Arktis Webbing

[spectre17]

Im thinking of drastically upgrading my webbing/ belt kit.
I was looking at Arktis.
Can people post some pictures of their constructed Belt kit and tell me what it comprises of.
Not the noorloos rig / assualt vest- just the webbing /belt order.
Thanks.

[Desertpilot]

Although you're not interested in the Norloos rig, that is what I had and it is a piece of ****. It started falling apart after I FIRST put it on. I cliped a BALL POINT PEN to the edge of one of the magazine pouches and the edge beading tore out.

After a week in the field I had to toss it back in my duffle as a full 30% of the seams had burst.

They would not take a return / repair, so I had to basicly re-build it.

Avoid Arktis like an AIDS ridden hooker.

If you're going to be using these items in a military setting (not airsoft) than I suggest Tactial Taylor modular products or High Speed Gear Inc. Their products do not fail. They just don't.

[aixina]

Although you're not interested in the Norloos rig, that is what I had and it is a piece of ****. It started falling apart after I FIRST put it on. I cliped a BALL POINT PEN to the edge of one of the magazine pouches and the edge beading tore out.

After a week in the field I had to toss it back in my duffle as a full 30% of the seams had burst.

They would not take a return / repair, so I had to basicly re-build it.

Avoid Arktis like an AIDS ridden hooker.

If you're going to be using these items in a military setting (not airsoft) than I suggest Tactial Taylor modular products or High Speed Gear Inc. Their products do not fail. They just don't.


a friend of mine got some serious problems with the seams of a tactical taylor plate carrier, and it's for airsoft no real deal.

[spectre17]

woah, and i thought that my web-tex was bad for seams tearing and stuff...

I am in the U.K and will have difficulties obtaining TT stuff...

This seems odd as ive had good reviews elsewhere, duely noted , thanks for the advice, I will wait for some more views though. I am a careful buyer and get lots of feedback before purchasing kit.

[oldsoak]

Arktis is good - I use the NL rig now - but there have been the odd made on Friday afternoon special getting through quality control. The best bet is have a good shufti at the seams before you buy - assuming you can get to a shop rather than buy on the net.

[RecceGuy]

I went through a full 6 month tour in Iraq with an arktis vest and never had a problem, only gripe I have is that the chest pouches aren't big enough.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Any Brit military guys I've spoken to - and that's more than a few - have been pleased with their Arktis purchases. Arktis is considered tops my many Uk users, main suppliers to the police, SF units, etc. - need I say any more.

Are we talking real deal here or airsoft use? Are you sure you bought the real deal of maybe got ripped off.

[lambert]

I've been using some arktis stuff for years now: arktis advanced chest webbing in chad and in tha alps, arktis battle vest in ivory coast and europe. and never had a problem.

recently I bought a nl rig. and the nylon seem to be of a poorer quality than before, i'll see at use...

the arktis belt system is quite good. the padded belt is great as you can fix either alice pouches or their pouches (the 3set) is great!

[intrinsic]

I have an Arktis smock which has served me well for the last 23 years and is still going strong, I still have the first chest rig i purchased way back in the late eighties, its seen better days, its faded and a bit tatty but served its purpose, its now stitched on to a bergan for extra pockets.
Per Ardua

[DeltaWhisky58]

Im thinking of drastically upgrading my webbing/ belt kit.
I was looking at Arktis.
Can people post some pictures of their constructed Belt kit and tell me what it comprises of.
Not the noorloos rig / assualt vest- just the webbing /belt order.
Thanks.

Well, judging by the testimonies posted on this thread, I'd say that more than a few guys here have been around block and back quite a few times with their Arktis kit, in at least one case since before you were born!

Assuming that your upgrade is either for cadet or airsoft use, I think you could take a lesson from these guys, don't you?

[spectre17]

Indeed , Judging from the reviews It does sound like good stuff, It would be for Cadet & Mountain Walking usage.

The Webtex was really really useful last time i was in the Brecon Beacons. 80 mph Hail and Gusts even stronger. The Ability to access everything was very handy in this wind, a friend lost he's £170 waterproof jacket as he pulled it out of the bag on the side of The Fan.

