Fully Rigged Plate Carrier vs Slick Carrier and Chest Harness, Which is best? 

Getting shot in the lungs is bad for your life expectancy, or so I've heard...

I've run IBA, then full kit plate carrier, then slick and chest rig/sustainment rig. I honestly think the slick plate carrier is the best option for most guys not flying in on the skids of a little bird. I call it a scalable system kinda like the mopp system. There is tasks for each. If I need to drive for instance. Civilians don't have their car seats made to accommodate their equipment. So having kit attached to your back isn't going to work. In riding in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, the slick will be better. The assaulter style PC is better for a more dismount out of the bed of a pickup. If you run slick you can have a chest rig or harness with you, you get out of the vehicle, you can put it on. If you have to ruck, we'll it's a lot easier to ruck with a slick PC than a loaded down assaulter plate carrier. Let's face it nobody is raiding or breaching in the states. We don't have giant tunnels that lack any vover and concealment that cars drive down (streets of Iraq with courtyard walls) too often in the states. We have trees and fences, and different micro terrains. People think city and immediately throw camo and sustainment out of the window. A lot of guys are seeing what the tier 1 guys are wearing and doing and not understanding that they're the "war tourists". That's not meant to be derogatory its just the reality. They can go out of the wire with four mags and a 20 Oz bottle of water, because they have a 160th bird on standby to kick speedballs out to them. Infantry and Civilians don't. It's almost a misallocation of resources for most guys to base their kit off what SF and higher is doing. I've fallen into this tactical fashion trap and I knew what was needed as an Infantryman. There really needs to be a culture shift in the tactical world. Edited for the lack of proofreading.

Jeff, I love your channel, so much to learn off every video. I'm in Ukraine atm, and I find that in such a conflict where so much artillery is in play, it is more convenient to run a slim plate carrier with a chest-rig on top of it. Quite often we get hit by mortars and 122mm shells with no infantry attack following up. This means you have to keep the carrier on at all times, but you can slim down a bit and not have all the gear on you at all times.

Nice. As a fellow cross dominant weirdo I would love to see complete belt and kit loadout and tips for running cross dominant

26 years of tactical evolution shared with others. 👍🏻 RLTW/DOL

Jeff your channel is fantastic! You're no nonsense approach to gear and weapons setups is very helpful. Most underrated channel on youtube.

hi sir, I recently discovered your channel through your guest appearance on 9 Hole Reviews, and just went down the rabbit-hole watching all of your historical, first-hand-account videos on the 1911, the Glock adoption, and the M4 program. it is the most informative, academic, and entertaining series I have come across. would you consider doing video(s) on the Mk 18's development (particularly about the move to the 11.5" barrel), as well as videos on other small arms platforms in the future?

Thanks Jeff for sharing your knowledge.

Thanks for the video. Much appreciated.

Helpful info, thanks

Very informative. Thank you.

Great vid!

Enjoying the channel and glad it’s growing.

Great video as always. Love your content sir.

Nice video - I'm starting with my first plate carrier for combat training and your suggestions work a ton.

I’ve recently joined the tactical community and I appreciate the info you put out. Thank you

Great insight to learn from. Thank you for your years of service and sharing your knowledge based on legitimate experience!

Thank you for your detailed and quality videos. You answered many of my questions and I learned facts I never thought about. I have my own rig I would like to develop for my own purposes and training. This is the type of quality content that other firearms/gear channels should take note of. Too many other channels tend to focus more on putting on a flashy performance that is Instagram worthy rather than really teaching you something.

Love this guy. Practical, to the point and the experience to back it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge brother.

Former military, now an armed geezer [ stay off my lawn ]. I can't justify keeping both systems, so I have a full on plate carrier with side plates. Keep 3 mags, radio, and admin pouch on it. The rest goes on an old school Blackhawk LBE. I like the distribution of gear and wearing the LBE under the carrier gives some room for air circulation. This isn't a high mobility rig, and I'm not running and gunning. My need is for protection and weight distribution. As always, my thanks to Jeff for sharing his knowledge and experience with us, you're never too old to learn something.

This is about the best information I've found on the subject of plate carriers and chest harnesses, which I have both. I've been anguishing over what would be better for an old fart like me (I'll be 63 in January) where I could wear more ammo pouches on the carrier, making it heavier or having just the chest rig and a battle belt. I think you've helped me how to set my kit up so it won't cause me any grief or hardship utilizing too much, weight-wise and such.

