Quote History The closed-front TT MAV is inferior to the open-front unit, since the buckled, open-front unit can be unbuckled for prone operations. The bungee-topped 20-rd mag panels are fine for benign climates, but admit unwanted elements, such as mud, snow, dirt, and freezing rain. Personally, I prefer flapped pouches that exclude such. The bungee cord is subject to long-term degradation from sunlight, heat, and dirt. That is tolerable as long as the bungee cord is not permanently affixed, and substitute bungee cord is available. Any item with sewn-in bungee cord--IOW, Bungee cord that is not user-replaceable-- is, IMHO, a temporary, discardable item. It will be useful as long as the bungee cord lasts. If the item is kept in deep storage, in benign temps, it will last a considerable length of time. Once taken to the field, older bungee cord will quickly show its age, and fail. BTDT.
As someone who has to buy my own equipment, and cannot rely on Uncle Sugar for initial equipment, nor replenishment, I have come to prefer flapped, buckled pouches for most applications. Perhaps one or two 'Quick-Access' type pouches. YMMV.