You want retention? You want speed? You want the capability to hold multiple different magazines? You want it rugged yet lightweight?

You want all the above and more? Well that sounds great, but there isn’t really much that can do it all in one package… Or is there?

I’ve owned a lot of belt mounted pouches, from Tactical Tailor’s Shingles, to HSGI’s Tacos, ESSTAC’s KYWIs and Blue Force Gear’s Helium Whisper pouches. They all have their strengths, but they all equally have their shortfalls.

So the big question is, what’s so special about the Haley Strategic SRMP and it’s little brother, the DPMP?

Let’s start by looking at the potential problems, and how the Haley Strategic design mitigates these issues:

“Belt pouches often move around too much on a shooters belt or rely on outdated, uncomfortable or inherently weak attachment methods.” – anyone whose ever used a shooters belt.

Look at the current array of belt oriented magazine pouches and how they’re mounted; Malice Clips, WTF Straps, built in webbing straps… All generally secured to the 1/2” Micro MOLLE via the same 1” wide “ladder back” we’ve seen on pouches since the late ‘90s.

One difference between Haley’s new design and the other pouches I’ve tried, is that both the SRMP and DPMP use a laser-cut laminate backer with 1/2” spaced attachment slots. Not only does this allow for a precise height adjustment, but it also keeps the pouch cinched tight against both top and bottom rows of Micro MOLLE/PALS.

Unlike many competitors, HSP have also gone with a built in attachment strap. I’m not sure why gear manufacturers ever moved away from this concept, if I could have made one improvement to the ESSTAC KYWI range, it’d be the inclusion of a built in webbing strap.

So let’s have a look at the pouches and see what else is going on. I’ve decided to section up the review as the SRMP and DPMP are a little different in their construction and retention methods.

Single Rifle Magazine Pouch

The Single Rifle Magazine Pouch (SRMP) is designed to accommodate a single rifle magazine, using a combination of retention methods to keep your magazine secure whilst also not inhibiting a fast draw.

The main body of the pouch is manufactured from Squadron Laminate, this fancy sounding product is made by bonding a layer of 500d cordura to a layer of 1000d cordura. It offers a strong yet flexible fabric that’s ideal for laser cut applications and doesn’t deform under load.

The sides of the pouch are made from a heavy woven elastic, this provides pressure on the retained magazine alongside the included MP2 insert.

Haley Strategic’s MP2 Magazine Insert is something I’ve long been a fan of, an injection moulded clip made from DuPont Delrin.

The MP2 has been one of HSP’s core range of products for a very long time, originally designed to be used in their D3CR Chest Rigs. I’ve personally used them for a number of years, and in my humble opinion they’re hard to beat.

The MP2 is shaped to engage within a standard 30 round 5.56mm magazine’s locking detent, both internal faces are identical and allow the magazine to be stowed in either direction with the same level of retention. When a magazine is inserted, it literally clicks into place.

The retention on the SRMP is almost perfect in my opinion, the magazine simply won’t come out unless you want it to. A purposeful pull is needed to remove the magazine, which after a few goes is easy to master.

The combination of an MP2 insert and elastic not only allows the insertion of 5.56mm magazines, but also allows the pouch to hold other magazines such as .308/7.62x51mm NATO 20 rounders and even AKM 30 round 7.62x39mm banana magazines.

Users also have the option of removing the MP2 insert, once this is done the SRMP can also be repurposed as a radio/tool pouch. Small radios such as models by Motorola or Baofeng can easily be accommodated within a stripped SRMP, giving those running a low profile belt a solid option for radio carriage.

The optional shock cord retention comes pre-installed on both the SRMP and DPMP, rather useful for those who require the additional security, but not something thats needed for your average person.

Double Pistol Magazine Pouch

The Double Pistol Magazine Pouch (DPMP) is different enough in it’s design from the SRMP, that perhaps it would benefit from its own review. But I’ve decided to cover both within the same review because I feel that any prospective buyer of either pouch will probably be looking at buying both as a package.

The core difference between the DPMP and SRMP is it’s that it doesn’t rely on an MP2 insert for retention, it uses material friction to secure your magazines in place.

