Good (not best) XL plate carrier?

[Grendelshooter]

Synopsis:
I need an XL plate carrier.
I don’t want to spend a whole lot of coin if I don’t have to.
I’d like a carrier to have a full cummerbund with side plate capability.
Must be able to mount 3 AR mags to front.


I have a plate carrier and a set of ceramic 10x12 plates.
For what it is (SHTF preps) it works, but I’m working on improving my personal kit.
In the Army I was an XL ESAPI. I’m 5’9”, 52” chest, 36” waist. Not a towering man by ANY stretch of the imagination but I am a big boy who likes to lift.
My way of looking at things is to avoid the lowest and the highest priced options and go for a solid, middle of the road performer. It’s worked out for me and that’s what I’m looking for in a plate carrier.
So what is out there that’s worth buying?

[ViniVidivici]

Beez Combat Systems has several good options, and is a great bang for the buck. High quality at good prices.

[Jellybean]

Well, for starters, if you go to an Xl carrier, it will not fit your "medium" sized 10 x 12 plates. So you'll need new plates too.
Also, most desirable carriers, especially in what I'm guessing is your price range, come in "medium" and "large", no XL, so you might just have to 'make do' with a standard size L.


The only carrier I can think of off the top of my head that is an XL size and could also fit your 10x12s is the SKD PIG, as it has a full velcro interior of the plate bag that enclosed the plate and 'sets' it at the height you want for the plate size. That being said... it's a bit of an 'old school' design, and my pet peeve was the pack nylon backing of the plate bags which sits body side.
Per website:

One Size Fits Most – The adjustable plate harness and the internal Velcro stabilizers allow the wearer to use any size SAPI/ESAPI plate from Small through Extra Large (or similar corner cut plates) without having the plates bottom out or swim around in the carrier. The PIG is the only plate carrier that can secure this wide range of plate sizes while maintaining such a low footprint on the wearer.

Carrier:
https://skdtac.com/pig-plate-carrier/
Plate compatible 'bund:
https://skdtac.com/pig-plate-carrier-molle-cummerbund/

Next best bet for a true XL-sized carrier is going to be the First Spear Strandhogg
https://www.first-spear.com/strandh%...-sapi-bundle-1
If I was going to buy-once-crye-once... ^^^^^^ that right there.
That being said, it seems FS 'bunds are geared toward soft armor inserts not plates. The 'bund is velcro backed, so you could use a Ferro Concepts type velcro-backed side-plate back, but honestly, I have no idea how that would wear under a soft armor panel. I guess if you can remove the IIIA panel, probably not a big deal, BUT, another added purchase to think about.

Finally, returning back to somewhat-sane pricing, you could trye a Crye JPC 1.0/ JPC 2.0, AVS, or Airlite
Well, ok, the AVS is anything but sanely priced these days, but all Crye's offering come in XL variations.
The JPCs have a side-plate bag set you can get for $60-something bucks.
http://www.cryeprecision.com/Product...6602lg0_jpc-20

Also, perhaps (IF you can find these in stock anywhere right now) you could try one of the new Mayflower/Velocity Systems APC w/ mesh padding that OpTac sells, or a VelSys SCARAB.
The Scarab comes in size XL. The APC has kinda a weird "one size fits both" thing with the L/XL option.
https://www.optactical.com/maapcwimepa.html
https://www.optactical.com/vesyscliplca.html

So,yeah. IIRC, you're looking at the best selection of true-XL sized carriers.
There are other really good carriers on market as well, but they only go up to size L, so...depends on what you can put up with.

[Grendelshooter]

Well, for starters, if you go to an Xl carrier, it will not fit your "medium" sized 10 x 12 plates. So you'll need new plates too.
Also, most desirable carriers, especially in what I'm guessing is your price range, come in "medium" and "large", no XL, so you might just have to 'make do' with a standard size L.


The only carrier I can think of off the top of my head that is an XL size and could also fit your 10x12s is the SKD PIG, as it has a full velcro interior of the plate bag that enclosed the plate and 'sets' it at the height you want for the plate size. That being said... it's a bit of an 'old school' design, and my pet peeve was the pack nylon backing of the plate bags which sits body side.
Per website:


Carrier:
https://skdtac.com/pig-plate-carrier/
Plate compatible 'bund:
https://skdtac.com/pig-plate-carrier-molle-cummerbund/

Next best bet for a true XL-sized carrier is going to be the First Spear Strandhogg
https://www.first-spear.com/strandh%...-sapi-bundle-1
If I was going to buy-once-crye-once... ^^^^^^ that right there.
That being said, it seems FS 'bunds are geared toward soft armor inserts not plates. The 'bund is velcro backed, so you could use a Ferro Concepts type velcro-backed side-plate back, but honestly, I have no idea how that would wear under a soft armor panel. I guess if you can remove the IIIA panel, probably not a big deal, BUT, another added purchase to think about.

Finally, returning back to somewhat-sane pricing, you could trye a Crye JPC 1.0/ JPC 2.0, AVS, or Airlite
Well, ok, the AVS is anything but sanely priced these days, but all Crye's offering come in XL variations.
The JPCs have a side-plate bag set you can get for $60-something bucks.
http://www.cryeprecision.com/Product...6602lg0_jpc-20

Also, perhaps (IF you can find these in stock anywhere right now) you could try one of the new Mayflower/Velocity Systems APC w/ mesh padding that OpTac sells, or a VelSys SCARAB.
The Scarab comes in size XL. The APC has kinda a weird "one size fits both" thing with the L/XL option.
https://www.optactical.com/maapcwimepa.html
https://www.optactical.com/vesyscliplca.html

So,yeah. IIRC, you're looking at the best selection of true-XL sized carriers.
There are other really good carriers on market as well, but they only go up to size L, so...depends on what you can put up with.

Thank you both for the informative replies, just to clarify I will be buying 11x14 plates as well.

[Jellybean]

Someone is selling an XL Crye CPC on tacswap for $550, just in case anyone is interested:

https://www.tacswap.com/post/604eb6ca8e4e6c000a508e14

Kind of 'a lot of plate carrier' imho, but... maybe someone reading this wants one.

[ihocky2]

I'm actually in the market for a new carrier as well, mostly because of Beez Combat Systems. I didn't come in here with the intent to trash them, but long story short they sent me the wrong carrier that my plates would not fit in. After a long run around and multiple "It's in production, it's in quality" the communication ended. I went with them because I heard a lot of good about them, they were willing to customize, and their designs suited my criteria. The quality of the product I receive is very good, I just wish it was what I ordered and could use it.

I am in the same boat. I want a good carrier without breaking the bank either. I need something that won't pinch my neck and I don't like shoulder buckles. I am interested to see what others suggest as well.