Outdoors

Advantac ModMission vest provides virtually unlimited storage versatility

Advantac ModMission vest provides virtually unlimited storage versatility
Advantac showed its latest ModMission designs at the Outdoor Retailer show in August
Advantac showed its latest ModMission designs at the Outdoor Retailer show in August
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Advantac showed its latest ModMission designs at the Outdoor Retailer show in August
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Advantac showed its latest ModMission designs at the Outdoor Retailer show in August
ModMission is based around SnapTrack technology
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ModMission is based around SnapTrack technology
The integrated tracks make attaching and removing pockets quick and secure
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The integrated tracks make attaching and removing pockets quick and secure
Advantac imagines the ModMission being useful for activities like hunting, fishing, off roading and hiking
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Advantac imagines the ModMission being useful for activities like hunting, fishing, off roading and hiking
Advantac plans to offer a number of modules for fishing, including tackle pockets and fly holders
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Advantac plans to offer a number of modules for fishing, including tackle pockets and fly holders
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Imagine having the storage of a fishing vest that you can customize for all types of activities – hunting, hiking, photography, motorcycling, etc. Advantac is about to bring just such a type of vest over to the consumer market. The ModMission vest uses integrated mounts and customizable storage modules to let you customize the carry capacity to suit the situation.

The ModMission vest comes outfitted with Advantac’s patented SnapTrack system that features a variety of elastomer mounting tracks. Originally developed for the U.S. Air Force and now on its way to the outdoor consumer market, SnapTrack is a simple attachment system that allows users to configure pockets and gear-carrying modules in a nearly unlimited number of ways.

Each pocket has a compatible insert on its back that slides and snaps into place on the desired vest track. To remove a pocket, all you have to do is unlock the tab and slide it off. You can completely reconfigure a vest within a matter of minutes.

ModMission is based around SnapTrack technology
ModMission is based around SnapTrack technology

Thanks to its original military application, SnapTrack-equipped vests have passed 600 knot windblast testing, parachute bailout testing and ejection seat sled testing. In other words, don't expect them to fly off in a wind gust.

Advantac showed the ModMission vest at the recent Outdoor Retailer trade show, and the consumer version is still in the prototype stages of development. The company is tweaking the specific module options that will be available upon launch, but it mentions things like GPS pockets, hydration pockets, flashlight pockets and tackle pockets. It envisions selling ModMission hardware both directly to consumers and to manufacturers that can incorporate SnapTrack into their own outerwear and gear.

Advantac plans to show its next ModMission prototypes at the SHOT Show in January, 2013 and hopes to get the system to market by the third quarter of 2013. Estimated pricing is US$100 for the vest plus one or two pockets. From there, you'll be able to purchase additional pockets and pouches to build a custom vest for your particular needs.

Source: Advantac

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5 comments
5 comments
justme70
Hey, great! A more-expensive, less-versatile, single-sourced version of MOLLE. What could go wrong?
Stephen Yang
Seems kind of dumb to reinvent the MOLLE...
History Nut
Why not "reinvent" MOLLE? As far as price goes, the 'cost to gov't' of MOLLE wasn't any better. MOLLE's advantage was being able to use all the earlier LC-1 equipment just as the LC-1 system when new still allowed the use of the M1910 equipment. I think this is better than MOLLE so should be considered a replacement not a 'reinvention'. The attachment seems more positive and most importantly, quicker to use. The key to their marketing plan will be producing the specialized attachments at a reasonable price. Thanks to inflation, "reasonable", like the projected price of the vest shown is a lot higher than 20 years ago.
cachurro
It still trades flexibility for a bit of added weight and pockets with a loose contour (not sewn to the vest). Using MOLLE pockets, they tend to get jammed when traversing a very dense forest or crawling, as branches get between the pockets and the vest. Still, this new system seems to make it much easier and faster to change pockets.
justme70
Historynut: The advantage of MOLLE doesn't have much to do with ALICE anymore. You can always find something (a belt, a pack strap, a ladder, carabiner, cargo netting, a door handle...) to hang a MOLLE pouch from, even if your gear doesn't have a PALS panel. It's also inexpensive to implement--a little bit of webbing and a couple of snaps.
This gadget doesn't have much flexibility, beyond being able to quickly rearrange a single vest, and it's probably more expensive.