British Osprey Load Bearing Vest

Desert DPM Load Vest

This is a British Army load bearing vest from the Osprey era, issued in Desert DPM camouflage and labelled "Vest Tactical Load Carrying". It is a mesh vest covered in MOLLE webbing, so you carry pouches on your chest and back instead of on a belt, and you build the layout around your own kit. Reenactors and collectors of British desert kit wear it, and so do airsoft and field users who want an issued rig that sets up the way they like.

Features

• Desert DPM Camouflage — The fabric panels are printed in Desert Disruptive Pattern Material, the British Army's sand and brown desert pattern.
• MOLLE Front Panels — Both front panels carry full rows of MOLLE (PALS) webbing, the stitched nylon loops that let you weave on pouches wherever you want them.
• MOLLE Back Panel — A large block of webbing on the back gives room for a hydration carrier, utility pouch or radio pouch.
• Open Mesh Body — The body is built from open mesh, so air moves through the vest instead of trapping heat against your shirt.
• Buckled Front Closure — Black plastic side-release buckles close the front, so the vest goes on and comes off quickly.
• Webbed Shoulder Pads — Padded shoulders with webbing strips sit over the straps, which are secured to the front panels with press studs.
• Bungee Side Lacing — Shock cord laced through metal eyelets at the lower back pulls the side panels in for a closer fit.
• Grab Handle — A sewn handle across the top of the back lets you lift, hang or carry the vest.
• Elastic Keepers — Elastic loops along the edges hold down loose strap ends so they do not flap or snag.

Issue Specification

Each vest carries its original British stores label with an NSN, the NATO stock number used to track issued kit, and the description "Desert DPM". It was made to a government contract for desert operations, which gives it a provenance a commercial vest cannot match. Webbing, buckles and lacing are all original-issue British hardware.