Plate Carrier Member Survey / Review.

[TacMedic556]

Please be brief and factual with your first hand experience with your current plate carrier choice.

-What plate carrier do you currently use?

-How did you choose this make/model?

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?

Feel free to include picture at your leisure.

Thanks.

[MSteele]

-What plate carrier do you currently use? MC PIG PC w/ soft armor compatible cummerbund.

-How did you choose this make/model? After a lot of research and a friend who purchased one and loved it. The most important thing for me was to have a PC that would allow me to mimic my EDC of my belt mounted gear. The features played a big role such as the different CB's, split front, ladder rail system and the way the plates are held in place is simple but so effective. A little playing around and the PIG is very comfortable, I cut the top of the internal front pad to the shape of the plates and this provided a much better stock placement as long as using the double d ring kit. Removing the back pad made it a bit thinner and the pontoons provide adequate comfort and air flow. Will be adding the PIG Grunt pack but will have it so that it will QD from the carrier via buckles.

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses? It's very comfortable, modular, easy on/off. No real dislikes or weaknesses at the moment. The price was a bit high but after owning it for a bit it was worth every penny.

[joe138]

I chose the PIG after quite a bit of experience with other systems. I started with a PACA vest with the old velcro snap configuration. When that expired we went with HSGI Wassatch which is good, just over kill for my/our needs.

I did a lot of research and got the PIG. It rides high like a plate carrier should and is comfortable. In fact I have been able to reconfigure my belt by taking my holster off of the thigh rig. I could wear it with my duty belt without it conflicting. It is easy to put on quickly, unlike some of the other armor I have been issued/worn. I have not found a downside to the PIG yet. Plus SKD is great to deal with.

I use an ATS mag pouch, don't remember the model, that holds 3 ar mags and 3 Glock mags piggy backed. And then various other pouches for other things, like DD's, lights IFAK and so forth.

[jamesbern]

I posted this in your other thread as well.

Purchased an Eagle LE Plate Carrier w/ Cummerbund. I based my decision on price, reviews, and what was in stock.

I purchased it for a basic carbine class and SHTF/Disaster scenario. I couldn't afford to do the PIG and the Mayflower wasn't in stock in color/size I wanted.

It looks to be very well made, especially for $175! I've read good things on Eagle branded gear and I think I will be happy with this for the use it will see. I honestly think it would be fine if I was using it more often as well.

I have only checked it out in the house, but it went well with my USGG belt setup. Pistol is easy to draw from the belt.

Waiting on a few other pouches to finish it up for now. A PIG 2L hydration carrier is going to be mounted on back.

Quick shot of me with the Eagle LE PC w/ Cummerbund

[rob_s]

-What plate carrier do you currently use?
Not sure if it counts, but Mayflower low-profile armor carrier

-How did you choose this make/model?
I wanted a scalable solution, from concealed with soft, to slightly less concealable with plates, to self-contained with attachable load carriage. I still don't know of any other way to do what I have with another brand.

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
They changed the design on the new ones and they are bulkier and don't fit my plates. Otherwise the current version is "better". I might consider buying one size smaller in the new version if I really needed armor a lot.

More here

ETA:
I also tried the BFG LMAC. I REALLY like this carrier but again my plates weren't the right shape. If I was buying a traditional carrier, I would get this or look real hard at the new quick-release carrier from First Spear. One of my chief complaints with all carriers is that they are meant for pros to wear all day long, and are not often easy-on/off which I think non-LE civilian, and probably even LE, carriers should be.

more on the LMAC here

[Pax]

-What plate carrier do you currently use?
BAE/Eclipse RBAV-AF here.

-How did you choose this make/model?
The same way anyone determines what equipment they prefer. Years and hundreds (probably thousands) spent on other gear, finding out what I like, what I dont.

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
Like: Releasable, good commo/hydro/restraint/sling routing through the vest, integrated hydro carrier, good release loop cover flap design. Dislike: Light denier construction. If youre not going to make the thing like a CP Airlite or S&S aluminum skeleton thing, make it a full 1000+ D. I have heard the side platebags also sagged a bit with the original design if one wore plates and ran with it on but I cannot replicate the issue with 3.5 lbs. 6x8" SA Ceramic plates. I would consider stitching a 2" strip of Type 7 4088 to the bottom of the outer MOLLE cummerbund to help support the platebag if this issue presented.

[careboy]

That is a great site! I saw the information is very usefule!

[Antonio5005]

-What plate carrier do you currently use?
I have the Mayflower plate carrier, coyote brown. I've attached and ATS triple mag pouch and an ATS double pistol mag pouch on it so far. I use it and an ATS belt for other gearI was looking at the PIG carrier but felt it maybe a bit on the bulky side for me since I'm a smaller framed person. So glad I went with the Mayflower, it fits me like a glove. Really couldn't see myself letting it go for anything else!

-How did you choose this make/model?
Mainly chose it because of how low profile it was, all the awesome reviews it's received, and because the price point was just right. It was simple and too the point and does exactly what it's suppose to.

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
One weakness I found to me was the shoulder pads. The mesh material that sits on your shoulders really dug into my neck leaving it raw feeling only after a few minutes of wearing it. Tried wearing it without them but the 16 pounds worth of plates really began to dig in. So, I opted for the SKD shoulder pads. They are a match made in heaven. They aren't much wider than the shoulder straps so they fit and feel perfect! If anyone else experiences the same issue, you should look into those.

[EzGoingKev]

One weakness I found to me was the shoulder pads. The mesh material that sits on your shoulders really dug into my neck leaving it raw feeling only after a few minutes of wearing it. Tried wearing it without them but the 16 pounds worth of plates really began to dig in. So, I opted for the SKD shoulder pads. They are a match made in heaven. They aren't much wider than the shoulder straps so they fit and feel perfect! If anyone else experiences the same issue, you should look into those.

I replace mine with ones from Blue Force Gear. MUCH better than the Mayflower ones.

[Antonio5005]

-Likes/Dislikes? Strengths/weaknesses?
One weakness I found to me was the shoulder pads. The mesh material that sits on your shoulders really dug into my neck leaving it raw feeling only after a few minutes of wearing it. Tried wearing it without them but the 16 pounds worth of plates really began to dig in. So, I opted for the SKD shoulder pads. They are a match made in heaven. They aren't much wider than the shoulder straps so they fit and feel perfect! If anyone else experiences the same issue, you should look into those.

Here is what I was talking about for anyone that may have questions about it. Not much of a selfie person and the camera pic is horrible, but... for the sake of contributing...

Shoulder Pads-2.jpg

On my left side is the Mayflower shoulder pads and on my right is the SKD. That little bit of difference in size is huge and keeps from rubbing on my neck when wearing a t-shirt underneath.