5 Best Plate Carriers
Plate carriers are major upgrades over normal chest rigs because they carry all your gear while also providing some protection in the form of ballistic plates. Here are a few things to consider when selecting your next plate carrier, along with our top 5 plate carriers available at MidwayUSA.
Size and Weight
Some things to consider are the size and weight of the plate carrier. Some low-profile plate carriers only provide thorax protection, while some have room for side plates. Options like the Mayflower Low Profile Assault Body Armor are low profile and offer protection on all sides.
Accessories
Most plate carriers will have molle webbing to attach molle accessories, like mag pouches. Many plate carriers also come with buckles to directly mount chest rigs to the plate carrier. Check out plate carriers like the Velocity Systems SCARAB for molle webbing, buckles, and even kangaroo pouches.
Comfort
You perform at your best when you’re comfortable. Good plate carriers offer balanced weight and comfortable, padded shoulder straps to keep you comfortable all day long. Take on tactical missions with confidence in padded models like the Spartan Armor Achilles, 5.11 TacTec, and more!
Velocity Systems SCARAB LT Body Armor Plate Carrier
The SCARAB LT features Velocity Systems patented swivel shoulder straps that were designed to alleviate common fit issues with traditional fixed angle shoulder straps (US Patent No. 9,894,962). The narrow ULTRAcomp shoulder straps articulate on a D-ring allowing them to sit correctly and comfortably on any user, regardless of neck thickness or shoulder broadness. The ULTRAcomp Shoulder Straps are adjustable for length and have a padded sleeve, that can also be used for cable routing. There is a color matching hook-and-loop Panel on the upper chest, a front expanded kangaroo pouch, and Integrated SwiftClip buckles for rapid on/doff of auxiliary chest worn equipment such as Chest Rigs and SwiftClip Placards. Color matching hook-and-loop on upper rear for Identification. The SCARAB LT also accepts Zip-On Back Panels. The SCARAB LT is sized to hold plates of corresponding sizes to the carrier, for example a size large carrier holds size large ESAPI Plates.
The SCARAB LT/LE Cummerbund has a hook-and-loop One-Wrap fingers that slide inside the button holes on the rear of the SCARAB LT carrier and affix to the interior wall of the plate pocket. 1” of Multi-Layer Elastic is built into each cummerbund finger to give some stretch. Each finger can independently be let in or out of the plate bag to accommodate different body figures, and they can be angled for correct armor placement. All hook and loop material used is color matching hook-and-loop fasteners. SCARAB LT Cummerbund is a lightweight and breathable cummerbund with MOLLE webbing on the exterior and interior. The SCARAB LT Molle features three rows of MOLLE webbing on the outer side / Three internal elastic mag pouches / Soft armor pocket with hook-and-loop closure / Plate pocket holds 6”x6” side plates when Side Plate Retention Strap is used.
Features
- Patented swivel shoulder straps with D-ring attachments (US Patent No. 9,894,962)
- Narrow ULTRAcomp Shoulder Straps
- Sized to hold plate of corresponding carrier size
- Front expanded kangaroo pouch
- Integrated SwiftClip buckles for rapid on/off
- Color matching hook-and-loop Brand Loop Panel on the Upper Chest
- Accepts Zip-On Back Panels
- SCARAB LT/LE Cummerbund
- Large fits 10.25" x 13.75" plates
- Medium fits 9.5" x 12.5" plates
What Customers Are Saying
Best carrier hands down.
Wore this carrier through a 5 day course in Camden Tennessee. With plates and mags. Worked great, distributed weight perfectly, best carrier I have ever worn. Worth every penny. My Haley strategic mag carrier clipped right to it.- Jbud, 2/10/2020 Shop Now
Mayflower Assault Body Armor Plate Carrier
The Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier (APC) is designed to provide the wearer with a high degree of mobility while providing ample surface area for mounting mission essential pouches. The upper front of the APC contains an integral admin pouch with internal elastic loops to retain pens, pencils, chemlites or similar items. The front lower half of the APC has an integrated kangaroo pouch sized to hold up to three M4 sized magazines. The shoulder pads are made of a stretch woven material that allows enough elasticity to permit room for cable/hydration tube routing. The plate pockets are sized to accommodate Stand-Alone or ICW ESAPI or Swimmer cut plates. The APC comes with the Standard MOLLE, Plate Pocket Cummerbund (CBN3). The Standard MOLLE, Plate Pocket Cummerbund (CBN3) is designed to accept 6"x 6" hard armor plates or side soft armor inserts. All hook and loop material used is color matching hook-and-loop Fasteners.
