Tactical Plate Carriers
Plate carriers are designed to do pretty much one thing – save your life. If you’re unsure of what a plate carrier is, it’s similar to a bulletproof vest, though with a few major differences.
Instead of being made out of Kevlar or some other hard material, hard plates made out of plastic, metal, or composite materials are inserted into a plate carrier’s pockets and held on your body by a vest to protect your chest and back.
The idea is that these hard plates will stop a bullet, knife, shrapnel, or other impacts. While no vest promises 100% survival rate, the chances of surviving an attack, especially with a weapon, improve dramatically if you’re wearing a tactical plate carrier.
Because of their design, plate carriers can also help carry equipment. Many plate carriers include functional straps, pouches, MOLLE systems, clips, and other features to help carry equipment.
One of the major differences between plate carrier models is whether the vest is designed to be worn inside or outside of clothing. Some vests are big and bulky, while others are specifically designed for concealment and have thinner, low profiles.
The design of a plate carrier can severely affect its weight, bulkiness, and comfort, so make sure you know whether you want an exterior or interior plate carrier.
In this guide, I’ll outline a few of the key factors you want to keep in mind when you’re comparing the different tactical plate carriers, plus a list of the top 7 plate carriers on the market today. I’ll give a quick outline of each plate carrier’s specific features as well as the pros and cons of each vest.
Key features of a plate carrier
To find the right plate carrier, take a look at the following key features. Whether it’s weight, number of pockets, amount of protection, cummerbunds, or drag handles, plate carriers vary between models. Keep an eye on each vest’s specs to guarantee you get the right one for you.
Pouches and pockets
Every plate carrier will have at least two pouches. The plates themselves are housed in front and rear pouches, or pockets, integrated into the vest’s design. You’ll see a range of loading designs, closing designs, and sizes of plat pockets.
You’ll also see some plate carriers with a combination of numerous extra pouches and pockets, including mag pouches, flashlight pockets, and handcuff pockets, upper and lower admin pouches, and general gear pouches. A couple of the tactical vests come with pistol holders
Some vests have Velcro closures, buttons, drawstrings, flaps, and/or zips to close the pockets.
Weight
While there doesn’t seem to be that much difference between weights of the tactical vests (they range from around a pound to just under 4 lbs), it’s worth considering as this extra weight is something you’ll be carrying every step of the way.
Slim-fitting, low-profile vests tend to weigh less, while over-the-clothing vests tend to be bigger, bulkier, and heavier. Also, remember the vest weighs less when you don’t have the plates in.
Protection
The heavy-duty tactical plate carriers can stop a decent-sized round from a rifle or shotgun. Some others on the list are designed to be used with soft armor, designed for protection against knives and small-caliber rounds.
Another key difference between tactical vests is whether they have side plates or not. All of the plate carriers have front and back plates, though a few of them come with additional side-plate pouches, designed to maximize protection.
Cummerbunds
A cummerbund is the sash you see when a man wears a tux. When we’re talking about plate carriers, though, it’s a waist strap designed to minimize the movement of the vest when being worn. With shoulder straps and a cummerbund, the heavy front and rear won’t slide around, leaving your back or chest exposed.
Drag Handle
A drag handle is one of the extra features a few tactical plate carriers have. Essentially, if you’re hit and can’t walk out of there, a drag handle gives your buddy something good to grab in order to drag you out of harm’s way.
Top 7 Plate Carriers
Out of all the tactical plate carriers out there today, these seven are the best of the bunch. Some of them are premium plate carriers full of features designed to be worn on the outside of clothing, while others are slim, bare-bones vests designed for ultra-concealment to keep a low profile.
You’ll see a decent variety of prices, designs, and features, and I’m sure one of these tactical vests is the right plate carrier for you.
Features:
- 3D mesh inner lining and shoulder pads
- Upper and lower pockets
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Built-in side plate pouches
- Inner plate retention straps
- Low profile reinforces drag handle
- Genuine Cordura 500D nylon
- Reinforced stitching
- 3lbs 6.5 oz
The Testudo Gen 2 from AR500 Armor is about as awesome a plate carrier as you can get. It’s constructed out of super-solid 500D Cordura nylon with 3D-mesh technology, impact-resistant buckles, and genuine Velcro, and feel ridiculously sturdy and well-made.
The Testudo has reinforced Bar-tack, double stitching using high-strength bonded thread, helping give it maximum structural integrity. Even though it’s one of the strongest plate carriers on the list, it doesn’t weigh as much as you’d expect, weighing in at a respectable 3 pounds, 6.5 ounces.
