Tactical Vests and Plate Carriers

This collection includes all our plate carriers, tactical vests, and chest rigs.

A plate carrier is a hard armor carrier used to strike a preferred balance between mobility and protection from high-velocity projectiles. It consists of front and rear plate bags, and they are held together by shoulder straps and a cummerbund.

The best plate carriers are modular and can be customized to one’s needs. Some have a low profile, some have more attachment points for pouches and accessories. An elastic cummerbund is comfortable and adds to one’s agility. On the other hand, a PALS cummerbund extends the plate carrier's carry capacity. Most plate carriers can also be equipped with placards, front and back panels, and backpack modules, aka plate carrier backpacks.

Lightweight PCs, combat vests, and chest rigs

How about them recon folks? Troops who primarily operate outside enemy contact usually wear a lightweight plate carrier with lighter armor or no armor at all. They prefer chest rigs or a heavy-duty tactical combat vest. Chest rigs either have fixed pouches for magazines and other gear or PALS webbing for a custom setup. Chest rigs and tactical vests can usually be worn over an armor vest, making them versatile.

Whatever your choice of combat vest or plate carrier will be, it is a sum of its parts, so you should give equal consideration to things like pouches, armor plates, and, of course, flags and patches to boost fighting morale.

Frequently asked questions about plate carriers and chest rigs

What size plate carrier do I need?"

This depends on the manufacturer. Read the size guide on the product page.

What is the difference between a plate carrier and a tactical vest?"

A tactical plate carrier holds armor plates designed for rifle threats. Tactical vests are military vests primarily used to carry equipment.

How does a low-vis plate carrier differ from a “normal” plate carrier?

The low-vis plate carrier is a low-profile, minimalist plate carrier worn under jackets or for high mobility. For missions where at least some phases require blending in, a low-vis slick plate carrier fits the bill. With a streamlined cut and careful detailing and material choices, the low-profile plate carrier conforms to the shape of the plate to prevent hot spots that would print through a jacket.

The regular plate carrier is usually worn over your clothing in environments where looking tactical isn’t a problem, and it typically has bulkier pouches and such.

Are plate carriers sold with plates included?

A plate carrier is the load-bearing fabric chassis. The armor plates are sold separately because users have different preferences based on threat-level requirements. So, remember to buy plates too if you want to be protected and not just look cool.

What kind of plates fit in the plate carrier?

This depends on the plate carrier. Read the product description. It usually tells you which plate sizes you can use. 

What pouches attach to a plate carrier?

This depends on the plate carrier, but usually you use MOLLE pouches. The pouch selection depends on your needs. Read our article on the plate carrier setup for more detailed information.

What plate carrier accessories should I get?

Your plate carrier setup depends fully on your needs. You can find our plate carrier accessories here.