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Posted: 8/24/2026 12:42:24 PM EDT
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Trying to put together a list of PCs for my unit to purchase to replace our aging soft armor. The big issue is, they only want to spend this money once. With how often personnel cycle through our team, that makes sizing tricky. A guy who wears XL SAPIs could be replaced by a girl that wears an XS, and they don't want to have to buy a whole new PC. Plates we can get from CIF at any time in any size, but new PCs require a purchase request asspain. So long story longer, we are looking for options like the Dynamic Principles SLPC that can fit any plate with a clamshell design. Are there other options like this out there? |
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I wish brother. I've tried everything but this is the closest compromise we can come to. Army gonna Army. Hell I can't even get an allowance for my required uniforms. Our current system is no good either. Every few years we get a refresh. Our soft armor is sized based on who is on the team at the time. By the time we get it, half of those soldiers have moved on, and we are stuck with a mishmash of random sizes and you better hope you get first pick. |
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SKD says their Pig Plate Carrier is One Size Fits Most – The adjustable plate harness and the internal Velcro stabilizers allow the wearer to use any size SAPI/ESAPI plate from Small through Extra Large (or similar corner cut plates) without having the plates bottom out or swim around in the carrier. The PIG is the only plate carrier that can secure this wide range of plate sizes while maintaining such a low footprint on the wearer. EOD fish has a review.  SKD Tactical: PIG Plate Carrier |
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Generally speaking, a medium SAPI will cover the vitals of damn near everyone except the biggest mofos out there. Unless your unit attracts a lot of NFL defensive linemen and 5' spinner chicks, medium plates should be sufficient. The carriers that accommodate multiple plate sizes, not just variance between manufactures, tend to suck donkey dick. The Pig carrier is one of the better attempts to make one, HRT's carriers are kinda ass, but I really think it's the wrong way to go. A medium PC that has a wide range of adjustment on the straps and cummerbund would be a better fit. Spiritus LV120 is stupid expensive, but the cummerbund, which can be had separately, is about as good as it gets for that application. It fits most carriers that use the 2 or 3 band skeletal cummerbunds that have shock cord tying them together in the back. Nothing wrong with elastic cummerbunds on velcro backed carriers if you don't need side plates, very wide range of adjustment for those. As for the LV120 itself, I'd only recommend it if shoulder QD is a priority, or if you're going to be getting wet regularly, xpac is very expensive and not as durable as straight cordura, but it doesn't hold water. Then again, if it ain't your money and the feature set appeals to you, go nuts. Stock shoulder covers kinda suck, though, pads and a loop adapter from wtfidea are worth the money. Crye SPC, T3 LC, Agilite K-zero SF, there's a laundry list of good carriers out there, just depends on your budget and application. ETA: Double checked, the K-0SF is, in fact, a OSFM carrier, it'll fit small to large plates. They've got a good reputation, definitely a better general purpose setup than the Velcro origami plate bags, I can see those failing spectacularly in the right environments. |
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Originally Posted By rb889: Generally speaking, a medium SAPI will cover the vitals of damn near everyone except the biggest mofos out there. They're also so used to wearing soft armor that I think they're in for a gutcheck once they have to hang their giant ceramics off their shoulders for 12hrs. I'm actually personally trying to steer us toward the TT E-MBAV so we can still have a lightweight soft armor option when the threat allows it (which is basically always, we aren't as high speed as we like to pretend...). |
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Originally Posted By kiloEcho: Honestly this is the point I've been trying to make, but we have some meatheads that are convinced their anatomy is absolutely the biggest and best organs and therefore they require XL sheetpan plates to cover their monster lungs and superior heart. They're also so used to wearing soft armor that I think they're in for a gutcheck once they have to hang their giant ceramics off their shoulders for 12hrs. I'm actually personally trying to steer us toward the TT E-MBAV so we can still have a lightweight soft armor option when the threat allows it (which is basically always, we aren't as high speed as we like to pretend...). Originally Posted By kiloEcho: Originally Posted By rb889: Generally speaking, a medium SAPI will cover the vitals of damn near everyone except the biggest mofos out there. They're also so used to wearing soft armor that I think they're in for a gutcheck once they have to hang their giant ceramics off their shoulders for 12hrs. I'm actually personally trying to steer us toward the TT E-MBAV so we can still have a lightweight soft armor option when the threat allows it (which is basically always, we aren't as high speed as we like to pretend...). Hah, going to be in for a surprise after slapping on some L sapi plates. Learned that lesson myself when I first messed with them, using steel plates.  I find that visual aids, cardboard mockups, and hard measurements explain coverage of internals better than just explaining that human internal organs don't have much variance between individuals until you get the ubermensch that are 3' across the shoulders.It'll hit home pretty hard if they have to do some PT and range work in them, I still find M plates more obnoxious than I'd like when using a rifle. I'd have to say the K-0 SF is the best option, they come with decent pads, shoulder QD, and aren't the most expensive choice, plus you have plenty of options if guys want to switch out the cummerbund. After they roll around in size L plates for awhile, they'll figure it out eventually that the extra 1" on height/width ain't worth the poundage, and can switch out to M plates. Defense Mechanisms makes a good armor carrier if you want to have the flexibility of soft armor vest with or without plates. More LE oriented, but very high quality, and able to accommodate modern placards and whatnot. Definitely nice in how the belly band can be swapped out without replacing the entire carrier. Not a one size fits all, seeing as the soft armor panels have to be sized to the wearer, but I do believe they can handle a decent range of plates. |
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