7 Best Plate Carriers For Your Money 2023 | Guide

A well-rounded plate carrier is a dramatic increase in the quality of life for many people. Ask any operator, and he’ll tell you the importance of a high-quality vest. It can genuinely be the difference between success and failure. Therefore, before doing any activity requiring you to use your plate carrier, ensure you have the best one.

In my service in the military, the plate carrier ensured I was ready for the mission countless times. In it, I placed everything I would ever need in a real scenario. For instance, I always had a multifunction knife tied into one of my magazine slots. 

In addition, I had a pair of scissors and a marker in a different slot. In case I’ll ever get injured in some way or another, I had a tourniquet and a bandage inside a separate pocket.

All of that gear made me a better operator. Not only that, but the way I organized them inside the slots made it easy to respond to any situation. Consequently, I performed better the more I invested in my tactical vest. 

Throughout my years in the military, I’ve seen many types of plate carriers. Additionally, I’ve seen the way different people sort them out. From that experience, I assure you I can recommend solely the best plate carriers available for purchase. Not only that, but I’ll also give you tips on how to sort it for maximum efficiency. 

Lastly, a vest of high quality isn’t exclusive for operators. Today, many people with different outdoor hobbies can benefit from having the gear sorted out in front of them. It doesn’t have to weigh a lot if you don’t want to.

Next, it will fit everyone who wants to have their gear on them and sorted out in front of them. Therefore, a plate carrier will suit any hobby activist, such as fishermen, hunters, paintball/airsoft players, hikers, campers, and plenty more.

Who am I? Why should you trust me?

When I read articles on different subjects, I want the author to talk from experience. If the writer doesn’t have any experience in the matter, I can effortlessly tell the author is merely trying to sell me products. And thus, I won’t read the article.

I believe that in matters such as the one I’m writing on right now, there’s plenty of experience to have. For instance, a guy could write about plate carriers all day. However, he never had one on himself. 

Ok, now that we have that matter clear, let’s continue with the question. Who am I to recommend to you which tactical vest to get?

I served for four years in the military as a special forces operator. I worked in a unit that had many tactical vests. As a result, I’ve used many plate carriers, and I wore them constantly. Throughout my training, which lasted for 16 months, I had my vest on myself day and night.

Consequently, I know plenty, and I have a lot of experience in that matter. I’m willing to share it if you mean to listen.  

OneTigris is currently my favorite company for tactical gear. They are selling fantastic products that hold high value in the market. Consequently, their products are of the best quality I’ve seen so far. They sell tactical gear of all kinds. So, if you’re looking for additional equipment, I encourage you to check them out. Lastly, happy customers flooded them with positive reviews. 

Let’s talk about this particular vest. It resembles my favorite plate carrier that I used throughout my service. I remember that I wanted comfortability as much as quality and efficiency. Therefore, I looked for a lightweight vest with a high potential for sorting out my stuff. 

It’s when I found a tactical vest that is remarkably similar to this one. I’ve used it close to the end of my service. I can safely tell you that it’s nothing short of amazing. If you’ve ever been into any military training with a low-quality vest, you’ll appreciate the comfortability this one can grant you. 

OneTigris made this vest from 500D Nylon. If you’re not familiar with this odd number, it’s a fabric that suits well for tactical gear. It’s waterproof and remarkably comfortable. Therefore, most of the vests from 500D Nylon will be fantastic. 

• The plate carrier is ideal for training, airsoft, milsim, cs game, other outdoor activities, etc. 
• Adjustable waistband from 36″ to 46″ & adjustable shoulder straps with anti-slip pads from 13″ to 26″. (Amazon Product Details)

To summarize, this OneTigris plate carrier is the best one available. From all my experience in the military area, I’ve used many vests. The one I preferred using the most highly resembles this one. Therefore, I highly encourage you to check it out. Lastly, there are many positive reviews for this product. Accordingly, I guarantee you’ll be filling out a positive one as well.

