I wish these had been available in the 80's and early 90's when I was still in. Far better than our old LBE. That being said, I would often run the LBE, and now the SMERSH, with a chicom style chest rig. The chest rig gives you a last ditch, drop your gear, E&E rig with enough gear to fight and run like hell. This can also open some room in your ammo pouches for IFAK inserts for both the SMERSH and chest rig. Two things you can never have enough of is ammo and med gear.
We had 1sg who used to rock that, he used to be in Delta Force. I custom sewed some pouches on a pilot survival vest , then LBE overtop that. At the ORP, you could dress up or dress down 😆 like Boogie Nights, "Wear what you dig."
The smersh was a russian copy of the alice belt system. The commies actually did it better this time 😂. And the soviets still use the smersh even today in their pointless war in Ukraine. Most enemies who use the smersh are machine gunners, but I have seen some photos of enemy rifleman using it too.
Jay ... The Smersh rig has been the best kept secret for years. I got mine long ago, and it is still top notch and cost effective. Thanks for this review.
I bought an eagle industries molle H harness, USMC coyote colored. I love it! $73 hZ floatation device around waist, which makes the ar10 mags more comfortable as well.. they call it thr USMC SMERSH... money well spent.
@@themodernminuteman2557I believe everyone needs a radio they just don't all need to keep them on they could be there as backup radios as well as simply being able to check in on different groups at a designated time during the day then go silent
As far as purpose built and or mission specific gear setups this is by far the most squared away one I've seen, at least for what I would need. You hit the nail on the head with everything, great setup sir and thank you for the ideas
@@BlaineKK37 thanks. I spent a lot of time in the field working this one out. Probably the best setup I could put together to meet my needs in this area.
When you put up that great minuteman picture your multi cam leggings are so effective I had to zero in on your legs before they popped out to me. 😮 Looks like a very effective load out.
Jay, you inspire me. I recently got my own smersh and am modifying the straps and buckles the fit my barrel body shape I inherited from my dad. I am also in Ohio, in the SW, also rolling hills mixed with farmland. Thanks again. Enjoyed your interview with Grunt Proof on your book. I was a cold war grunt but I absolutely agree with your viewpoints. People get trapped in thier SOPs from long ago and lose thier prespective. Thanks again.
Great thought process and explanation of mission possibilities. Your concept of front sides of waste for fighting gear and side back waste for survival gear was an excellent description of a minute man load out. The way to extend load out with backpack and fanny pack in front waste was intuitive. The healthy mix of kits is right on.
Good evening Sir! Great stuff as always, your videos are always entertaining and and informative! I hopped on a bit late, but after went back and watched the whole thing. Great rig, and it holds a ton of gear! I like how it’s a “Jack of all trades”, has a little bit of everything! Take care and my best to you and your family!
Thanks ACR! Appreciate it. Yeah it is a bit different than how a lot of folks may do it. I wanted/needed it to cover a few different needs at once based on its overall use for me.
