The Next Evolution of Pattern 83

Making a faithful reproduction of the original Pattern 83 chest rig was difficult for us. To do it right we had to stick to the source material and pretend like it was still 1983. It’s a testament to the South Africans that their 40-year-old design works as well as it does, but if you look closely there are signs of age.

As we dove into the details of our reproduction, an idea began to take shape. “What if we did more than copy the past? After all, the core design principles of Pattern 83 are solid. With a few tweaks and updates, it could be a serious contender in the 2020s…”

We tried to ignore it, but eventually that nagging voice in our heads got the upper hand. As work continued on our Pattern 83 reproduction, we spun off an ambitious project — Pattern 84.

Design Philosophy

The process of modernizing a design like this is a balancing act. Change too little and there’s no benefit to the end user. Change too much and you might ruin what made the original good.

In our view, almost everything about the P83 rig was done right the first time. The philosophy of the SADF is clear, and we agree with their conclusions. We were careful not to reinvent the wheel with P84 — instead we focused on improving what was already there.

Our redesign focused on two key areas: Creature Comforts, and Multi-Mission Capability.

Creature Comforts

Our first ‘creature comfort’ priority was accommodating hydration tubes and comms cables. Back in the 80s this wasn’t really a concern, but these days it’s hard not to have a water bladder or a radio. You’ll notice elastic wire routing and Grimloc compatible webbing built into the shoulder straps.

We also updated some aspects of materials and construction. The range of adjustment on all straps has been significantly increased. This allows the P84 rig to be worn over heavy clothing, body armor, and bulky PPE. To help tame the chaos, web keepers secure the extra slack and prevent snagging.

There are little touches too, like drain holes in the bottom of each magazine cell, and ample box stitching to reinforce all hook and loop panels. (Original P83 rigs rarely break, but we have seen the stitching in this area fray and detach. Box stitches fix this.)

Multi-Mission Capability

The ‘Modularity’ word is thrown around a lot these days. But more often than not Modularity means ‘desirable features sold separately.’ We wanted the P84 chest rig to be compatible with a wide variety of weapons and equipment without using proprietary sub components.

Weapons Compatibility

To achieve this we had to address the core of the chest rig — the magazine pouches. P84’s mag pouches are heavily modified, and feature elastic which accommodates nearly all magazine fed semi-automatic rifles in common circulation. The following platforms are certified to fit at least 6 magazines in the P84 chest rig:

30rd STANAG pattern 5.56 magazines
30rd commercial variants of AR15 pattern magazines
20rd variants of AR10 pattern magazines
30rd AKM, AK74, and AK101 pattern magazines (and commercial variants)
20rd FN FAL and FN SCAR 17 pattern magazines
30rd HK pattern magazines in 5.56/.223 (HK93, G36)
20rd HK pattern magazines in 7.62 Nato/.308
30rd Steyr Aug magazines in 5.56/.223
30rd/35rd Galil pattern magazines in 5.56/.223

This list is by no means exhaustive. Magazines from many other platforms may work in your P84 rig. In a pinch, even pistol caliber magazines can ride along, although retention does suffer in this configuration. The webbing-reinforced closure flaps can be secured over the magazines, or tucked behind them depending on user preference.

Versatile Pouches

But multi mission means more than ‘multi gun.’ We-reworked all of the auxiliary pouches on the P84 rig to be more versatile. The large general purpose pouches immediately port and starboard of the ammunition cells have been updated for 2021 and now feature extra-large hook and loop contact surfaces, allowing both small and oversized items to be safely secured.

These side pockets are a goldilocks size that’s perfect for a wide variety of uses:

Compact handheld radios
Smoke and Fragmentation grenades
Small water bottles (12-16oz)
GPS Units
Medical supplies
Additional magazines

On either edge of the central magazine pouches, you’ll notice a pen flare pouch we carried over from the original Pattern 83 design. Opposite this sits a new pouch for the Gerber MP600 or similar multitools. If those aren’t part of your kit, this slim pocket fits a wide variety of compact folding knives, or a single 9mm Glock magazine. And finally, on the reverse of the rig is a large flapped admin pocket. Perfect for chest seals, maps, and important documents.