Thank you✌️. Awesome video. Grateful for your time brother

Thanks for the knowledge and explanation. Glad I saw you on the 9 holes video. Subscribed! Thank for your service sir.

Outstanding advice and content!!! It feels good to see your own journey in gear is identical to some one elses.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience on this

Super helpful information. Being able to easily swap between weapon systems is a great point for anyone that might go between AR/AK/shotgun/.308 on a routine basis.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge good sir.

Always on point

Class In section guys. This man gave a master class In not only plate carriers but Weapons too. Thank you!

Crewman here, pretty much forced to rock the slick carrier + harness/fishing vest. try fitting in a LAV 25 turret or drivers hatch with mags on and youll get no where.

Love the video man! I would choose both of them lol!

Happy Veterans Day! Great video. Those are some great tips.

Happy Veterans Day Soldier's 🇺🇸 , Jeff i can't begin to tell you how much I Honor Respect and Admire what a great Man you are, thank you so much for serving our country God bless you. I watch you all the time ,and yes I'm subbed in.

Great video

I thoroughly liked this video. I spent 12 yrs in the army with 2 combat tours and no two situations are alike. Combat is not a “one size fits all”. I truly learned a few things and will be returning to my kits and kinda redoing stuff. Trying to have a “defend” mindset rather than all out combative type situation. I have been buying different chest rigs and placards and plate carriers and just needed that little bit more information to get me over that informed bump in the road so to speak. Thank you. Also intend on incorporating my ADV bikes into the mix as well. KLR 650 (widely used in the military) as part of my families training. They pretty much have enough space to pack up and leave for 3 to 5 days worth of stuff. Again. Thank you. Much appreciated.

I made shotgun cards the exact same way for hunting, but I added a slim piece of Kydex between the velcro so its more rigid.

Awesome videos! I remember your articles in SWAT magazine were some my favorite because they were packed with information and the videos are even better.

Don’t both, either can work imo, great content as usual Jeff

Liked the video before I watched it!

Damn good video HOAH! Happy Veterans Day!

You and Tactical Riflemans channels are top notch, you should consider going on Jocko Willinks podcast. That would be a real treat

I used a fully rigged carrier for DA missions, with the flash bangs, pouch for firing systems, 2 MBITRS, etc. For MTC in a GMV, I used a slicker carrier with a man-zeer. This was so that I could remove the rack if we were going to RON and sleep in my plates for some comfort and protection. Also, if I had to move into the sniper role and dismount, I would have no use for the M4 mags so I would have another smaller chest rig in my ruck w/ the appropriate ammo, LRF, GPS, etc. and other gear along with all my sniper kit, so I would just switch out racks. All I kept on the carrier was the IFAK, MBITR, and 1 double 9mm mag pouch. If we were doing a more traditional dismounted movement, I generally carried a SWS anyway, so I used the same setup for that too.

Good video Jeff! Happy Veterans Day! - from this old Army LLRP and Ranger

Liked, commenting and subscribed.

Thanks for your service Jeff…and this great knowledge…happy birthday marines!

I tried a Paraclete RAV in the modular light model. Definitely worth a look if you need/want this type of equipment. I found that if offered scalable protection and the fact that you can quickly get out of it in an emergency is something we don't often consider, but we definitely should, in my opinion. The RAV doesn't have covers for routing communication cables across the shoulder, however.

For LE having a slick carrier with many different harness systems works well, some days you out with a shotty, a rifle and other days with a battle rifle (usually a 7.62×51) with uniquely sized mags and rounds for each. However with new plate carriers incorporating the swift clip system I find it easier to have a full carrier and just switch out the front placards.

Great video. I have been a big fan of ATS (stationed at Campbell once) and Ferro for a while. I own their plate carrier, two battle belts, and various pouches. I can remove their low profile chest harness from the plate carrier and make it into a separate chest rig in about 30 seconds. My Ferro Slickster has an ATS triple M4/Glock shingle on the front and a dangler for the IFAK. It keeps all of the rifle and pistol mags in one spot rather than having to put them on a separate belt. The slickster is the bump in the night armor like you mentioned. That fast mag from ATS looks interesting. I might need to take it for a spin. I read one of your articles on your IR laser setup a while back and was happy to find you also had a RU-vid channel. Thanks for the great info!

