8 Best Plate Carriers: Tested & Reviewed

Remember the old days when the only people who wore body armor were in the military or a particularly spicy law enforcement unit? Glad those days are gone.

Body armor is for everyone, and we know that finding the right plate carrier can be as challenging as figuring out which plates to buy. That's why we rounded up some of the best plate carriers we've ever used.

By the end of this crash course, you'll know why we chose each one and which is best for you. So what are we waiting for? Let's protect those vitals!

Plate Carrier Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Plate Carriers

There are a few things we look at when shopping for a good plate carrier. Weight, durability, reliability, and lastly, any special features such as attachment options. In this article, we'll analyze the different plate carrier materials. We'll compare the weight of the carriers and whether they are customizable.

It's also important to determine the level of protection you need from armored plates when looking at plate carriers because that determines whether you need heavier but more durable materials. Lastly, we always consider the reliability of the brand and where it's made. Sometimes, made in 'Merica just might give you a bit more confidence boost.

We've worn and tested all of these extensively, so keep an eye out for links to the full review or a video!

Best Plate Carriers

1. Crye Precision JPC 2.0 - Best Overall

Best Overall

Crye Precision JPC 2.0

$280

at RMA Armament

Prices accurate at time of writing

$280 at RMA Armament

Evike (see price)

Specs

• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Plate Compatibility: S (11.75" x 8.75"), M (12.5" x 9.5"), L (13.25" x 10.5"), XL (14" x 11.25")
• Colors: Black, coyote, ranger green, Multicam, Multicam black, Multicam arid, Multicam tropic

Crye Precision, the favorite brand of all tactical hipsters, creates some of the best stuff on the market. The company's JPC 2.0 is arguably the best plate carriers out there.

They charge a premium, but it's well worth the money. There's a reason the JPC 2.0 is often the choice of America's most elite troops.

There are lots of impressive things to say about the Jumpable Plate Carrier but, to me, the most impressive thing is that it weighs just a little over a pound (without plates, of course).

In the armor world, that means it's a minimalist plate carrier that prioritizes mobility over bulk. As a guy who wore a plate carrier professionally, I appreciate the lightweight design.

You can easily customize the JPC 2.0 and outfit it with accessories like mag pouches, side plates, zip-on panels, various flaps, and more. A personal favorite is the side-pull mag pouch setup.

Have you tried the JPC 2.0? If so, let us know what you think by rating it below.

2. Ferro Concepts Slickster - Best Minimalist

Best Minimalist

Ferro Concepts Slickster

$159

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$159 at Primary Arms

Specs

• Sizes: M, L
• Plate Compatibility: M (10" x 12.5"), L (10.5" x 13.5")
• Colors: Black, gray, coyote, ranger green, Multicam, Multicam black

Remember how impressed I was by the JPC's weight? Well, I was blown away by the Ferro Concepts Slickster.

It weighs 0.8 pounds. That's it!

As the name implies, Slickster means the carrier comes with no accessories and very few places to put them. To put it another way, it’s not covered with MOLLE -- until you want it to be.

You can run it slick with a gear belt for a minimalist setup, or you can go whole hog with all the accessories for the ADAPT line of gear. With the AXL AVP and MOLLE ADAPT chest panel, you can run placards from Haley, Spiritus, and most other placard styles.

Add sweet stuff like cummerbunds with built-in mag pouches, MOLLE panels, and the like. You can run it heavy, but that's not where it shines.

It might be best to leave the Ferro Slickster in its element and use it for low-profile stuff. It's small, lightweight, and relatively thin. So, maybe toss on the cummerbund with pouches and call it a day.

If you need a covert carrier that can occasionally go overt, then you'll be quite happy with your selection.

This slick carrier provides the lowest profile option possible while still retaining hard armor capabilities.

Want to know more? Read our review on the Ferro Concepts Advanced Slickster and the Ferro Concepts Slickster & Spiritus Systems Micro Fight Chest Rig for more on this rad system.

You can also watch our video below with John's sweet, um, hydration-focused setup.

3. Velocity System Scarab LT - Best Heavy-Duty

Best Heavy-Duty

Velocity System Scarab LT

$338

at Velocity Systems

Prices accurate at time of writing

$338 at Velocity Systems

Specs

• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Plate Compatibility: N/A
• Colors: Black, coyote, ranger green, Multicam

If you want an overt plate carrier and don't care about minimalism, then the Velocity Systems Scarab LT is the one for you.

