The Ready Rig 5.56 is a concealable, hybrid chest rig built around a single problem: getting rifle magazines, a radio, medical gear, and basic tools onto your torso in a package thin enough to disappear under a jacket or flannel. Where a conventional chest rig with MOLLE webbing and protruding pouches telegraphs its presence, the Ready Rig uses flat elastic cells and a slim profile to serve as the first layer of a scalable loadout — one that bridges the gap between what lives in the car and a full plate carrier setup.
Design Philosophy
The Ready Rig represents a specific node in the layered loadout concept: it sits above EDC but below armor. A prepared citizen may stage it in a vehicle, a go-bag, or by the door. When seconds matter and a plate carrier is too slow or too overt, the Ready Rig goes on over a t-shirt and under an outer layer. This is not a range toy — it is a covert fighting rig designed to carry the minimum effective equipment for a lethal encounter, which aligns with the broader principle of minimum effective dose.
The current Ready Rig is an iterative improvement over the retired Ready Rig 1.0. The 1.0 served the same core mission but has been superseded by updates to cell sizing, harness adjustment, and overall construction. Documentation for the 1.0 is maintained as a reference for legacy owners, but the current production version reflects lessons learned from field use and customer feedback.
Cell Layout and Capacity
The front of the rig carries three elastic cells sized for 5.56 magazines. These accept standard aluminum GI magazines, Magpul PMAGs, and — in a pinch — 5.45x39 or 7.62x39 magazines. The elastic tension holds magazines securely without the bulk of Kydex inserts or flap retention, keeping the profile flat against the chest. For a deeper look at magazine selection and how it fits the weapon system, see Magazine Reliability, Capacity, and Selection.
Flanking the central magazine cells on each side are three additional cells of varying width:
- Small cells (2-inch wide): Sized for pistol magazines, multi-tools, or handheld flashlights. A quality EDC flashlight fits here without wasted space.
- Mid-size cells (3-inch wide): Accept a civilian handheld radio — a Baofeng, a Kenwood, or even a larger radio like a Motorola APX8000. This is where handheld radio integration meets the chest rig. Running a radio on the Ready Rig keeps comms accessible at chest height, which matters for coordination in any scenario involving more than one person.
- Large rear cells (4-inch wide): Designed for medical equipment. A compact trauma kit — such as the contents of a pocket IFAK or a dedicated chest rig medical insert — rides in these cells. Staging medical on the rig means it moves with you rather than staying in a bag you might not have time to grab.
In total, the rig provides nine elastic cells across 4 inches of height, giving a broad but low-profile carrying surface. The total cell count — five 3-inch cells, two 2-inch cells, and two 4-inch cells — means the Ready Rig can simultaneously carry rifle magazines, a radio, a medical kit, a flashlight, and a pistol magazine or multi-tool. That is a significant capability set for a rig that weighs 16 ounces.
Harness and Fit
The Ready Rig uses a built-in X-harness rather than the H-harness common on tactical chest rigs. The X-harness crosses behind the shoulder blades, distributing load evenly while maintaining a lower profile under clothing. Adjustment is managed through tri-glide buckles at the rear, and the harness provides 35 inches of usable strap material for height tuning. This allows the rig to sit at the correct position on the chest regardless of the user’s torso length.
An elastic cummerbund wraps the rig around the torso, standing 4 inches tall. This secures the rig against the body during movement — critical for concealment, since a rig that shifts or bounces will print through clothing. The fit range covers chest circumferences from 33 to 48.5 inches, making it effectively one-size-fits-most. For a deeper look at harness options and load distribution philosophy across chest rigs and carriers, see H-Harness: Load Distribution and Cable Management.
Retention and Accessories
All side cells include inboard pull-tab loops sewn internally. These loops accept S&S Precision pull tabs and shock cord, allowing the user to add positive retention to radios, pistol magazines, or multi-tools. The internal placement of these loops is deliberate — external loops would create hotspots against the body during concealed wear.
The front face of the rig carries a generous Velcro field. This serves double duty: it accepts ID panels, flag patches, or unit identifiers when the rig is worn overtly, and it provides mounting for compatible accessories like the Wallaby Pouch or a tourniquet holder. Traditional dangler pouches are not compatible due to the Velcro orientation, but lightweight Velcro-backed options work well. Staging a tourniquet on the front Velcro field keeps it accessible under stress — a principle covered in depth at Tourniquet Staging on the Carrier and TCCC Fundamentals for the Armed Civilian.
Colorways and Concealment
The Ready Rig is available in gray, green, and black. The black option was added specifically to improve concealment under dark clothing, which is the most common outer-layer color in urban and suburban environments. Gray works well under lighter shirts. The goal is visual disappearance — the rig should not be detectable by casual observation when covered by a button-down shirt, hoodie, or light jacket.
Where It Fits in the Loadout
The Ready Rig occupies the space between a get-home bag and a full chest rig or plate carrier. It is not a replacement for armor — it carries no plates and provides no ballistic protection. What it provides is speed and discretion. A citizen who stages the Ready Rig pre-loaded in a vehicle or by the front door can be armed with five or more rifle magazines, medical supplies, comms, and tools in the time it takes to pull a rig over the head and cinch two buckles. This makes it a natural component of the staging and readiness concept.
For users who want the option to scale up, the Ready Rig can be worn under a plate carrier as a covert base layer, with the carrier providing armor and additional MOLLE real estate on top. This layering approach lets the citizen start with the Ready Rig alone and add armor as the situation develops — a practical application of building a coherent loadout from EDC to full kit.
The Ready Rig pairs naturally with a belt setup carrying a duty holster and additional magazines. For belt-side rifle mag carriers, see Rifle Mag Carriers on the Belt. For the belt platform itself, the Orion Belt is the natural companion.
Products mentioned
- T.Rex Ready Rig 5.56 — Concealable hybrid chest rig for covert carry of magazines, medical, radios, and tools
- Wallaby Pouch — Lightweight Velcro-attached pouch compatible with the Ready Rig front panel