The Swedes are awesome and so is their combat gear. While their warfare in history was often outsourced to Finland and the homeland was safe, their level of professionalism in modern international missions is nothing to sneer at.

The Combat Vest System 12 (Stridsvästsystem 12 or SVS 12) was developed in co-operation with Swedish troops in Afghanistan by Snigel Design, who have an established reputation among users of LE/Security modular gear.

The unique feature of this system is the modularity, which covers not only the pouches but the vest itself: it can be configured as a traditional load-carrying vest with a belt, trimmed from the rear in case you are carrying a bigger pack or folded and tightened into a rather sleek Chest Rigi.

Size info

The vest and yokes come in two sizes: Size 1 is for 170 cm / 65 kg fighters and Size 2 is for everyone else. Thanks to the large adjustment ranges, Size 1 is good ranging from XS to M, Size 2 shrinks to fit someone who wears Small and up.

The belts come in three lengths, all starting from a minimum length of 75 cm. Official weight classes are 1 up to 65 kg; 2 up to 95 kg; and 3 over 95 kg. We all know how your height affects things so we were kind enough to measure these for you:

• 75-108 cm (30" - 42.5")
• 75-132 cm (30" - 52")
• 75-152 cm (30" - 60")

The vest comes with a belt appropriate for the size.

Weight: 5300 g (incl. all pouches and carrying bag).

Vest base components

The bare minimum base consists of the front panels, yoke, and a T-bar with a Side-Release buckle to close the back. The base can be upgraded with an equipment belt and back panel, both of which are included.

Front panels

The front panels are covered with PALS webbing with the bottom consisting of 8 x 4 loops (7 x 4 for size 1) and 4 extra rows (2 for size 1) on the tapering top part. The tops attach to the yoke with a direct hook-and-loop tab system or 25 mm Side-Release buckles. This provides a large range of adjustment and custom options with 3rd party components. The tops can be folded into a pocket inside the bottom part for Chest Rig use.

On the insides, you'll find an equipment belt tunnel, hidden radio/magazine pouch, and webbing loops for customizing. The zipper is a rugged affair but T-bars with SR buckles can be used instead.

Yoke

Anatomic and modular design to carry lots of weight comfortably. Can be worn with the straps crossing or as an H-harness. Thanks to SR buckles and 25 mm straps the yoke is compatible with many other systems. Equipment tunnels and elastic loops to keep wires, hydration tubes, and such neatly tucked.

Equipment belt

Adjustable, padded, and stiff equipment belt. Surrounded by a 50 mm (2") webbing with vertical stitching every 40 mm for pouch attachment.

Back Panel

A 32 x 44 cm panel with 8 x 9 loops of PALS and a hydration reservoir hanger inside. Easy access with a 2-way zipper from the outside, attaches to two PALS loops on each side and any belt in the bottom. Big enough for those chunky blast belts as well!

Small parts

Various T-bars, H-bars and I-bars can be used to omit the belt or zipper or make other customizations.

• 5 pcs short T-bar pairs with SR buckles
• 2 pcs long T-bar pairs with SR buckles
• 2 pcs elastic H-bars
• 2 pcs I-bars with SR buckles

Pouches

This is the part where you start to feel like Christmas. The assortment of included pouches is so large that they won't fit the vest simultaneously. Instead, you get a range of flexibility to build the vest to meet mission requirements.

The attachment system is a Snigel Design variation of the PALS-system, compatible with any MOLLE platform you may have. All pouches (except the tool pouch) have a webbing cover over the drain grommets to reduce dirt intake.

• 6 Single magazine pouches

  The "Enkelmagficka 12" holds one 5.56 magazine. The closure system has a removable flap with an elastic hook for better retention and cover and elastic cords for fast reloads. PALS-looped front for stacking. The system includes six (6!) of these.

  • Measurements: 8 x 16 x 3 cm
  • PALS: 2 columns, 3 rows

• 2 Large Magazine Pouches

  The "Magasinficka 12" is padded and holds three 5.56 magazines or two .308 magazines. Cup-type lid with elastic hook closure, webbing on the sides. Two pouches included.

  • Measurements: 8 x 20 x 7 cm
  • PALS: 2 columns, 3 rows

• 2 Dump Pouches

  The "Dumpficka 12" rolls into a fairly small and flexible size to stay out of the way. The top is flat and sandwiched between the base and anything you have mounted on top. So mounting the dump pouch doesn't sacrifice any space on your PALS grid. Pieces of the hook-and-loop meet to keep the mouth ajar for easy access.

  • Measurements (pouch): 29 x 32 x 9 cm
  • PALS: 4 columns, 1 row

• 3 Grenade pouches

  The "Granatficka 12" has a two-position lid with twin snap-fasteners and an inner loop for the safety lever.

  • Measurements: 8 x 16 x 7 cm
  • PALS: 2 columns, 2 rows

• Multi-tool pouch

  The "Verktygsficka 12" is big enough for modern multi-tools, which are big. Keep your old PST in its original leather pouch, we hear they are collectible these days. Simple hook-and-loop closure.

  • Measurements: 4.5 x 12 x 2 cm
  • PALS: 1 column, 3 rows

• 2 Tourniquet pouches

  The "Tourniquetficka 12" keeps a tourniquet handy. Hook-and-Loop lid with a pull-tab for quick deployment. And as they say, "two is one, one is none". So there's two.

  • Measurements: 4.5 x 15 x 3 cm
  • PALS: 1 column, 3 rows

• IFAK Pouch

  The "Perstraumaficka 12" is a generous pouch to hold an advanced set of personal medical equipment. Stiffened front and back. Full of elastic organizing pockets and loops and a 2-way zipper to get to your medical gear with ease. Webbing on the front for a small extra pouch.

  • Measurements: 12.5 x 18 x 7 cm
  • PALS: 3 columns, 4 rows

• General Purpose Pouch, Small

  The "Flerbruksficka 12 (S) Liten" has a two-way zipper and an elastic inner pocket. PALS-webbing on the front for stacking pouches.

  • Measurements: 12 x 18 x 6 cm
  • PALS: 3 columns, 4 rows

• General Purpose Pouch, Medium

  The "Flerbruksficka 12 (M) Mellan" has stiffeners in the front and rear and padding all over and a protective cup-type lid with elastic hook closure. The size and protection make it suitable for sensitive equipment in the field.

  • Measurements: 12 x 25 x 13 cm
  • PALS: 3 columns, 5 rows

• General Purpose Pouch, Large

  The "Flerbruksficka 12 (L) Stor" is wide and shaped to fit the curve of the torso. The pouch flattens with ease when empty and balloons up when stuffed. Stiffener at the mouth and a 2-way zipper. Two elastic inner pockets and a divider that can be opened out of the way.

  • Measurements: 25 x 22 x 8 cm
  • PALS: 6 columns, 5 rows

Swedish Military Surplus

This combat vest is currently in service, so all tags have been removed. The batch in question was rejected due to stitching threads not complying fully with the NIR specifications of the Swedish Defence Forces. We looked at these with NVG's and feel they are good to go for any action. As you may have already guessed, these are in a brand-new condition, even though it would only be a plus to have had a Swede use something before you.