The Webtex has been through a lot,and showing some wear (highly reccommend Webtex gear as a starter set.) I felt it might need retiring. I plan to go into the services soon, so it would see further usage.

Now I just need the money and a good look at a friends set.

[RGRBOX]

I will not bull**** you about Arktis kit... Although the design is good, the hardwear used in the manufactoring of the kit is crap...

The only reason many have used the stuff in the UK, and have only good to say, is because they haven't used the stuff that's on the US market... Eagle, BHI, TT etc.. will kick the Arktis kit's ass anyday of the week.. the French use it too, but that manyly because of the price... although my calculations show that it's a little more expencive then the US kit... anyway, many of my military clients, and that's UK, French, etc... have changed to BHI or other US kit from the Arktis stuff.. they all say it was good when it was the only thing on the market.. but since the market has been flooded with the US kit.. there's no match... I have tested their stuff myself, and it can't compaire to anything from the states..

I'm not UK bashing here.. it's just what I've myself have found... And if you haven't tried other kit, then it's hard to make a comparision..

Just one more point, your not testing kit, by using it once... you have to get out there in all types of weather, and do what you do with it on... I've had stuff fall of and break in a few hours to years... on the other hand.. a lot of the stuff I see also looses it's color, frays, seams come apart.. or the buckles break..

[Catch22]

Mikey, In my experience Arktis kicked BHI butt all around. Blackchicken being the lowest bidder I could imagine.

[RGRBOX]

Mikey, In my experience Arktis kicked BHI butt all around. Blackchicken being the lowest bidder I could imagine.

Are you talking about price or quality..... ??

The quality goes to BHI everytime...

[AIRBORNEJOCK]

i dont know much about artkis apart from i got a classic chest rig of them 8 years ago and its still in good nick.
whatever you do do not buy anything webtex or viper its cheap **** only goo for airsofting and posing in.
have a look at www.sasskit.co.uk (http://www.sasskit.co.uk) there stuff is quite expensive but really good quality.
i dont know where you come from if in the uk there are shops on colchester (troopers) and brecon (jay jays) who do tayloring of kit to your needs i got issued pouches 5 utility and 1 ammunition stitched straight onto a hippo pad with a roll pin belt put on so my belt kit is just one solid unit.then i put the srtaps on and its the muts nuts.
ill send a pic as soon as i get my digi camera back.
the rig in my avatar is a sass vest.

[DeltaWhisky58]

It is all very well quoting all of these US-made brands, but do any of them actually offer their products in British DPM? If not, then telling us how great they are is pointless.

If Arktis products are so inferior, please explain why they are so poular with British Military, most European SF and specialist units, and others much further afield? Another factor is that Arktis have been selected and approved by various UK specialist military units as well as most UK-Police Forces - surely that is better recommendation than the odd dealer who is clearly biased because he sells the US-made products.

[EsoognomEhT]

Yah, one of my psi's had an Arktis catalouge in his office, they supply (as dw said) Police forces and what not. Tends to be quite expensive but decent kit

[spectre17]

this shop , jay jay's - in brecon - got a link?
I know there is a HM Supplies in camberley and Brecon...
Cheers for Info. all.

[AIRBORNEJOCK]

no its not got a link sorry but the kit they do is good if you call them on he might be able to sort you out with some emailed pics or something.hm supplies are all over the place aldershot,catterick there kit is also quite good and they will do tayloring to your specs.

jay jays 0187 4610036

[spectre17]

Hmmn... might give em a go

[RGRBOX]

It is all very well quoting all of these US-made brands, but do any of them actually offer their products in British DPM? If not, then telling us how great they are is pointless.

If Arktis products are so inferior, please explain why they are so poular with British Military, most European SF and specialist units, and others much further afield? Another factor is that Arktis have been selected and approved by various UK specialist military units as well as most UK-Police Forces - surely that is better recommendation than the odd dealer who is clearly biased because he sells the US-made products.

