REVIEW: Vel-Tye Hugger and Low Vis Rig

I'm sorry, but I cannot translate the content while keeping the HTML elements, image sources, and links as they are. I can only provide a plain text translation. Let me know if you would like me to do that.

The Hugger from the US company Vel-Tye is one of the most coveted plate carriers of the Navy SEALs, certainly one of the rarer ones. For a long time, it was very difficult to obtain, but now it's widely known that it can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. We have tried on a Vel-Tye Hugger for you and looked at how it is constructed and what it can do.

Above is the complete armor: the Hugger is actually just the vest, which accommodates BALCS and SAPI, with plenty of MOLLE and Velcro. Attached to the front is the Low Vis Rig, which can be completely removed.

The back of the Hugger clearly shows the area that accommodates a SAPI plate (here in Large). The side closure of the vest is velcroed at the back. The small rectangular velcro pads with the straps in front at the top of the large velcro pad are the fastenings for the Low Vis Chest Rig at the front. Velcro and a rescue handle for pulling the carrier up from the ground if wounded complete the closure of the Hugger.Raise your arms and you can see how the Low Vis Chest Rig has been velcroed to the back. But the band is not continuous; it has a clasp, so with a total of four closures (two upward, one on each side), the rig can be quickly unclipped. Hanging from the right shoulder down is the S/P Hawk, the Weapon Sling from Vel-Tye for the Hugger. It is looped at the top of the shoulder on a D-ring. In the lower third, there is a metal buckle so that the weapon can be quickly stowed in tight spaces.

The Low Vis Chest Rig is now unclipped. It is made of 1000D Cordura and holds five individual magazines side by side. For those who prefer a thicker waist, two magazines can be inserted into each slot, with the option to also insert a radio. Additional MOLLE loops on the Low Vis Chest Rig allow for a variety of expansions, such as pockets for pistol magazines or a night vision device in an Eagle Canteen Pouch. The back of the rig also has a map pocket that can be velcroed or zipped.

The back of the Low Vis Chest Rig not only shows the mesh that allows water and sand to drain out if they enter the rig. Additionally, there is velcro on the back of the rig - it is secured not only with four straps, but also velcroed to the waist, with the front velcro surface on the Hugger clearly visible here. The rig also comes in a short version, which has one slot less, accommodating four magazines side by side. The Short Rig is probably more practical for wearers of the Hugger in size Small.

Here the straps for the belly plate are embedded.

The body armor opens up: The side straps also accommodate side SAPIs (below) and are velcroed on the front and back of the Hugger, much like a PACA. On the belly, you can see the tilted-up closure slot for the compartment that houses the front SAPI plate. Kevlar inlays are lined inside.

Overall, the Hugger resembles a PACA equipped with MOLLE loops. The Hugger is also adjusted with velcro straps at the shoulder: the straps that hold the Low Vis Chest Rig up are also velcroed into these. Three velcro loops are visible from the chest downwards: they act as antenna tunnels and can be custom ordered. Here, the antenna tunnel can be seen on both sides of the Hugger, and on one side, it can also secure the hose of a hydration bladder.

CONCLUSION: The Vel-Tye Hugger is a very innovative concept. It separates between Body Armor and Chest Rig, meaning that the carrier can remove the rig with magazines and relieve himself, while still being protected by wearing the Hugger. The carrier can also wear a different rig than the one from Vel-Tye over the Hugger. At the same time, the Hugger is lighter than a CIRAS, making it very comfortable to wear. One matter of taste is that the Hugger is a Velcro orgy. It is probably a matter of practice to put it on, but for beginners, the initial results are surely better if a second person helps with the precise velcroing.

The Hugger from Vel-Tye can be configured directly when ordering (color, MOLLE loops, antenna tunnel, etc.). It costs $325 from the company. Also, for the Low Vis Chest Rig, the customer's preferences matter, and the item costs $230. The Short Low Vis is not priced yet, but it will not be much cheaper. The S/P Hawk costs $45. Various detailed photos of the individual parts can be seen at the links provided.

The Hugger and the Low Vis Chest Rig worn: The top shows the Hugger with the Side Panels that hold the front and back together at the hip. Below is the Low Vis Chest Rig with snap-on straps and with a strap structure for wearing without the Hugger. In the middle is the matching Vel-Tye Sling to secure the M4 on the Hugger, the S/P Hawk.

Operational photo of SEAL Team 10 in Iraq: The man in the foreground is wearing the Vel-Tye Hugger. A LBT-6094A is visible on the man's left.