Web-Tex MLCE (Modular Load Carrying Equipment)

Web-Tex Modular Load Carrying Equipment (MLCE) comprises a combat vest, a chest rig and a range of 14 different pouches (most based on British webbing system pouches, so you know that your equipment will fit them), so that you can arrange to build a set-up tailored specifically to your particular operational needs.

All the modular pouches, the modular vest and the modular chest rig are strongly made from IRR treated DPM camo material and are designed for serious use. The vest has a mesh lining with full weight DPM outer fabric, onto which are sewn the webbing straps that act as anchors for the pouches you choose to “weave” onto the vest.

Between the lining and the outer fabric the vest has; on the front panels, 2 zip-closed large “dump” pockets (the left hand one containing a sewn-in holster with a side release buckle closure strap) and, on the back panel, a large pocket with a deep velcro-closed top flap, ideal for carrying a water bladder hydration system.

The front of the vest closes with 3 fully-adjustable side release buckles and a strong, chunky zip, and adjusts at the shoulder with large Velcro pads and 2 buckles on each side. A further 2 fully-adjustable buckles each side of the vest’s body allow width adjustment, while a 50mm wide internal belt with a side release buckle keeps things stable.  Thermoplastic shoulder “D” rings and waist drop loops allow extra kit to be fixed to the vest (if needed) and a strong grab handle at the top of the back panel completes the picture.

The chest rig is made from the same quality materials as the vest and comprises a main IRR treated DPM fabric chest panel which has lines of webbing on its front face to take the modular pouches and a full-size interior pocket with a Velcro closed top flap between the shoulder strap buckles.

Folding out of the main pocket opening is a panel that clips into position above the main panel, with side release buckles, fitting into the shoulder straps.  This optional use panel has webbing straps for fitting more modular pouches and also has a Velcro-closed internal pocket.

The “body” face of the main compartment features a mesh map pocket, open-topped pen/flare pockets and a Velcro-closed notebook pocket.

The well-padded, crossover shoulder straps are fully adjustable and removable, and feature daisy chain webbing loops and “D” rings. The fully-adjustable and removable waist straps have a Velcro and press stud closed DPM cover that features webbing attachment points for yet more pouches.

The 14 available modular pouches include an MOD PLCE style water bottle pouch, SA80 pouches, utility pouch and trauma pouch, as well as less familiar items such as double AK magazine pouches, etc.  All the pouches have stiffened webbing vertical straps with snap fasteners, press studs and horizontal straps which allow the pouches to be “woven” into the vest or chest rigs and fastened securely into place.  The number of strapping points available means that you have almost unlimited combinations of pouches and positions from which to choose your ideal operation specific arrangement.  Some of the pouches even have webbing on them to attach more pouches…  Once secured, the pouches are pretty well unmovable until you choose to unsnap, unweave and reposition them.

The modular vest costs from around £57.50, the modular chest rig from around £40, and the modular pouches range from around £2.95 for a knife pouch to around £19.50 for the trauma pouch.

All in all, the Web-Tex MLCE (Modular Load Carrying Equipment) has to be the best thought out, most versatile and strongly made combat vest chest rig and pouch system that I have come across, and should appeal to all who take their kit seriously.