If you fall into the latter category, our selections should help you narrow down your search. Overall, this is one of the lightest and most compact plate carrier systems on the market today and it comes with a 2-step emergency doffing capability that is likely the fastest in the current market. Best High-Tier Plate Carrier - Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 3.0 Plate Carrier. Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 3.0 Plate Carrier That way when its buckled im not just relying and the velcro to keep my carrier on my body bc its one tight circle around me attached by the buckles on each side. I put a BaoFeng radio in the tourniquet pocket, but you could easily shove an additional magazine in there instead. This is a great place to buy them from and you can often get rock bottom prices. To boot, youll get a lifetime warranty from Shellback! We already have an account registered for email address Better than nothing, but Ive been looking for something to keep in my cruiser for emergencies. My Review: The AVS stands for Adaptive Vest System and boy oh boy is it ever so adaptive. Of course, the AirLite SPC is ultra modular and, just like the name suggests, is purpose-built to be as light as possible. Check out the Crye Precision STKSS system at this link here. Missing a Few Plate Carriers and Some Excellent Custom Shops Within The Store Front. If you have plates, you need a plate carrier. I did put the mag pouch on and filled it up with loaded mags, its not so bad, but after about 2 hours, Im ready to take it off. Plug-and-play can be invaluable for those who want a simple option. . The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. You may not commercially benefit from our hard work without permission. Im looking for one for my wife whos 50 and 120 pounds. Different vests and plates have different rating levels that let you know what type of rounds they can effectively stop (more on this below). purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. Speaking of, and this might be the big guy in me talking, but I find shouldering a rifle in this kit very easy. And I sewed a simple plate carrier sack or cover if you will thats cordura that can cover the whole carrier and protect the velcro if i want to run it slick but protect it from crawling around etc. Thanks! The short answer is Yes.Except for convicted felons, you will be easily able to buy plate carriers online. Crye Precision JPC 2.0 6. A plate carrier is always better than a vest because thick panels provide a higher level of protection than an ordinary vest.They even protect you from bullets and heat. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Im checking out those Nam style vests now. Also, let me know about your experiences with plate carriers in the comments as I really enjoy hearing about other peoples experience with tactical gear! The shoulder areas once adjusted slides into itself and locks in securely with a hidden quick release buckle. All of the Crye Precision front flap and groin protection additions are compatible with the SPC AirLite as well as the SM/MD zipper panel accessories. As with many of the premium vests offered by Crye Precision, the AirLite SPC is compatible with the Extendable Structural Kinetic Support System (STKSS) which is one of the best adjustment systems of any plate carrier on the market today. As in, its not covered with MOLLE, at least until you want it to be. What do you think about the RE Factor/Ferro Concepts Advanced Slickster plate carrier? Ideally, you make a cardboard cutout of the plate size and cut before you invest. I placed my order in early July with the expectation that it would take ten weeks to arriveit actually took 13! Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. These are commonly used by all military branches and are a good option for personal defense. Absolutely not, because I dont know what the next year holds, armor is back-ordered all over, and Im very glad to have some. Definitely, youll want to make sure youre crushing water if youre moving around a lot. In fact, its pretty far from it. This is a different carrier (Skirmish vs one of their other active shooter line) and plates (4S17 vs 1155), but close enough. Crye Precision, the favorite brand of all tactical hipsters, creates some of the best stuff on the market. PLATE CARRIER - USA MADE - Shellback Tactical The major downside of SAPI and ceramic plates is they are only designed to stop one impact in the same spot. Dump Pouch: If youre planning on using this vest for shooting and military-style training a dump pouch is a great attachment. Its small, lightweight, and relatively thin. At the very basic level, its essentially a ladder of tightly woven and durable denier nylon that is far superior to other velcro systems. You could wear one of their chest rigs like the Triple Piggy if you kept the plate carrier slick, though that's not an optimal solution. Do I regret my purchase? My Review: Crye Precision has hade this list multiple times already and for good reasons, they make some of the best plate carriers out there and are a popular choice among special forces operators. One last kink Im working out is how to handle comms. Ill say that the hook-and-loop fasteners used on the Defender hold extremely well, for both good and ill. Since 2009, the plate carrier game has changed dramatically. My Review: The Condor Modular Operator Plate Carrier (MOPC) is a very popular plate carrier that for the money is almost impossible to beat. I think youll find it useful. I did basic in 1987 and the old Nam style vest was all we had. But Thank you Marine, Well Done and I owe You a Jamesons. For the money, its hard to