Abstract: An articulating load-bearing belt for use with body armor includes a first structural plate and a second structural plate pivotally coupled to the first structural plate at a pivot point such that each of the first and the second structural plates are configured to be independently pivotable about the pivot point.

Abstract: Personal hydration systems that include a pack assembly including at least one strap adapted to selectively couple the pack assembly to a pack carrier. The hydration system further includes a fluid reservoir adapted to be selectively received in the pack assembly. The fluid reservoir is further adapted to be selectively filled with a drink fluid. The hydration system further includes a downstream assembly adapted to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir at a proximal end thereof. The downstream assembly is further adapted to selectively dispense the drink fluid from a distal end thereof. At least one strap of the pack assembly includes a sleeve adapted to selectively receive at least a portion of the downstream assembly, such as at least a mouthpiece or other distal end thereof. The sleeve may include a heating region adapted to heat at least a mouthpiece or other portion of the downstream assembly.