The HSGI weesatch and wasatch are basically the same vest. The wee has 4 double mag holders and a radio holder built in to the vest where the woo has 6 double mag holders, 2 radio holders and 2 small mesh pockets for small items like a knife or keys. Both vests are very simple to use and are built like tanks, the webbing loops are very strong as are the plastic buckles.

Field use
Using the vest in the field is great, if you want to lay down its very easy as long as you don’t have any pouches on the front webbing. Fully loaded with mags there is a slight bulge around your mid section but its barley noticeable when you lay down. When moving the mags fit in very nice and don’t move or make any noise, only thing I would recommend is a drop pouch because its hard to fit them back in the pouch in a fire fight. Also mag pulls make getting the mags out so much easier, but I used the vest a good number of times with out and it was fine. The vest is perfect for M4 mags but ak mags will fit too, they just stick out the top a lot and all need to be pointed in one direction.

CQB use
Same as in the field the vest works great, I suggest again the drop pouch or be ready to drop the mags on the floor because you don’t have time to put them back into the vest, also it sucks when you forget what is used and what is full and you grab an empty. The vest rides above your belt too so when you bend down the vest doesn’t pinch anything or rub you wrong.

Adding accessories
Because the vest is molle you can add any pouch you want, I added a camel back holder and 2 medical pouches to the back, I have also had a 3 pack M203 holder on the front and it was not to bad when you lie down, just be careful with adding other items to the front because if you go prone you might find something digging into your gut.

Overall the vest is amazing, I love it. The only draw back is the price, I got both my vests used my latest off eBay for 70 with shipping it is 200 msrp. HSGI has a lifetime warrantee on the craftsmanship, so if it tears at a seam you can send it back for repairs. If you get the vest I would also suggest getting an admin panel because you can put stuff on the Velcro and it usually comes with a mag holder or anything that’s small holder. Toggle has the same vest and got padded shoulder pads and said they are nice so I am getting them too.

www.optactical.com/weesatch.html

www.optactical.com/wasatch.html

www.optactical.com/washpa.html

I used to own an HSGI Wasatch, and I'd just like to add some extra bits of info here based on my experiences.

The Wasatch is the original version, and the Weesatch was built a little later for smaller guys who had issues with the sizing of the vest (it was a bit big for us little people).

The Woosatch was built afterwards with the internal mag pockets removed.

When I had my Wasatch I loved the thing - it was a great vest.

However, this vest is built moreso as a CQB door kicking and assaulting type of vest than a more field craft capable vest - if you plan on going prone I suggest going with a Woosatch over the other two, as it will be more comfortable and you won't be scooping dirt into your magazines on the front.

My second pointer is something I like to stress a lot - balance your vest. Due to the internal mag pockets, this vest in particular tends to get front heavy before you know it if you load it up with too much stuff. I also strongly encourage getting the improved shoulder straps with velcro on them over the standard vest straps (unless the new ones come with the modified shoulder straps - I got my Wasatch way back in the day when they were the new and shiney "must have" in the tactical world...).


Other than that, Gene @ HSGI makes some bomb proof gear and I highly recommend any of his stuff - it may be pricier than you're used to, but it will never fail you...

Knight is 100% on the waasatch. I don't own one, but my brother bought Knight's used from a second owner. This vest, despite being used by many people, is still kicking and doing a great job.

i had a wasatch for a while and i liked a lot, then my buddy wanted it, so i sold it to him and now i have blackhawk enchanced recon vest (don't hold me on the name) but it has 8 single internal pouches with molle and no back. it also has a zip compartment in the front behind the mag pouches and tabs to secure the mags in place. all in all they are both but i like my new vest a lot better.

edit: S.T.R.I.K.E. Enhanced Commando Recon Harness ..thats the name