Features
- Plate pockets are sized to accommodate Stand-Alone or ICW ESAPI or Swimmer cut plates
- Integral admin pouch with internal elastic loops hold small accessories
- Integral kangaroo pouch can hold up to three M4 magazines
- Stretch woven shoulder pads offer elasticity
- Hook and loop material is color matching hook-and-loop fasteners
- Standard MOLLE, Plate Pocket Cummerbund (CBN3) model
Notes
- S/M APC fits size small, medium and 10"x12" sized plates
- L/XL APC fits large and X-large plates
- Armor/Plates Sold Separately
Sizing
- All Plate Carrier sizes S/M comes with Medium size CBN3 which fits (40”-50” Waist)
- All Plate Carrier sizes L/XL comes with Large size CBN3 Which fits (44”-54” Waist)
What Customers Are Saying
Awesome carrier for a great price.
This isn't my first Mayflower carrier, and I'm got nothing but praise for Mayflower. They make a quality product you can roll around in the dirt with and trust it to not fall apart on you. I got a second carrier because I want to set up a carrier for a .308 rifle without taking apart my current 5.56 setup, and this was on clearance sale so it was the perfect opportunity to get a new one. For future reference, I ordered a Small/Medium size for plates and the carrier came with the Medium sized CBN3 Cummerbund. I didn't have an option to select what sized Cummerbund, but that is a Midway problem not the fault of Mayflower. Medium Cummerbunds are for 42-52" navels, and they are expensive to get a spare/replacement so be wary if you're a larger person.- Basketball Bears, 3/8/2019 Shop Now
Velocity Systems SCARAB LT Body Armor Plate Carrier
The SCARAB LT features Velocity Systems patented swivel shoulder straps that were designed to alleviate common fit issues with traditional fixed angle shoulder straps (US Patent No. 9,894,962). The narrow ULTRAcomp shoulder straps articulate on a D-ring allowing them to sit correctly and comfortably on any user, regardless of neck thickness or shoulder broadness. The ULTRAcomp Shoulder Straps are adjustable for length and have a padded sleeve, that can also be used for cable routing. There is a color matching hook-and-loop Panel on the upper chest, a front expanded kangaroo pouch, and Integrated SwiftClip buckles for rapid on/doff of auxiliary chest worn equipment such as Chest Rigs and SwiftClip Placards. Color matching hook-and-loop on upper rear for Identification. The SCARAB LT also accepts Zip-On Back Panels. The SCARAB LT is sized to hold plates of corresponding sizes to the carrier, for example a size large carrier holds size large ESAPI Plates.
The SCARAB LT/LE Cummerbund has a hook-and-loop One-Wrap fingers that slide inside the button holes on the rear of the SCARAB LT carrier and affix to the interior wall of the plate pocket. 1” of Multi-Layer Elastic is built into each cummerbund finger to give some stretch. Each finger can independently be let in or out of the plate bag to accommodate different body figures, and they can be angled for correct armor placement. All hook and loop material used is color matching hook-and-loop fasteners. SCARAB LT Cummerbund is a lightweight and breathable cummerbund with MOLLE webbing on the exterior and interior. The SCARAB LT Molle features three rows of MOLLE webbing on the outer side / Three internal elastic mag pouches / Soft armor pocket with hook-and-loop closure / Plate pocket holds 6”x6” side plates when Side Plate Retention Strap is used.
Features
- Patented swivel shoulder straps with D-ring attachments (US Patent No. 9,894,962)
- Narrow ULTRAcomp Shoulder Straps
- Sized to hold plate of corresponding carrier size
- Front expanded kangaroo pouch
- Integrated SwiftClip buckles for rapid on/off
- Color matching hook-and-loop Brand Loop Panel on the Upper Chest
- Accepts Zip-On Back Panels
- SCARAB LT/LE Cummerbund
- Large fits 10.25" x 13.75" plates
- Medium fits 9.5" x 12.5" plates
What Customers Are Saying
Best carrier hands down.
