UW Gear released a video that gives an in depth look at a product that they have had in their line for some time now but is not as well known as their chest rigs. Their Triple Shingles have the same tuck-tab style retention flap that sets UW Gear’s chest rigs apart. Triple magazine shingles are available as a standard order item. If you need a single or double, UW Gear may be able to accommodate.
Tag Archives | UW Gear
UW Gear Considering Adding 500D Cordura Option
I am a fan of 500 Denier Cordura. In my experience, it is more than durable enough for my needs and it saves weight. UW Gear has been considering adding a 500D option to their line up for a long time now and I am glad to see them finally giving everyone a peek behind the curtain.
If they have enough interest to add the 500D option, the new rigs that result from the addition should be considerably lighter in weight. In addition to the weight savings that come from the lighter material, UW Gear has slimmed the harness where it meets the body of the rig for additional lightening.
If you are would like to see UW Gear add 500 Denier Cordura Nylon to their line as an option, let them know!
Review: UW Gear Swamp Fox MKIII
I have spent the last several months getting to know the new, MKIII version of the SwampFox Chest Rig from UW Gear. When they first announced the MKIII version, UW Gear told me that this chest rig is more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. Those types of claims require some investigation, especially when they are messing with my favorite chest rig!
Overview
The Swamp Fox MKIII is a chest rig that is available in specific versions for AR-15s, AK-74s, and AK-47s. The majority of the rig is constructed from 1000D Cordura nylon and is available in a wide array of colors and camo patterns.
It still retains much of what made the Minuteman MKII great:
- The unique and functional pull tab flap closures are still intact though now they have a more compact, rounded shape.
- The sewn in drainage gaps at the base of the magazine pouches are still there.
- The webbing reinforcement of the magazine pouches is still there though now it has been beefed up.
- The “H” harness is still well shaped and is now even more comfortable.
- The rig can still be adjusted to ride very high without fear of buckles interfering with the buttstock of your carbine.
Some of the differences are noted about but other notables include:
- All edges are now closed with binding tape rather than folded and sewn. This is probably the most significant change and the one that has streamlined the production process more than any other.
- There are 2 columns and 3 rows of PALS webbing on the sides of the rig rather than the 3 columns that the standard MKII had.
- The magazine pouch flaps are now reinforced with 1.5” webbing rather than an extra layer of Cordura.
- The harness is constructed from a mix of 1000D Cordura and webbing with bounded edges. It is now slightly more flexible.
MKII on left, MKIII on right
MKII on left, MKIII on right
Observations from Use
As I said above, I was told this new rig would be more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. I’ll try to address each one of these claims from my perspective based on my use of the new MKIII version.
More Durable
It is a little hard to quantify this based on my use. I still haven’t even come remotely close to wearing out my Swamp Fox MKII. On paper, I believe it because of the addition of the webbing reinforcement inside the magazine pouch flaps and the bound edges. Both of these items add reinforcement at common failure points.
The rig still shows UW Gear’s typical overbuild quality. All webbing is box stitched where it joins the body of the rig. The PALS webbing is attached with large bar tacks. Just about every component of these rigs is made with multiple layers of something be it Cordura nylon, webbing, or binding tape.
MKII on left, MKIII on right
Lighter Weight
The scale doesn’t lie! The MKIII weighs about 16.45 ounces, which is 2.1 ounces less than the MKII version. Much of weight was saved in the new construction method for the pouches and the harness and basically comes from replacing extraneous fabric with strategically located webbing.
More Comfortable
This is probably the claim that I was most curious about. The biggest reason that I like the MKII style chest rigs from UW Gear was because of the way they constructed the harness. They used multiple layers of Cordura and webbing to create a harness that was somewhat rigid but better able to flex and twist without the bunching and gaps you see in a padding harness. It was thin and supported weight very well.
The new harness is a bit less rigid. It is still thin. In fact, it is thinner. It still bears weight well, moves well with the wearer, and the bound edges are actually a bit more comfortable against your skin.
UW Gear also adds some detail here in how they shape the harness. The shoulder straps are set at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the horizontal strap that holds the H harness together. This allows it to sit more comfortably across your back and shoulders. This detail is still present in the MKIII version.
I guess I have to admit that it is more comfortable though I do miss a bit of the rigidity of the original harness.
MKIII on left, MKII on right
MKIII on left, MKII on right
Easier to Produce
This one is easy to prove. UW Gear is a small shop with a unique, well-made product. They operate with a permanent backlog but thanks to the streamlined production of the MKIII, they have reduced their lead times.
You can still expect to wait 3-5 months but that is an overall reduction from where they were and that lead-time is shrinking continually.
H-harness detail
Wrap Up
The Swamp Fox MKIII is an improved version of an already great chest rig. If nothing else, it is a huge win for the user that UW Gear was able to increase durability and reduce weight. The streamlined construction will also allow them to keep costs in check.
This is a worthy successor.
Check out all of the new MKIII versions of your favorite gear at UW Gear.
Disclosure: This product was provided to me by UW Gear, free of charge, for review.
UW Gear News
UW Gear just completed a refresh on their website. The updated site is now easier to navigate and has been updated to reflect the new MKIII versions of all their chest rigs, mag pouches, and bandoleers.
In other exciting news, the new streamlined production processes put in place to create the MKIII versions of their gear have reduced and continue to reduce their lead times. I have been using one of the Swampfox MKIII Chest Rigs for the last several months and can happily report that they are just as good as the MKII, if not better. Stay tuned for the full comparison.
Check out UW Gear.
New for 2014 at UW Gear
UW Gear is making several changes to their product line for 2014 including the addition of new designs and colors. The new designs include MKIII versions of the Minuteman and Swampfox chest rigs and the latest color that will be added to the line up is OD Green. The Bandoleer will also undergo changes.
The new MKIII version of the Minuteman is shown in the new OD Green color option.
The MKIII version of the Minuteman will be the first addition with the Swampfox MKIII coming at a later date. The MKII versions will continue to be offered for the near future thought they will likely be discontinued at some point. The MKIII versions of these rigs will offer several improvements that will make the rigs more durable, lighter, and easier to manufacture which should help deal with UW Gear’s backlog. These improvements include a 4 magazine format, a more flexible harness, a new strap attachment method, a new flap design, and taped edges in place of the previous folded edges.
These changes are discussed in depth in the following video…
Additionally, these new MKIII rigs are intended to be part of a larger suite of gear items that they are currently developing. I am hoping that means there will be a small pack available soon to integrate with the rigs.
Check out UW Gear.