This article was last updated on April 14, 2023
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Plate carriers combine versatility of a tactical vest with protection granted by full body armor. Hence the resounding popularity: these products are highly demanded in almost every armor store online. But how do you choose the right one for you? What is a plate carrier and how to tell it from a tactical vest? In this definitive guide we will try to connect the dots and explain everything we know about plate carrier. Let’s go.
Table of Contents
What is a plate carrier?
The plate carrier is a type of tactical gear design to be worn over clothes and hold two armor plates, one front and one back. These armor plates offer protection from pistol and rifle shots, knife stabs, and projectiles. Importantly, the carrier itself is not protective; it is armor plates that turn it to armor. Without them, the plate carrier is just a cloth vest.
The idea behind the plate carrier is simple: it is a simple and flexible way to offer varying protection depending on the type of proposed threat.
Let’s take a look at what types of plate carriers are available on the market today.
Types of plate carriers
While the main function of a plate carrier is, you know, to carry armor plates, there are a few types of plate carriers designed for different usage scenarios. Depending on your actual duties and presumed activities, you may prefer one type of a plate carrier to another. Let’s take a look at the major options you have.
Tactical plate carrier
Tactical plate carriers are designed as a versatile solution that combines variable protection thanks to inserted armor plates with superior functionality thanks to MOLLE webbing. The name ‘tactical’ comes from the ability of the plate carrier to hold a number of tactical accessories and tools such as flashlights, spare magazines, first aids, knives etc. Tactical plate carriers are a default choice for many law enforcement officers, guards, military, and Spec ops.
Conceivable plate carrier
Unlike tactical plate carriers that are worn on top of your everyday tactical shirt, conceivable plate carriers are designed to remain hidden under clothes while providing maximum protection to their wearers. Such type of body armor is demanded in covert tactical operations to bestow protection on operatives that have to remain invisible and normally looking: body guards, security, law enforcement officers working under cover and so on. Conceivable plate carriers can typically carry only light armor plates, and often come in light colors. However, one can use them openly with hard armor plates too, just like normal tactical plate carriers.
MOLLE full protection plate carrier
MOLLE plate carriers with full protection are designed to deliver maximum coverage for all vital body parts and organs. They are heavy, but do provide superior protection from shots (up to NIJ Level IV). At the same time the MOLLE webbing allows you to attach a whole bunch of tactical gear from water flasks to radio sets and rifle magazines. Normally, this type of plate carriers is demanded by special forces and assault team members. Provided such vests are bulky and heavy, they are equipped with a panic button that allows instantly releasing buckles and removing the vest completely.
Plate carrier, tactical vest, and body armor vest. What’s the difference?
Ok, these terms can sound confusing. In fact many non-specialists even use them interchangeably, which is wrong. In fact, the difference is pretty evident:
The plate carrier is designed to carrier armor plates and offers as much protection as the plates provide. It can also be equipped with webbing to attach tools. Plate carriers can also be used to hold water bladders of standard SAPI shapes.
The tactical vest does NOT provide protection of any kind. This vest only has MOLLE webbing with pouches and slots or Velcro to carry various tactical gear.
Body armor vests are designed for maximum protection. This is a one-piece unit without any replaceable parts in it.
What are basic characteristics of plate carriers
Plate carriers find use in many applications and tasks: hunting, police operations, shooting sports – everywhere where you need some bullet resistance for your safety. Moreover, thanks to ability to insert water bladders, plate carriers are demanded by tourists and hikers to get additional protection from heat.
The basic features of plate carriers are:
Fit armor plates. A typical plate carrier allows inserting standard SAPI/ESAPI cuts of armor plates. Sometimes, you may prefer a plate carrier model that is designed for a specific cut only. For instance, if you prefer mobility over protection you can stop on a plate carrier designed for a swimmer cut plates. But more often than not, plate carriers welcome any type of armor plate, of any size, cut and protection level.
PALS or MOLLE webbing. MOLLE or Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment system is a way to carry more gear without feeling overwhelmed and strangled. A plate carrier typically has webbing on the front and sometimes on the back too.
Velcro fasteners. Velcro combines ease of use with almost instant attaching/detaching of tools. Many plate carriers come with some Velcro on straps and/or front pouches as standard.
Durable materials. Nylon is known for its enormous durability. 10 years are nothing for a plate carrier made of nylon. Some other modern materials also ensure comfort of a wearer thanks to breathability.
Comfort. Plate carriers feature adjustable straps to fit any body. Wide straps with soft pads on the inner side allow feeling comfortable even after hours of wearing the armor. Indeed, hard armor plates are heavy, so it is a good thing to rearrange this load onto larger area of your shoulders.
