Which Chest Rig Is Right For You? ROCRV2 vs ROCR-OSF

Initial Thoughts

When it comes to picking a chest rig there are a lot of things you need to consider, the wrong style or purpose for that rig can be either too much or too little. At Spade 7 Tactical, I design everything through my experiences, trying to improve quality of life when wearing the rig as well as innovating further each time. The ROCR line stands for Recon Oriented Chest Rig. My experiences are derived from recce operations which involved long movements, and then prolonged stationary time in kit. Needless to say, this is my niche. 

The two chest rigs I am pinning against each other are the ROCR-OSF, which is our new Offset Split Front Chest Rig; and the ROCR V2 which is our staple rig. They are both extremely solid pieces of kit, but they are very far apart when it comes to choosing the correct rig. They both share similar sustainment capabilities, and they both share the same MOLLE footprint. If you're trying to decide between the two, this is well worth the read. 

What Makes the ROCR-OSF Unique?

The ROCR-OSF was designed with a one all do all rig concept in mind. Now, a one all do all is quite literally impossible. Every mission set has different variables; however, the OSF is a fantastic choice for anyone wanting a rig that can fit the bill of varying mission sets. So, the OSF is weird due to the fact that it's the first of its kind. It is an offset split front. This means that the place where the rig actually splits open is offset a few columns of molle to the right of the center of the rig. The left panel having 8 wide and 6 tall MOLLE, the left having 4 wide and 6 tall. So why this concept? In short, it keeps magazines centered while it's worn. The well-known advantages to split fronts are prone work and keeping cool. Very simple concept. Single panel rigs get bulky fast, even slim split fronts get bulky. Having the capability to quickly pop open your rig, lay perfectly prone, and still have access to mags and whatever tools you are carrying is definitely sought after. The OSF keeping mags centered also means that when the rig is split apart you don't have mags on one side and then the other as well. You can set it up to be far more ergonomic than the traditional center split rigs. Split rigs in general also aid in scaling your kit quickly. With observing modern conflicts, I have noticed a lot of long, deliberate movements over rural terrains into more kinetic and established urban areas. This circles back to the early GWOT era of rigs over armor. Scaling down while moving and then being able to quickly scale back up to wearing armor will more than likely become prevalent for some units if that trend continues. 

Key Features of the ROCR-OSF:

• Offset Split Front Design
• Slim and lightweight base
• MOLLE Front and Rear Paneling

The Flagship Rig. The ROCRV2.

The ROCRV2 is the second iteration of the ROCR line of products. A couple things were overlooked with the Version 1. While still an incredible rig, the V1 lacked in radio space and customization. I removed the V1's centered admin panel, added additional MOLLE columns to the sides, integrated a slim admin cell on the rear of the panel, and added two count em' two radio cells to the rear of the rig. Those seem like small changes, but they made the world of difference. The ROCRV2's are currently being used by guys in all kinds of units across different branches. The only complain I've received on them is that the magazine inserts are passive retention. (That is on the calendar to change). The V1 and V2 had the same goal in mind. Take the Army issued TAP and scale it down without sacrificing a whole lot. That goal was beyond met. It is currently the smallest MACRO rig on the market, able to house 6x 5.56 mags or 5x .308 mags utilizing our insert systems (any hook insert on the market will work), it has a continuous 14x MOLLE panel for any pouch you desire, as well as two integrated radio cells sized for PRC152's.  The drawbacks to single panel rigs are that they get bulky quick, it requires inserts, and prone work has the potential to get cumbersome. As far as the scalability aspect, it has a centered Velcro panel sized to slap on to plate carriers as well as using danglers. The V2 fits the bill for a ton of you, so it is a product that is here to stay. 

Key Features of the ROCRV2:

• Single Panel System
• Integrated Radio Pouches
• Integrated Admin Cell

Side-By-Side Comparison:

Which Rig Is Best For You?

Choosing between the ROCR-OSF and the ROCRV2 all comes down to your personal preference and your mission set. 

• Choose the ROCR-OSF if you find yourself in the prone often, or in very hot and humid environments or find yourself scaling with a slick carrier.
• Choose the ROCRV2 if you need an adaptable rig that can be worn on its own or attached to a plate carrier. 

Both rigs are made here in the USA and are Berry and NIR Compliant. 

Why Choose Spade 7 Tactical?

Guys, I am passionate about creating this kind of kit. God knows I didn't come into this industry for the money, or the lack thereof.  I am fully committed to taking my experiences and innovating gear, especially chest rigs to improve quality of life and overall usability of them. Every rig that comes from me is carefully designed with every ounce of effort I can give it. I wasn't a cool guy high speed operator. Just a disabled recon dude that became a sponge and that wants to transfer that knowledge into the rigs I offer. 

Final Thoughts

The ROCRV2 and the ROCR-OSF are incredible pieces of kit to have at your disposal. They shine differently so all I ask is that you take this information and think about your mission set and decide on the piece of kit that is going to be relevant to your needs. No matter which rig you end up with it will be hand crafted by myself to the best of my ability to ensure it can take a beating and a half. The links to both of these rigs are below!

ROCR V2 Panel | Chest Rig – Spade 7 Tactical

ROCR-OSF – Spade 7 Tactical