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The Ethix Chesty is a ~$50 hybrid FPV chest rig and fanny pack that keeps your tools, batteries, props, and a GoPro mount strapped to your body so you never have to set your bag down. After a full 7–8 hour day flying bandos with it, my verdict is simple: for the money, it’s the best value chest rig in FPV right now — strap fiddliness and all.

Last updated on June 10, 2026 — by Matt Fleischer (MattyFleisch FPV), flying FPV since 2015.

What Is the Ethix Chesty?

The Ethix Chesty is a tactical chest rig made of heavy-duty industrial-grade nylon, designed for FPV pilots by Steele Davis (Mr. Steele) under the Ethix brand. It’s a hybrid: wear it as a chest rig for hands-free access in the field, or strip the straps off and use it as a standalone parts-and-tool bag.

It carries everything you reach for on a flying day — props, batteries, tools, a radio, and a GoPro — across multiple zippered and velcro pockets. Think of it as a load-bearing vest built specifically for the way FPV pilots actually work, not a repurposed camera bag.

Ethix Chesty tactical chest rig for FPV pilots

Why Do FPV Pilots Need a Chest Rig?

Because you can’t always set your gear bag down. I do a lot of flying at bandos — abandoned buildings with dusty, dirty floors that cake your gear in that dreaded magnetic dust the second you put it down. With the Chesty on my body, I leave the main bag in the car and keep my essentials clean and within reach.

It’s just as useful on race days and shoots. At the track I keep spare batteries on me; on set, the front mount holds a GoPro for stick-cam shots. If you’re constantly swapping props or tightening parts between rips, having tools on your chest beats walking back to a bag every time.

How Does the Ethix Chesty Strap System Work?

The strap system is fully adjustable with quick-disconnect clips, so you can swap, reposition, or remove straps in seconds to fit a wide range of body sizes. That adjustability is the rig’s biggest strength — and its most annoying quirk.

Out of the box, the number of anchor points is a lot: three per side. Getting it on the first few times is awkward because you have to reach behind your back to clip one of the rear pieces. I’m fairly lean and flexible and still found it fiddly, so if you’re less flexible than a yoga instructor, expect a short learning curve. Once it’s dialed in for your body, you rarely touch it again.

What Can You Fit in the Ethix Chesty?

A full day’s worth of FPV gear, honestly. Here’s the pocket-by-pocket breakdown of what I actually keep where:

  • Large coated rear pocket — Lined with a thick, durable coating (it reminded me directly of the vinyl in my Patagonia Black Hole bag). It’s rated to hold up to 8″ props and sharp objects without tearing through. This is the workhorse pocket.
  • Tools pocket — Fits prop tools, hex drivers, a screwdriver, side cutters, and even my smoke stopper and pliers. It replaced the separate leather tool roll I’d carried for years. Removable internal elastic straps hold tools, battery checkers, and ND filter cases in place.
  • Removable velcro battery pouch — Velcro-attaches anywhere on the rig. I used it for props and trash on a bando day, but it’s just as good for small parts.
  • Two side battery pouches — One on each side, ideal for race days when you’re cycling through packs.
  • Front “muff” pocket — Houses the magnetic GoPro mount, and in winter I drop a hand warmer in there.
  • Walkie-talkie loops & radio lanyard — A non-interference adjustable lanyard lets you go hands-free for your radio while you dig for a tool or swap a battery.
  • Full velcro back panel — Mount the entire rig to any velcro-accepting surface, like a C-stand on set, so your quick-access gear sits right where you’re working.

Ethix Chesty rear coated pocket and zippered tool storage

Is the Ethix Chesty Comfortable to Wear All Day?

For a normal flying session, yes. On a full 7–8 hour day, it depends on how much you load it. About halfway through my first long day I started to feel some back strain — partly because I hadn’t fully dialed in the adjustment, and partly because I’d packed every tool I own into it.

My fix: don’t carry your entire workbench. I leave the heavy, rarely-used stuff (smoke stopper, Phillips screwdriver, my grandfather’s heavy pliers) in the main bag and only keep the everyday essentials on my chest. Lighten the load and the comfort problem mostly disappears.

Ethix Chesty worn as an FPV chest rig in the field

Does the Magnetic GoPro Mount Work?

Yes — with one caveat. I run the Ulanzi GP16 magnetic GoPro mount, which snaps onto the front muff pocket and stores its other half inside. For walking-pace stick-cam footage it works great — the chest cam in my last video was all shot this way.

The caveat: a full-size GoPro is heavy, and the magnet isn’t strong enough for running. I dropped my camera about twice jogging to grab a downed quad. If you’re going to sprint with it, secure it or take it off first.

