Best Plate Carrier Features and Accessories

Updated August 2024

Ballistic protection comes in two forms: bulletproof vests and plate carriers. Bulletproof vests offer built-in protection, while plate carriers accept separate ballistic plates for increased defense.

Plate carriers excel in offering modularity. Functional straps, pouches, and other accessories can be integrated onto plate carriers, allowing wearers to carry essential equipment without sacrificing mobility and comfort. This customization is key for survival and safety in various situations.

With the many types of features and attachments available for plate carriers, finding which accessories to get can be confusing. But like most other things, your choices depend on your needs.

Professionals prioritize specific factors when choosing plate carrier accessories. In 2018, for example, the U.S. Marine Corps' upgraded their plate carriers. By removing material from the shoulders and bottom, they reduced weight and water absorption for faster disassembly – crucial for battlefield efficiency.

Therefore, your plate carrier setup should go beyond personal preference and consider your specific needs for your line of duty. Choosing the right accessories can significantly impact comfort, mobility, and safety in critical situations. 

Plate Carrier Features

You can extend the plate carrier’s functionalities as required by your mission. Here are some of the most important plate carrier features today:

Quick Release System

While a plate carrier offers vital ballistic protection, it can also pose a risk in rare cases. Imagine needing to evacuate a burning building or scaling a wall during a rescue operation. Your carrier can get snagged on something and delay your escape or limit your mobility. This is precisely why most plate carriers come equipped with quick release features.

Quick release systems typically come in two forms:

• Pull Tabs: These tabs require a firm pull to disengage the panels, separating the carrier from the wearer.
• Buckle or Clip Releases: These function similarly to standard buckles or clips but are designed for faster, single-handed operation.

The AR Invictus Quick Release System is a lightweight (1.6 oz) attachment for the Invictus plate carrier that allows for rapid removal of the carrier in emergencies with durable construction for reliability.

Drag Handles

Often discreet, drag handles are a vital addition for many soldiers in combat situations. These low-profile straps typically attach to the back, chest, or waist of a plate carrier, depending on the design.

A drag handle provides a sturdy grip point for another person to safely maneuver an injured wearer. This allows for swift and efficient casualty evacuation during combat and other critical scenarios. 

MOLLE and Hook & Loop Fasteners

The Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system uses a grid of webbing with horizontal straps and vertical pouches. Pouches or other gear with compatible PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing can be woven through the grid, allowing for a customized and modular loadout.

Hook & loop fasteners, commonly known as Velcro, offer a simple and secure way to attach gear. The system consists of two interlocking strips: one with tiny hooks and the other with soft loops. This allows for quick attachment, detachment, and easy adjustment of pouches and other accessories, ideal for situations that require rapid access.

Shoulder Pads

Plate carriers are essential for protection, but their weight can cause shoulder strain and discomfort during extended wear. This is where well-designed shoulder pads come in.

Benefits of Shoulder Pads:

• Weight Distribution: Effective shoulder pads distribute the weight of the carrier and its contents across a larger area to reduce pressure points and fatigue on the shoulders.
• Enhanced Comfort: Padding creates a softer, more comfortable interface between the plate carrier and the wearer's shoulders, minimizing chafing and irritation.
• Breathability: Breathable materials in the pads allow for better airflow and help preventing sweat buildup and discomfort.

Military-grade carrier shoulder pads are not the same as those found in regular clothing. They typically feature foam or gel padding that provides cushioning and absorbs impact. Carrier shoulder pads also feature a wraparound design that can be customized for a secure fit with fasteners or buckles. 

Shellback Tactical's Banshee Ultimate Shoulder Pads feature velcro snaps that allow easy attachment and removal.  These highly padded shoulder pads utilize multiple layers of fabrics and mesh for breathability. 

Plate Carrier Accessories

Plate carriers don't just provide core protection, they also optimize performance through various tactical pouches and attachments.

Prioritizing easy access to critical gear is key and should dictate which carrier attachments to use. You can store the items you use less frequently in your tactical backpack.  

Magazine Pouches

Mag pouches extra firearm magazines for efficient reloading. Choose pouches sized for your specific magazines, and consider adjustable flaps with Velcro or hook & loop closures for a secure fit.

The Condor Gen 2 Triple Kangaroo Mag Pouch is a set of pouches designed with top bungee-retention and adjustable flap closures. This MOLLE-compatible pouch can hold AR/M4 mag and Gen3 PMAG. 

Gear Pouches

If you need different sorts of gear to go with your plate carrier, a gear pouch is a must. 

