REVIEW: Helikon-Tex Training Mini Rig

It's not always about the cup size. The same applies to chest rigs: they don't always have to be huge to be practical. Lately, the general trend seems to be shifting more towards minimal, yet multifunctional gear. Haley Strategic set the example with the large Gear-Burner D3CR. Helikon-Tex has now implemented the same concept with the Training Mini Rig and we have taken a look at it for you.

First look: What do we see from the front? We see four small and four large magazine pouches, as well as two multipurpose pockets. Of course, the cross loops on the shoulder straps for attaching PTTs and hydration tubes are essential. Our rig is in the Adaptive Green color.

From the back, there is nothing remarkable. An efficient H-strap with a large Velcro area and an adjustable waist belt to keep everything secure. It does its job, we can confirm. We appreciated the Velcro area on the back.

All straps are attached to the rig using Fastex buckles. Very convenient for easier donning and doffing of the rig.

The waist belt is completely removable. On one side by means of a Splitbar Buckle...

...and on the other side by a G-Hook. The small downside of the G-Hook - that it tends to come undone when not under tension - has been elegantly solved by using a fabric override.

The main magazine pouches easily accommodate all common 5.56mm magazines. AK works too. The pull tabs are rubberized for better grip. For those who don't like rubber, they can also use the HSP MP2 clips - introduced HERE on SPARTANAT.However, the Chest Rig is more flexible than it first appears. The middle magazine pouches are actually a Velcro insert that can be completely removed or exchanged.

Those who want to use the area as a map pocket can simply leave it as is or use a small zipper insert - this one is from TMC and currently not available anywhere - to do so. This provides the opportunity to use the rig civically, for orienteering, or as a socially striking survival kit. The pistol magazine pouches can accommodate virtually any pistol magazine. Of course, also flashlights, multitools, and the like. The tabs are adjustable or removable via Velcro.

Now for the multipurpose pockets. The top one is zippered three-quarters and has a practical interior layout: two slip pockets, five elastic loops, and another zippered mesh pocket.

Beneath the multipurpose pocket are three MOLLE loops, for example for a tourniquet, and two paracord loops to secure other items. (And because we know you're now curious about where the patch is from: it's from Patchzone.) The second multipurpose pocket is the size of a classic Horizontal Utility Pouch, as known from the FSBE2 Kit - in other words, about two to three 0.5 beer cans laid flat. Cheers! Inside, there is a 5cm wide Velcro strip on both walls and a small loop. This allows each person to customize the interior to their needs. We used a V-Lite here to shed some light.

For those who don't need as much storage space to carry around, the lower pouch can be easily removed, as it is equipped with a standard MOLLE system. This reveals a four-column MOLLE row on the rig, to which other pouches or items can be attached as well. The particularly practical feature of the Fastex buckles is the ability to directly mount the rig on a Plate Carrier. However, there is no Velcro on the back of this rig to securely attach it to the PC, so the waist belt must be used. Or, one can hand-stitch a Velcro area onto the Mini Rig and use the very cool Integration kit from Mission Spec - introduced HERE on SPARTANAT.

Of course, this is only possible if the PC has suitable buckles or if one has an adapter on hand. We also tested the buckles with the most common backpacks (Flatpack, etc.) and they fit.

CONCLUSION: A small Chest Rig with a big impact. Thanks to its semi-modular design, the Training Mini Rig can be adapted very well to individual requirements. Although it is labeled as a "Training Rig," we believe it is quite suitable for operational use and is a fully functional piece of equipment in a very perfect configuration.

Available directly from Helikon-Tex in many colors for €85.00 excluding shipping and at all retailers carrying Helikon-Tex products such as Camostore or TacOpsGear.

HELICON-TEX on the web www.helikon-tex.com