Can You Use the Ethix Chesty Without Wearing It?

This is the feature that sold me. Pull the straps off and the Chesty collapses into a compact, self-contained tool-and-parts bag. I now use it as my dedicated tool case — I can stuff a parts pouch of standoffs and common spares inside and have everything to rebuild a quad in one place.

So even on days I don’t wear it, it earns its spot in my kit. One bag does double duty: load-bearing chest rig in the field, organized tool case on the bench. That versatility is why it stays in my rotation.

Ethix Chesty converted into a standalone FPV tool and parts bag

Ethix Chesty Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Highly customizable, fully adjustable layout with quick-disconnect straps
  • Durable industrial-grade nylon build with quality zippers and a coated rear pocket
  • Tons of organized pockets keep tools, batteries, and props within reach
  • Converts into a standalone tool/parts bag or fanny pack
  • Hands-free radio lanyard and walkie-talkie loops
  • Excellent value at around $50

Cons

  • Strap system is awkward to put on at first (reaching behind your back)
  • Magnetic GoPro mount can drop a heavy camera if you run
  • Can cause back strain if you overload it for a full day

How Much Does the Ethix Chesty Cost — and Is It Worth It?

The Ethix Chesty runs around $50 at GetFPV. For the build quality — the extra-durable coated rear pouch, the zippers, the velcro everywhere, and the removable modular pieces — I think they could have charged more. Compared to a basic GoPro chest harness or a generic tactical rig, you’re getting a purpose-built FPV piece for roughly the same money.

Given it also replaces a separate tool roll and doubles as a parts bag, the value math is easy. At $50, it’s more than fair.

👉 Check current price on the Ethix Chesty at GetFPV
Use code MATTYFLEISCHFPV2026 for 4% off.

Ethix Chesty vs. Tundra Edition: Which Should You Buy?

There’s now an Ethix Chesty Tundra Edition — same proven layout, but with a grey-and-black colorway and improved material support for radios. The pocket configuration and the hands-free lanyard are the same, so functionally you’re choosing on looks and radio fit.

If you carry a larger radio or just prefer the stealthier grey, go Tundra. If you want the original at the lowest price, the standard Chesty does everything I described above. Either way the core rig is identical.

Should You Buy the Ethix Chesty?

If you fly freestyle at bandos, do commercial or stick-cam work, or just hate walking back to your bag every time you need a prop tool, the Ethix Chesty is an easy yes. I won’t wear it for every casual session at an open field — but for any day where I’m ripping props and constantly adjusting parts, it’s my go-to. And on the days I don’t wear it, it’s still my tool case.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5. The strap learning curve and the running-with-a-GoPro issue are the only real knocks, and neither outweighs the build quality and versatility you get for $50.

👉 Grab the Ethix Chesty from GetFPV
Use code MATTYFLEISCHFPV2026 for 4% off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ethix Chesty worth it?

Yes. At around $50, the Ethix Chesty delivers durable industrial-grade nylon, a coated prop pocket, modular tool storage, and a hands-free radio lanyard. It also converts into a standalone tool bag, so it earns its place even on days you don’t wear it. The build quality justifies the price.

How much does the Ethix Chesty cost?

The Ethix Chesty typically sells for around $50 at GetFPV. The newer Tundra Edition is priced similarly. For a purpose-built FPV chest rig with this many pockets and the modular strap system, it’s strong value compared to generic tactical rigs or basic GoPro chest harnesses.

Can the Ethix Chesty hold a GoPro?

Yes. The front “muff” pocket pairs with a magnetic mount like the Ulanzi GP16 to hold a GoPro for chest-cam footage. It works well at walking pace, but the magnet can let a heavy camera drop if you run, so secure or remove the camera before sprinting.

Does the Ethix Chesty fit all body sizes?

It’s designed to. The rig is fully adjustable with quick-disconnect clips and three anchor points per side, fitting a wide range of pilot sizes. The trade-off is that putting it on the first few times is awkward, since you have to reach behind your back to clip the rear straps.

Can you use the Ethix Chesty as a tool bag?

Yes — that’s one of its best features. Remove the straps and the Chesty collapses into a compact, self-contained tool-and-parts case. Many pilots, myself included, use it on the workbench as a dedicated tool bag and only strap it on as a chest rig for field sessions.

What’s the difference between the Ethix Chesty and the Tundra Edition?

The Tundra Edition keeps the same pocket layout and hands-free lanyard but adds a grey-and-black colorway and improved material support for radios. Functionally the two are nearly identical, so the choice comes down to color preference and how large your radio is.

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