Humm... well Terran, I trained with LBEs (load bearing equipment) in Army ROTC ('75-'77) and if memory serves, it was simpler than what the pro-Russia rebel wore, and looked more like PLAN sailor's vest, without the pushup bra look.
I am betting like this
Standard issue ALICE Load set. Still used in some parts of the US military. Its a simple set up built out of pouches and a load belt.
Widely copied across the World. Look at the placement of the pouches and design. The weight is place on the Shoulders then the hips. And your Shoulders are not designed for heavy loads.
It was first replaced by the MOLLE fighting load Carrier.
open back, Low sides high options of Webbing. But With the rise in Use of body armor it was found to be more of a hindrance. This Resulted in the Tactical assault panel. ( seen here on a Army Plate carrier. the Carrier is UCP the TAP is Multicam)
now You can't see it but the Front of the TAP is a set of six AR spec Magazine pouches.
In hot climate, a full vest is going to be uncomfortably hot. Why not have the pouches suspended from the belt on the hip, with simple shoulder harness. That keeps your back cool, and the weight mostly on your hip rather than shoulder.
For the same reason, when I hike in summer, I like to carry an over-sized hip pack rather than a backpack.
Well Shen That would be more a step back. but lets look at a comparable load. This is a more or less normal Police Duty belt from the US
This is quite bulky. the weight is all on the hips but the belt has to be exceptionally stiff. The belt is really a hinderence. take a look back at the photos out of China. the first is three PAP in a vehicle. a American cop who wears this kind of duty belt often will remove it when they are getting into and out of cars. it's because the belt often adds inches to there waist and places pressure on a number of vertebrae and nerve endings it also has a habit of dragging your pants down.
The PLA and PAP have in the Past issued a Utility vest.
This vest looks far more functional. Of course that fact it's a clone of the BlackHawk Omega Tac Vest made famous on Stargate SG1. Designed by combat Medics.
