Plate carriers or tactical vests are bulletproof, and so it is used as body armor. For a prepper, having a good quality plate carrier is like an insurance against the unknown and will help protect them and keep them safe if matters get out of hand or chaos breaks out. Anyone serious about their family’s safety and security should invest in a good quality plate carrier.
Some of the best plate carriers for preppers include DLP Corded Marinus Tactical Vest, GFIRE Breathable Modular Tactical Vest, YAKEDA Tactical CS Vest, Action Union Tactical Vest, and the OneTigris Multicam Airsoft Vest. These plate carriers are key in situations of conflict and violence.
This article will dive deep into each of these plate carriers and understand what makes them so valuable, especially for preppers. These are some of the best plate carriers available for civilians and can be purchased online. Keep on reading to learn more about each of these plate carriers and what makes them so sturdy and robust and handy in times of crisis.
What Are the Key Features of a Plate Carrier?
The dominant feature of plate carriers is that they are bullet-resistant. It is worn like a vest to protect the vital organs on the body’s upper part in combat situations. Plate carriers are also equipped to carry various other gear and small supplies in their pockets.
Because of its popularity with the military, plate carriers are widely adopted by civilians and part of their self-defense gear. With the plate carriers, preppers can rest assured that a new layer of safety has been added for their security, which will help them come out of any life-threatening scenarios.
A plate carrier has three functional parts:
- Body armor plates;
- Cummerbund; and
- Tactical vest
Body Armor Plate
The body armor plates are what form the key component of a plate carrier. The vest has large wide pockets designed into it. This is where the armor plates slip in to protect your vital organs by being bullet-resistant. Ideally, the body armor plates are made of highly resistant materials that are non-reactive to water or chemicals. When choosing the body armor plates, it is vital to be mindful of this one requirement.
A good plate will serve for years without rusting or tearing into the tactical vest. They will slide in and out of the wide pockets made in the tactical vests easily. If the plates are too big or they cannot be inserted without damaging the lining of the plate carrier, then it will ultimately serve no purpose and may even fall off from the vest during the most crucial time.
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Cummerbund
A cummerbund is like a belt that pulls the vest tightly together at the base of the torso. The cummerbund is usually much wider than a regular belt. It is made up of elastic material that helps bring the vest to fit perfectly at the stomach even when there is sudden or aggressive movement, such as running during a combat scene or scrambling your way through a tight corner.
Some of these cummerbunds also come with additional storage space weaved into them. This is particularly helpful if you would like to store extra supplies in the cummerbund.
Tactical Vest
This is to wear like any other vest. The only difference you will see is how it is designed and the materials used in making this vest.
A tactical vest has a front and a back panel and wide-mouthed pockets to store the bulletproof plates. The nameplate carrier is derived from this vest trait because it helps carry the plates in it.
Why Should a Prepper Invest in a Plate Carrier?
Any prepper will value investing in a plate carrier because it offers safety and security. They are not only helpful against bullets but also shrapnel or any other such small and fast-moving object.
The military has seen these advantages of having a plate carrier during combat situations, and they heavily invest in this gear. Of late, the civilians, too, see the value of having combat gear ready to ensure safety in unforeseen circumstances and have also begun to purchase these plate carriers.
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Combat Scenarios
Suppose you are anticipating violence or are sure to go into a situation where combat is inevitable. In that case, it is only wise to invest in a good plate carrier to keep you safe as the situation unfolds. Because the plate carrier has pockets for storage, it also comes in handy to carry additional gear. This is better than carrying all the gear in a backpack.
Search Operations
With a plate carrier, you have a choice – you can choose to carry the plates or not. For a regular citizen, search operations may not be a daily thing. Still, in case a disaster strikes and you need to find a family member in a crowd that is quickly turning hostile, it becomes quite challenging to ensure your safety in such situations.
A plate carrier is essential in such scenarios when search operations are underway, especially in hostile situations. It protects you from any possible firing that may occur while you look for your family.
Related: 10 Tips to Help You Escape a Riot
Worst Case Scenario
Above all else, a plate carrier bestows a sense of calm and security for someone worried about the uncertainties of the future or is generally anxious about trespassers barging in the front door.
Having a plate carrier handy will cover you with that layer of security to ease your mind a little.
Even though these situations are quite rare, doomsday scenarios can be triggered off by the smallest of causes – a brawl in the neighborhood pub, or a financial collapse. One can never know what the trigger might be, but things may become chaotic and risky once the thing has left the gauntlet.
In this video, you can learn how to fit a plate carrier properly into the tactical vest:
Key Traits That a Plate Carrier Must Have
There are certain key attributes that set the best plate carriers apart from the ordinary ones. Particulars like size, weight, materials, and stitching play a vital role in this. The better the quality of the material, the more efficient the plate carrier will be. In size and weight, too, the best designs will help make the plate carrier lightweight and compact while not sacrificing the plate carrier’s effectiveness.
Plate Carrier Size
The plate carriers are generally mass-produced, and so mostly, it is a one size fits all approach. The difference comes in when the adjustable straps are tested. These straps should allow a person of any physical stature to customize the plate carrier’s fit.
Plate Carrier Weight
Since it will be carried on your person at all times to provide you with security, it goes without saying that the lighter the plate carrier is, the better. Having a heavy plate carrier for a prolonged time will make it cumbersome and slow you down considerably if you move.
Materials
The materials, too, play a key role in ensuring the durability of the plate carrier. Nylon is a great fabric for a plate carrier. It is also more affordable and has great abrasive resistance, making it the perfect material if you find yourself in a combat situation. A plate carrier made of nylon also has a higher melting point making it more durable in extraordinary conditions.
