Haley Strategic: Thorax Plate Carrier, Chicken Strap, and Placard

[@Glrsteve]

Products are hitting the market at such a crazy rate that the “big” companies are increasing prices and features are falling by the side. Tons of good stuff out there, this ain’t it. Respect to Haley, certainly has good stuff. But I just don’t see the “years of R&D” to come up with this.

[@McMeatBag]

Something that really impresses me about Crye is that even with their popularity and use by cool guys, their stuff remains pretty reasonably priced.

[@Vi3t878]

What's crazy to me is that they said it has taken them like '5' years to develop and release this plate carrier, just for it to seem 5 years outdated in design and functionality

[@hotcoater]

Was about to buy one because I didn’t get the hype. Thanks for saving me a load of cash.

[@ShepherdOfTheSilkies]

I was going to buy this and then I looked at the price and I got a SPC with AXL shoulder pads and equinox cummerbund. Fits my roll of a non harness plate carrier perfectly. My buddy got this months after me and feels completely burned by haley strategic.he spent $620 bucks on just a kitted out plate carrier and it’s so uncomfortable. This honestly should be $300 max in the most expensive configurations. He trashed the shoulder pads and cummerbund already($175)

[@RootsMobileGrapplingClub]

For the money you could get the arc carrier from Shaw concepts and get way more features for what you pay. I agree with everyone here , all respect to Haley cause he has some good stuff but Carrier is underwhelming

[@CKinnerley]

The fact the SHAW is the same price make this insaaane.

[@EODFish]

I was just having that thought while walking to my car for lunch.

[@deadeye5155]

Haley has gotten so big and so popular that now he can charge whatever ridiculous price for mediocre gear and people will still buy it. He can copy anyones pouches like hes done before and everyone will defend haley. Bunch of fanboys

[@deadeye5155]

@mamboleg this is u

[@saucycardinal3322]

So many of these carriers come out from big and small name companies and I still just look at my JPC 2.0 and am more than satisfied years later

[@emersonchattin9512]

I bought one when they first came out. I was not that impressed. Especially for the price. I think the Defense Mechanism MEPC is a better minimalist carrier. That being said, I do like the MOLLE cummerbund. I like that it’s a bit narrower and doesn’t pinch or interfere with my holster. Of course you must buy their proprietary side armor. The MEPC with the Haley cummerbund is pretty good.

[@AyeMane117]

Almost bought it thank you for making this video, I hate plate carriers that have shoulder straps sew’n to the outside of the plate bag. Makes it very difficult for me to place a rifle stock into my shoulder pocket, the LEPC from velocity is the one I went with and I’m more than satisfied. Appreciate you bro✌🏻

[@simply_based]

Exactly what I thought when it was announced. Good carrier but extremely overpriced

[@EODFish]

It’s a great featureless carrier.

[@shaneheimgartner2006]

@@EODFish when did you wear this and work with it? I have one and many others and I actually think it’s a decent rig-higher priced but I’ve actually ran it and it’s good. No breakdowns and I do t run the chicken straps I run the regular cummerbund and it works well with adding accessories in.

[@EODFish]

@@shaneheimgartner2006 I would have never made it to working with it. If it immediately uncomfortable in the garage, it isn’t getting better.

[@thelonghousepreparedness]

So far I enjoy mine. I think that it is pricey for what you get, as are most Haley products, but i think that the main discomfort you had with the chicken strap was the same i had at first. Mine was too short. Especially once i put a radio inside the cummerbund and whatnot. I ended up selling the medium chicken strap i got and purchased a large after running a ferro adapt cummerbund in it for a bit. The larger size did definitely help with the comfort, and i haven’t felt it digging into me while using it. I’m sure it’s like shoes though where they fit some better than others based on who it was modeled around

[@that.chill.speedsofter1445]

Back plate bag and cummerbund was what I was most curious about. Good info, thanks for the video

[@exv619]

The mag inserts have been known for being ridiculously tight for a long time, even before this plate carrier came out. Good call on showing it in more detail! I actually just saw another little clip by some company pointing this out also, but showing The Wiseman's/ Lunar Concept was a better option for the triple mag.

[@1Larriva]

I’ve lived in this carrier for about 3 months, I run a Hayley HS3P placard (or whatever they call it) and a flat pack on the back with two radios. I like keeping my set up pretty minimal, but my work requierments puts my kit at 24lbs. I don’t run shoulder pads, and I run the chicken straps (which I don’t love with side plates, and I wish where a little elastic.. without it’s a balance deciding if I need to breath or have equipment stability.) All and I like this kit, with some easy modifications, I love this kit.

