1. Introduction

I started down the Spiritus/Crye hybrid route by doing the same to the Micro Fight Chassis as I did with my AirLite Convertible Chest Rig some weeks back: integrating Crye’s Side-Pull mag Pouch.

It reminded me that I’ve wanted to combine the Spiritus Micro Fight Chassis with Crye’s AirLite Harness, ever since I saw the idea on AXL’s Facebook page:

As such, I already knew it would work. However, readers have been asking me about it – so I thought I’d blog it.

Evidently, it’s not the only combination that works, either.

2. The Rationale

I suppose I should start by explaining why I want to aggregate the two. It’s a unity of the best parts, of the two best in breed chest rig systems – in my opinion.

2.1 Spiritus Chassis

The Spiritus Systems Micro Fight (REVIEW) is arguably the best micro chest rig on the market. At its heart is the Chassis, which I’m using here. It’s a true system hub, with the potential for a multiplicity of customisation options.

And herein lies its true strength, because the Chassis is supported not only by a feature-rich OEM accessory package, but by a plethora of third party transformation options from a number of clever designers.

2.2 Crye AirLite Harness

Equally, Crye Precision’s AirLite Convertible Chest Rig (REVIEW) is the best fully featured MOLLE chest rig I’ve used.

For me, its Harness is its stand out feature – an almost architectural structure which is massively ventilated, supremely comfortable and distributes weight like nothing else, while simultaneously looking great.

2.3 Haley D3CR-series

Now, if you favour HSP’s D3CRM (REVIEW) over Spiritus’ Micro Fight Chassis, that will work with Crye’s Harness too. There’s not much in it between the Chassis and the D3CRM, to be fair – it’s more about the user’s doctrine than one being better than the other.

Spiritus equips the user with the most comprehensive product ecosystem out there, to the extent that you can have your micro chest rig your very own way; HSP, on the other hand, keeps the user honest in what they carry, by limiting configuration choices. HSP also leverages its excellent MP2 Kydex equivalent (REVIEW), which sways many buyers towards the D3CR-series above all other features.

What connects all of these platforms are the industry standard specs, pioneered by Mayflower and their original Swiftclip placards. As such, the Crye Harness will fit anything that’s built to these standard.

The D3CRH (REVIEW), for example:

3. How They Fit Together

The union between Spiritus Chassis (or HSP rig) and Crye Harness is pretty much plug and play. The user just needs to swap a couple of the clips, but everything else lines up to industry standards – as expected.

One note of caution, however. Since the Crye chest rig that the Harness is meant for is significantly wider than the Spiritus Chassis, I’m right at the end of the Harness’ adjustment.

Note how little elastic goes beyond the triglide:

I’d prefer a little more length in this area, so I’ve purchased some replacement elastic with advice from my friend Andy at TacBelts.

I’m also using the Crye back strap which comes with the AirLite Convertible Chest Rig. Again, it’s elasticated – so, like the harness, it moves with the user, not against them.

4. How They Work Together

In use, the union of these outstanding products is everything I thought it would be – the best of both worlds.

The Chassis – with Ferro Concepts’ The Mini Dangler (REVIEW) – provides everything I need to work with, in a slick-sided compact package. The Harness enhances how that workspace interacts with my body.

I’ll be swapping the Harness back and forth between the Spiritus’ Chassis (my favourite micro) and Crye’s own AirLite chest rig placard (my favourite fully featured platform) as required; but suffice to say this combination looks set to be my favourite all round form factor.

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