Kenyan Army Type 1 Load Bearing Vest

Kenyan Issue Load Vest

The Type 1 Load Bearing Vest is Kenyan Army issue, built to carry a soldier's ammunition, water and small kit on the chest and hips instead of in the hands or a pack. A load bearing vest spreads that weight across the shoulders and torso, so everything stays within reach while you move. It suits collectors of African military gear, reenactors, and anyone who wants a working load carrier with genuine provenance.

Features

• Kenyan Camouflage Pattern — The front panels and pouches are printed in a disruptive pattern of tan, green, maroon and dark brown.
• Buckle-Flap Pouches — Pouches on both front panels and around the sides close with flaps secured by black side-release buckles, which open with a squeeze of the two tabs.
• Ventilated Mesh Back — Olive mesh covers the back and upper shoulders to let heat escape where the vest sits closest to the body.
• Three-Buckle Front Closure — Three quick-release buckles on adjustable webbing straps close the vest across the chest and let you set the gap between the panels.
• Zippered Front Panels — A full-length zip runs down the inner edge of each front panel.
• Adjustable Shoulder Straps — Webbing straps with ladder-lock adjusters, the flat slide buckles that hold a strap at whatever length you pull it to, tune how high the vest rides.
• Side Adjustment Straps — Paired ladder-lock straps at each side of the back take in or let out the fit around the torso.
• Lower Webbing Tabs — Webbing tabs along the bottom edge give the vest points to secure against a belt.

Original Army Issue

This vest was produced for the Kenyan Army, not made for the commercial market, and it carries the issued camouflage, olive webbing and hardware it was fielded with. The layout puts load-carrying pouches up front and at the hips and keeps the back open mesh, a practical setup for hot-climate service. Kenyan-issue kit turns up far less often than American or European surplus, which makes this a distinctive piece for a collection or an East African impression.