[@nadoProducer]

Haley's inserts are built around a threshold force-to-overcome retention model, which I'm really not a fan of. They have a lip that clicks over the little ridge/recess that the magwell latches onto, so it might be a bit easier to work a Pmag loose than a USGI. In my experience, stuff like KYWIs is better, where you can wiggle the mags loose if you're in an awkward body position and/or can't generate the force required to defeat the all-or-nothing system of the Haley MP2's.

[@charlieghague]

I agree. I switched to elastic mag retainers in my Haley micro rig bc it was just too damn hard to pull a mag out.

[@MrSwccguy]

Gthumb explains the why behind this placard

[@hollywoodspen]

I switched out the mp2’s in my trmp for some kywi’s I’m happier with them

[@nadoProducer]

@@hollywoodspen I did the same with my old Ferro Adapt KTAR forever ago, and I've had no regrets

[@rabasac37]

I use to run KYWIs in my placards, but have since switched to Unobtanium Gear's design of tegris inserts, which still have good retention but are smoother to extract/reinsert and are lower profile.

[@deadeye5155]

If you watch the shooting B roll footage of garandthumb shooting with the haley trmp, one of the mags on the open bottom elastic starts falling out the bottom

[@BabaNovac792]

Yes,noticed that,i don't think it's made for that

[@deadeye5155]

@@BabaNovac792 didnt ask + 5 months ago + gearqueer + haley sucks + cope + ratio + longship designs

[@deadeye5155]

@@nolanditty6369 shut up jrotc. “Spec ops” blah blah, you have no idea kid.

[@deadeye5155]

@@nolanditty6369 ok boot. My tvs been in the corps longer than you

[@eenzyme898]

Not laser cut molle, not capable with zipper back panels. The cummerbund design looks like those condor belt. It just feels like a product from years ago.

[@brandonreed70]

Not sold on the carrier, but the placard had much wider mag compatibility than the KYWI placards, which are dedicated per mag size/type. For someone with a variety of guns, the versatility in a single placard is nice. And the front elastic is a bonus if you ever use it, and irrelevant if you don't.

[@EODFish]

The whole point of placards is that they don’t need to be universal.

[@EODFish]

Thanks my fude

[@McMeatBag]

@@EODFish Then you think "well you're saving money by not having to buy 2 placards", until you realize that the TRMP is basically the price of 2 placards. I thought it would be the one thing I'd actually buy from Haley. I haven't seen any particularly glowing reviews on it.

[@MrSwccguy]

The AC1 with a bit more features for the price of a avs

[@ExplosiveFetus]

The original design was an add-on for the HSP chest rigs to turn them into a simple plate carrier. I think they should have stuck with that idea instead of making a pretty basic carrier priced like a high end plate carrier.

[@dominicbobak2920]

I was using the chicken strap on a Shaw ARC v1 for a while and it was comfy but if i tried to stretch the back would detach from the Velcro. The thorax addresses this by having Velcro hook on the rear plate flap itself to keep it all retained so I’d imagine it would be ok, but the arc doesn’t have it so really flexing my back or breathing heavy the lack of Velcro on the rear of the chicken strap becomes an issue.

[@stjjames]

Quickly becoming my favorite channel. 🤙🏻

[@EODFish]

Baste opinion my dude. Thanks.

[@isaiahh3871]

I bought one during their Father’s Day sale, and honestly even at that price I’m not that impressed either. I would even go as far to say I’m a fan of hsp considering how many chest rigs and flat packs I own. My crye spc, fistspear ac, and spiritus lv119 all have way more capabilities for the same price or cheaper though. Also, hsp hasn’t had half of the colors of shoulder pads they offer since before Father’s Day which is kind of wild. I just don’t feel like they’ve been thinking before shooting on the last few products.

[@shaneheimgartner2006]

I have one and I’ve actually out it through the paces-not over seas or in a shootout but been to the range training with it in vehicles and a lot of larking in the house and night shoots. I actually think it’s better than my JPC and Eagle USMC and my Ferro.

[@DB-sj7vw]

I’d agree. I got one on sale. I prefer it to my JPC that I’ve used for years. And definitely prefer it over the FCPC I tried to like (ended up selling). I’m a fan of the placard. I can understand the frustration of having the tab rip, but to me that’s no big deal.

[@packer492]

Great video I agree with you 100%

[@steelsky78]

I always loved the Haley Strategic chest rigs, and the flatpack is certainly one of the coolest products on the market, but the Thorax was a miss for me, extremely expensive and nothing really out of the ordinary

[@EODFish]

The Flatpack does nothing cool, don’t buy the hype.

[@MrSwccguy]

The Flat is cool but overhyped man, much better packs for the money

[@steelsky78]

@@EODFish I've had a couple, always liked how they packed stuff, I don't run anything now since I found myself not carrying anything most of the time, but sort of served its purpose for what I used it.

[@steelsky78]

@@MrSwccguy When they released there wasn't anything much like it, or at least that I had available. To be honest they served their purpose, nowadays I prefer a slick back.

