I like leading by example, so, here's my first submission for this new thread.
This is the Blue Force Gear SOC-C (Special Operations Capable - Convertible) belt and the Mayflower Research & Consulting UW (Unconventional Warfare) chest rig, generation III. I designed this 'loadout' with long duration, high mobility airsoft combat in mind. By that, I mean something I could stand around in all day in 110 degree heat and not be smoked. I have storage for the following :
M4 mags, 7 ea.
Pistol mags, 2 ea.
Radio, 1 ea.
Small GPs, 2 ea.
Suppressor, 1 ea. (depending on mission!!!!!!!!)
I find that the carriage capability of this particular setup is perfect for what I want to do. It holds just enough without being too much.
Let's break it down into it's components.
I'll start with the belt. It's basically the Cadillac, no, the Rolls Royce of PALS belts.
Here's why.
This is the SOC-C belt configured with the SOC-C suspenders and Blue Force Gear's light duty rigger's belt (1.5"). The belt has velcro on the interior so that it adheres to the matching velcro inside the belt cover. I would take some pics of the inside, but, I already took that shit into the garage, so, just use your imagination. It's fully adjustable, which is actually pretty cool. It comes adjusted for like, a 34" waist...I didn't have to adjust it much. OUT OBVIOUSLY, CAUSE I'M FAT! LOL!! You can adjust the rigger's belt and the actual belt pad itself independently of eachother, which is pretty handy. There is also velcro provisions for a Safariland type subload. I plan on exchanging the Fastex buckle for a Cobra buckle.
I really like the contour of the rear pad, and especially it's size. It rides well on the small of the back and distributes the load evenly across your back.
The suspenders have a shock cord yoke as you can see, which is unique to this set of suspenders. Instead of having elastic straps, it has normal straps, with an elastic yoke. REALLY nice.
Attached, from left to right :
Coyote Tactical triple mag shingle
EAG Tactical dump pouch
AAC suppressor pouch
Safariland 6004 (use your imagination)
Let's move onto the chest rig.
This is the Mayflower Research & Consulting UW Gen III chest rig.
The concept is that it's light weight and has 'good enough' durability. It's made from 500 denier Cordura instead of the typical 1000 denier. The entire rig weighs exactly a pound. It has internal retention for four M4 mags. On the exterior, it has the capability to store, from left to right, an MBITR, a small GP, two pistol magazines, some more GP, and another MBITR. It has tabs on the straps for retaining and relocating both antennas and hydration. It has tabs on the bottom too to route the antenna cables down there if you so choose. You can see the h-style harness (it has 2x3" loop velcro on the rear for IFF purposes) in the picture, which distributes the load admirably.
I love this fuckin' thing. It does everything it needs to, and nothing else. It's construction is also fuckin fantastic. The use of 500 denier Cordura is a novel and innovative concept - it's far more than durable enough for my purposes and the weight savings are noticeable and welcomed.
I think the chest rig + PALS belt combination will be the new thing to do in airsoft.