Other Factors
A few other things that set the best plate carriers apart are the plate carrier’s design, stitching employed, type of thread used for the stitching, buckles, mesh, etc. All these factors may seem small, but like any other thing, it is the little things that add up in the end. Pay attention to the materials, design, and stitching techniques when choosing your plate carriers.
DLP Corded Marinus Tactical Vest With Three Pockets
The DLP Corded Marinus Tactical Vest is a form-fitting vest that can be used for combat situations. It allows for low and high mobility and stays secure as a vest during any sudden movements.
It is made of high-quality nylon and covers the entire torso area by giving 360-degree coverage. The front and back panels are fitted with Molle straps and have Velcro on the side to tighten or loosen the grip.
Due to its great design, it is quick to put on as well as take-off. It is also adjustable to fit you snuggly no matter your body size. Along with the Velcro for the side fittings, there are also quick-release buckles on this plate carrier. This is an added lock, if you like, to prevent any accidental removal of the vest.
There is also a cable release system installed for emergencies. This will help you take off the vest fairly quickly and without weighing you down or slowing you in the process. This comes in handy in unfortunate situations such as if you fall in water or your movements get restricted because the vest has latched onto something.
The vest comes in a camouflage pattern and has three pockets inside of it. You can hold magazines and first aid supplies as well as bulletproof plates in these pockets.
GFIRE Breathable Modular Tactical Vest
This tactical vest or plate carrier has an emergency pull handle feature built into it, which separates it from most other plate carriers. The shoulders are padded for greater comfort and avoid chafing if you wear it for a long time.
Like any other good plate carrier, the GFIRE Breathable Modular Tactical Vest comes with adjustable shoulder straps. It works using a hook and loop system that allows you to customize the vest’s length and fit according to your preference and comfort.
Endowed with a heavy strap, it allows its wearer to carry relatively heavier suppliers. The accessories on this plate carrier are also modular, allowing you to customize it as much as you would like.
There is a front pocket on this vest. It also comes with release buckles to ensure that the vest does not come off by accident. The inner parts of the vest are padded and have a mesh lining. The waist is adjustable with pockets for storage.
They offer a two-year quality warranty. This tactical vest comes in three distinct colors – black, green, and tan.
YAKEDA Tactical CS Vest for Outdoor Training
This tactical vest comes in an adjustable size and ranges from small to XXL. It is packed with pockets and possibilities. The shoulders on the vest can be adjusted with the help of Velcro straps. These areas also have 2D rings for attaching other equipment.
The left side of this plate carrier has a holster for carrying almost any medium frame pistols and a magazine holder. The height of this magazine holder is adjustable. The vest’s right side has three pouches for carrying ammunition, a large bag, and a firing pad. The plate carrier is loaded with storage compartments.
The Mounted nylon material of this vest is sturdy and heat resilient. Due to the mesh material that is used in this tactical vest, it is more breathable as the mesh acts like air vents. The vest can be completely closed in the front. It can be further secured with the help of a pistol belt that is included with the vest. Thread the pistol belt through the loops at the bottom of the vest to tightly secure it to your body.
This vest comes with two further zippered pockets on both the left and right sides. It is available in four different colors – ACU, black, green, and mud.
At the back of the vest, there is a provision for carrying a hydration bag. This vest is designed for the regular public, and anyone from military enthusiasts to white-collar workers can find various uses for this.
Action Union Tactical Airsoft Vest
The Action Union Tactical Vest is excellent for outdoor activities as well as for combat training. The vest protects the chest with the help of heavy-duty plates. Designed for adults, civilians and the special forces alike can use this tactical vest.
The Action Union vest is durable and comfortable. It has a neoprene material that makes it soft to touch, and the EVA skid plate offers you unparalleled protection. The vest is also waterproof, and it further protects against the cold by preserving heat.
It comes with an adjustable waist that you can fit size, and the same goes for the adjustable shoulders. There is a zipper on the vest of a military-grade that is highly adaptable. There is also a velcro included for added safety. The velcro will ensure that the vest is tight and secure to the body.
The vest is especially useful for combat scenarios, and so you can use it with other tactical equipment as you may deem fit. This vest is quite versatile, and you can use it for a number of purposes – right from tactical training to combat situations to even hunting, mountaineering, and paintball activities.
OneTigris Multicam Airsoft Vest & Triple Kangaroo Mag Pouch
This plate carrier is made of very high quality and durable nylon material, offering extraordinary resistance to dirt, water, and abrasion. The pouch on the front panel is detachable with the help of buckles. The front flap is Molle and removable.
It is made of mesh padding, making the vest more breathable by allowing good airflow no matter whether you are stationary or moving.
Each compartment in this plate carrier is further divided into rooms, making it easy to keep your medical supplies contained and not mix with other things you may also be carrying, such as ammunition. The magazine pockets allow you to hold up to 30 to 40 rounds within it.
Having such highly compartmentalized sections makes it easier to empty out faster, and just those things you would wish to empty.
The buckle reinforced straps would be easy to put on and take off, and the buckles will ensure that the vest does not come off accidentally. The adjustable cummerbund, too, comes with utility pockets providing you with more storage options.
This bag also has an add on – the chest rig can be easily attached and removed from the main vest with high quality and reliable UTX Duraflex buckles.
There are internal dividers within so that you can keep your magazine rolls separately. It is lightweight and so the add on will hardly feel like it has increased the burden. There are three pistol pouches at the front, and there is also space to fit flashlights and other similarly shaped tools and gear.
Conclusion
If you invest in protective gear to prepare yourself for unforeseen combat situations, having a good tactical vest is crucial. It also allows you to build the rest of your gears around this vest. Whether it is medical supplies or spare ammunition for safety’s sake, you can fit them all inside your plate carrier. Thus, the bottom line is, if you are investing in combat gear, having a plate carrier should be at the top of your priority list.
