach so far back but my buddy made a strap that you pull and the grenade jumps out. When all 4 pouches are full my arms rest over the grenades which took some getting used to. I also requested that the back pouch be larger than the normal one they make. It can carry all sorts of stuff but has a camelbak pouch radio pouch bandage and tournaket (spelling?) pouch and an external pocket for markers sticklights and maps and whatnot. The two black pouches you see on the front are for cigarettes ( plain black ) and another tournaket ( het ayin ). It has other stuff but i think i've rambled on enough


IF you're serious about getting a vest, don't bother buying one off that website that isn't even used in the army and is rediculously expensive. Forward what you want on it IN DETAIL to me and i'll pass it on to my boys who build vests and it'll cost you 600 shekels which is about $150 U.S.

[Vi-King]

That is very nice of you Givati 575! Do you want me to PM you?

That vest you've got made there on the nice photos, looks very stable and robust

Toda raba!

Le hitra ot!

[Vince S]

wtf?? none of these vests are issued to soldiers. These aren't the good ones. I have a couple of BRAND new standard infantry vests ' vest makat '.

Here's the one I had made for me to use in the PMC world

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2159/164/122/556585963/n556585963_1786754_1745.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1786755&id=556585963)

.


Are my eyes playing me tricks or is this a velcro Maple Leaf?

[RoyB]

It is.
He is a Canadian.

[oldsoak]

Sounds like he's talking about a good old-fashioned 80s era ephod. Nothing on the upper back and holders for 2 canteens.

As used by myself on more than one occasion ! the design has been copied in the UK.

[Vi-King]

We use camelbak's etc. However, the reason I need a pocket big enough for water canteen is; in Norway it's very cold much of the year. And we have to keep the fire going in the tents during the nights, and as a std. rule when on "firewatch" is to have 1no canteen(for putting out flames) + a knife(to cut trough the tent) Water canteen is also handy for ad hoc first aid situations....

[Vi-King]

Givati, did you receive my PM's?

[shuredgefan]

Hi guys, I'm looking to purchase an IDF tactical vest for real use(not airsoft) and I'm uncertain which one to buy. It need at least to allow for 6no. m-16 type magazines, gas mask, collapsable spade,water canteen, and a couple of utility pockets...

No mitznefet?

Got to get a clown hat too!

woot