Modularity

Special circumstances require special equipment, so to make the P84 rig more flexible there are two rows of laser cut MOLLE under each arm. The low weight, low bulk laminate material lays flat when not in use, and won’t catch your slings, straps or equipment.

These panels are an excellent spot for mounting:

Elastic tourniquet keepers
40mm pouches
Single rifle pouches
Single or double pistol pouches
Single grenade/smoke pouches
Water bottles
Small dump pouches
Radios
Medical supplies
Administrative equipment

P84 is also completely ‘dangler’ pouch compatible. Simply lift the central magazine cells upwards to expose the hook and loop beneath. The dangler pocket measures a generous 9.5” wide by 5” deep and will securely fasten full sized cummerbund accessories, from IFAKs to spare magazines.

How Does P84 Stack Up?

Chest rigs occupy a unique space in modern LBE, somewhere between the bandolier and the plate carrier. It’s an awkward spot to be. In order to be useful, a good chest rig has to incorporate aspects of both without becoming either.

On the ultra-minimalist end, chest rigs can be uncomfortable or simply ineffective. We’re never going to argue against having two magazines and a tourniquet ready to go. But do you really need a chest rig for that? Is the weight, bulk, and strapping really justified or would you be better off putting those things in a good pair of pants?

But as you add pockets, pouches and equipment, mission creep sets in. Weight increases. The ‘what ifs’ multiply, and before you know it you’ve reinvented the ALICE system or made a plate carrier that doesn’t carry plates.

It’s like the rocket equation of tactical gear, and that happy middle ground is hard to find.

Simply put we made P84 because we were unhappy with the existing options. P84 stands squarely between lightly featured micro rigs, and overcomplicated harness style systems.

Superior Comfort

P84’s cross-back strapping spreads weight across the entire upper back and torso, preventing painful pressure points on your traps. The shoulder straps feature internal foam padding encapsulated in 1000D Cordura fabric. The result is slim, comfortable, and very hard wearing. Many competitor products require aftermarket padding. Pattern 84 does not.

You’ll notice how tight and secure Pattern 84 feels against the body. This is thanks to the wide profile of the rig, which holds the weight of your equipment firmly against your body’s center of gravity. When adjusted properly, this wrap-around design ensures there is no point where raw 1” can dig into your skin. This secure feeling is also due to the mesh backing on P84, which reinforces the 1000D cordura body with a flexible load bearing skeleton.

Uncomplicated

P84 comes complete and fully featured out of the box. You aren’t forced to buy additional pouches, placards, and inserts just to use your rifle of choice. It’s not a ‘modular chassis’, it’s a chest rig. And your wallet will thank you for that.

A long lineage of practical fighting experience means P84 comes with everything you need and nothing you don’t. The South Africans knew what they were doing in 1983, we just helped put a fresh coat of paint on. And that heritage shows in the elegant simplicity of the design. Any heavier and an armor carrier would be more appropriate. Any lighter, and you’d be missing essential features.

Bombproof

There are many products on the market capable of carrying a fighting load of magazines and equipment. Few do so elegantly, and without snag hazards.

Like it’s South African forefather, P84 is robustly constructed from multiple layers of 1000D Cordura joined by heavy bartacks. The entire rig is slick, with no unsecured strapping or bungee cords. Every hook and loop contact area is overbuilt. It’s roll, slide, and drag proof. It is so durable that you can pick up and drag casualties by their X harness.

This is not a chest rig designed for three gun competition. This is a chest rig designed for the worst day of your life.

1000D Cordura isn’t seen as often as it once was. There’s an industry wide trend towards thinner and lighter materials on webbed gear: 500Ds, 330Ds, even unreinforced elastic. But you give up a lot to save those 2-3 ounces on your mainline kit.

Despite it’s paranoid build quality, there is practically no weight penalty with P84. It’s a little heavier than a loaded magazine. 1.4lbs. That’s it.

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