A geardo’s gear, without a geardo’s pricetag?” Before I begin this review, I would like to genuinely extend my thanks Paul at RedWolf Airsoft for providing me this opportunity to review this excellent vest. For more information about RedWolf, please read their shop review here: Redwolf Airsoft Shopreview.
Introduction
Milspex’s CIRAS (Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System) is a replica of the famous armor carrier used by the USSOCOM. The real vest, manufactured by Eagle, costs an arm or leg for most airsofters, not only is the Milspex version affordable, it includes all the necessary pouches.
The features of the vest are as follows:
- MOLLE/PALS compatible
- Quick release system (exactly like Eagle’s)
- Detachable shoulder pads
- Internal and external cummerbunds for tight fit
- Removable soft “armor” plates
- Cordua fabric
- Fully adjustable for height and width
Eagle produces 2 versions of this vest, the Maritime and Land versions. The vest being reviewed today is the Land Version, which is different than the Maritime Version ( The cummerbunds end anteriorly and is overlapped by an abdomen flap.
The vest is very light and flexible when compared to the RAV (which is also gaining popularity among our military troops.
A view of the vest, without all pouches attached. Notice that the back also is covered in MOLLE, allowing attachments for a hydration pouch.
Quality
This particular vest is constructed out of 1000 Denier Cordua, which is just about the strongest material available on the market; like other high quality vests, and plate carriers, they feature one inch, military specification webbing across the front and back for mounting various pouches. On this vest, Milspex had made sure to keep up the quality by having the webbing triple stitched.
Even though most low cost, replica plate carriers/vests are not exactly the best of quality, I can honestly say that this particular vest does and will meet and even exceed an airsofter’s expectations. The vest doesn’t feel like a “toy” or a “costume accessory”. I have had friends in the military tell me that my replica can almost be mistaken for the real CIRAS because of the quality.
Here you can see the extremley sturdy stitching of the MOLLE webbing.
Adjustment
All parts of the vest can be separated an adjusted individually. Each part has an attached “strip” of wide webbing with many eyelets, like a belt. Simply have all the “parts” meet together to the back of the vest, and take the loop of para cord and insert it though all the desired eyelets. After this, take the metal cord and slip it through the para cord, and pull it to make it tighter. The process is straightforward; simply imagine the whole process as wearing many belts. After looping the cord through all the parts, simply leave it alone, as the pressure of all the combined “parts” will keep everything tight. The below picture shows the back panel lifted, revealing all the “strips”.
Wearing the vest
Most people are actually confused when asked how to wear this particular vest. And in reality, it is a bit complicated. First, place your head through vest, and attach the internal cummerbunds, they are elastic, and should be attached securely, to reduce unwanted movement of the vest during combat. Secondly, lift the front MOLLE flap in the center. Now you have access to attaching the external cummerbunds. Take the cummerbund (either left or right) and attach it to the front, then take the other side and repeat the process. After doing this, simply drop the front MOLLE flap down, and button it back. Since the front MOLLE flap will always move up and down, don’t attach any pouches between the flap and the external cummerbund.
Internal Cummerbund
MOLLE flap up
First External Cummerbund attached
Second External Cummerbund attached, and MOLLE front flap down. The vest is now ready to go.
Color Options
As seen above, these are the other CIRAS Land Versions that Milspex produces. The coyote brown (CB) is shown first, and the olive drab (OD) is shown second. The one being reviewed today is the OD vest. Milspex also produces the Maritime version of the CIRAS, also available in CB and OD. Both shades of colors match the “real” Eagle CIRAS.
Package
This package is available on Redwolf Airsoft for an incredibly low price of only $148 USD. Most vests cost around the same price, but don’t even include any pouches! This includes all the pouches, seen in the above pictures. Here is a list of all the pouches included:
Admin Pouch
The admin pouch is great for operators because it has a large area of loop Velcro, for adding any patches you desire. The pouch is separated into 2 separate compartments. The lower compartment includes 2 loops of cord that enable the user to slip objects roughly the size of glowsticks, in order to secure them. The back compartment is slightly larger, and is great for putting folded maps, or other small, thin objects. This pouch is usually attached to the front chest.
Dual Pistol Magazine Pouch
The Dual Pistol Magazine is good not only for holding pistol magazines, but can also hold folding knives, or Surefire 6v flashlights. The lids of each compartment can be adjusted and even removed, as shown in the picture below.
Dual M4/M16 “Blackhawk-type” magazine pouch (2 included)
Simply put, this magazine pouch is extremely versatile. It was designed for AR-15 type magazines, but can also be adjusted (like the Dual Pistol Mag Pouch). Each compartment in the pouch can hold up to 2 M4/M16 type magazines, or 3 MP5 magazines, all with or without magpul’s. The lids can also be completely removed, at the operator’s preference. Since the lids can be adjusted, it will most-likely be able to fit most other magazines. Since the package includes 2 of these pouches, you will be able to fit up to 8 AR-15 type magazines, and 12 MP5 magazines.
General Utility/Magazine Dump Pouch
This particular pouch is not very fancy, but it gets the job done. The pouch was designed to be able to carry basically anything you can fit inside. But most people find it useful for carrying extra BBs or a small emergency medical kit.
Gas Mask/Accessory Pouch w/ Internal Elastic Retainers
In reality, this pouch would usually play the role as a gas mask or medical supply carrier. However, in airsoft, this pouch is very useful for carrying larger items such as your paintball mask, or a large canteen (if you don’t already have a hydration pack). Since this pouch has internal elastic retainers, you can easily attach items to the 2 inside “faces”, thus making access much quicker, than having to dig through the rest of your belongings inside.
Quick Release Accessory Pouch for Radios, etc.
The sole purpose for this pouch is to hold personal communication radios. The elastic cords secure the radio, while allowing the antenna, adjustment knobs, and headset (if attached) to come out, without interfering with a lid. The pouch can hold radios from personal to industrial sizes, and can be released with a quick release of the buckle.
Pros
- Extremely sturdy stitching
- High quality fabric (Cordua)
- Many included pouches
- Button snaps are tight
- Quick release function, like real CIRAS
- Stable when worn correctly
- Very modular
- Magazine pouches have detachable and adjustable lids
Cons
- Bulky (like all body armor)
- A little bit hard to get into
Verdict
For the price and quality, this vest cannot be beat for its price. It features many pouches which sold separately, are expensive. The vest offers complete modularity for personal preferences. The best feature are the 2 cummerbunds, they help secure the vest so it won’t move around during a firefight.
Final Score: 9.5 out of 10