There have been multiple worthy candidates for this title. However, only a single one can come out on top. So, our winner is a tactical vest made by WarTechGears. 

Although that plate carrier is worth your money, it’s not a lot. For that reason, you shouldn’t expect to receive a product that will last forever. If you’re looking for such a quality, you should invest more money.

However, I am recommending that. Therefore, there are reasons for that. Once you order this plate carrier, you’ll possess a fully functional vest. For that reason, I do think it’s worth buying. In addition, a plate carrier can get expensive. Therefore, a cheaper option may suit more people. 

I’ve read many reviews of this vest. The main conclusion I’ve gathered is you should buy it. There are plenty of positive customers that have come back to appraise the comfortability of the vest. In addition, this plate carrier is lightweight. Thus it can fit everyone, men, or women.

I do believe that if you’re not willing to invest more money on a tactical vest, you should buy a WarTechGears vest. WarTechGears is a fantastic company, and you’ll receive a great product. Therefore, ordering this vest is going to be a wise choice. 

Yakeda is a fantastic tactical gear company. They produce and sell some of the highest quality products out there on the market. For that, they’re one of the leading companies in their field. Therefore, I encourage you to check them out. 

Yakeda made this tactical vest from 1000D. If you don’t remember, in my #1 pick, I wrote on the different fabrics there are. Well, 1000D is a fabric of high quality. Usually, companies make tactical gear out of it. It’s lightweight, stretchable, flexible, and wear-resistant. Therefore, the plate carrier is going to be remarkable. 

Unlike the previous tactical vest, its price is more on the average side. Therefore, it can fit everyone in any price range. In addition, it has adjustable, padded, and reinforced shoulder pads. That makes the tactical vest exceptionally comfortable on your shoulders. 

As someone who carried a tactical vest for a few days through my military training, I can tell you that it has to be comfortable. If you’re going to have your plate carrier for a few hours without taking it off, it will begin annoying you after a while. Therefore, it has to be adjusted well on your upper body. Well, with this tactical vest, you won’t have any problem adjusting it, even if you’re a big guy. 

【Quick to Release】 Padded and reinforced shoulder straps adjustable with 6-8 inch, length: 14 inch, wide: 12 inch, Waist flexible with 29″-49″ to protect your sides with concealed hook-and-loop utility pockets. (Amazon product details)

To summarize, Yakeda did fantastic work with this plate carrier. I’ve seen plenty of them on the market. However, this one caught my eye. In addition, its price is fantastic for the quality it provides to the operator. Lastly, because the adjusting system has a wide range of flexibility, it can fit big and small guys.

This tactical vest is fantastic for weighted training. In addition, you can use it for any other outdoor activity. In the military, we wouldn’t use this vest for deployment. However, we had a plate carrier that resembles this one and used it for fitness training. Therefore, I chose it to be the best plate carrier for running.

Wolf Tactical is a fantastic company that has many positive reviews. They produce high-quality gear and, overall, I would encourage you to check them out.  

Wolf Tactical constructed this plate carrier from 6000D. If you’re unfamiliar with that, it’s one of the finest materials out there for tactical gear. It’s wear-resistant, water-resistant, and can hold up sweat and dirt. For that reason, I consider it to be a high-level carrier.

Its price is above average. Now, as I’ve said in one of my previous reviews, it’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, you want to invest extra money to receive a long-term investment. I know that if you buy this fitness vest, you won’t need to buy another one for a long time. Therefore, I would encourage you to spend more money on a better plate carrier. 

【CUSTOMIZABLE STORAGE】★ With storage pockets at both the front and back of the vest, you can customize your workout and train progressively. Weights are available in pairs of 5.75, 8.75, and 14.5lbs, to create a 14, 20, or 31lb weight vest, respectively. (Amazon product details)

To summarize, if you’re looking for the best plate carrier for running, I encourage you to check this one out. Wolf Tactical is a fantastic company that makes high-quality gear. That one isn’t an exception. Lastly, it has many positive reviews and satisfied customers. 

