USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest
USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest
USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest
USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest
USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest

USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest

Regular price$49.99 USD
/
Rated 4.9 out of 5
Based on 44 reviews

  • Available
  • Backordered, shipping soon

Is M81 Cool yet? Oh yeah.

Worn in conjunction with the ALICE Standard Equipment belt, this was about as high speed as you could get from the US back in the 80s and 90s., This is the Enhanced Load Bearing Vest or just LBV for short. It was our first attempt at making proper chest-mounted equipment, taking a few notes from South Africa's successes with pattern 83: Velcro pouches for easy access to magazines, ITW fastex buckles, and light weight. We just made it a little more complicated because we're America.

What you might notice immediately is the angle of the mag pouches — It was believed that this was ergonomically better than vertical pouches for reloads, and even made an appearance on the early MOLLE platform known as the SPEAR ELCS made by Safariland. Whether or not it actually matters that they're angled is up to you, but it definitely gives off a retro aesthetic. Green berets and plenty of other spooks had angled mags on their kits well into Operation Enduring Freedom.

The vest is constructed with a breathable mesh, ITW Nexus Fastex buckles on the front, and a corset-style field repairable back (it literally uses paracord, which you could easily replace yourself). The shoulder harness is a padded slightly-angled H harness with loops for routing radio cords/antennas, but also comes in handy for routing hydration if you're using a more modern pack/carrier. Lastly, with an ALICE belt, you can loop it through the snapped loops on the bottom of the vest and even attach a M81 buttpack.

Antiquated? Yeah, a little bit. But that's the fun of M81 gear — It's in its golden years now which means its cheap, plentiful, and aesthetic as hell.

 

Specs

  • Made in the USA by Reyes Industries
  • 4 Piece construction: Shoulder harness, left & right mag panels, and back
  • Breathable nylon mesh construction
  • Corset-style paracord adjustment on back
  • Holds 6 USGI Aluminum magazines. Outer mag pouches hold 2, inner holds one. No guaranteed fit with other rifle platforms.
  • 2 grenade/compass pouches
  • ALICE belt compatible snap-closure loops around base of the rig
  • Padded shoulder harness with snap-closure loops for routing cables/hydration
  • Rear panel has 2 D-rings for attaching M81 Style Buttpack (will need ALICE belt)
  • Reinforced stitching on all load bearing points & wear areas

 

Condition

Load Bearing Vests are perfectly functional with either minor or no cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use. M81 Woodland pattern remains vibrant.

average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 44 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    41 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    3 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    0 Reviews
100% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Utility
Rated 4 out of 5
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 4 out of 5
Customer photos and videos
44 Reviews
Reviewed by Griffin M., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Condition
As Described
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Dripster kit

Holds 6 mags + 2 grenades. Super sturdy and secure, clips nicely into my ALICE belt. Mine came with some tape on the straps. Drippy af

Loading...
Utility
Rated 5 out of 5
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Nicco, from United States
Verified Reviewer
I recommend this product
Condition
As Described
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

The shit slaps.

Pretty good. I don't know if it's my small frame or the vest but it is fairly bulky albeit not bad. I like it. Date roundel says either 66 or 99.

Loading...
Utility
Rated 5 out of 5
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 4 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Caleb B., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Condition
As Described
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Bussin Vest No Cap

Brought a tear to my eye when I opened the package, I stood in awe of the beauty of M81 Woodland in the form of a magazine packin vest. Bussin

Loading...
Utility
Rated 5 out of 5
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Mall, from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Condition
As Described
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Received the non-enhanced version

I got the non-enhanced version with the straight mag pouches, which on the one hand is great because they're harder to find for sale, but I get unwise for the slanted pouches. Both versions are pretty much the same except for the pouch layout, non-enhanced feels like a very easy to wear chest rig. I have a tan Blackhawk! enhanced vest that has all four pouches double mag, but I wanted one in some sort of green. This is a lot thinner and silkier than the BH!, pouches feel a little tighter on the mags. No dividers in the double mag slot. P-mags will fit in both size pouches, single pouches won't be able to velcro or snap closed, doubles can reach the velcro. Not a problem unless you're doing jungle gym stuff. Velcro loop is pretty worn out, still works. The great thing about these is how easy they are to wear. Chest rigs you can feel the weight pulling forward on you, these feel like nothing. The belt loops are a great thing I wish more setups had, let's you run a drop holster or other belt stuff if you're wearing a long jacket or something without belt loops. Easy to fit to yourself, easy to put on and ditch.

Loading...
Utility
Rated 4 out of 5
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 4 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Gary B., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Condition
Better Than Described
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Perfect addition.

exactly what i needed to complete my retro loadout.

Loading...
Utility
Rated 5 out of 5
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Ergonomics
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?

Recently viewed