Designed as a modular chest placard, the Micro Fight Chassis Mk4 by Spiritus Systems is an integral part that interchanges between the company’s various nylon products. As per Spiritus’ model, all augmenting elements of the Mk4—be it for a plate carrier, chest rig, or other components are sold individually, thus allowing for full customization based on the end-user’s needs and mission.
The Mk4 is a tiered, two-pocket design with an overall dimension of 9” (L) X 5” (H) X 2.5” (W) and made from 500D Cordura. Both pockets are fully lined with hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching various magazine inserts, flaps, or pockets using corresponding hook-and-loop (male) material.
From the front, the Mk4 features an extensive 8” (L) X 4” (H) single field of hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching various morale or identification panels. In addition, when the M4 is used in conjunction with the full or half-flap, the material becomes the means by which the exterior pocket is secured. Both the full flap and half-flap include corresponding exterior hook-and-loop (female) fields the same dimensions as that on the M4, so no loss of functionality is experienced when using them.
Both sides include two nylon loops (four total) for removable polymer side-release buckles (female) that can then be used to attach the associated elements of the Micro Fight Chest Rig System.
The rear of the Mk4 has a full-length, hook-and-loop (male) field that comes with an included backer. This backer material can be removed when attaching the Mk4 to a plate carrier with a corresponding front placard design.
The bottom features three drainage grommets (one for the main inner pocket, and two for the outer-most pocket) that can also be used to thread shock cord through (not included) for attaching a tourniquet.
The Micro Fight Chassis is available in Ranger Green (featured), four Multicam patterns, Woodland, Coyote Brown, Black, and Grey.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Fair (2/5): Priced with an MSRP of $78.95, the Micro Fight Chassis Mk4 is a modular chest placard intended to be scalable by the end-user (through other add-on items from Spiritus) and used either on a plate carrier, or as part of a chest rig. Made entirely from 500D Cordura with a hook-and-loop (female) pockets and backing (male), the Mk4 comes with two permanently affixed slide-release buckles at the top, and two removable slide-release buckles and a shank of nylon fabric to use in conjunction with optional shoulder straps (sold separately) for a chest rig. The Mk4 does not come with pocket flaps ($39.95 for full, or $21.95 for half) or magazine insert ($24.95) and each are sold separately, per Spiritus’s modular gear approach (something that comes at a slight premium wrt cost). In contrast, market alternatives to the Mk4 would be the Maximus Placard ($119) from HRT Tactical, or the Adaptive Placard ($79.99) from Wilde Custom Gear, the D3CRM Micro ($175) from Haley Strategic, or the Day Rig ($98.99) by T3 Gear (the latter two come as a complete chest rig). As such, as a complete placard setup for use (Micro Fight Chassis, full flap, and magazine insert) the Spiritus Mk4 runs approx. $143 (based on color setup and configuration) and that places it at the higher-end of the market for stand-alone placards (which is fair for the materials and quality), but below other market setups that otherwise include a full placard as part of a larger chest rig setup.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): The choice of the 500D Cordura throughout the placard ensured the Mk4 maintained sufficient abrasion resistance, and allowed for the material to be flexible enough while worn or manipulated, for magazine insertion/removal. Thus, the corners and reinforced stitching neither scratched nor gouged the wearer during dynamic movements, and allowed the Mk4 to be used as intended. The full-pocket hook-and-loop (female) panels inside the Mk4 allowed for easy application, removal, and customization of components based on individual needs. The slide-release buckles themselves functioned consistently and did not bind, while attaching/removing the overall placard via the hook-and-loop (male) rear panel kept the overall Mk4 well secured.
- Durability – Good (4/5): From a durability aspect, extensive bartack and X-pattern reinforcement stitching was noted throughout the Mk4, especially at high-stress corners and reinforcing the hook-and-loop panels inside and on the back of the placard. The use of 500D Cordura, and nylon bands for the slide-release buckles all provided good abrasion resistance and strength over time as the Mk4 continually was used for magazine storage/use. Perhaps the only aspect from a durability concern was unrelated to the Mk4, but rather the elastic nylon magazine insert that went inside the Mk4 and sometimes folded over or caught on the magazine’s corners. The edges of this insert could wear prematurely over time. Otherwise, the Mk4’s hook-and-loop (female) panels remained in good use throughout and despite continual readjustments, and the edges did not curl nor experience any threading issues/failures.
- Functionality – Average (3/5): Functionally, as a two-tiered pocket placard, the Micro Fight Chassis Mk4 performed appropriately (or of average use) during evaluations and, with Spiritus’s modular gear approach, it was customized at the time of purchase based on the end-user’s specific needs vice having a full placard that was limited in use. The sliding buckles, combined with the rear hook-and-loop (male) panel ensured the placard remained secured and did not shift unnecessarily during use or dynamic movements. The design of the two-pocket approach allowed the end-user to have a dedicated rifle magazine pouch at the back of the placard, while keeping the forward-facing pocket available for pistol, utility, or other accessory storage. Nylon loops on both sides leave open the option for the later inclusion of Spiritus shoulder straps to convert the placard into a chest rig. The overall width of the M4 ensured the placard had the same dimensions as the front plate carrier, so there was no excessive material or pouch hanging off to the sides.
- Weight – Good (4/5): As a complete placard setup for use (Micro Fight Chassis, full flap, and magazine insert) the Spiritus Mk4 weighed in at exactly 10 ounces. This total weight could be attributed to the relative light weight of the Cordura itself as a fabric, and the fact that the overall product was made to 500 denier vice thicker weight/weave nylons. This light weight made the Mk4 neither awkward nor distracting off the front of a plate carrier. In contrast, the Maximus Placard (16 ounces), the Adaptive Placard (10 ounces) from Wilde Custom Gear, the D3CRM Micro (20 ounces), or the Day Rig (14.3 ounces) by T3 Gear all illustrate that the Micro Fight Chassis Mk4 was one of the lighter dedicated placards on the market and good for its use, and ounces lighter than complete chest rig setups.
Overall Rating – Average (17/25)
Product Link: https://www.spiritussystems.com/micro-fight-chassis-mk4/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC., so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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