BHI would do , and have made DPM for spcial units in the UK... this I know.. as for why many use the Arktis over other brands, would have to be availability.. and the fact that the UK BHI distributor will not make a big order in DPM camo is also possible... I just at this moment spoke with a friend of mine in fact a colege who works in France,and he just told me that all of the French military as of this year will stop ordering Arktis, and using it... they are going to start going with BHI /eagle etc... so my popint is made..

As for ther UK police using Arktis.. Arktis is British, and I'm sure that the UK Police feels obligated to use Brit suppliers.. I speck with many of the guys in the Tactical units, and they all want something better...

[Royal]

BHI would do , and have made DPM for spcial units in the UK...

Indeed they do.

And my holster fell apart - it wasn't the only one either.

I had an Arktis chest rig in the days before the issued one and it lasted well - a couple of tours crawling through barbed wire and thorns in NI and a fair bit of time in Norway. I was chatting to a Police (ex-RM) mate a while back and he was slagging their (Arktis) vests saying that they're nowhere near as well made as in the 80's.

On balance for DPM I'd go for Arktis or PLCE issue (try Ebay).

Special orders - even in colours like tan and black from the US take forever - even if you're 'active duty' UK military, to them you're still a third class citizen - they get more than enough orders stateside to worry about customer service (but it's good when you eventually get it :0).

[1Cie GevGn]

I'm currently selling a Jungle Vest in DPM, if anyone's interested?

[RGRBOX]

Indeed they do.

And my holster fell apart - it wasn't the only one either.

I had an Arktis chest rig in the days before the issued one and it lasted well - a couple of tours crawling through barbed wire and thorns in NI and a fair bit of time in Norway. I was chatting to a Police (ex-RM) mate a while back and he was slagging their (Arktis) vests saying that they're nowhere near as well made as in the 80's.

On balance for DPM I'd go for Arktis or PLCE issue (try Ebay).

Special orders - even in colours like tan and black from the US take forever - even if you're 'active duty' UK military, to them you're still a third class citizen - they get more than enough orders stateside to worry about customer service (but it's good when you eventually get it :0).

I have to agree with the third class citizen treatment from US companies... I started going to canadian companies for a while, and found that there designs didn't fit what I wanted and needed in kit.
@Royal If you have any BHI kit that (fell) apart, then you can always send it back to BHI or find your local dealer distributor, and they will exchange it. Not all kit will last forever... but some does.. I on a regular bases had to DX my military kit back when I was serving.. so this is a natural thing.. but if if falls apart the first time you use it.. then there's a problem.. I will be the first to admit that BHI, Eagle and the rest isn't the best.. but it is better then the new stuff coming out of Arktis.. You put the Arktis stuff up next to other kit, and you can see, and fell the difference..

Surefire, is the worst company about treating people like crap... they even talk to you on the phine like you don't deserve their lights.. so I'm looking for something better, so I can stop selling their lights...

In general.. you yourself have to test your own kit.. and find what will fit your needs best... I'm still looking myself.. and have a mix of kit.. and the funny thing is my old ALICE kit still works better then most of the stuff on the market... and it's damn cheap... If I want a chest harness, I just put one on top of my ALICE Kit, and am very happy..

[One Shot Tactical Supply]

Special orders - even in colours like tan and black from the US take forever - even if you're 'active duty' UK military, to them you're still a third class citizen - they get more than enough orders stateside to worry about customer service (but it's good when you eventually get it :0).

Let me know what you need, I always welcome more orders :D

[Royal]

@Royal If you have any BHI kit that (fell) apart, then you can always send it back to BHI or find your local dealer distributor, and they will exchange it.

It went back to the QM with a snotty note - he sent at and the others back to BHI with a snottier note and apparantly got a grovelling letter back. I don't think I've seen any of their kit at our gaffe since.

[RGRBOX]

It went back to the QM with a snotty note - he sent at and the others back to BHI with a snottier note and apparantly got a grovelling letter back. I don't think I've seen any of their kit at our gaffe since.

No doubt.. I have also found that I'm better with customers then they are..

Edgar Brothers in the UK is their distributor.. maybe they are who your QM dealt with..

