The disclosed load-supporting garment is a safer and more effective way to carry equipment. For example, the system enables a more even distribution of gear and its accompanying weight around the body. An example load-supporting garment may include a plurality of woven grid panels, with two or more front panels and two or more rear panels, and a back boning panel attached to the two or more rear panels. Each of the plurality of woven grid panels may include a plurality of horizontal fabric bands that are perpendicular to a plurality of vertical fabric bands. The plurality of horizontal and vertical fabric bands may alternatingly overlap. This may define a woven grid.