Hello everyone, I was a local gun show not to long ago and I got the chance to try on some PointBlank IOTV body armor and the older IBA. The IOTV was more comfortable and felt like it offered more protection. Now I know that alot of you dislike how difficult these vests are to put on but I liked it, especially for the price. The only problem I had was that the vest does not seem to have a clearly defined plate carrier. So my question is where do the sapi plate go?

Everything I have read about SAPI plates says to use them in front of (on the outside of) the soft armor inserts. The older IBA has a clear pocket in which to place the plates, all the iotv's that I have seen, granted only 2 of them in person, have had nothing of the sort. As a matter of fact, the only place the vest could seemingly hold anything is in the internal mesh lining which is behind the soft armor. I have tried doing some online research and I have not been able to fine a clear answer or clear instruction. Based on observation of military use and unfortunately airsoft users (cant make a search these days with out getting a few of those responses on youtube) it seems like the plate is held in that mesh area.  I guess I just dont think the military would trust a thin layer on nylon-condura mesh and a few pieces of velcro  to hold an 8 lb sapi plate during combat without some other means of support.  

So again how is the Sapi Front and Back Plate held in place on the newer (2008) IOTV vests? Do they have a removable carrier that was not present in the vests  I tried on?  

thanks in advance

open velcro on mesh, lift up soft armor inserts...behold the plate pockets, front and back.

You were correct, they go outside the soft panels, just sneaky sneaky.

There will be a pocket with a velcro flap inside both front and back panel. Obviously the pocket is between the soft armor and nylon carrier. If it doesn't have a pocket it...well not sure what to tell you.

thanks    ill keep an eye out for them next time     THANKS AGAIN?