Look this post isn’t going to be about a Sap or a Blackjack – cut me some slack though, this is my blog and the subject matter is likely of interest to you!

The SMERSH is back making waves, no not the DEATH TO SPYS part of the KGB but rather the Soviet take on the belt kit. The other side of the wall has always held a fascination for many and even in spite of recent Russian aggression many lust for Russian style kit. It comes not really as a surprise that people are capitalizing on this, first we saw the success of the Gorka and now we see KommandoStore bringing the SMERSH to market via Arktis. But the question remains – is the SMERSH belt kit really good for the modern American patriot?

How does it compare to the premium American made US belt kit today the Nixieworks Light Fighter?

Lets get a glaring fact out the way – it’s not made in the US but rather by those pesky Brits who have a habit for over taxation. Score one for the LFR being made by Americans in America.

What springs to mind as well is that this is a recreation – that means it is going back in time to recreate something for aesthetic purposes. I’m not some bigwig internet nerd who could explain to why why Gorka’s and the Soviet aesthetic are so popular but I know enough to acknowledge there is a certain MEME reason for making and purchasing this rig. Contrast this to the Nixieworks LFR and you already can see a difference. Where the Arktis SMERSH is recreated for what worked in the past the LFR is designed for what works today.

The most glaring example of that is the LFR with it’s MOLLE compatibility. Those PALS channels baby. We almost all have MOLLE gear lying around. It’s a tactical staple. We’ve put together multiple chest rigs and have spares. It works with modern high speed thermoplastic moulded mag carriers and old early era GWOT cordura. The LFR can be set up in a multitude of ways for what you require. The Arktis SMERSH? Less so. It seems it will work with original SMERSH pouches but for the majority of Americans looking to patrol and get out there we don’t have original SMERSH pouches just lying around. Also it’s plainly obvious that there is less real estate available – this limits the ability of the SMERSH to be used over multiple days in different configs. Now I’m sure that one could attach some larger pouches to the SMERSH but they will not be actually designed for it – and here you enter the realm of compromise and floppy pouches, no one wants that.

What about the biggest unifying design concept of both the LFR and the SMERSH? The buttpack. The SMERSH buttpack looks smaller, that limits what you can pack. With the LFR you have more space, which you don’t have to always use if going fast and light. The LFR also acknowledges that you need to drink water. Maybe the Soviet SMERSH types never need it but the LFR comes with side pouches that hold water bottles that can be accessed on the go. The LFR too has extra buckled straps for extra gear like a sleep pad or jacket. It is certainly great to see more buttpack style patrol rigs come to market but the impression I get from website is that the SMERSH is just more constrained, more niche.

So on a purely visual inspection the SMERSH reissue by Arktis is

Pricey
Not made in the USA
Niche and uncompatible with most of your existing gear
Smaller and less useful than the LFR
Comes in one single colorway

If you are a Slavaboo I guess your disposable income is your disposable income but for everyone else I’d strongly recommend the Nixieworks Light Fighter for your belt kit fighting needs.

Disclaimer: I’m an early adopter of the LFR and friend of Nixieworks but I think nothing I’ve said above is untrue

https://www.nixieworks.com/