What gear should you have in your plate carrier?

Sorting your plate carrier is a personalized act. You want it to suit yourself and not anyone else. Therefore, you should use solely gear you’re familiar with using. There’s plenty of stuff you want to throw inside your plate carrier.

In your plate carrier, you need to place your magazines in the front slots. As a result, you’ll have quick access to them, and you’ll be able to respond quickly. In addition, having medical equipment is necessary. Keeping that allows you to take first care of injured people. And, you can add all the gear that seems suitable.

With that said, you want to think outside the box. I can list the things I prefer to carry inside my tactical vest. Now, these are the ones I recommend having. However, if you need anything else for your activity, ensure you include that. 

In my plate carrier, you’ll find the following items:

• Scissors
• Permanent Marker
• Knife
• 4 Magazines
• Glowsticks
• Gloves
• Medical supplies
• Flashlight
• More stuff

Genuinely, that’s plenty of stuff you may never use. In my unit, I needed to work with different equipment. Therefore, having all that equipment was wise. However, you may not need to carry a flashlight. 

As I said, the plate carrier is going to be yours. Thus you want to fit your activity and not anyone else’s. So, you want to build it around you. Therefore, copying my build is not an act I’ll encourage. Assure you put your mind out to the task and personalize your vest accordingly. 

Are plate carriers legal?

The idea of buying a bulletproof vest can be intimidating. If I saw an individual walking down the street wearing a plate carrier, I would get suspicious. Therefore, the whole concept of carrying a tactical vest on yourself is a bit tricky. 

In most regulated countries, buying a plate carrier is legal. However, in most states, you can’t walk around wearing a bulletproof tactical vest. Thus ensure you read the local law regarding the possession of plate carriers. 

In addition, you can wear your plate carrier when you’re doing the activity you intend to use it in. For example, while hunting, or doing any outdoor hobby, wearing your tactical vest is legal.

Many attackers wear a vest during an attack. Therefore, when you possess a plate carrier, ensure you use it with caution. It only makes sense for you not to walk around with it in public. 

This vest has the most positive reviews out there. For that reason, I had to check it out. Well, similar to the reviews, I believe you should give GFIRE a shot. They’re a fantastic company that sells tactical gear. Therefore, they’re familiar with the way a high-quality vest should be. For that, I encourage you to check them out and buy this plate carrier. 

Another way to know this product is the real thing is the warranty GFIRE offers. If you buy this tactical vest, you’ll get two full years of warranty. Therefore, we can know they’re legit and stand behind their products. I always love a good warranty.

GFIRE made this plate carrier from 1000D. If you’re unfamiliar with this material, it’s lightweight, breathable, and durable. Therefore, the tactical vest will come out to be more of these qualities. That makes it be of higher quality. Overall, I can tell GFIRE makes it with pure love.

Great product, the vest is completely adjustable and fits comfortably. The Velcro, nylon material, and stitching are strong. I can barely spectate the Velcro with one hand. – Jason Money, 5-star review

To summarize, GFIRE made a fantastic product. This tactical vest is healthy and sturdy. It’s from durable material, and it has many positive reviews. For that, I would advise you to check it out and potentially buy it.

Why do people wear plate carriers? For two main reasons. The first is to have that bulletproof plates to defend you if you end up getting shot. The second one is for the space to store your gear. While a bag isn’t bulletproof, it allows you to sort out your equipment in a single place. 

Therefore, I’ve decided to dedicate one of my recommendations to a tactical bag. I believe that anyone should have a suitable bag for their needs. Even if you’re going to the gym, you need a high-quality bag to move your gear. For that, I encourage you to buy a bag that fits your liking.

SOG is a tactical gear company that also sells knives. They’re a high-quality brand, and I encourage you to check them out. In addition, they made this tactical bag out of Polyester. That’s fantastic material. It’s durable, lightweight, breathable, and wear-resistant. Therefore, the tactical backpack is going to be qualified. 