This friction based retention mechanism within the DPMP is actually made possible through a material that’s new to the tactical world, Slip-Not Dots.

Simply put, Slip-Not Dots are A polyester woven fabric that’s then impregnated with a rubberised PVC resin with dots moulded into its surface, offering long-term wear resistance whilst also offering a good amount of grip against metal and polymer magazines, even when wet.

The final piece of the puzzle is provided by built in, rare earth magnets. Held captive within the rear face of the DPMP, these offer even more retention to steel magazines.

With larger magazines such as Glock or Sig magazines this might have been considered superfluous, but for thinner 1911 type magazines, it’s offers that little bit more security.

There’s also a Single Pistol Magazine Pouch (SPMP) that is much the same as the DPMP, but holds a single magazine as opposed to a pair, useful for those who might only need a single magazine or are planning to hold a multi tool or flashlight.

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In Use

After using these pouches at a couple of airsoft games as well as on the range, I’ve really admired their ability to allow me to change out from one set up to another. Running around with an M45A1 and M733 for the morning and then swapping out to an MP5 and a Glock was as simple as changing out my QLS equipped holster and swapping the insert on my D3CRM.

I opted to use the pouches without the included shock cord retainers, and even without these in place I didn’t once feel at risk of losing my skinny 1911 magazines.

The slip-not dots and elastic did more than enough to hold my pistol magazines in place (the rare earth magnets will not work with non-ferrous magazines). And the MP2 equipped SRMP worked flawlessly with steel 30 round and polymer PMAG magazines.

The straps on the back, combined with the 1/2” spacing on the attachment slots also kept the magazine pouches firmly in place. Now don’t get the wrong impression, my Esstacs don’t move a great deal, but the Haley pouches are rock solid in comparison.

The inclusion of built in webbing straps offer the lowest possible profile attachment option whilst being incredible tough and without the worries of ends becoming loose (WTF Straps) or hard straps (Malice clips) digging in.

So what about negatives? Well they’re not fucking cheap! When you consider that an equivalent set of Esstac KYWIs costs half the price of Haley’s SRMP and DPMP combo, you really need to be serious about your kit before these become an item of interest.

There’s also the question of longevity, with even Travis Haley himself bluntly pointing out the universal truth that “everything material eventually expands or breaks”… So you have to consider that in the space of a few years of heavy use, your pouches will end up a little beaten up around the edges.

But to counter the above, I’d also point out that:

A, The pouches are incredibly well made and each offer multiple retention redundancy options. The rifle pouch having MP2 inserts, Elastic sides and Shock-Cord, the Pistol pouch having Slip-Not Dots, Elastic sides, Shock-Cord and also Magnets. There’s no reason to believe that these will fail in short term, and even once the elastic is showing significant wear, the other retention methods should still work as expected.

B, All tactical gear should put the emphasis on ability over long term durability. As long as it lasts long enough to do the job and bring you back home after a deployment cycle, it shouldn’t sacrifice more functionality than it has to in order to be considered a fit for purpose item.

Tactical items are considered as consumables by those who push them hardest, so as long as an item gives you an indication of wear before it breaks, that should allow you time to replace it before it fails you.

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The final question and the only one that really matters? Would I recommend it to a friend?

One hundred percent yes, certainly if you require a pouch to hold different magazines based upon what you’re using that particular day or happen to use multiple types of firearm. If you’re looking for that little bit more than is offered by the competition, the Haley SRMP and DPMP both have their unique benefits and offer a rather interesting alternative to what’s out there already.

They’re everything I want in a pouch, capable of holding multiple types of magazine without adjustment, stable and secure, offering a great balance between speed and retention, and they’re low profile and snag free. They also look rather nice, and certainly in airsoft, thats what matters.

Personally, these have become my go to belt pouch and I eagerly await Haley Strategic’s next foray into belt mounted pouches. Maybe a nice low profile med pouch or god forbid… A dump pouch?

Both pouches are available in a range of colours, Multicam/Multicam Black, Disruptive Grey, Black, Coyote Tan and my personal favourite… Ranger Green.

The Haley Strategic SRMP and DPMP are both available in the U.K. through Tactical Kit (where I purchased mine), they also stock a comprehensive range of Haley Strategic products and merchandise.