You can get the Testudo Gen 2 in black, coyote, olive drab, or multi-cam, as well as two sizes of armor compatibility – 10” x 12” or 11” x 14”. The Testudo is compatible with steel, ceramic, polyethylene, soft, or hard construction plates.
The AR500 Armor Testudo Plate Gen 2 is pretty much a perfect plate carrier. With tons of sweet features, one of the best spec lists on the market, and a super-reasonable price, it’s not surprising the Testudo Gen 2 is one of the most popular plate carriers out there and makes it to the Best Overall spot on my list.
Check price of the AR500 Armor Testudo Plate Carrier Gen 2
- Accommodates 10” – 14” body armor
- Rugged and longlasting
- Adjustable and comfortable
- Well designed
- Plenty of pockets
- 4 color options
- Not low-profile
Features:
- 500D Cordura nylon
- PALS web attachment points
- Fully adjustable
- 3D mesh padded shoulders
- Multiple pouches
- Banshee Elite Cummerbund
- Quick-release
- Drag handle
Shellback Tactical made the Banshee Elite 2.0 after listening to feedback and input from their customers. By asking real users from the military, law enforcement, and civilian life for their input, Shellback Tactical came up with one of the best plate carriers of all time.
With industry-leading features, design, and build, the Banshee Elite 2.0 combines comfort with mobility, and next-level protection. Unlike most other vests, the Banshee 2.0 can carry side plates, as well as front and back plates. The bottom-loading plate pockets accept up to 10” x 12” Level 2 and 4 ESAPI or similar plates.
The features list of the Banshee 2.0 is unparalleled. It has everything from a quick-release buckle to hydration hose guide to kangaroo pouch to interior and exterior PALS webbing. Plus, the whole thing weighs just over 3 pounds with the plates in.
If you’re willing to splash out for a super-solid plate carrier, they don’t come much better than the Banshee Elite 2.0 from Shellback Tactical. If you need any more persuasion, it’s made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Check price of the Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 2.0
- Compatible with multiple plates
- Low profile and lightweight
- Industry-leading design
- Superb build
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Expensive
- Not low-profile
Features:
- Drag handle
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Removable shoulder pads
- Webbing
- Front map pocket
- Back pocket
- Adjustable cummerbund with soft armor pockets
- Padded mesh interior lining
- Available in small and large
The Condor EXO Plate Carrier Gen II easily breezes its way into the Best Value spot on this list, bringing a good-quality build with decent accessories at an awesome price. The EXO Gen II looks and feels like many vests twice or three times the price.
The EXO Gen II from Condor is designed to accept soft armor only. There are 2 size options: Small – plates up to 10” x 12.5”, and Large – plates up to 10.5” x 13.5”. The internal sleeves for the soft armor are easy to access and use.
The padded interior and shoulders make it easy and relatively comfortable to wear and carry. Compared to some of the higher-priced plate carriers, it’s somewhat difficult to get on and off, and doesn’t feature a quick-release.
For the price, the EXO Gen II from Condor is one of the best tactical plate carriers out there. Apart from a slight difference in quality and a couple of missing features, the EXO Gen II easily competes with some of the top vests on the market.
Check price of the Condor EXO Plate Carrier Gen II
- Budget-friendly
- Durable
- Comfortable
- MOLLE webbing
- Good value for money
- Not designed for hard plates
- No side plates
- Relatively difficult to adjust
Features:
- 2.6lbs
- Moisture-wicking, breathable fabric
- Low-profile shoulder straps
- Front and rear plate pockets
- Cummerbund
- Designed for soft body armor
The Concealment plate carrier from AR 500 is a superb lightweight vest. The moisture-wicking, breathable, 4-way stretch abrasion-resistant fabric for each pocket makes is lightweight and comfortable with a thin profile for extra concealment.
The simple design makes it easy to use while reducing overall thickness by reducing the layers of material without sacrificing user protection. The low-profile Velcro and Hypalon shoulder straps improve concealment while still allowing full adjustability.
While being one of the lightest vests with one of the lowest profiles, the Concealment from AR 500 still has an adjustable cummerbund, designed to keep the vest in place on the body. Its front and back plate pockets are designed to house 10” x 12” soft body armor, though the manufacturer says it can take hard armor.
