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Guide to Armor Plate Carriers

  • Is there room for side armor plates?
  • Do you have ballistic armor plates in the matching size?
  • What are common accessories / pouches?
  • Does it have MOLLE threading and velcro for patches?

You want a plate carrier that’s comfortable, durable, and light-weight. You want it to have velcro padding for your patches and molle threading (pronounced “molly”) for accessories and pouches. That’s where you’ll store all your gear.

Common accessories / pouches:

We do not get any affiliate commissions from Shellback Tactical.

Guide to Armor Plate Carriers

  • Is there room for side armor plates?
  • Do you have ballistic armor plates in the matching size?
  • What are common accessories / pouches?
  • Does it have MOLLE threading and velcro for patches?

You want a plate carrier that’s comfortable, durable, and light-weight. You want it to have velcro padding for your patches and molle threading (pronounced “molly”) for accessories and pouches. That’s where you’ll store all your gear.

Common accessories / pouches:

Molle threading is a definite must. Most tactical gear is threaded for molle. Make sure to watch the video on the right (at the time 3:06) to see how to correctly thread molle so it doesn’t easily break off.

Always good to keep in mind, know how to easily take the plate carrier off if injured. Make sure your medical kit can be reached with either arm. Some soldiers even carry a second medical kit on their back so their teammate can use it if the wearer is injured.

Molle threading is a definite must. Most tactical gear is threaded for molle. Make sure to watch the video on the right (at the time 3:06) to see how to correctly thread molle so it doesn’t easily break off.

Always good to keep in mind, know how to easily take the plate carrier off if injured. Make sure your medical kit can be reached with either arm. Some soldiers even carry a second medical kit on their back so their teammate can use it if the wearer is injured.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

We recommend the Shellback Tactical’s Skirmish Plate Carrier because it’s made by one of the few manufacturers that makes NIJ Certified Level IV ballistic plate armor (which is also pretty affordable). This plate carrier is rugged and durable, and it’s not too expensive. Make sure to get the camouflage color. Its cummerbund also can accept 13.75″ by 5.5″ soft armor side plates inserts. The only downside, is the plates are loaded in from the bottom (and to load them, you have to not be wearing the plate carrier).

Buy NIJ Certified Level IV ballistic armor plates!

Make sure to get your ballistic helmet too!

If you can afford it, get night vision and thermal vision!

OUR RECOMMENDATION

We recommend the Shellback Tactical’s Skirmish Plate Carrier because it’s made by one of the few manufacturers that makes NIJ Certified Level IV ballistic plate armor (which is also pretty affordable). This plate carrier is rugged and durable, and it’s not too expensive. Make sure to get the camouflage color. Its cummerbund also can accept 13.75″ by 5.5″ soft armor side plates inserts. The only downside, is the plates are loaded in from the bottom (and to load them, you have to not be wearing the plate carrier).

Buy NIJ Certified Level IV ballistic armor plates!

Make sure to get your ballistic helmet too!

If you can afford it, get night vision and thermal vision!