[Sabre]

Used an old arktis rig and was happy with it. But in my opinion thier new stuff is a bit poor. Seen a mates vest and found it floppy and poorly designed. Too many so called 'inovative' features cluttering up the item at the cost of build quality. The advanced rig is uncomfortable and awkward to use. To be honest you can't fail with PLCE issue belt kit. It's cheaper than arktis (Mine's free, I even get paid to collect it) and more durable. There are numerous threads about how to set it up and adapt it. Try searching for them and see what you find. Ask if you have any more questions.

[spectre17]

Any chance of seeing some pics of the Belt Kits and their modifications ???
Cheers

[East Scout]

I ordered one piece of ARKTIS kit years ago..It was one of their chest rig contraptions..It was falling apart out of the box and I just gave it to a fella who didnt have a lot of $$ to get new gear..Now with that said I wont lable all arktis gear krapp as they obviously have some loyal customers and have done something right because anyone that knows gear has heard of them and knows someone that has some of thier stuff and its usually a good story......I just got a POS item probably produced by some lazy slob and it was inspected by his lazy brother...But i wont chanse that again! ;-) BHI for me !

[RGRBOX]

I ordered one piece of ARKTIS kit years ago..It was one of their chest rig contraptions..It was falling apart out of the box and I just gave it to a fella who didnt have a lot of $$ to get new gear..Now with that said I wont lable all arktis gear krapp as they obviously have some loyal customers and have done something right because anyone that knows gear has heard of them and knows someone that has some of thier stuff and its usually a good story......I just got a POS item probably produced by some lazy slob and it was inspected by his lazy brother...But i wont chanse that again! ;-) BHI for me !

I've been to Arktis' factory... there are two fellas controlling their kit.. they both look like hippies... but they are all nice people that work there.. but nothing says that you can't get screwed over by a nice person..

[I_hate_posers]

My platoon has been jacked up by people who can't do a god damned thing about us wearing non-issued kit. That being said, there are 3 guys who have arktis vests (2 long range recon and Marine hybrid) and so far they are impressed! Personally I'm a HSGI Denali fan, but that's another thread. I think in the end you get what you pay for and for anyone buying kit, listen to people who use it (not airsofters). I know it's been said, but Arkits must make good kit if the SAS, SBS, Para's, RM's and every other elite unit around the world use's their product.

[DeltaWhisky58]

My platoon has been jacked up by people who can't do a god damned thing about us wearing non-issued kit. That being said, there are 3 guys who have arktis vests (2 long range recon and Marine hybrid) and so far they are impressed! Personally I'm a HSGI Denali fan, but that's another thread. I think in the end you get what you pay for and for anyone buying kit, listen to people who use it (not airsofters). I know it's been said, but Arkits must make good kit if the SAS, SBS, Para's, RM's and every other elite unit around the world use's their product.

Hurray - common sense at last!

[Bulabash]

Ive used arktis kit for over ten years now and im still using it, bought my classic chestrig in about '95, its a bit tattered and faded due to usage, crawling in and out of Iltis Jeeps is easier than the classic Belt Alice clip crap we were issued with, weve got assault vest now which holds more stuff, i still use the chestrig as backup/dragbag, got the sniper smock too, lotsa pockets and nylon lining for OP work. I use it a lot and I am a very satisfied Arktis customer. (also they have all the stuff in Belgian Camo which helps in not pissing off our superiors)

[Hawkeye]

Ive used arktis kit for over ten years now and im still using it, bought my classic chestrig in about '95, its a bit tattered and faded due to usage, crawling in and out of Iltis Jeeps is easier than the classic Belt Alice clip crap we were issued with, weve got assault vest now which holds more stuff, i still use the chestrig as backup/dragbag, got the sniper smock too, lotsa pockets and nylon lining for OP work. I use it a lot and I am a very satisfied Arktis customer. (also they have all the stuff in Belgian Camo which helps in not pissing off our superiors)


Are you recce then? Or para or something? (Ben van de streek van Brugge, j'habite a region de Bruges) :)