This plate carrier is a full-sized kit designed for extended missions. It’s not sleek or sexy, but it’s a big boy and does big-boy things.

The Scarab LT handles heavier load-outs better than all these minimalist designs, granting more room to fit a real combat load, IFAK, hydration bladder, comms gear, and beyond.

Despite the wight, this plate carrier is quite comfortable. The shoulders, in particular, provide a lot of freedom to move around. This might be the big guy in me talking, but I find shouldering a rifle in this kit very easy.

Like most modern plate carriers, you get an abundance of options for stripping the kit down and dressing it up as needed.

Remove or add panels and cummerbunds when necessary. Zipping on a back panel provides a good degree of convenience, as well.

When you need a full-on, infantry-approved fighting kit, the Velocity Systems Scarab LT checks all the boxes.

4. Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier - Best Beginner

Best Beginner

Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier

$276

at Velocity Systems

Prices accurate at time of writing

$276 at Velocity Systems

Specs

• Sizes: S/M, L/XL
• Plate Compatibility: N/A
• Colors: Black, coyote, ranger green, Multicam

If you're buying your first plate carrier, you may not want to pick and choose a bunch of components. It's a lot to think about and you don't want to mess it up.

The Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier is prefect for you because you can click buy it already set up. All you have to do is add plates!

It’s a simple but well-made platform.

Choose between three options of cummerbund: One gives you three pockets for mags with standard MOLLE, another is a low-profile elastic, and the final is a low-profile elastic with pouches.

The front kangaroo pouch provides three pouches for mags, while the generous MOLLE ladders make it easy to add other goodies down the road.

Though the APC might be considered jumpable, it's definitely a little bigger than a minimalist plate carrier.

But here's the important thing: it provides plenty of protection. On top of your front and rear plate bags, you can add optional side plates.

You can feel a little more comfortable loading down the Mayflower APC with gear because it's built to handle some extra weight. The velcro material doesn't feel like it will easily separate from the kangaroo pouch when loaded down.

The Mayflower APC is an excellent plug-and-play option that’s extremely well-made, durable, comfortable, and beginner-friendly.

5. Spiritus Systems LV-119 - Most Versatile

Most Versatile

Spiritus Systems LV-119

$124

at Spiritus Systems

Prices accurate at time of writing

$124 at Spiritus Systems

Specs

• Sizes: M, L, XL
• Plate Compatibility: M (9.5" x 12.5"), L (10" x 13.25"), XL (11" x 14")
• Colors: Black, gray, coyote, ranger green, Multicam, Multicam arid, Multicam black, Multicam tropic, woodland, desert tiger stripe, Vietnam tiger stripe

Want an advanced setup that's totally personalized? Spiritus Systems lets you configure the modular LV-119 exactly how you want it.

No “Buy It Now” option here.

On top of that, the LV-119 receives constant updates with new pieces and parts that keep the kit modern, evolving, and relevant.

Start by choosing the front plate bag, the rear plate bag, and a cummerbund. Options include overt, covert, and assault configurations. Then, mix and match flaps, cores, mag pouches, and cummerbunds however you choose.

Maybe you need to be sneaky, maybe you need to go fight in Fallujah. you can do either -- or both. It’s like the AR-15 of plate carriers!

The LV-119 brings an extremely modern design that makes it easy to route wires for comms, antennas, and other fun stuff.

You can also use aftermarket placards like the Haley D3CRM Micro, the Spiritus Micro Fight Chest Rig we reviewed, and more.

Like most modern plate carriers, it's jumpable (read: fairly minimalist) in design, so you can move and groove without fighting your plate carrier along the way.

Do we have a review of this? of course we do! Check out our full look at the Spiritus Systems LV-119!

6. Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 2.0 - Best Full-Size

Best Full-Size

Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 2.0

$319

at OpticsPlanet

Prices accurate at time of writing

$319 at OpticsPlanet

Specs

• Sizes: N/A
• Plate Compatibility: 10" x 12"
• Colors: Black, coyote, ranger green, navy blue, Multicam

The Shellback Tactical Banshee Elite 2.0 offers a premium-grade plate carrier with plenty of real estate for adding gear. Somehow, it's also easy to move around in.

It's designed for use in and out of vehicles, and users can ditch the cummerbund for a strap system to a minimalist style carrier. Side plates are optional, as well.