beat! Shellback Tactical SF Plate Carrier Sorry noob question here, but figured Id make a fool of myself here before emailing a dealer. But between the wackiness and unrest of 2020 and a proposed bill that would make body armor difficult for civilians to buy, I was tempted. Of course, this is still a solid choice if you dont need the cooling effects. I dont know if you can buy this vest as a civilian, but you can check out the KDH website here. The Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 2.0 offers a premium-grade plate carrier with a full-size that still allows for mobility. A nice thing about this vest is that its very adjustable as far as size. Note: Molle functionality makes it easy to add an admin pouch to store a bottle opener and bad ideas list. I also see a lot of Shellback fans too. Im a medic with a bigger build and im looking for something with good mobility but that can hold a lot of pouches and supplies in my divers triangle. Read more, 70+ items from local stores that are great for your pantry. While a bulletproof vest is lightweight and tactical.A plate carrier cant be concealed. The weight per plate is About 5 pounds. Stack these bad boys up and protect those precious hops! The simple answer is they can be (I have a list of the plate weights at the top of the page). I mostly shoot CZs. Thats how I usually had mine set up when I was in the Marines. If that unfortunately ever happens, Ill be sure to update the review. The $420 Shellback Tactical Defender Active Shooter kit has everything you need: two plates (one each for front and back), a plate carrier, and a carry bag The Shellback Defender doesn't have a cummerbund, eliminating the option of side armor and limiting accessory attachment points On Sale! If I were to wear it for a significant length of time Id want a moisture-wicking shirt. The Difference Between IFAK, AFAK, and MFAK | Bulletproof Zone For what I want its durable enough and just fine. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). Popular Article: 15 Best Range Bags (Ranked by a Marine). [#1] Quoted: Anyone have any hands-on with the Shellback tactical Banshee 3.0? Here are the levels. The design of the SPC provides for better support thus positioning heavy plates right in the perfect spot to provide the best and most efficient protection from your back protective plates. Marine Core opted to go with them and their tubes system. Condor MOPC Plate Carrier (Another Great Budget Option), 12. . Its a lightweight vest (the smallest size weighs about 1.2 pounds and the largest XL vest weighs about 1.5 pounds. The AirLite Structural Cummberbund will cost roughly $80 and can be found here. Also, the faster it can be donned, the better. This site contains affiliate links. Has to stand up to running, gunning AND being used as a drag handle if you go down. I keep my plates in a 5.11 Prime next to my bed. My main comparison of curiosity would be with the 5.11 TacTec. Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email. The vest comes with a hook and loop lay flat drag handle and all the necessary guiders for hydration houses, antennas, comms wires, etc. It wasnt on there before because I was still waiting to get my hands on one. Oh and if you want to help us out and stay up to date on the latest tactical gear, like our Facebook page! Choose Options. Previous Shellback Tactical SF Plate Carrier (23 reviews) Write a Review $284.99 - $299.99 or 4 interest-free payments of $71.25 - $75.00 with SKU: GSA-SF Availability: Ships in 24 hours Color: Required Armor Size: Required Would you like to add a Heavy Hanger? Level of protection is an important consideration. SAPI plates are basically ceramic plates (described below) covered in a tough composite material (to trap fragments). This is a sharp looking vest! Its made in China and arrived with a few loose threads. I like the wide shoulder straps, its a very comfortable and well-made made vest. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. My Review: 5.11 took their time and interviewed the highest level operators in the world and asked for their feedback while designing the TacTec Plate carrier. It also comes with 3 mag pouches that can be removed or replaced. Whats your armor setup? It happens rarely, but I see no major cons here other than the fact that if you need more options and modularity, the AVS by Crye Precision may be the more suitable choice. If I do not update the review, assume theyre not very good. As in just sort of plug and play? We are currently looking for former Marines to join the team who are interested in writing about tactical gear, survival gear, hiking supplies, etc. comfortable weight vest can mean the difference between hitting your workout goals or washing out. These guys dont do the proprietary thing and they allow compatibility with most chest rig mounts, rear load-bearing systems, and extensions on the market today. As the name implies, Slickster means the carrier comes slick. The market is also massive, and we know that can be a bit overwhelming when youre shopping. If you plan on wearing the plate carrier for a long time, I recommend attaching a hydration bladder to the back, so you can stay hydrated and prevent overheating. What Ive found works best is to rip open the padding, but leave it in place, and adjust the strap. It also kills the tell-tale noise of hook and loop going squicchhhh. Compare. Compatibility is a tricky question. First Spear is a big name in the industry if just a little pricey. Overall you have to weigh the pros and cons to decide to find the best plate carrier for your needs. They feature a ceramic face with composite backing and a 1000 denier Cordura nylon cover. The LV-119 brings an extremely modern design that makes it easy to route wires for comms, antennas, and other fun stuff. General Features The ultimate in plate carrier performance Modular web attachment points on entire vest profile provide maximum versatility Front, back, and side plate compatible Quick release tabs for front and back plate removal Concealable rear adjustment in cummerbund style side panels constructed with elastic for Seems like a good design from the quick release, padding, and apparent mobility. 