Gear pouches come in different shapes and sizes. They attach to plate carriers via MOLLE webbing and feature compartments that allow you to organize your gear and make your tactical essentials easily accessible. 

The Chase Tactical Joey Utility Pouch features two front zipper pockets and a rear one, ideal for compartmentalizing various gear. Made with IR-treated material that minimizes infrared reflection, this pouch is less visible under night vision goggles.

Dump Pouches

A dump pouch isn’t like a gear pouch, as the former usually resembles a purse string with fabric that's a bit more loose. Dump pouches can also have flaps or zippers instead of strings. Here, you can dump spent ammo mags, used gear and other miscellaneous items.  

The LBX Tactical Dump Pouch is a collapsible pouch that attaches to plate carriers or belts for easy storage of spent magazines, tools, and other gear, featuring a drawstring closure and drain grommet for convenience.

Pistol Holsters

A pistol holster securely holds a firearm close to the body, allowing for quick and safe drawing during critical situations. Different holsters offer varying levels of retention and attachment options to suit user preference and carrying styles.

The Condor HT Holster is a horizontally mounted adjustable holster made of 1000D polyester. It can hold various pistols with a hook and loop strap and a bungee cord, and attaches to MOLLE vests with compatible straps.

Cummerbunds

Cummerbunds are adjustable waistbands for plate carriers, offering additional gear storage (pouches) and improved comfort through weight distribution and ventilation.

Many cummerbund systems allow for side plate pouches. The AR500 Veritas Cummerbund Kit has a skeletonized design that allows flexibility in terms of attachment of pouches and objects, as well as sizing concerns. 

Side Plate Pockets

Side plate pockets are additional pouches specifically designed to attach to plate carriers and hold side plates.

The Shellback Tactical Side Armor Plate Pockets allow for the addition of side armor protection to the plate carrier. Sold in a set of two, these MOLLE-compatible plate pockets can hold 6x6 and 6x8 side plates.

Side plates are smaller ballistic plates that offer extra protection for the vital organs on the sides of the torso, like the kidneys and lungs. These areas wouldn't be covered by the main front and back plates of a plate carrier.

 

Flashlights, Sights, Oculars

For optimal performance in the field, soldiers rely on various visual aids that can be mounted directly onto plate carriers or their extensions. These attachments enhance situational awareness and provide tactical advantages.

• Flashlights: Mounted flashlights offer hands-free illumination in low-light conditions, crucial for navigation, target identification, and close-quarters combat.
• Weapon Sights: These sights improve aiming accuracy, allowing for faster target acquisition and engagement. Popular options include iron sights, red dot sights, and holographic sights. 
  
  The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is a powerful (1,000 lumens) weapon-mounted flashlight for pistols with a Picatinny rail or the Riggs Shield system. It features ambidextrous controls, a strobe function, and a long runtime (1.5 hours) for reliable illumination in tactical situations. 
  
• Oculars: Night vision goggles and thermal sights enhance vision in darkness or low-light environments, providing a tactical edge over adversaries.
  
  The AGM Wolf-7 PRO is a versatile choice for nighttime operations. It offers clear night vision with high-grade optics, comfortable hands-free use, and a built-in IR illuminator for close-range visibility. 
  

  

These visual aids can be secured to plate carriers using various methods:

• Picatinny Rails: Standardized rails allow for a secure and versatile attachment of sights, flashlights, and other compatible accessories.
• Hooks and Loops: Velcro straps offer a quick and easy attachment option for some lightweight flashlights and pouches.
• Dedicated Pockets and Pouches: Some plate carriers come with integrated pockets specifically designed for carrying specific visual equipment.

Building Your Ideal Plate Carrier Loadout

An effective plate carrier setup is more than just ballistic protection. It's about customizing your gear for optimal performance in specific situations. Here are some considerations in setting up your plate carrier: 

Consider Your Environment

• What kind of terrain will you be operating in? (Mountains, urban areas, open fields)
• What threats are you likely to encounter? (Ballistic threats, environmental hazards)

Prioritize Essential Gear

• Basics: Magazines, medical supplies, hydration pouch
• Specialized Gear: Flashlight, communication tools (depending on your role)

Choose the Right Plate Carrier

• Features: Consider features like side plate pockets, quick release mechanisms, and comfort padding.
• Attachment Options: Match your plate carrier's attachment system (MOLLE, Velcro) to your chosen pouches.

Accessibility Matters

• Most-used items: Place frequently accessed items (magazines, medical) within easy reach.
• Less-used items: Store less critical items (maps, tools) in a backpack or secondary pouches.

By tailoring your plate carrier loadout to your specific needs, you'll be better prepared to handle any situation that arises.