[Qore Performance] IceVents Classic & Aero Shoulder Pad & Aero Universal Holster Pad Review.(Eng)

 

Today we will be taking a look at 3 products from Qore Performance. The IceVents Classic and IceVents Aero and IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad.

 

I first remember hearing about Qore Performance about a year ago, when I saw their innovative hydration system with a bladder shaped like a SAPI plate that could be inserted into body armor, as well as the product I’ll be reviewing today, the IceVents Classic. I remember being impressed by both products due to their clever design. Recently I was finally able to acquire a few of their products so I could test them out in person.

 

When wearing a plate carrier, there are a lot of varying factors that affect comfort, but personally, I think one of the most important components are the shoulder pads. I’ve used a few different shoulder pads in my time, including the Crye AVS shoulderpads, the PIG BRIG Mk1 & 2 shoulder pads, the HSGI shoulder pads, and the Geardynamics shoulder pads. All the  products mentioned above are quality products and I had no issues using them, but today I’d like to introduce to you a product that sets itself apart from all these other competitors.

 

When wearing a plate carrier, there are a lot of varying factors that affect comfort, but personally, I think one of the most important components are the shoulder pads. I’ve used a few different shoulder pads in my time, including the Crye AVS shoulderpads, the PIG BRIG Mk1 & 2 shoulder pads, the HSGI shoulder pads, and the Geardynamics shoulder pads. All the  products mentioned above are quality products and I had no issues using them, but today I’d like to introduce to you a product that sets itself apart from all these other competitors.

 

1. IceVents Classic

- These may look like typical shoulder pads but there’s more than meets the eye. They feature omnidirectional ventilation channels, so you can use the pads horizontally or vertically. Also, the material used is non moisture absorbent, helping keep the user dry. This is one of those cases where when you see pictures of the product over the internet, it doesn’t seem that special, but when you actually see it in person, you can really see the quality and functionality.

 

* Contents of the IceVents Classic(2-Pack)

- 2 x  IceVents Classic Universal Plate carrier shoulder pads, 1 inch wide micro hook and loop tape, 1 Qore Performance tag(Front side has 2 stickers and the rear side had a QR code that leads to an instructional video)

 

- The top side material is a tightly woven mesh ideal for omnidirectional ventilation. The handfeel is very similar to that of Cordura 330D, but it has more structure. Cordura 330D is a lightweight material that lacks rigidity and durability, so it is not ideal for products that need to hold their shape or form. Unlike Cordura, the textile used here is firmer and tougher, so it can withstand heavy use. I think the additional structural integrity on the pads is provided by a layer of film under the fabric that is fused to the underside (the bokeh balls in the pictures are caused by this film reflecting my strobe flash). I own a large collection of tactical kit from various companies, but I’ve never seen a material like this before so my conclusion is that it’s a proprietary fused fabric developed by Qore Performance.

 

- When the IceVents are positioned towards a light source, you can get a detailed look at the fine mesh material on the top side.

 

- The bottom side of the pad consists of a somewhat rigid honeycomb grid structure that helps with the omnidirectional ventilation and weight reduction.

 

* Comparison between Crye and HSGI’s shoulder pad offerings
- IceVents Classic single pad  = 22g
- Crye precision AVS™ PADDED SHOULDER COVER single pad = 24g
- HSGI Shoulder Pad single pad = 58g

 

- Just by looking at the numbers in the comparison, we can see that the IceVents Classic are considerably lighter than the other options. Also, another big advantage the IceVents have is the fact that they do not soak up any water which leads to added weight, making them a great candidate for maritime/OTB gear setups. The picture above shows minimal change in weight before and after the pads were soaked in water.

 

-The IceVents attach to your gear via the included micro velcro strips that can be woven through the horizontal and vertical slits that are pre-cut into the strap. Because of this attachment method, the end user can easily use the pads on places other than the shoulders, such as on comms headbands or belts.

 

- I was initially worried about durability because there wasn’t any material reinforcing the edges of the pad. However, the construction method used here where the edges are fused together creates a rigid finish. If anything, the edges are a bit too rigid and sharp where the materials are fused. This causes some chafing and discomfort during wear if you have to lift your arms above your head or have to shoot in the prone position without wearing a collared shirt (i.e. the Patagonia L9 combat shirt). It is probably because of these reasons, Qore released a newer version of the IceVents, the IceVents Aero.

 

* Silhouette of IceVents when attached and on body feel

- Unlike the Crye precision AVS PADDED SHOULDER COVER and HSGI Shoulder Pads I’ve used before which were cushy, these were more rigid. I believe this is due to the mesh on the bottom needing some rigidity to keep its structure to facilitate airflow for omnidirectional ventilation. When worn with a shirt without a collar, this can lead to certain movements causing chafing on the wearer’s neck, but the problem can be easily nullified by wearing a collared shirt, like a combat shirt. Personally, I’d use the IceVents Classic pads inside my plate carrier or comms headband so I won’t have to worry about this issue at all.