Interesting setup i have a couple LBE setups and its definitely been a reeducation from traditional chest rigs for me but i like them and when i can half ass justify it i will be buying a smersh
I really enjoy watching videos with well-thought-out kits. Yours is definitely well thought out and practical. My setup is kinda similar, but there are some variations. I've built mine with British surplus pouches (kinda heavy 2.5kg and overengineered, so I might replace the buttpack with Smersh like yours, or something light like the American buttpack if I find one). Here are my 2 pence from across the pond: 1) Have the large admin pouch immediately under your right arm - with all the minor bits & bobs easily accessible and visible when needed. 2) As a principle, make sure that you can access any item throughout your rig without taking the rig off! 3) As a principle, make sure that you can lock any of the pouches with one hand. This is where nearly all pouches on the market and all British pouches fail. They all need to be modified! 4) As a principle, a well organised belt-kit should be able to provide you sleep, relative warmth, water and some food for 48h and possibly more!!! 5) I really like your placement of the water-bottle pouch (I have one of those laying around, I might give it a second life after seeing this video). Just make sure that it is properly secured - they have a tendency to dangle especially in that location. Another mod I'd do is remove its top lid altogether and secure the canteen with a bungee strap (kinda like old US or Australian canteens) - those zips are a nightmare to open and close in that position. Have one water-bottle (on the right handside) and one water-bladder. 6) Always have spare room in your kit. There are many ways to achieve this: a foldable dump-pouch under your ammo pouches; or the left pouch between the ammo and the buttpack; or the space behind the pouches can be used to put anything long (an e-tool, a hatchet, a knife etc) - some use it as additional pockets. 7) As a principle, keep the front open so that you have no obstructions when in prawn and crawling; keep heavier items closer to your hip bones; and keep your butt-pack as light as possible. 8) Walk! Carrying loads with belt kit is easier than with bergen/rucksack, but it is a whole different sensation. After couple of miles you'll feel lactic acid building up in your legs and you need to get used to it and learn to power through it. That's why it is important to train with it regularly. 9) There is no universally "best" setup. It's all about what works for oneself. But all the members of the unit should have their IFAK in the same place and arranged in identical manner (and clearly marked).
Check out the eagle industry gear if you haven't. I also bought some sort of USMC midular assault pack in coyote. Fits nice and slim on the back of the eagle H harness and leaves room for a butt pack underneath it. All very similiar to your set up. Price point was decent. This has been a good vid. I concur with all your ideas here! Keep em coming.
as perfect as can be, until you find out it isn't. I'm always evolving. Definitely, don't want to be be diving to prone on my medical supplies...they are on my L hip. everyone should be done with front heavy gear and chest rigs after low crawling 5 meters.
Really nice setup bro. You probably like the H setup. The system is made for. An eight point hitch. That's how I prefer mine. Thanks for your videos. Cheers 🍻
ONE TIP MATE, THE STERNUM STRAPS SHOULD BE A LITTLE HIGHER, ABOUT AN INCH BELOW YOUR CLAVICLE, NO CLOSER. I NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE ALREADY COMFORTABLE SMERSH WITH THIS ADJUSTMENT. LENGHTEN THE REAR STRAPS SOME WHICH WILL RAISE THE STERNUM STRAPS.
Solid, beautiful video. I love my nixie works LFR which is essentially the same just all sewn together. So it’s lighter and fits more snug. I’m curious though, are y’all more of over, below or under the belly button? My big belly makes it hard to go over or above but below isn’t quite as comfy. No worries, I’m trying hard to slim out. In due time. Just curious what y’all do or have any pointers!?
I like it it's essentially 2 of my kits smashed into 1. I'm not sure I'm so hot on the fanny pack med kit though. I keep my big ifak on my bare bones kit and a second smaller mostly with trauma essentials on something that would fit on the shoulder. Though with this I feel like a belt hanging pouch under the smersh would probably work really well. All and all really cool
Got me a GCS H harness for $25 and set it up with military surplus pouches, whole set-up only cost about $100 for a custom LBE loadout. Although, i left the front few sections of molle empty just in case i need to crawl.
Question also. Have you thought about doing a video about how to correctly set this system up out of the bag? There are very few videos on it and the ones that show the process aren't clear. When receiving this all of the system is apart and stuffed in the butt pack. I had to use pictures from around the net to get mine correctly put together.
I have but, honestly, just don't wanna take it apart to put back together. The molle version would be better suited for swapping things out. The basic version everything slides onto the belt so you have to do it in order. Here is a link to the video I used when I put mine together. ruclips.net/video/af0AAf8F3bA/видео.html
👍👍🤙Glad I grabbed mine in digital flora back in 2020. They are double the price now. Where you have your bottle pouches I have a canteen pouch and ifak. Only thing i am struggling with is where to mount my knife on it.
Yeah knife was a tough one. I ended up putting it behind the mag pouches (9 o'clock position) on the left side. I have seen guys put them at the 8 o'clock position too in a traditional low mount.