17 Best Plate Carriers in 2023 | Ranked by a Marine (with Video) This particular system also has some of the best quick pull away tabs Ive ever come across on a plate carrier. In your opinion, what would be the best vest for airsoft? Read our review on the Ferro Concepts Advanced Slickster and the Ferro Concepts Slickster & Spiritus Systems Micro Fight Chest Rig for more on this rad carrier. Popular Article: 21 Best Red Dot Sights for the Money. Well, theyre constructed of military-grade materials and consist of some of the highest quality craftsmanship while allowing for the user to completely configure its armor plates, mag pouches, cummerbunds, straps, and a plethora of other add-ons and assets. Given how cheap youre getting the plate carrier for, you wont feel too bad if you decide to upgrade it later. Plate size also depends on vest size which ranges from small, medium, large, and extra-large. The Shellback Tactical Stars and Stripes Plate Carrier is a fan favorite for the Murph Workout. Hi Larry, thanks for taking the time to comment. Review: Shellback Defender armor plate carrier - The Prepared Thanks for writing it. Whereas a placard (called panels on the Esstac website) are designed to attached to a plate carrier with clips and Velcro. More on what I put on my plate carrier in a bit. So whats so great about it? If you want a plate carrier vest that comes with a lot of attachments and accessories this vest is a good option. MOLLE (pronounced like Molly) is an acronym that stands forModular Lightweight Loadbearing Equipment. Used industrial sewing machine to sew the velcro cumberband straps into one piece so that the cumberband now only comes on and off from the buckles. Also trying to justify the 200.00 price difference. The turn: Behind the scenes as American Airlines readies a jet for takeoff Hope This Helped and This Entire Forum is Well Done . The placard fits into the kangaroo pouch, but not easily. That said, the Ferro Slickster might be best used for low-profile stuff. And they work well when shooting in weird positions. Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 3.0 Plate Carrier . The unique swivel shoulder straps make moving your upper body easy. Sorry gents. He is a certified blacksmith, a General-class ham radio operator (KO4EMJ), and lives on a small farm in Tennessee where he gardens and raises chickens. The Shellback Tactical Defender comes in three colors: Black, Coyote, and Ranger Green. . Most of these vests are available on Amazon, so for those of you who are just looking for a plate carrier for recreational use, these will work! Takes a while. The Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier allows you to click add to cart and buy it now all thats left to do is add the plates! Crye Precision was fed up with single situational vest systems that are really only built for certain situations and thus they set out to create a modular platform where the user can easily and quickly swap out modular parts and sections of the vest to quickly adapt and reconfigure their loadout on the fly. Infidel had a deal going and I bought the Condor carrier, first aid with a pouch, 6 mag pouches, and smoke with pouch. We love to shoot things, and body armor is no exception. If youre looking for the best place to buy SAPI plates I recommend you start with eBay. On Sale! I have a throat mic headset and a hand mic for the radio. Like many vests, the HRT RAC comes with a ton of modification opportunities including a Duraflex buckle platform for extensions and additions of modular pouches and equipment storage. 1. You can also add placards if you so choose but the vest is more than enough. An interesting thing happened between when I ordered the Shellback kit and when it arrived: Shellback revised the Defender plate carrier to switch from standard PALS/MOLLE webbing to laser-cut. If youre kind of cheap like me and you want armor ASAP, the Shellback Tactical Defender Active Shooter Kit fits the bill. To give you a brief summary, soft body armor is effective at stopping smaller caliber rounds like 9mm, but it doesnt offer the same level of protection as plates. This plate carrier is a full-sized kit designed for extended missions. If youre looking for a minimalist, low profile, and lightweight plate carrier vest this one by YAKEDA is a good choice. The good news is the LV-119 receives constant updates with new pieces and parts that keep the kit modern and evolving. During that time, I helped with research for our plate carrier guide and was thrown into the deep end of plate sizing and cuts. You see this a lot in the military; guys will remove their side or back plates to drop weight and increase their mobility. The Shellback 3.0 comes in at 469.00. Bulletproof vests do offer protection, but that is against low-caliber firearms. . The kit also comes with a bag to store and carry the carrier and plates. Wikipedia: Plate Carriers and Armor Ratings, Encyclopedia Britannica: Bulletproof Vests. Tactical Plate Carrier. Im not necessarily needing anything to fit perfectly against my torso, etc, as this would most likely be getting thrown on in a hurry over my existing vest/uniform/etc. I'm trying to figure which one would best suit me.