[@MrSwccguy]

@@steelsky78 i myself moved away from the flat pack for the same reason but now I run a 110 oz molle hydration carrier. Carries my water blades, can throw a pack over it, and have some space for tools or smaller items, plus I can make my own back panels, just molle some pouches. Though it mostly just hold a chow and my bladder

[@Scalpel_main]

Dude in the marketing video for this shit garandthumb is running around with a stanag in the elastic part of the placard at one point. Thing literally looks ready to fly right out

[@roninkruszewski5879]

Thanks for the honest review

[@Thuggle_Bus]

I usually loosen my kydex up with a heart gun so it doesn't take the whole carrier with it. But i mostly don't like it for structural reasons. Anytime I'm crawling on my stomach even a short distance any empty kydex mag holders seem to act like tiny shovels and get loaded up with all kinds of shit 😂. Reindexing mags into a handful of wet leaves and sand either doesn't work or it's running right up into my bolt when i go to reload. It's a real pain to clean out.

[@midshippie87]

You guys just don't understand the pricing here. It's a $100 carrier but with a $400 dragon fly logo marketing portion added on. So clearly worth it....

[@deadeye5155]

For 500$ just go get a Shaw ARC V2. Same price and 100x better

[@21kiwi24]

Interesting opinions. All the things you take issue with were things i like about it and vice versa.....Other than price, great rig.

[@nolanditty6369]

That’s what I was thinking too. If he watched the promos for the carrier he would know that the carrier is everything Haley saw right with other carriers and put it into one but idk I’m still gonna get one

[@EODFish]

If you know the real back story then you would know that’s false.

[@Rossmosis]

Their chest rigs and flatpacks (prefer plus) are solid, and I do enjoy mag reindexing, so inserts are good (though esstacs are better than their mp2s). Running that over a cheap slick PC just makes sense for a lot of scenarios instead of spending all this coin on like you said, a featureless carrier.

[@EODFish]

Hard pass on the Flatpack of any variety.

[@ShepherdOfTheSilkies]

I agree with you except the MP2 part. Esstacs can’t take metal mags, the metal mags cut the Kydex inserts, not the MP2s. MP2s are more durable and with a heat gun you can increase or decrease retention, you can’t increase retention with the esstac kydexs inserts.

[@EODFish]

Esstacs are quite literally made for metal mags.

[@ShepherdOfTheSilkies]

@@EODFish never had any last with metal mags, they’ve only ever lost material and gotten Kydex in my rifles magwell, I have about 5 esstac that all fell victim to surefeed and HK mags, they no longer have full retention from the lost of material from the mag catch stop on the mag.

[@dvazquez5652]

Gotta do the Qore EXO next

[@EODFish]

I don’t think anyone wants that to happen.

[@hjorturerlend]

The way the shoulder straps connect to the plate bags seems to take up a lot of shoulder space for not much reason, pretty much fills up the corner cutouts on the plates. Common complaint about the Standhøgg, but this seems even worse? Most newer carriers seem to make an attempt at freeing up shoulder space.

[@EODFish]

Absolutely agree

[@charlieghague]

I agree 100%. I would've loved to see a harness system from them that could compete with an AVS. Instead, it's a basic carrier that isn't anything special. For a company that prides themselves on being innovative, this is a pretty big dud. It's also really expensive for a basic carrier and the accessories seem over priced as well. Specifically, the placard. It's $100 for kydex mag pouches with some elastic pockets. For half the price I can get a Spiritus MkV and have a lot more functionality. I'll be passing on this.

[@Phantom1188_]

Let me start by saying I bought into the idea of this carrier when I saw the marketing material and I would consider myself a Haley Fanboy. With that said I got it sent with everything you see in the video here. I was wanting to replace my JPC 1.0 with it. I essentially got a JPC 2.0 without the zippers.I’m not upset about the purchase, one of the largest selling points for me was the padding at the top of the front plate bag and the PTT/coms routing options. Looking back maybe I would have been better off saving more money and going with an AVS. I think the biggest disappointment was the chicken strap the quality of materials used to both pad and create rigidity feels very cheap. If you think you want a Haley Thorax reconsider what it is you want and probably get a JPC 2.0 with a Parashooter Nano placard instead of a TRMP. Let me be clear I like the carrier it’s just way overpriced for what you get and I did get a significant discount at the time I purchase.

[@thoselog]

Every time you said "MOLLE" you should have said "PALS". Literally "pouch attachment ladder system".

[@EODFish]

Yes, thank you. I’ll try to do better.

[@dnrfrank]

Is no one gonna mention the fly

[@miguelsaucedo6039]

What’s the sizing like because I can’t find it anywhere for the chicken strap

[@fr3d_fly351]

Is it normal to snack yourself under the chin pulling out a mag from a Hayley insert? Asking for a friend.

