[pizzainthemorning]

Everybody is getting silly upset and missing the point.

First - I'm not insulting authentic gear. I said originally that I'm sure it IS better. Done and done.

Second - Can someone please, please tell me when you would EVER run into a high explosive blast, real bullets, or have the need for your vest to be hooked up to a chopper or something else along those lines?

For those reasons, YES, authentic gear IS better. That's why the armed forces of the world don't go looking for their gear at a hobby shop in HK.

As stated by a few people already, airsoft, like I said too, is a REPLICA sport. Meaning we don't run into explosives and bullets etc. so there is no need for a vest that can do that. It's like wearing a winter coat in the summer. Sure, it has great potential in keeping you warm, but why?

Conclusion: In the context of airsoft, why would authentic gear have much of an edge (keeping in mind the huge price tags)? I understand that some people get authentic gear because they can afford it, or they simply "like" the fact that it is guaranteed for life, or they don't make replica models or whatever (Note also about R&D: Replica manufacturers don't have to do R&D because it has already been done, hence the name replica. It sucks for the guys who did all the work fisr but that's how it is). But in terms of performance, in the airsoft world, do you still think that pricey piece of material is worth it?