 

2. IceVents Aero (2-Pack)

- The IceVents Aero takes all the omnidirectional ventilation properties the classic has, but packages them in a more ergonomically friendly package that cuts down on abrasion against the user’s neck while operating. The shape of the pads are reminiscent of a teardrop and because of this, the mass and weight are reduced even more than the already light IceVents Classics. A pair of the Aeros weighs in at 36 grams compared to a single AVS shoulder cover which weighs in at 34 grams. Basically 2 IceVent Aeros are only 2 grams heavier than 1 AVS shoulder cover. That’s pretty light.

 

* Contents of the IceVents Aero(2-Pack)

- 2 x  IceVents Aero Universal Plate carrier shoulder pads, 1 inch wide micro hook and loop tape, 1 Qore Performance tag(Front side has 2 stickers and the rear side had a QR code that leads to an instructional video)

 

- The edges where the material on the top and bottom are fused are rigid like on the IceVents Classics. However, the middle of the pad has a concave cut, giving the pad a teardrop shape that greatly enhances comfort and cuts down on neck abrasion while they are attached to your shoulders.

 

- Like the IceVent Classics, when placed towards a light source, you can see the light reflecting through the tight mesh material on top. I’m assuming the heat generated from the wearer’s body vents through the bottom honeycomb grid portion through to the upper mesh material.

 

-The bottom portion has also been constructed with identical materials and methods to that of the IceVents Classic.

 

- The fused edges are also identical to the IceVents Classic.

 

* On body images of the IceVents on the Crye LV MBAV

- While the shape of the pad is slightly different, the attachment method remains the same.

 

* Example of attaching IceVents Aero to the shoulder strap in JPC2.0

 

* IceVents Classic & IceVentsAero Summary and conclusion

Parts of your body that come in contact with any sort of plate carrier or LBV tend to get hot and sweaty after a while. One of the most critical hotspots are your shoulders. The IceVents provide end users with an omnidirectionally ventilating solution that greatly increases breathability when worn. Obviously, like any product, there will be personal preference involved. In my opinion, this product will work well for those looking to lighten their load and increase the breathability of their armor setups, or those who need gear focused on maritime/OTB operations. For those who are looking for more cushy pads however, these might not be the best solution. 

 

As mentioned above, there are 2 models of the IceVents, the Classic and the Aero. I recommend using the Classics on heavy plate carrier setups with a combat shirt, or on the inside of plate carriers to create some airflow. However, not all carriers might be compatible with IceVents, so that is something to keep in mind. The Aeros on the other hand, I recommend for lightweight setups where mobility is important. Also, you can wear these on your shoulder without having a collared shirt, so that is a plus. So, basically, I think the end user should determine what works best for their mission parameters and preferences.

 

 

3. IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad

- I believe that the trend of holster attachment height in recent years is definitely different depending on the individual nature of the shooter, but it is not about the height of the belt but about the height of the mid-Ride or Model 6075UBL Low-Ride. In midrides, the height difference from the belt to the bottom is relatively small (may vary depending on the structure and material of the belt) while in lowrides, the height difference from the belt to the bottom is noticeable and causes discomfort.

 

To relieve this inconvenience, we usually do DIY that attaches a loop to the low-ride adapter. While this reduces the shaking of the holster, the low-ride adopter causes minor sweating discomfort due to the tightness of the thigh, which the IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad is thought to be focused on improving this small (and possibly large) discomfort.

 

- IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad is a half cut of IceVents Aero and unlike IceVents shoulder pads for Velcro attachment, one side has Velcro loop fabric finish. It weighs only 8 grams and is very light.

* IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad installed

It can be installed in a very simple and fast way, with a velcro hook attached to the inner side of the low-ride adapter that touches the thighs and an IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad attached to the product. The above operation allows the IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad to be located between the low-ride adapter and the thigh to create ventilation, making the safari-land low-ride adapter a more comfortable environment for shooters.

# IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad Summary and conclusion

- IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad is a product that can be a good solution to improve discomfort by providing ventilation to sweaty areas as the adapter contacts the side of the thigh when using the Safariland UBL Mid-Ride and Leg Strap in combination. Depending on the user, it may be considered a minor inconvenience that can be ignored, but I think it is more efficient than the amount of investment. The weight is only 8g, so even users who are sensitive to the weight of the gear will not have a problem.

 

This concludes my review of the Qore Performance IceVents Classic and IceVentsAero. As somebody who is passionate about military kit, all the innovative materials and construction techniques I saw on the IceVents intrigued me. These review units were provided to me by Qore performance. Much thanks to Qore’s CEO, Justin.

 

Special thx!!

Thank you taehajoo(IG: taehajoo) for the English translation~ !!

 

 

* IceVents Classic (2-Pack)

www.qoreperformance.com/collections/icevents-kits/products/icevents-classic-2-pack

IceVents Classic (2-Pack)

* IceVents Aero (2-Pack)

www.qoreperformance.com/collections/icevents-kits/products/icevents-aero

IceVents Aero (2-Pack)

* IceVents Aero Universal Holster Pad

www.qoreperformance.com/collections/icevents-kits/products/iceventsaero-holster-pad

IceVents Aero Holster Pad