Ра видеть, что и в Америке знают российскую снарягу))) Я отвоевал в такой РПС около года, нормально))) но приходится менять лямки на тонкие, чтоб бронежилету не мешали.
I do like the look of the SSO Partizan harness. Has a vintage look to it. If I was looking to buy the Smersh rig right now that is the one I would end up with.
I don't like the idea of a huge LBE, if you have to ditch your ruck to break contact or run. Keep your fighting gear separated from your living/comfort gear. Survival gear stays in pockets of uniform. Just a consideration.
You shouldn't have to ditch this. It isn't a backpack. If a person is ditching this kind of system just to move faster they failed themselves physically.
@armedpatriot8611 I served on LRS teams for 13 yrs, it's common practice to ditch your ruck if you have to E&E, you keep it as long as you can but at some point it's gonna go bye bye
Are you talking about the daypack shown or the Smersh LBE itself? Daypack I got here: www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Venture-17-L-Backpack-Green-Brown-Adult-Teen-Polyester/258745587?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=4255&adid=22222222277258745587_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9015269&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=258745587&wl13=4255&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222237258745587_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9015269&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=258745587&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_waGHSacMx6vrVcXacZZUI8Sy8IifSn6DY6cVLDk9_6oK7q6afumX1gaAjLDEALw_wcB Genuine Smersh LBE's are hard to find right now... There are numerous knockoffs on Ebay but real ones are expensive there. I bought mine well before the war in Ukraine when they were widely available.
@@tonyporenshenko425 Ah, the Russian Buttpack... Those are hard to find as well. They make the regular size and a larger version too. Ebay or try Ivan the Bear, Kula, Grey Shop, and anyone else.
I wish these had been available in the 80's and early 90's when I was still in. Far better than our old LBE. That being said, I would often run the LBE, and now the SMERSH, with a chicom style chest rig. The chest rig gives you a last ditch, drop your gear, E&E rig with enough gear to fight and run like hell. This can also open some room in your ammo pouches for IFAK inserts for both the SMERSH and chest rig. Two things you can never have enough of is ammo and med gear.
We had 1sg who used to rock that, he used to be in Delta Force. I custom sewed some pouches on a pilot survival vest , then LBE overtop that. At the ORP, you could dress up or dress down 😆 like Boogie Nights, "Wear what you dig."
The smersh was a russian copy of the alice belt system. The commies actually did it better this time 😂. And the soviets still use the smersh even today in their pointless war in Ukraine. Most enemies who use the smersh are machine gunners, but I have seen some photos of enemy rifleman using it too.
Jay ... The Smersh rig has been the best kept secret for years. I got mine long ago, and it is still top notch and cost effective. Thanks for this review.
Thanks buddy!
Yeah I love my Smersh webbing set, built to last 👍🏻🇦🇺
I bought an eagle industries molle H harness, USMC coyote colored. I love it! $73 hZ floatation device around waist, which makes the ar10 mags more comfortable as well.. they call it thr USMC SMERSH... money well spent.
Yea they are great, found one in AOR2 and set it for 12 AR mags, with buttpack (only a few good ones out there these days).
It's a solid LBE system, the Padding makes a whole bear of a difference heheh. Good stuff bro!!!
Thanks Bro!
A very awesome set up. Very versatile and customizable for the mission.
Thanks Roman! I feel really good about this setup. Easy to build upon as needed!
@@themodernminuteman2557I believe everyone needs a radio they just don't all need to keep them on they could be there as backup radios as well as simply being able to check in on different groups at a designated time during the day then go silent
Great review. I'm digging your back patio as well.
As far as purpose built and or mission specific gear setups this is by far the most squared away one I've seen, at least for what I would need. You hit the nail on the head with everything, great setup sir and thank you for the ideas
@@BlaineKK37 thanks. I spent a lot of time in the field working this one out. Probably the best setup I could put together to meet my needs in this area.