Check price of the AR 500 Concealment
- Ideal for concealment
- Lightweight
- Minimal protection
- Not designed for hard armor
Features:
- Front opening vest
- Adjustable shoulders and side area
- Velcro and pin badge area/name plaque
- Center zipper
- 2 upper pockets
- 2 lower pockets
- Removable internal cummerbund
The Guardian vest from Point Blank Body Armor was a close competitor for Best Premium vest, though was edged out because of its shorter features list. This mostly comes from the fact it’s a low-profile vest that could be worn under clothing.
Like most low-profile vests, the Guardian doesn’t have as many pockets or attachment systems as the external vests. However, it’s still easily one of the best plate carriers on the market. Its front-opening design makes it easy to don and doff, and its advanced design gives maximum protective coverage.
The Guardian comes with a short but decent features list including 2 chest zipper pockets and 2 lower Velcro pockets, as well as a rear drag handle, and easy-to-use removable internal cummerbund.
If you’re looking for a premium low-profile front-opening plate carrier, then look no further. The Guardian from Point Blank Body Armor is absolutely superb.
Check price of the Point Blank Body Armor Guardian
- Good for work
- Well made
- Solid, no-frills design
- Expensive
- Relatively basic design
Features:
- 500D Cordura nylon
- Low visibility
- Adjustable shoulder and side straps
- Quick-release buckles
- Front hook and loop panel for ID patch
The Low-Vis Plate Carrier from Blackhawk is a nice little lightweight, slim-fitting vest. Its compact design and low profile make it ideal to be worn under clothes for low visibility. Plus, with quick, side-release buckles, it’s super easy to don and doff.
The fact that it’s lightweight doesn’t mean that the Low-Vis vest from Blackhawk isn’t well made. It’s constructed out of 55D Cordura nylon, just like the bigger, pricier vests on this list. However, because of the low-profile design, it has a relatively non-existent features list.
The adjustable shoulder and side straps mean that one size fits all. It’s designed to house Blackhawk Ballistic Ceramic Plates, either 9.5” x 12.5” or 10.5” x 13.25”, or equivalent.
If you’re looking for a vest that’s pure and simply a vest with no pockets, MOLLE, drag handles, or anything else, then the lightweight Low-Vis Plate Carrier from Blackhawk is an excellent, low-price option.
Check price of the Blackhawk Low-Vis Plate Carrier
- Slim
- Lightweight
- Low visibility
- Quick-release side buckles for quick donning and doffing
- Great value for money
- One size fits all
- No pockets
- No side plates
- Basic design
Features:
- 5 pockets
- Badge tab
- Internal cummerbund
- Front and rear plate pockets
The OC-Assault from Survival Armor is an awesome, mid-range concealable tactical vest, perfect for law enforcement or security jobs. While it doesn’t boast the most extensive features list, the features it does have are well-chosen, and it’s superbly made.
The OC-Assault comes with 5 sewn on pockets: a large (3.25” x 6” x 2”), a small (3.75” x 4” x 2”), a flashlight pocket, radio pocket, and handcuff pocket. The front and rear integrated plate pockets house 10” x 12” plates.
With an internal cummerbund and unique tunnel system, the OC-Assault manages to combine protection with comfort, as well as being a concealable vest. If you’re looking for a high-quality, low-profile plate carrier that won’t break your bank, then the OC-Assault is a perfect choice.
Check price of the Survivor Armor OC-Assault
- Easy to conceal
- Simple design
- Good for work
- Good price
- Bare-bones design
- Fewer features
Buyer’s Guide
Take a look at these key points to keep in mind when you’re buying a plate carrier. Whether it’s for work, travel, or safety at home, answering these questions will guide you towards finding the right plate carrier for you.
What’s your plate carrier for?
Are you a member of the armed forces or a security guard? Or are you a civilian looking to boost their personal protection at home? Answering these questions will help you decide on the right plate carrier.
Think about whether or not you need to conceal your plate carrier. If you’re going to be traveling with it, you might want a lightweight, low-profile vest, as opposed to a big, bulky one which is more suitable for home defense.
Do you need your pockets and pouches?
If you want to carry a bunch of gear with you while wearing your tactical plate carrier, you should probably get one with pockets, clips, toggles, or some sort of MOLLE system.
If, on the other hand, you need a low profile vest with no extra gear, then you needn’t get one with pocket and pouches, and instead look for a low-profile, lightweight vest with a simple, no-frills design.
Do you want lightweight or heavy-duty?
If you’re going to be walking the beat wearing your plate carrier, you might want to invest in a more expensive, lightweight model built for protection and comfort. If, on the other hand, weight and bulkiness isn’t an issue, then splash out on a heavy-duty plate carrier that’s jammed full of features.
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