Wore this carrier through a 5 day course in Camden Tennessee. With plates and mags. Worked great, distributed weight perfectly, best carrier I have ever worn. Worth every penny. My Haley strategic mag carrier clipped right to it.- Jbud, 2/10/2020 Shop Now
5.11 TacTec Body Armor Plate Carrier
5.11's line of TacTec Plate Carriers offer protection where you need it most, creating a bulwark of superior penetration resistance without the weight or bulkiness of a traditional flak jacket. Designed to ensure high performance protection while remaining lightweight and mobile, the TacTec Plate Carrier features a skeletonized waistband and yoke shoulder pads for a secure and comfortable fit, an integrated web platform, a one-handed quick-release/escape system, and adjustable elastic tensional bands for stability during periods of high activity. Tactical Plate Carriers also feature our patent-pending low profile GrabDrag handle for fast recovery of downed personnel.
Notes: Plates not included. Fits 24mm wide medium (12.5"H x 9.5"L x 2"W) and large (13.25" x 10.25" x 2.25") SAPI plates
Features
- Enhanced comfort and freedom of movement
- Accommodates medium or large ballistic plates
- Back yoke shoulder pads distribute weight evenly
- Adjustable waist and tensional bands
- Extendable GrabDrag handle for emergency exfiltration
- One-handed quick-release
- Abrasion resistant 500D nylon
- Water-resistant coating
- Oversized airflow panels
- Durable Duraflex hardware
- Web ID loop
What Customers Are Saying
Good
Just so you all understand my point of view on this product Iam a soldier in an infantry platoon of the national guard. This product has seen a year of training exercises, which it has held up to very well. Good - light weight and breathable, I wore this for days on end with out even taking it off during the day. I wasn't drenched with sweat like I would be wearing an IOTV or IBA - comfortable, doesn't ride up on your neck when you are setting in a vehical like I find IOTV and IBA do to me. - so far, durable. I have been crawling over gravel and through woods take ing it on and off and I haven't seen and breaches of integrity on the material. Bad -limited real estate for MOLLE gear(mag pouches radio pouches etc). This I would assume wouldn't be an issue in a LE philosophy of use as you aren't trying to carry 270 plus round of 5.56. Med kit, grenades, at least one canteen, knife, maps, and compas extra batteries and other equipment to sustain you for 24-72 hours. Same to a sporting enthusiast. T...- Zack, 11/22/2015
About 5.11
5.11’s start came with the creation of the original 5.11 Tactical Pants. Designed for rock climbers, these pants soon gained popularity among law enforcement and military personnel for their durability and functionality. Recognizing the demand for reliable tactical gear, they expanded their product range and quickly became a go-to brand for those who need gear that performs under pressure. The Tactical Pants, Defender-Flex line, and Rush Packs are all prime examples of this performance. Driven by their unwavering commitment to excellence, they continuously innovate and improve their products. Each item is meticulously designed, rigorously tested, and incorporates feedback from professionals in the field. From their durable clothing to rugged footwear, backpacks, and accessories, every 5.11 product is built to withstand the harshest environments and help individuals accomplish their missions with confidence.
Shop NowBulletSafe Tactical Plate Carrier
The BulletSafe Tactical Plate Carrier is a vest specifically designed for compatible carry of BulletSafe Level IV ballistic plates and includes a drag handle for easy carry or an emergency response. Weighing just 2.3 lbs., this plate carrier complements wearer comfort and mobility with a padded interior, non-slip shoulder pads, adjustable waist straps from 30 to 54 inches and a one-size-fits-most design. Front and back, 10 x 12-inch carrier pockets with top hook-and-loop closures hold plates over the wearer’s vitals for reliable Level IV protection, making the BulletSafe Tactical Plate Carrier perfect for any law enforcement or security professional, as well as protection-minded civilian.
Features
- Designed specifically for BulletSafe vests
- Quick and easy removal and insertion of plates
- Drag handle
- Quick and easy adjustable padded waist straps