Best Plate Carriers
Plate carriers sit at the core of any tactical loadout. They hold your armor, your magazines, your medical, and your comms.
The best plate carrier balances weight, modularity, and fit. Look for laser-cut laminate front and back, quality buckles, and cummerbund options for placards or side plates.
What to look for
- +MOLLE/PALS coverage front, back, and cummerbund
- +Cummerbund type (elastic vs. laminate; 3- or 4-band)
- +Empty weight under 3.5 lbs for low-vis work
- +Fit range for your torso length and plate size (SAPI M, M swimmer, etc.)
- +Drag handle and emergency doff cord
Brand
Min Gear Score
Price
5 of 5
92
Plate Carriers
Crye PrecisionT1 Premium
JPC 2.0
$2402.0 lbs
View Review →
90
Plate Carriers
Spiritus SystemsT1 Premium
LV-119 Overt
$20028.0 oz
View Review →
86
Plate Carriers
Ferro ConceptsT1 Premium
Slickster
$16020.0 oz
View Review →
78
Plate Carriers
Shellback TacticalT3 Value
Patriot
$902.0 lbs
View Review →
62
Plate Carriers
Condor OutdoorT4 Budget
Sentry
$502.6 lbs
View Review →