Anyone that is involved in the law enforcement or military communities is familiar with the tactical vest. Even those who compete in paintball and airsoft competitions know the value of a good tactical vest system. Tactical vests are vests that incorporate cammoflage along with the ability to carry all of the necessary equipment and gear for combat, while allowing the user a versatile platform to customize. The ability to customize the loadout on the tactical vest is a very important aspect of the system which must not be overlooked.
Because they come in many varieties, a user can completely customize their tactical vest equipment. This allows anything from tactical knives to weapons holster to be carried exactly how the user has trained and developed muscle memory to deploy. In my opinion, the best tactical vests are the vests that allow for complete customization, but these vests will usually carry the higher price tag, as pouches and accessories are not included when purchasing.
There is a vast supply of different vest accessories and equipment options. Different sidearm holsters can be placed in different orientations, to fit the users needs. Magazine pouches can be deployed to provide the easiest and quickest access during a confrontation. Other mischelaneous pouches for lights, first aid, radio, and tools can be added wherever is most comfortable and most accessible. The idea that the tactical vest be a ‘blank canvas’ is a good analogy of the fact that each user is different and has different needs. There fore, having the ability to move equipment around on the tactical vest to fit those needs becomes very important. Ultimately, training and speed in deploying the gear on the vest may mean the difference between life and death.
It simply cannot be stresed enough. Tactical vests and their associated equipment and accessory pouches need to be customized by the user. Subsequent training with the gear is then needed to ensure the best pouch placement. Remember that while tactical vests provide a custom mobile equipment platform, proper training and proper pouch placement is essential to gain the most benefit out of using tactical vest equipment.