Large-sized backpack great for a daily commute, guard duty, travel, and hiking; padded shoulder straps combined with waist belt comfortably carry heavy loads. (Amazon product details)

To summarize, while some people prefer to wear a plate carrier, some prefer the feeling of a backpack. Having a high-quality one is an improvement in your quality of life. Therefore, I encourage you to check out this SOG tactical backpack. Lastly, its price is below average. Thus it can fit anyone’s price budget.

The last vast I’m going to recommend is one from the company of Yakeda. If you’re unfamiliar with them, they’re a tactical gear brand. They produce some of the more reliable products in their field. Therefore, buying from them is wise.

They made this plate carrier out of 1000D. Most of the previous vests are from that material. 1000D is a fantastic material for tactical gear. In addition, it’s anti-dirt and sweat. Because of that, the vest will be all of those qualities. Thus its rate rises. 

The tactical vest comes in nine different colors. Consequently, you can buy the one you prefer the most for your work. For instance, if you’re a hunter, buying a camo design will work out best for you. If you’re in law enforcement, buying a black vest will be the wisest.

【QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM】Shoulder buckle fast transfer, according to the length of the height, easy to wear and take off； Waist tubes technology quick-release locking system， achieved lock and release by one hand in a moment.

To summarize, Yakeda outdid their work with this plate carrier. You should check it out no matter what your goal is. It’s a plate carrier of high quality, and it has many positive factors going for it. Lastly, the price is on the average side.

Which plate carrier does the military use?

Before we even begin answering this question, we must understand something: the military uses only high-quality, reliable, and durable tactical equipment. They seldom compromise for the equipment they distribute to their operators, especially for their special forces.

The military uses the KDH Magnum Tac-1, which was developed specifically for the use of the U.S. military. It’s comfortable, flexible, breathable, and camouflaged. As a result, the soldiers who wear it are more than capable of performing all the movements they need, including climbing over fences and even swimming.

Do police use plate carriers?

Many people think that cops don’t wear any plate carrier, or equipment, for that matter. Of course, that’s simply inaccurate. If you want to carry more equipment on you, such as handcuffs and a pistol, then you must have something on you.

cops, or police officers, wear plate carriers whenever they’re sent to a more dangerous mission. For instance, cops that are in the middle of a patrol—won’t wear a vest. That said, if they’re sent to arrest someone who can endanger one of the operators, then they’ll wear a plate carrier to ensure their safety.

Now, all police officers wear a belt that allows them to carry all their gear. For example, they’re likely to carry a taser, handcuffs, and sometimes even pepper spray. That ensures their safety.

Nevertheless, they’ll wear a vest only when they’re getting into a more dangerous mission.

Conclusion

If you’ve reached this far, you’re honestly a tactical gear enthusiast, like myself.

I believe that there’s a right not to buy low-quality products for high prices. However, many people don’t know what to look for in a well-made plate carrier. Therefore, I’ve created this post. All my recommendations are products that I would buy if I needed a plate carrier. For that, I encourage you to trust the companies and their products.

I served in special forces for numerous years. Because of that, I have plenty of experience in all the tactical equipment realm. I wanted to share that information with people who haven’t had the experience of doing so. All the information written in this post is 100% genuine. 

Many factors affect the quality of a plate carrier. For instance, the material is the most important one. If a company makes the vest out of a nondurable material, it won’t last for very long. All the plate carriers I’ve recommended in this post are from a durable material, such as 1000D. Thus I guarantee that if you buy any of them, you’ll own them for a long time. 

Lastly, there are plenty of other matters to cover on the topic of tactical vests. There’s a lot of information that I still don’t know. Therefore, keep learning and enjoying the world of tactical gear. Read some more of my work on Blinklift.com. In addition, you can also read everything about self-defense—by following the link.