[@codyoliver3293]

Very normal. Source: smacking myself under the chin with Haley inserts.

[@hampboogie]

It rides where you stick it

[@EODFish]

What?

[@recon1986]

The way your talking about the back plate bag let's me know you were never a recon marine and never had to makeshift stuff onto your gear or had to tie down something that molle just wont do the job

[@andyguo2128]

Seems like kind of an overpriced generic plate carrier with the Haley name. Hope this is at least made in America so the money at least goes to fellow Americans.

[@rybaneightsix5085]

I've been disappointed by a few of these things, and there is no excuse for companies charging top dollar for, let's be honest, garbage. I've instead bought a sewing machine, been hand stitching for a long time. I'm just making my own shit and doing it well. Recently made a 3-band skeletal cummerbund much like what comes with the jpcs and it works fantastically.

[@jayruhmeezy]

Good insight to the thorax, I only bought this cause the new usmc gen 3 carrier sucks and that wasn't for me, I really miss my gen 2 though =(

[@deadeye5155]

U want a replacement for ur gen 2 and gen 3 get the SHAW arc v1 or v2 whichever u like more

[@tat1guzmk.28]

Fuck the Gen 3 all my homies hate the Gen 3

[@Morningstar_Actual]

Tbh haley is like manic or something lately. This product is a far cry from the OG haley products

[@albiecho03]

welp yet again, Crye AVS is the only way to go 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@EODFish]

Nyet. SPC, JPC and PC 24

[@albiecho03]

@@EODFish now i gotta google what the pc 24 is 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@ThePeacefulIsWillingTo]

@@albiecho03 Whiskey Two Four -Plate Carrier 24

[@333twang]

forgot to mention PTT placement, where da fuq are your ptts going ? assuming you got an EUD or something on the admin area.

[@EODFish]

Good call. I think the intention is the base of the shoulder strap which can work.

[@333twang]

@@EODFish then shouldering a rifle would suck unfortunately

[@tonyanderson2269]

Will this work with the D3CR MICRO?

[@EODFish]

I’d sure hope so. There also isn’t anything that could keep it from working together.

[@Outcome_Agent]

Thorough review. I guess I'll pass on this

[@mateo1726]

For the price, why not just get a Crye AVS?

[@EODFish]

Someone smarter will have to explain that to me.

[@permianpractical]

When in and where in the video did it rip? Just want to see structural weak points

[@EODFish]

When I’m looking at the rear plate bag

[@trojan115gw8]

They just keep stacking Ls recently

[@cscearce2000]

I got mine on sale a while ago and I do like it but it’s definitely not innovative or anything.

[@LAAM619]

think its worth it at $216 bucks?

[@EODFish]

$216 isn’t getting you a complete setup is it?

[@LAAM619]

@@EODFish idk what that means, but what it comes with is the front/back plate bags. I didnt pick a cummerbund nor any accessories since i have all that already. With the black friday sale it comes out to $216, im not sure if its worth it at that lower price or do you think thats still too high?

[@PHIllip324]

It's not bad, it's just not special.

[@DogOnAPhone]

this or the AC1?

[@EODFish]

Neither

[@permianpractical]

The only correct answer is Crye JPC

[@antshow478]

@@permianpractical , I suggest the best answer is SPC with an AXL cummerbund, bonus points for the AXL shoulder pads or the Eagle Ergo for load carriage.

[@antshow478]

Echoing EOD, neither. There are at least a dozen carriers I’d go with before I’d buy an AC1, and the Thorax is triple the cost.

[@DogOnAPhone]

@@antshow478 it was a joke. IG shooters are 0/2 for PC designs

[@zr6671]

coyote is such an eyesore 🤮

[@EODFish]

I begrudgingly agree

[@p.hightower5383]

yikes.

[@kouvue1081]

Nothing special

[@mamboleg]

I’ve seen multiple videos now where dude clearly has a bias against Haley and is a fanboy of Spiritus. I get it…but at least start your vids out with outlining your bias….🤷🏽‍♂️

[@deadeye5155]

Haleys quality had dropped drastically over the years. Aswell as hes stolen pouches from other creators and labeled them his own idea. Haley is a bootlicker shill

[@deadeye5155]

Atleast do some research before you make urself look like an idiot k thx

[@hemanofeternia9954]

How to tell me you bought a thorax/Ac1 without actually telling me you bought a thorax/Ac1. Please for future reference … at least start your comments out with outlining your bias … dot dot dot.

[@EODFish]

My guy, it ripped on camera. There is no bias against Haley and I’m very much not a fanboy of Spiritus.

[@tylerfreal6472]

POV: you spent $500 on a shit carrier now you must defend your purchase.