Protect your vital organs. Unlike tactical vests which offer no protection at all, plate carriers are capable protective devices. They defend your lungs, hurt, stomach from bullets and projectiles.
Advantages of armor plate carriers
What are the main advantages of plate carriers? Let’s see.
Lightweight
Low weight is a great advantage when it comes for all day long wearing. You should understand, though, that armor plates contribute a lot to the overall weight of the plate carrier. Depending on the type of your inserted armor plates, the overall weight will increase.
A lot of room for equipment
Webbing and Velcro on the plate carrier is what allows you to take all vital tools and gear with you. There are pouches for everything, so you can rest assured your tactical mission won’t fail because of the lack of some vital equipment.
Comfortable on move
Plate carriers promote better flexibility and mobility in comparison with body armor. With the plate carrier put on you can still climb, jump, crouch or run without filling restricted.
Can be used without armor plates
The versatility of a plate carrier is a two-sided coin. On one hand, you can use it without armor plates at all, just as a handy way to manage your equipment. On the other hand, you should clearly understand, that such use does NOT grant you any protection from firearms or projectiles. Never wear a plate carrier without properly inserted armor plates on a shooting range or during missions.
Disadvantages of plate carriers
Plate carriers do not have many disadvantages, but here are some:
Limited protection of the body
As we said above, a plate carrier relies on armor plates for protection. It poorly protects your sides and the stomach below the belly button. Also, if you prefer swimmer cut plates, your neck and groin have no protection too.
At the same time, you can still prefer armor plates with larger area and compensate this disadvantage.
Too much attached equipment can restrict movement
Well, not that this is a disadvantage of the plate carrier itself, but we have to mention it anyway. The plenty of space to attach equipment thanks to PALS or MOLLE webbing is a two-side coin. Being prepared for any circumstances is a good thing, but on the other side is hindered mobility. With every piece of gear you get slowed down a bit, lose a tiny portion of maneuverability. And this can be dangerous in scenarios where mobility is vital.
Plate carriers are prone to overheating
A plate carrier with attached equipment is hardly a breathing system. Plus, it is made of synthetic materials that are not designed to deliver temperature comfort, their main goal is durability, not comfort. In the end, this means that a typical plate carrier can cause overheating if worn for hours. There are models that do promote some air flow thanks to mesh liners, so if you can, you better pick such models instead.
How to select a plate carrier
Provided armor plate carriers vary a lot and so do your goals and purposes, you should pay close attention to selecting a plate carrier for your specific needs. You would not find a “one size fits all” plate carrier, you should pick a model that fits tactical situations you intend to face with. Are you going to spend weekends at the shooting range? Or do you hunt? Professional security guards and law enforcement officers have their own demand too.
However, there are certain main principles that you can rely on when selecting a tactical plate carrier.
First of all: do your job and your type of activity imply ballistic threats at all? If no, what you really want is a tactical vest that offers MOLLE webbing but does not have protective capabilities. Otherwise, you should consider buying plate carriers to insert armor plates that can provide reliable protection.
What’s the overall amount of gear you will taker with you? Sometimes you just need a tool or two, and may be some spare magazines. In other cases you want to be full stocked. Depending on this, you can prefer plate carriers with a lot of MOLLE slots, or choose those that offer only basic webbing.
Make sure to assess the size of armor plates you will be inserting to the plate carrier. If you want to stick with more lightweight panels, you can select a lighter plate carrier model as well. In other circumstance when 11×14 plates are required, you should prefer a plate carrier that allows inserting such plates.
Now, probably the most important part – tape measuring. Measure your torso from nipple to nipple to get the width of the plate, and two fingers from belly button to suprasternal notch to get the height. Too small plates will get you underprotected, while too large ones can complicate movement and make crouching or bending difficult.
One final thing to consider is adjustable straps. Typically, they always are, but still you need to make sure the plate carrier fits well and sits on your body firmly all the time, whether you are standing still or moving, turning your body and so on. Avoid over tightening strap, though. This can cause discomfort.
Best plate carriers
BattleSteel has been on the market for years now, so we are ready to provide an expert consultation on what best plate carriers are available right now. Note that professional advise is always helpful even in less important spheres, and in personal safety you simply can’t afford relying on your luck instead of knowledge.
Our consultants will suggest you the most reliable and tested plate carriers and will also assist you in adjusting them to your specific situation and goals. If you want the best plate carrier, make sure to seek for a professional advise even if you have already looked out a few models of what seem to be good plate carrier. BattleSteel will help you compare features and characteristics, will pinpoint the crucial advantages, and explain why a certain model is preferable to all others in your specific case.
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