Product review: "MP taisteluliivi".

Today, I've decided to review a very essential piece of airsofting - equipment for all of you
people out there that have been wondering about this Finnish "MP - vest".

Alright , so here goes;


Firstly , it's 100 % of Finnish production. Meaning , that it's been manufactured here and it's been designed by Finns , as well. However , it's not official "issue" stuff (you do not get to wear this while you do your conscript service , in other words) , since it's more or less a product for the reservists in the FDF (Finnish defence forces).

Now I've heard of talk that you could use this particular vest in reserve exercises and have even seen pictures of Finnish peacekeepers wearing these vests in their UN mandate mission in Eritrea.

The only place selling these vests , is the Maanpuolustusyhtiö located in Helsinki. This particular shop specialises in selling the normal FDF issue kit for reservists/collectors/sunday-militarists/everyday people. So basically , you can get almost every piece of kit the FDF will issue to you during your conscript service from this shop (they have other stuff as well).

When I first got a hold of their catalogue in about 2002 - 2003 , they were selling this vest as a; "tactical vest with elements drawn from the special-Jaeger vest used by the paratroopers/special-Jaegers being trained in Utti".

Yes , I can agree that this vest certainly has some very similar features to it's official counterparts. However , the biggest difference is the fact, that this vest has been produced by the Finnish company Savotta (they make all sorts of outdoor - products). Savotta calls this vest , quite simply , a "reservist vest" and it actually reads so in the laundry-tag of this thing also.

Secondly , this vest is "modular". Meaning , that you can take off the various pockets/pouches if needed and just buy the ones you need. For these pockets , you'll have plenty of choices;

General pouch (17 Euros) - this one is just a big pouch that attaches to the front of the vest (either on the left or the right side of your chest) and can fit a water canteen , for an example.

Pistol holster (24 Euros) - A holster for your pistol. Unfortunately , it seems that the holster is
designed for the various FDF reservist/issue sidearms and can't even support a M92F Beretta. Maybe a Glock 17 would fit , or one of those older reservist sidearms (FN something ??) . This one also attaches to the front (either to the left or the right). Also , as a sidenote , the holster has a small pocket for an additional magazine.

Pouch for two (2) magazines (20 Euros) - This one attaches to either the right or left side on the vest (in similar way as the general pouch/pistol holster does) and has space for two magazines in separate "holsters" that open and close with velcro flaps. You must be interested of the sorts of magazines these "pockets" can take , and I'll tell you that M16/AK47/G3/etc. magazines go in there really well. However, you can see that these pockets are once again designed for the FDF
service rifles (reservist rifles also) so RK62/RK95 mags along with M-92S mags go in as well (Not that they would be that different from each other , but I've had the pleasure of testing all the mags ). Finally , I can tell you that the magazine holsters are really sturdy and stable , so once you put your magazines inside , they'll stay there too.

Pouch for four (4) magazines (44 Euros) - Similar pouch that has four spaces for magazines , with the exception that this one is attached to your leg with the help of the so-called "D-rings" located in the vests lower part (they are situated around the vest on the lower parts).

Entrenching tool /field spade - pouch (28 Euros) - This one is for your foldable (remember, foldable entrenching tools only !) entrenching tool . It is attached the same as the pouch for the four magazines.


What should also be noted at this time , is that all of the pouches attach to their place with Velcro. All of the pockets have a Velcro "patch" on their backsides , and the vest has similar
patches located in it as well , so your just have to attach them correctly. And so far, they've
stayed in place really well. So I'm not the one complaining.

But , as some of you must've understood , the various pockets/pouches are sold separately. Meaning , that the basic vest with just two small pouches located on top of the large Velcro patches (that you can buy pouches for) , two smaller "tube-pouches" located under the large Velcro patches , and a pair of normal - sized pouches on the back of the vest will end up costing you 145 Euros. And believe me , that's just for starters , people.

The smaller pockets located on top of the Velcro patches (as all the pockets/pouches in the vest) are opened and closed with Velcro. The smaller pockets can take field dressings , "watch" caps , mittens , smaller cellphones , keyrings , etc. As for the other smaller "tube - pockets" located under the Velcro - patches , things are a bit different. You can fit small knives , (small) flashlights , etc. in there and there's a pair of these pockets.

Then , there's the two "larger" pouches on the backside. It's been suggested , that you could fit a rainponcho , gas-mask , etc. in them , but unfortunately the German poncho I tried to shove in didn't fit. But , water canteens go in really well , as do first-aid dressings as well. Also , what's interesting to note , is that one of the pockets on the backside has been sewn in place horizontally. Why ? Now that I don't know..

Then there's of course the two "map - pockets" located inside the vest that you can stuff your "very secret documents" into. Or , let's just say maps. They open and close with a zipper , and there's a pair of them on both sides of the vest.

Finally , I can tell you that the whole vest is opened and closed with a zipper located on the front.
You can adjust the size of the vest from the "adjustment cords" (heh , that even a word ?) located on both sides of the vest. From my experience, the zipper is a bitch for jamming and doesn't always close properly , so you'll have to "mess" with it for a while sometimes.

The vest is green/black with the frontside being olive-green/dark green and the backside being black (which is a pretty dumb innovation , if you ask me). I think that the whole "black backside" - idea was picked from the paratrooper/special Jaeger - vest so this is nothing more
than a fashion point or something. Other "little extras" include a small Velcro/Cordura "band" that comes with the vest , and you are supposed to attach a knife with it's holster to the vest's shoulder by using this. My knife was too heavy so it didn't work , but apparently the Finnish M/95 "Sissi" - knife goes in there really well.

The vest is made from something called "1000 Denier" Cordura , and as some of you may know , Cordura keeps your clothing article of choice very dry in wet conditions. I've used this
vest while it's been raining as well , and it has kept me dry enough.

My final judgment is, that this is one freakin' expensive piece of kit. You could get one of them tactical vests from Blackhawk along with other stuff with the price of just one of these MP - vests. But , maybe Cordura being the production material of choice in this vest makes it a rather
expensive thingie..

So , everything else works really well , but that front zipper gives you some trouble once in a while.