“This is my plate carrier. There are many like it, but this one is mine!”

What plate carrier should I buy? Well, there are approximately infinity and beyond options out there, but how does one know which option is worth their money? I am hoping this discussion will provide some guidance to those trying to do their homework before they spend their hard earned money.  There are some budget Billy-Bob fudd options and some really expensive, high speed kits out there. The questions are, what do you intend to do while wearing it, what are your expectations of your kit, and will it work for variable “mission” requirements? I am going to discuss the armor carriers we have used or are currently using for duty and training. Some are similar in fit and function, and utilize some common characteristics, hence why we use them. They are modular, affordable and versatile in their use. DISCLAIMER: We do not get anything from any company mentioned in this discussion…just our 2 cents.

Ferro Concepts: The Slickster

The Slickster is a minimalist option that comes in around the $160 range depending on where you buy it and can easily be sourced for less on some used gear sale forums. It comes in several colorways for whatever your environmental needs may be. It holds hard armor plate and can hold soft armor plate backers depending on the thickness of your rifle plates. It can be upfitted in a multitude of ways to include side armor if desired. It was the first plate carrier option offered by Ferro Concepts and as time went on, they developed the FCPC V5. It can easily be donned and doffed, carry a wide range of ammunition magazines from sub machine gun mags to 7.62 mags, which can be wide and hefty. Ferro Concepts did a great job initially with the amount of items they offer to make the system so customizable based on the end user’s needs. I believe that is why it's very popular. Additionally, it utilizes a front flap/placard design, which is also customizable to have multiple loadout options. You will see this is a common characteristic we prioritize when considering armor carriers.  If you are looking for something that can be just a slick carrier you throw on for added protection or low visibility, this is a great option.

Ferro Concepts: The FCPC V5

This is the newest plate carrier offered by Ferro Concepts. According to their website, it starts off at the $260 range. It is a feature rich carrier which maintains the highly scalable and customizable aspect of the Slickster. The Adapt system of add ons and accessories offered by Ferro Concepts makes this carrier a premier system that offers the end user almost endless options for loadout configurations. It is lightweight and high quality in its construction.  It can get expensive when outfitting this carrier to your needs, but it is my opinion that if you “buy once, cry once”. This suite of features and functions provide the capability to carry and stow a lot of necessary mission specific gear, while still retaining its slick-like footprint.

Personal setup:

I use the Slickster for woodland operations when it comes to duty use because I need the carrier to be lighter than my traditional loadout. I may be moving around through thick brush for several hours. I need it to hold a radio, ammunition, distraction and smoke munitions, a tourniquet and maybe some technology, like a navboard or ATACS device. It has SAPI cut Armor Express level 3+ plates (L210 equivalent), which are about 1” thick and are just under 6 lbs. a piece. I have a Spiritus systems Sack pouch that holds additional medical kit in case we are in a remote location where EMS cannot access immediately. I also utilize the elastic cummerbund because it has multiple retention slots on each side that can carry magazines, radios, TQ’s and munitions, while giving some needed flex depending on the weather and clothing I am wearing. I have the non-molle rear plate bag, so I added a WTF rear plate bag molle adapter, which fits snuggly on the bag. I am able to add my Crye SPS GP pouch on the rear bag for added utility to carry water, small bolt cutters or specialty items. 

I utilize the FCPC V5 for my entry vest system. It is an easy on and off with the shoulder cummerbund cobra buckle setup. I have the added wings attached to the front bag to hold my radio and spare rifle magazine. The admin pouch allows me to easily carry and access spare batteries or other important small items. I use the Adapt cummerbund, which makes the whole carrier fit and feel like a harness. This helps distribute the weight of everything a bit more evenly and not so much all on the traps and shoulders. It has some custom side soft armor bags because at the time, Ferro Concepts did not offer a soft armor for side protection. I also employ the Spiritus Systems lunch box to stow energetics, so they are easily accessed. I recently added the new molle zip-on back panel and have a folding strip charge pouch and a Crye SPS GP pouch for compact manual breaching tools. For the cummerbund new additions, I have the Spiritus Systems Spud pouches, which are very similar to the Crye 330D SPS pouches to carry some specialty breaching items. I have a few different front placards for different mission types, when my role does not include certain breaching capabilities.

Velocity Systems LPAAC & LPAC

This is one of my all time favorite carriers because of the extreme modularity and versatility of the system. The carriers are in a patrol style cut of soft armor, which can accept hard armor plates. The Low Profile Assault Armor Carrier (LPAAC) is a molle version which is a scalable, overt style carrier meant to be worn over clothing or a uniform. The Low Profile Armor Carrier is a slick version of the LPAAC and the coverage is the same. The benefit to this carrier is that it can be worn both overt and covertly underneath shirts, jackets, uniforms, etc. Velocity Systems offers several cummerbund options from slick elastic to a full molle cummerbund that accepts soft and hard armor, which can be used on both the LPAAC and LPAC. Velocity Systems was one of the O.G.’s when it comes to front detachable placards, which both carriers are capable of. 

The carriers have been updated over time to include some standard features like wire management tabs, rear drag handles, integrated admin pockets and shoulder padding. I think the most value added by Velocity Systems is that they offer a base vest system which can be customized when purchasing from their site. You could take a base LPAC or LPAAC and select items and features a la carte to make it more beneficial to the end user. Originally, the LPAAC and LPAC had their own unique features, which set them apart, but now you can mix and match to create an even better vest platform. If there was an affordable entry, patrol, or specialty unit vest you are trying to source, this could be your one stop shop because of the design and versatility. You may subscribe to the armored turtle club with armored deltoids, groin protector, neck protector, etc. They have it all. You may be the guy who wants to be as slick as possible running and gunning with your hair on fire, and they have that scalability for you…it's like Oprah. You can have that option, this option….and so can you, and you and oh yea, that guy over there too. 

I personally wear the LPAAC everyday for the past couple of years, as it was a department purchase. Prior to that, I sourced my own LPAC to hold my armor panels for street work, so I have long term personal experience with both.  I also have purchased and used some of their nylon pouches, which are of high quality and worth mentioning. I rely on Velocity System’s equipment and would highly recommend them to anyone. 

If you are looking to purchase gear or equipment, send us an email and we can most likely help you with making the right decision. We have either been issued it, bought it on our own or know someone who has it. We all have a foot locker filled with stuff we thought would work great and ended up being not so great, so we aim to help our customers with our experiences. Also, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know about your carrier and how its set up.

Gear@readinesstraininggroup.com

- Ryan