REVIEW: IRT Eger Chest Rig

The original of this Chest Rigs can be seen in the pictures of the Beslan school siege in 2004. IRT now brings the Russian Eger Chest Rig, originally from SPOSN, in the early version as a replica back to the market. We have taken a look at this rare piece as the first in the world.

IRT, known for high-quality Defender and Sbruya Partizan replicas and other Russian gear that is hard to find in the West, dares to bring back this classic gear with this reproduction. The Eger is a non-modular panel on which a lot of pockets are mounted, showcasing once again the functional minimalism that is common in the East.

The Eger is made of Avizent, a plastic material that also brings a very typical coloration. Together with the green-yellow edging, this gear has an era-specific character - especially when combined with the Partizan suits (see picture above), as Avizent is no longer used today. The early version of the Eger can be recognized by the leather closures, which were later replaced by Velcro. In terms of configuration, there are three double magazine pockets in the middle, a flare pocket on each side, and two large (hand grenade) pockets.

The back is black and smooth and has a practical card slot. The loops at the bottom are belt loops.

The straps are made of very thin and light webbing, over which paddings are slid to cover the shoulder area. The Eger has a "quick release system." The shoulder straps, which are crossed in an X-shape on the back, are fixed at the front with carabiner hooks in eyelets. If the armor needs to be removed, there are two handles to release the shoulder straps and bring everything down.

View from below. Roughly sewn in the Russian style, but of good quality. The pockets also have drainage eyelets. In the hand grenade pocket, the leather strap is additionally secured by a fabric bar before being closed with a metal button - a Coburn Button.

Details on the pockets: filled with hand grenades (left); Reaktivniye Osvetitelniye Patroniy (ROP), the Russian flares (Mi.); and two AK magazines per magazine pocket (right). Stiff dividers are incorporated inside each pocket.

Counter-shot to the main photo: the man on the left - while evacuating a wounded person in Beslan - is wearing the early Eger Chest Rig presented here.

CONCLUSION: A functional and very practical Chest Rig from the recent history of Russian special forces. Not much to it, but everything you need for combat. As seen in the photos, it is also worn with body armor.

The IRT Eger is currently available at Vector Speciality for $149. Later available at other shops carrying IRT.