plate carriers are a critical part of your body armor system. Without them, your body armor system will not protect you.
When choosing a plate carrier, it is important to consider comfort and durability. This is especially true if you will be wearing it for long periods of time.
1. Comfort
Plate carriers provide superior protection from rifle rounds, and are able to protect the front and back of the wearer. They also offer much more flexibility than bulletproof vests because they can be adjusted to fit different body types.
The overall size of a plate carrier vest is relatively small and can be easily concealed under clothing. This makes them perfect for concealment and tactical missions.
They also feature modular light load-carrying equipment (MOLLE) webbing to attach any accessories that you might need on your mission. These accessories include mfak/ifak medical equipment, magazine holsters and administrative or mission-specific gear.
Some plate carrier vests feature a cummerbund to help minimize pressure on the shoulders. This is a key feature when you want to increase mobility while still providing protection against rifle fire.
2. Durability
Plate carriers are a vital component of any Body Armor System. Keeping them clean can help them last longer and prevent damage or discomfort during field operations.
Most hard armor plates are made from steel and are rated according to their impact resistance. They are designed to take multiple hits without breaking or causing a ricochet, but they do have their limitations.
A high-speed lightweight plate carrier is a great choice for anyone who doesn’t want to carry around extra weight. These vests will also typically have a lot of MOLLE webbing that can be used to attach modular gear like magazines, flashlights, radio sets, knives or water bottles.
3. Concealment
Plate Carriers, like other body armor vests, are not only essential to your armor system, but they are also integral to your overall concealment. This is because they’re built with MOLLE, so they can be outfitted with pouches that hold a variety of accessories such as extra magazines and flashlights.
If you’re looking to be more discreet, choose a slick plate carrier that’s lightweight and doesn’t constrict movement. This can make a big difference in your comfort.
When selecting a plate carrier, you need to consider your mission and threat level. Model your setup around your mission, and then add or remove tactical gear depending on the threat you’re addressing.
4. Adaptability
Plate carriers are a versatile piece of equipment that can be used in a variety of situations. They are especially useful for scenarios like Sentry details, vehicle checkpoints, MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain), and close quarters battle.
The main purpose of a plate carrier is to carry ballistic plates that protect against handgun rounds, rifle rounds, armor piercing ammunition, and other potential threats. It also comes equipped with MOLLE attachment points so you can carry other gear and accessories like extra magazines, flashlights, grenades, and more.
Plate Carriers have a wide range of uses, but it’s important to find one that fits your specific requirements. The plate carrier you buy should fit the plates that you want to use, be scalable enough to grow with your needs, and offer a balanced load for the most efficient training or protection.
5. Safety
Plate Carriers are an essential part of any body armor system. They keep your armor plates secure and in place, and they allow you to quickly and easily adapt your protection level as the situation dictates.
Traditionally, plate carriers were used only by military and law enforcement officers – and now they are increasingly popular among civilians serious about body armor.
A plate carrier can be sized to accommodate multiple plate inserts, allowing you to customize your protection and adapt it to any threat situation you face. Some of these carriers also have attachment points for load-bearing equipment such as weights or ballistic panels to add supplemental protection.
