Oregon Security Guide
Tactical Vest Setup Builder
Plan your setup. Arrange your gear. Make it yours.
Design your front and back loadout with OSG’s free plate carrier builder and tactical vest builder. Choose a vest style, add pouches, a radio, lights, a body camera and custom patches, then move the gear into place. Compare a MOLLE vest setup for your assignment, download a PNG, or share an editable link. No account or purchase is required. The layout is a visual plan; check real dimensions and mounting compatibility separately.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product buttons are paid links.
Choose a tactical vest or plate carrier, then customize your loadout.
Move, resize, duplicate, undo, or reset items.
Copy a link to this exact setup, or export it as a PNG. Your build is saved in this browser automatically.
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links are paid links.
Planning tool only. Product links may lead to the pictured item or to similar options. Generated rear-view artwork is an approximate visualization and may differ from the product. Verify the seller and manufacturer specifications, and follow employer policy and applicable laws.
Featured company: TACNEX · First impressions
A sharp-looking, affordable backup cuff case
“It looks great, feels well put together, and at around $15–$20 I see it as an affordable backup handcuff case.” — Scott Harrie
TACNEX provided this case free of charge. These are first impressions. As an Amazon Associate, OSG earns from qualifying purchases.
Photos, fit & product notes
The seller specifies standard chain or hinged cuffs, MOLLE attachment, and duty belts up to 2.25 inches wide. Check your exact cuff model. Exterior case dimensions are not published in the checked listing; builder sizing is approximate.
Basketweave finish, snap flap and internal divider. Case only; cuffs are not included. The quoted price range is Scott’s estimate, not a live price.
Get new gear ideas for your next setup
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No signup required to build, download, or share your setup.
No account or installation is needed. Your build saves automatically in this browser. To keep a separate copy, choose Download current view or Download front + back, wait for the preview, then use Save PNG. On a phone, Share / Save image appears when supported; Open image provides another way to view and save the export. Use Copy share link to share the editable layout.
Choose Personal Vest — Photo Reference for front and back views based on the site owner's photos and measured 21″ width × 18.5″ height to the top of the straps. Directly below it, Safe Life Defense Tactical Carrier provides front and back product-image references and a non-affiliate link to the manufacturer. The Safe Life carrier does not include ballistic panels or provide protection on its own. You can also compare the other tactical vest references or use Generic MOLLE Vest — Concept Only. Product selection and this visual layout do not verify armor compatibility. Read the tactical vest and plate carrier guide for more detail.
Before you buy: The layout is illustrative, not measured to scale. Resizing a pouch does not change the real product. Generated rear-view artwork is approximate, and product links may show similar options rather than an exact match. Verify the manufacturer specifications and your employer's requirements; a saved layout is not evidence of ballistic protection or approval.
How to Use the Vest Builder
- Choose your starting point. Select a vest style and front or back view. Start with the equipment your assignment actually requires, rather than trying to fill the panel.
- Plan and compare. Open a gear category and tap an item to add it. Move it into position, then use the selection controls to resize, rotate, duplicate, or remove it. Check both views and use Undo or Redo to compare changes.
- Save, review, then verify. Choose a download option, then save the PNG from its preview, or copy a share link for feedback. Compare the real dimensions and attachment instructions before purchasing or mounting equipment. Remove names, badge numbers, and other sensitive details before sharing publicly.
Example: Plan a Simple Unarmed-Security Vest
Illustrative planning exercise—not a field-tested or employer-approved setup. Try adding a radio holder, a disposable-glove pouch, a compact admin pouch, and a flashlight holder. Include identification only as appropriate for your role. Leave out anything your employer does not authorize.
Use that small set to ask practical questions: Does the radio holder overlap the patch? Is there room to open the admin pouch? Would the flashlight holder compete with equipment already on your belt? Compare a second arrangement before adding more items. These are visual prompts; answer the fit and access questions with the actual equipment.
For help choosing what belongs in your kit, use the security guard equipment checklist. For equipment you plan to keep at your waist, compare a layout in the duty belt builder rather than duplicating everything on the vest.
MOLLE Vest Setup: What to Check Off Screen
Use the builder to explore placement, then check the physical mounting requirements. The images do not validate a MOLLE attachment pattern or reserve the space a real pouch needs.
- Mounting footprint: Compare the available rows and columns with the pouch manufacturer's requirements. Check the attachment type rather than assuming a belt clip will work on vest webbing.
- Real dimensions: Check width, height, depth, and capacity with the intended contents inside. Leave room to open flaps, reach controls, and remove the item.
- Complete uniform: Review the proposed setup with your belt, outerwear, identification, and any authorized camera. Follow your employer's and manufacturer's instructions for placement and fit.
- Physical review: With permission and appropriate supervision where needed, check the actual setup while standing, sitting, and moving through ordinary work tasks. Do not treat a clean-looking diagram as a safety test.
Plan Around Your Assignment
Indoor, reception, or healthcare posts: Start from the approved equipment list and uniform requirements. Consider radio controls, identification visibility, documentation needs, and whether a vest is permitted at all. A camera belongs in the plan only when authorized.