If you do want to run it fully loaded, the redesigned shoulder pads provide support for all that extra weight. The Hypalon shoulder straps also make it easier to route hydration tubes or cables for comms.

Shellback Tactical eliminated the older hook-and-loop admin pouch in favor of a zippered pouch. This provides easier access to your admin gear and prevents the telltale noise of hook and loop going squicchhhh.

The cummerbund provides three M4 mag-size pockets on each side. That's right, you can carry a fighting load without attaching a single magazine pouch!

You'll have to train with them and stay on top of your daily stretching, though. Reaching the rearmost pouches can be tricky.

Luckily, you have plenty of MOLLE ladders. The MOLLE is quite tough and can support the weight of your fighting load.

In terms of comfort, 3D padded internal mesh provides plenty of padding and ventilation for long-term wear. After eight hours, you'll love that padded mesh.

Shellback Tactical took the feedback on their original Banshee, and the Banshee Elite 2.0 shows the value of experience. It's a fantastic option ready for nearly any mission set.

7. RTS Tactical Advanced Sleek 2.0 - Most Comfortable

Most Confortable

RTS Tactical Advanced Sleek 2.0 Plate Carrier

$169

at RTS Tactical

Prices accurate at time of writing

$169 at RTS Tactical

Specs

• Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
• Plate Compatibility: 10" x 12"
• Colors: Black, gray, coyote, ranger green

The Advanced Sleek 2.0 from RTS Tactical brings a minimalist design that PPT Content Producer Sean Curtis really digs.

During a recent testing session, he noted that the plate carrier was comfortable and easy to move around in.

Billed as a low-profile carrier, it could slip under certain garments depending on how tight you prefer your clothes.

It's also pretty quick and easy to put on and take off -- a nice feature if you don't like to wrestle with your gear.

Need extra storage? It has elastic pouches for extra magazines in the cummerbund and plenty of hook-and-loop to attach patches.

The Advanced Sleek 2.0 can be used with 10" x 12" armor, be it Level lllA soft, Level lll or lll+ steel, or Level lV ceramic plates.

See it in action with the video below!

8. Premier Body Armor - Best Low-Vis

Best Low-Vis

Premier Body Armor Discreet Plate Carrier

$150

at Premier Body Armor

Prices accurate at time of writing

$150 at Premier Body Armor

Specs

• Sizes: N/A
• Plate Compatibility: 10" x 12"
• Colors: Black

If discretion is the name of the game, then get yourself a Premier Body Armor Discreet Plate Carrier.

This plate carrier brings a lightweight, concealable option to those that might want to throw it under everyday clothes.

Premier Body Armor shaved down where possible while keeping features that you might want. For example, this minimalist plate carrier still has six pouches in the cummerbund.

These pouches can accommodate full-size magazines or other gear, like an IFAK, if needed.

There is a ton of hook-and-loop on the front of the carrier and shoulders so you can add as many accessories as you want without looking like you're on your way to patrol the streets of Baghdad.

How to Pick the Best Plate Carrier

These are all great options, but they're not interchangeable. Which one will work best for you?

Like most of the things we review, it all comes down to your intended use.

If you need a discreet layer of protection in the workplace, your body armor has to fly under the radar -- and probably a dress shirt.

Maybe you're focused on training at the range and boosting your home defense capabilities. In that case, you're probably going to be best served by a strong consumer-grade plate carrier that has all the features you need without costing an arm and a leg.

Do you carry a gun for a living or just demand the absolute best? Use what the pros use. Unspent money on your credit card won't help you if bullets start flying, after all.

Regardless of which one is the best plate carrier for you, make sure your plate carrier has someplace to mount any accessories you have your eye on. Pay attention to hook-and-loop, MOLLE, and zipper options.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike helmed this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of his Marine Corps career, he began writing and never stopped. He has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications, including Pew Pew Tactical.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Not that long ago, nobody owned armor on the private level. But since then, body armor and plate carriers have become massively popular.

If you want to get kitted out, our selections should help you narrow down your search. Just remember to train with whatever you buy!

What’s your armor setup? Let us know in the comments below. Want to see what happens when body armor actually takes a bullet? Check out our results after days of shooting Hard Plates & Soft Armor as well as Ceramic & UHMWPE.

Latest Updates

• April 2024: Added accessories.
• January 2025: Added supporting data on how we tested and chose the best minimalist plate carriers.