When you put up that great minuteman picture your multi cam leggings are so effective I had to zero in on your legs before they popped out to me. 😮
Looks like a very effective load out.
Jay, you inspire me. I recently got my own smersh and am modifying the straps and buckles the fit my barrel body shape I inherited from my dad. I am also in Ohio, in the SW, also rolling hills mixed with farmland. Thanks again. Enjoyed your interview with Grunt Proof on your book. I was a cold war grunt but I absolutely agree with your viewpoints. People get trapped in thier SOPs from long ago and lose thier prespective. Thanks again.
@@unclegunnysack4895 thank you! I appreciate that.
Awsome load out, i will build my kit just like this once i finally get my smersh from kommando store
Great thought process and explanation of mission possibilities. Your concept of front sides of waste for fighting gear and side back waste for survival gear was an excellent description of a minute man load out. The way to extend load out with backpack and fanny pack in front waste was intuitive. The healthy mix of kits is right on.
Thanks! I appreciate that!
Jay,good to see the progress you have made on this rig.
Thank you Russ! Appreciate that!
I've been looking forward to this! Hate I missed the premier though.
Good evening Sir! Great stuff as always, your videos are always entertaining and and informative! I hopped on a bit late, but after went back and watched the whole thing.
Great rig, and it holds a ton of gear! I like how it’s a “Jack of all trades”, has a little bit of everything!
Take care and my best to you and your family!
Thanks ACR! Appreciate it.
Yeah it is a bit different than how a lot of folks may do it. I wanted/needed it to cover a few different needs at once based on its overall use for me.
Yes the SSO smershes are great. I’ve owned several of these and a few Partizan harnesses. Great piece of kit for long range recce and patrol.
I like it. Well done on the communications setup.
Interesting setup i have a couple LBE setups and its definitely been a reeducation from traditional chest rigs for me but i like them and when i can half ass justify it i will be buying a smersh
I really enjoy watching videos with well-thought-out kits. Yours is definitely well thought out and practical.
My setup is kinda similar, but there are some variations. I've built mine with British surplus pouches (kinda heavy 2.5kg and overengineered, so I might replace the buttpack with Smersh like yours, or something light like the American buttpack if I find one). Here are my 2 pence from across the pond:
1) Have the large admin pouch immediately under your right arm - with all the minor bits & bobs easily accessible and visible when needed.
2) As a principle, make sure that you can access any item throughout your rig without taking the rig off!
3) As a principle, make sure that you can lock any of the pouches with one hand. This is where nearly all pouches on the market and all British pouches fail. They all need to be modified!
4) As a principle, a well organised belt-kit should be able to provide you sleep, relative warmth, water and some food for 48h and possibly more!!!
5) I really like your placement of the water-bottle pouch (I have one of those laying around, I might give it a second life after seeing this video). Just make sure that it is properly secured - they have a tendency to dangle especially in that location. Another mod I'd do is remove its top lid altogether and secure the canteen with a bungee strap (kinda like old US or Australian canteens) - those zips are a nightmare to open and close in that position. Have one water-bottle (on the right handside) and one water-bladder.
6) Always have spare room in your kit. There are many ways to achieve this: a foldable dump-pouch under your ammo pouches; or the left pouch between the ammo and the buttpack; or the space behind the pouches can be used to put anything long (an e-tool, a hatchet, a knife etc) - some use it as additional pockets.
7) As a principle, keep the front open so that you have no obstructions when in prawn and crawling; keep heavier items closer to your hip bones; and keep your butt-pack as light as possible.
8) Walk! Carrying loads with belt kit is easier than with bergen/rucksack, but it is a whole different sensation. After couple of miles you'll feel lactic acid building up in your legs and you need to get used to it and learn to power through it. That's why it is important to train with it regularly.
9) There is no universally "best" setup. It's all about what works for oneself. But all the members of the unit should have their IFAK in the same place and arranged in identical manner (and clearly marked).
