A sensible, scalable, and modular armor carrier, compatible with industry-standard placards and add-ons. This base package includes the front and rear plate bags, cummerbund, and shoulder pads. Ballistic panels are sold separately.

Over the years, Savotta has produced and designed a number of plate carriers. Varjelus is their vision of a sensible plate carrier. Not the fanciest system out there, but with features and design elements that make it very functional. It has numerous cable routing options, an adjustable plate bag fit, an integrated drag handle, and a very quickly adjustable structural cummerbund.

Included in the package:

• Front plate bag
• Rear plate bag
• Cummerbund, incl. attachment cord and locks
• Shoulder pads

Ballistic panels/plates are sold separately.

Plate bags

The front plate bag is placard-compatible and offers three attachment height options. It works with both G-hooks and split-bar SR buckles. Three of the four PALS webbing rows on the chest extend all the way to the side seams of the plate bag, offering a full six-channel-wide mounting surface with room for PTTs on the sides. The 10 cm (4”)-tall loop surface is large enough for large patches and identifiers.

The rear plate bag has full PALS webbing from side to side and top to bottom, with a 10 cm (4”)  high loop surface for patches and identifiers. An integrated 58 cm (23”) long drag handle is stored in its own compartment on the upper back. You can deploy it by pulling the protruding webbing grip tab.

The shoulder straps on both plate bags have hook on the bottom and loop on the top. The 40 mm (1.6”) webbing makes the carrier compatible with aftermarket QR accessories (Tubes, ROC, etc.).

The body side of both plate bags features fields of loop fabric, onto which six one-wrap straps attach. Use these to adjust the fit depending on the plates or soft armor panels you are using. The loop fields also allow for attachment of hook-backed comfort pads.

Cable routing options include the aforementioned one-wrap straps, which can be used to secure cables to the sides of the plate bags. The front plate bag has 50 mm (2”) elastic webbing loops on the sides for cable routing/stowing. Vertical tunnels on the sides of the rear plate bag allow cables to be routed from the cummerbund attachment points up to the shoulders.

The plate bags are made for 25 x 30 cm (10” x 12”) and SAPI M plates and soft ballistic panels. They will also fit shooter’s cut plates. Most ICW plates, + NIJ IIIA panels, and SA plates will fit, up to a maximum thickness of ca. 35 mm (1.375”)

Structural cummerbund

The cummerbund is made from laser-cut LDPE, with webbing on top that forms PALS attachment channels. The body side is lined with loop for attaching side armor bags. The skeletal construction allows for good airflow, whilst the structural rigidity offers support for attached gear.

The front ends of the cummerbund are three PALS rows tall, offering a full height mounting surface for taller pouches, radios, etc. The rear ends are two PALS rows tall, positioning the rear plate bag one step higher and eliminating unnecessary weight. The rear ends slide into the rear plate bag and through flat webbing loops.

The cummerbund is attached and adjusted with elastic cord and cordlocks on the outside of the plate bag. This makes adjustments quick and effortless when changing layers. The adjustment range is c. 85-140 cm (33.5” x 55”).

Structural shoulder pads
The shoulder pads have 3D mesh on the body side for comfort, loop on the top to prevent sliding, and elastic webbing loops for routing hydration tubes, cables, etc.

Inside the pads, there is a layer of closed-cell foam with a separate 1 mm LDPE sheet on top, which provides structure. They can be removed via the open slit on the pads if you prefer a non-structural configuration.

Accessories

Savotta  offers a bunch  of accessories for the Varjelus plate carrier:

• Comfort pads: 3D spacer mesh panels for the front and rear plate bags
• Side armor bags: for adding soft side armor to the cummerbund
• Groin flap: for adding groin armor and pouch attachment surface
• PALS placard: 6 x 4 PALS webbing for use with tall AK magazine pouches, QR buckle-compatible
• 3 x 2 AR15/AK placard: triple-double lidded magazine pouch placard for AR15 and AK magazines

It is also compatible with industry-standard placards and other aftermarket accessories.

Learn Finnish with Savotta!

“Varjelus” is one of many Finnish words for protection, in this case with a slightly otherworldly vibe. “Varjelus” could roughly be translated as “the otherworldly protection of (something)”. So yes, very cool! Made for your protection.

Deliveries: We ship with UPS, Posti, DHL. Shipping costs starting from 13,00 CHF. 

Returns: 100-day return window. You'll need to cover the return postage yourself. Some items (food, opened hygiene products, made-to-order/personalised items) can't be returned.

Read our shipping policy here and our return policy here.