2009Vests forum
Comparison of back-mounted Walter Klassen vests versus front-mounted camera support vests
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Back-mounted vests provide better weight distribution across the torso and superior stamina compared to front-mounted designs.
- Back-mounted vests are more forgiving when the operator is not in a perfect working position, whereas front-mounted vests place greater stress on the back if worn incorrectly.
- Some operators who switched to back-mounted vests experienced numbness in their legs due to nerve pinching between the waist and upper thigh, which can be prevented by ensuring the vest sits correctly above the waist.
- Front-mounted vests offer greater adjustability for different operator sizes and body types.
- Back-mounted vests are typically heavier than front-mounted alternatives, with a weight difference of approximately one kilogram noted in some cases.
- Some operators have tried back-mounted vests and returned to front-mounted designs after experiencing discomfort or numbness.
Depends on
- The discussion is based on personal experience and preference rather than systematic testing.
- Specific vest models vary significantly in weight and design characteristics, making direct comparisons difficult.
- Some participants claim back-mounted vests may have negative physical effects on the spine, but this remains unresolved in the discussion.
- Opinions on the superiority of either design remain divided among experienced operators.
Gear in this thread
Same gear or parts
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