Check out the eagle industry gear if you haven't. I also bought some sort of USMC midular assault pack in coyote. Fits nice and slim on the back of the eagle H harness and leaves room for a butt pack underneath it. All very similiar to your set up. Price point was decent. This has been a good vid. I concur with all your ideas here! Keep em coming.
Thank you!
As always a great video! Very detailed! Thanks J
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your load out
I'm a conservation Rangers, this is exactly how we carry on a lot of our patrols.
helped a lot I like how you set everything up😃
Excellent video! Very thorough and informative. Subscribed ready to learn more. I need one of these now
as perfect as can be, until you find out it isn't. I'm always evolving. Definitely, don't want to be be diving to prone on my medical supplies...they are on my L hip. everyone should be done with front heavy gear and chest rigs after low crawling 5 meters.
Or exercise
please tell me in the main pouches which magazine do you have? Is it normal to go there from the M series and not AK?
Really nice setup bro. You probably like the H setup. The system is made for. An eight point hitch. That's how I prefer mine. Thanks for your videos. Cheers 🍻
@@bugoutbrad8395 thank you!
Ready for old school Infantry! 😄
Nice
Thanks for sharing 👍
Great system you got there! I’m in the process of setting up mine up. What is the name and size of that assault pack? Looks about perfect for 24 hrs.
Thanks! The day pack is made by Outdoor Products. I believe it is 14 liters in size. Found it at my local Walmart for $15.
This one is gonna be good.
Thanks Bugout! I hope folks like it. Part loadout, part philosophy, part context.
NICE VIDEO MATE!
ONE TIP MATE, THE STERNUM STRAPS SHOULD BE A LITTLE HIGHER, ABOUT AN INCH BELOW YOUR CLAVICLE, NO CLOSER. I NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE ALREADY COMFORTABLE SMERSH WITH THIS ADJUSTMENT. LENGHTEN THE REAR STRAPS SOME WHICH WILL RAISE THE STERNUM STRAPS.
Solid, beautiful video. I love my nixie works LFR which is essentially the same just all sewn together. So it’s lighter and fits more snug. I’m curious though, are y’all more of over, below or under the belly button? My big belly makes it hard to go over or above but below isn’t quite as comfy. No worries, I’m trying hard to slim out. In due time. Just curious what y’all do or have any pointers!?
I'm under the belly button, and I have a bit of a belly.
Biggest thing is to set it where it feels the best. I've adjusted mine a bit higher over the last two years to where it's just right
Awesome video, have some myself. Do you have a link to the two green pouches?
These are the pouches I use... www.ebay.com/itm/393280012432?var=662186537928
I like it it's essentially 2 of my kits smashed into 1. I'm not sure I'm so hot on the fanny pack med kit though. I keep my big ifak on my bare bones kit and a second smaller mostly with trauma essentials on something that would fit on the shoulder. Though with this I feel like a belt hanging pouch under the smersh would probably work really well. All and all really cool
Got me a GCS H harness for $25 and set it up with military surplus pouches, whole set-up only cost about $100 for a custom LBE loadout. Although, i left the front few sections of molle empty just in case i need to crawl.
The Smerch is designed. To use an eight point hitch. Not H style. Thanks for your videos. Cheers 🍻
Question also. Have you thought about doing a video about how to correctly set this system up out of the bag? There are very few videos on it and the ones that show the process aren't clear. When receiving this all of the system is apart and stuffed in the butt pack. I had to use pictures from around the net to get mine correctly put together.
I have but, honestly, just don't wanna take it apart to put back together. The molle version would be better suited for swapping things out. The basic version everything slides onto the belt so you have to do it in order. Here is a link to the video I used when I put mine together. ruclips.net/video/af0AAf8F3bA/видео.html
Just wondering how where you able to mount the bottle pouches because I can’t find any Videos about how to do it
The bottle pouches are molle so you just put them on the belt in-between the Mag pouches and buttpack. Super easy
👍👍🤙Glad I grabbed mine in digital flora back in 2020. They are double the price now. Where you have your bottle pouches I have a canteen pouch and ifak. Only thing i am struggling with is where to mount my knife on it.
