"Purchased one of your vests last fall, and love it. All my co-workers laughed when I showed up with purchased, vice provided.. that is till they saw the true versatility of the armor. I love it cause it fits everything i need, and offers extra protection to the sides. I don't even need to fasten it when its go time, I can throw it over my head and it still functions perfectly, but know the quick release from the shoulders can allow me to ditch in a pinch. fitted across the front with 6 quick mags, and a chest cross draw for the pistol, the design of the shoulders makes bearing the weight a breeze. Keep up the good work."
--Dave
Cohort-1 Tac Vest T&E
16 February 2009
Mike Pannone, Comprehensive Technical and Tactical Solutions
The Vest was used over a 2 week period while training with Army special Operations troops in the western US. The overall response by soldiers that observed and tried it was positive most notably for:
• Comfort
• Simplicity
• Size
• Apparent durability (apparent because there was only a 2 week block to evaluate and the vest was not pushed to its failure point.)
The vest from my perspective blends the best features of a traditional armor carrier and the compactness of a plate carrier. The simple adjustments are not only convenient but add to the durability of the system. Unless the operator is working in a substantially water dominated AO, the vest is exceptionally well suited for combat and security operations. For waterborne personnel a one pull cutaway may be an option, but I would feel completely comfortable and confident conducting amphibious operations in one. ( I make that statement having spent the entirety of the first 12 years of service in dedicated amphibious special operations organizations.)
Some who examined the vest raised concerns that there was not enough area to mount pouches and other items. I disagree with that assumption and have witnessed countless troops of all levels with overloaded vests unable to cross a simple 6 foot wall. Personally I carry all my extra kit (mags, frags, med gear, batteries, water etc.) in a separate CamelBak so I could better scale obstacles and could also leave what equates to a 4 man resupply in case a stay-behind element was utilized. The cut of the vest made it more conducive to unrestricted movement and when used to shoot in awkward positions, for instance through a 2”x6” port 1 foot off the ground or a 6”x6” port at ground level the vest had almost zero effect on my ability to effectively use cover.
If an operator is working primarily in and out of vehicles, this is the best production vest I have seen. It would also be exceptionally well suited for support troops that have only a need for the armor and maybe a pouch or two.
I would use one of these vests in Iraq or Afghanistan without question.
Mike Pannone