No, Matt doesn't know everything.
I am having a very well-known gear maker put together a modular assault vest based on the MOLLE/PALS system. The basic body will be an assault-vest style, but not a "jacket" like the Eagle or Blackhawk tactical vests. It will have two internal map pockets, an integrated hydration panel in the back. I am working to keep it in the sub-$150 range for the vest body, but a prototype doesn't lend itself to how much something will cost in production. Once I approve the prototype, a "time and motion" study starts, where they make 10 or so of them to see how much material and time it takes in order to calculate a final cost.
There will be general purpose pouches, mag pouches and some "saddle bag" type pouches capable of holding 2 Qt canteens (that's the plan anyway). So, with the PALS webbing on the back w/an external MOLLE-based hydration pocket, you could carry 2 three-liter Camelbaks plus 2 two-quart canteens, for a total of about 10 quarts of water, or 2.5 gallons (or about 20 extra pounds!!). And that's before ammo and such...hehehehehe.
Matt hasn't seen anything nor does he know anything really beyond what I've said.
Tim
www.practicaltactical.net