Yeah knife was a tough one. I ended up putting it behind the mag pouches (9 o'clock position) on the left side. I have seen guys put them at the 8 o'clock position too in a traditional low mount.
I can't believe that I haven't considered putting it behind the mag pouches. Thank you for the suggestion I will implement it tonight!
Have any further upgrades or changes been made to this kit since then?
No there hasn't been. Kinda perfect for me just the way it is. Thanks for checking in on it!
Ра видеть, что и в Америке знают российскую снарягу))) Я отвоевал в такой РПС около года, нормально))) но приходится менять лямки на тонкие, чтоб бронежилету не мешали.
Nice
Were did you get it at, I have been looking for 1
I got it a few years ago through Grey Shop...
Great video! I have a replica from kommando store on back order 🙂
Thanks! I'm glad to see Kommando Store doing a legit reproduction of the Smersh.
Where did you buy your smersh gear?
I bought my Smersh through Grey Shop 3 years ago before the war started.
i got a smersh second gen wamt to get the smersh molle but nothing available right now so i got a sso partizan harness
I do like the look of the SSO Partizan harness. Has a vintage look to it. If I was looking to buy the Smersh rig right now that is the one I would end up with.
@@solargeneral glad you were able to get one. I remember the shipping on mind being in under 10 days via DHL. But that was prewar.
Lol.. I have a french press in one of my bags like yours mext to the butt pack.. lol.. fukem, I gotta have coffee
If you don't mind me asking, where are your ancestors from?
Italy, Germany, and England
I don't like the idea of a huge LBE, if you have to ditch your ruck to break contact or run. Keep your fighting gear separated from your living/comfort gear. Survival gear stays in pockets of uniform. Just a consideration.
You shouldn't have to ditch this. It isn't a backpack. If a person is ditching this kind of system just to move faster they failed themselves physically.
@armedpatriot8611 I served on LRS teams for 13 yrs, it's common practice to ditch your ruck if you have to E&E, you keep it as long as you can but at some point it's gonna go bye bye
Where can i get one of those packs? I like how it looks
Are you talking about the daypack shown or the Smersh LBE itself?
Daypack I got here: www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Venture-17-L-Backpack-Green-Brown-Adult-Teen-Polyester/258745587?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=4255&adid=22222222277258745587_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9015269&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=258745587&wl13=4255&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222237258745587_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-306310554666&wl5=9015269&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=258745587&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_waGHSacMx6vrVcXacZZUI8Sy8IifSn6DY6cVLDk9_6oK7q6afumX1gaAjLDEALw_wcB
Genuine Smersh LBE's are hard to find right now... There are numerous knockoffs on Ebay but real ones are expensive there. I bought mine well before the war in Ukraine when they were widely available.
@themodernminuteman2557 the butt pack with the Russian writing
@@tonyporenshenko425 Ah, the Russian Buttpack... Those are hard to find as well. They make the regular size and a larger version too. Ebay or try Ivan the Bear, Kula, Grey Shop, and anyone else.
@@themodernminuteman2557 thx
😂😂 definitely start with your face using the wet wipes. Or don't, and remove all the safety tags on everything too....
🤣🤣🤣
What brand is your buttpack? Looking for a modern one myself.
Made by SSO/SPOSN...
I love SSO/Smersh system. But with the current war in Ukraine and sanctions, they're overpriced for me at the moment.
Velocity systems jungle kit is better, look into it.
Got mine from a friend for free😭
you don't have a weak side: it is a support side.
Anyone have one of these with a front plate option???
I don't believe so. But you could easily wear it over a slick plate carrier.
@themodernminuteman2557 yeah but was thinking a front plate bag with a way to attach like a recon setup
Kind of like the old Blackhawk front plate bags then... yeah that would definitely work.
@themodernminuteman2557 yeah I've seen those too just did t know if anyone had done a web gear set up with a plate
Velocity systems jungle kit is better