Mobile patrol: Compare vest and belt placement together. Check the real setup in the vehicle and with the seat belt properly worn; the builder cannot simulate clearance, comfort, or safe vehicle use.
Medical equipment and other response tools: Follow your training and employer's placement and access requirements. Do not put a medical pouch on the back solely because the image has spare space. This page does not prescribe a universal location for medical gear, restraints, or defensive tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this online plate carrier builder free?
Yes. You can design a plate carrier or tactical vest layout, customize patches, download a PNG and copy a share link without paying or creating an account. Optional product links are affiliate links; buying equipment is not required to use the builder.
What gear can I add to the MOLLE vest builder?
The gear library includes radio holders, body cameras, admin and utility pouches, medical pouches, glove pouches, lights, phone pouches and identification patches. Add an item to the front or back view, then move, resize, rotate or duplicate it. The graphics help compare layouts; check the real product dimensions and attachment system separately.
Can I use the tactical vest builder on my phone?
Yes. Open the builder in your phone’s browser, choose a vest style, and tap an item in the Gear Library to add it. Select placed gear to use the resize, rotate, duplicate, and delete controls. To keep an image, choose a download option, wait for the preview, and use Save PNG or Share / Save image when available. If saving fails inside a social app, open this page in Safari or Chrome and try again.
What's the difference between a plate carrier and a tactical vest?
A plate carrier is designed to hold compatible armor plates; a load-bearing tactical vest is intended to carry equipment and may not have armor pockets. Do not assume that a vest provides ballistic protection because of its appearance or product title. In this builder, Plate Carrier Style 1 is a personal reference; Tactical Vest Styles 1–5 are presented as load-bearing vests, not plate carriers.
Where should the body camera go?
Follow your employer's camera policy and the manufacturer's mounting instructions. Use an approved mount and check the actual recorded view with your complete uniform and equipment. The builder cannot test camera angle, retention, or whether your arms and pouches obscure the lens.
How much should a plate carrier setup weigh?
There is no single weight target for every person or assignment. Check the actual weights of your vest, any authorized armor, pouches, and their contents. Review the complete setup with your employer or equipment specialist. The builder does not calculate weight or assess comfort, fit, or protection.
Can I save and share my plate carrier setup?
Yes. Choose Download current view or Download front + back, wait for the PNG preview, then select Save PNG. On supported phones, Share / Save image opens the device sharing menu; Open image is an alternative. Copy share link creates a link that opens your editable layout. Browser autosave is also available, but keep a separate export or share link for important builds. Remove personal or workplace-sensitive patch text before sharing.
Do I need MOLLE-compatible pouches?
Check the exact attachment system on both your vest and pouch. Compare the required mounting rows and columns, pouch dimensions, straps or clips, and manufacturer instructions. A graphic that fits on screen is not proof that the real item will attach securely; do not assume belt clips and MOLLE attachments are interchangeable.
Does this vest builder confirm that gear will fit?
No. This is a visual layout planner, not a measured compatibility checker. Moving, resizing, or rotating an item only changes its image. It does not verify mounting points, pouch capacity, vest sizing, armor compatibility, or employer approval. Product links may lead to the pictured item or similar options; verify the exact model before buying.
How can I compare two plate carrier or MOLLE vest layouts?
Finish the first layout and keep its PNG and copied share link before changing the arrangement. Create your alternative and save another image or link. Compare front and back views to spot overlapping pouches, hidden identification, and equipment duplicated on your belt. Use the actual gear to check dimensions and access; this plate carrier configurator does not calculate clearance or load weight.
About the Builder and Its Limitations
Created by Scott Harrie for Oregon Security Guide, this tool is a way to discuss and compare equipment layouts—not a replacement for fitting, training, manufacturer instructions, or an employer's equipment review. Read about Oregon Security Guide and its editorial standards.
A product appearing in the gear library does not mean OSG has field-tested every item or verified every combination. The personal Style 1 reference is separate from the products offered through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links are paid links; check the current seller listing and exact model before purchasing.
Help Improve the Vest Builder
Security officers and trainers: try a small layout and tell us what is unclear, missing, or inaccurate. When reporting a problem, include your device and browser, the vest style, and the steps that caused it. Use the OSG contact page. Share only non-sensitive details; do not include confidential workplace information or anyone else's personal information.
Build Your Loadout With These Gear Guides
Start with the security guard equipment checklist to decide what your assignment needs. Compare the base in our tactical vest and plate carrier guide, then review flashlights and clip lights for security work. For items carried at your waist, read the duty belt setup guide, compare duty belt options, and arrange them in the duty belt builder.
Plan Your Next Oregon Security Role
Choose your equipment around the assignment and your employer's requirements. Compare current Oregon security jobs, review the certification pathways, and find DPSST classes and training providers as you prepare for your next role.
For a practical reference alongside your gear plan, explore the Oregon Security Guard Pocket Handbook, including its chapters on patrol, radio communication, incident reports, and equipment.
Submit gear to the Vest Builder
Have a pouch, light or accessory you’d like to see here? Send the product name and a link. Scott reviews suggestions before adding gear.
Suggest a product
Product details are required. Your name and email are optional; include them if you’d like a reply. Suggestions are reviewed manually and don’t guarantee a listing.
