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Plate Carriers
Concealable Plate Carrier
Minuteman Plate Carrier
Plate Carriers
Why Plate Carriers are essential to your Body Armor System
Plate Carriers are often overlooked by many that are new to the world of body armor and tactical preparation. A quality plate carrier is quite literally the glue that holds the rest of your armor system together; if it fails, everything else fails too.
The main function of a Plate Carrier is to carry your armor plates, keep them secured to your body, and always in place to protect your vitals. While there is a huge market of plate carriers to choose from, it’s important to vet out the good from the bad and choose a carrier that will hold up to rigorous use in training, and more importantly, when your life may depend on it.
Plate Carriers will also be instrumental in carrying ancillary gear & accessories in a manner that they are securely stowed and easily accessible, while maintaining a high level of mobility.
Plate Carriers vs Bulletproof Vests
People will often use the term “bulletproof vest” interchangeably with Plate Carrier; although, there are notable differences in functionality & purpose between the two.
A Bulletproof Vest is usually an armor system in and of itself, and is made of kevlar or similar soft armor material. However, bulletproof vests are only “bulletproof” to a certain threat level; most vests are typically rated to Level IIIA stopping capabilities & will stop most common handgun calibers. One of the main features of this type of body armor is that it can be concealed (AKA: Slick Carriers).
Tactical Plate Carriers, on the other hand, require hard armor inserts and will hold ceramic plates, composite (UHMWPE) plates, and steel body armor. The level of protection depends on the armor plate being inserted in the plate carrier, but most common ratings consist of Level III, Level III+, and Level IV plates (See Body Armor Ratings).