Thank was the the Bright "Green" "2"

Where i served we had a harness over our carrier. So you could take the harness off and still be protected from shrapnel in case of artillery barrage on your tent area.

I love the happy mag idea!! I’m gonna try it out and see how it works. Could you recommend a good flared mag well adapter? I noticed you have one on every one of your rifles.

The drip at 4:07

Anyone tired of waiting for Ferro to restock can check out Defense Mechanisms MEPC. Very similar, roughly the same price, made to order. Don't take this as a MTS endorsement, just an another option to look into.

Old but not obsolete…still got the moves there Ol’ Jeff G!

I can see benefits in both. I know the typical infantry loadout is (or used to be. I'm not up to date) the Interceptor body armor with a full Lad Bearing Vest over the top of it. The biggest benefit I can see is for quickly swapping out your gear by having multiple LBVs ready to go. That said, I'm quite satisfied with my standalone base plate carrier set up. I have multiple Alice battle belts ready to go if I need extra space or special equipment. Of course I'll always be tweaking my setup (Who isn't? LOL) but I have the framework I like

Binge watching tour videos

Just getting my Veterans Day fix...

These plate carrier and chest rigs etc have their place! Each have advantages and disadvantages depending on “mission/patrol”.

Just from an average troop perspective, there are all sorts of times when you'd want just armor for administrative tasks in dangerous areas (filling sandbags, going for chow in a place conceivably vulnerable to indirect or snipers, or pressing your PPE in a covert role as many Close protection guys had to) and there are times when you'd just want your LBE (Recce, or even square range training) and having the consistency of a scalable system is really beneficial.

Jeff... absolutely love the channel and every second of video on it. However, for that skull face rifle lower... you're a straight up nerd, bro.

My favorite channel!

The big question is, what do you think of using a FLC? I actually love it, I usually flip the belt around and use the buckle in the rear so it's more of a chest rig than a vest.

I suppose it's all about preference. I have been a PMC in Africa for 20years +. I prefer a carrier + chest rig. Reason. In case of an emergency I prefer my mags and ammo first before protection. Also when ypu are in a armoured car you need the chest rig over protection.

I prefer wearing a plate carrier over an alice kit mounted over my hips. Best of all worlds and is modular in its usage

I wear both at the same time, plate carrier is plain and the rig has all my gear.

Thank you for identifying yourself as retired I’m sure it will help you a lot. For un seasoned.

Great video as usual. 👍 Just noticed your left handed with rifle and right handed with pistol.

what about say wearing a plate carrier versus just a chest rig? would there be a time for armor and a time for no armor? while on an op? never mind you answered the question after i asked.

I noticed the Bright Greet "2" on the Magazine on the Black Slick Plate Carrier. What is the Maker of that Marker and the Name of the. I like that green, highly Visible Close up.

I got both and whats even perfect is my chest rig goes over my vest

What is your setup for the 4 IFAKS?

06:56 Have you moved that pouch yet? It looks like it might get in the way when you really need your sidearm.

Screw both. Alice belt.

Making changes to your gear is a good thing! It means you've f'd up, learned a lesson, and then applied that lesson in a practical manner. Screwing up is not an inherently bad thing; screwing up when others are depending on you is.

11:08 ankle socks!? dont let sgt major catch you

This is more of what I like. How does having a chest rig help vs a fully mollied plate carrier

Im debaiting getting the fras, soft armor. It is one of the highest level armors, but should i use a plate carrier still ? Does it mske sense too?

Hey Jeff, what’s your opinion on side plates? When would you use side plates or forgo them if you had them?

Looking for opinions on running using wolf grey or ranger green gear over multicam as a semi low vis option in an urban area SHTF situation, but not full collapse

What armor plates do you use ?

I noticed you were wearing low cut shoes (Solomons maybe?) in a lot of the pictures. Did you not prefer boots? Can you do a segment on footwear and why you preferred the shoes? I think that goes against a lot of conventional wisdom. Thanks for the vid keep it up!

What do you recommend for side plates and how to carry them.

So your opinion is still plats better then ceramic ?

Off topic from carriers and chest rigs, but what mag well do you have on the ar/m16 platforms? Thanks in advance

I'm not a small chested guy so my carrier is the xlarge 11x12 size but I use the regular size for a recon rig,lighter and still a bit of protection.

This is the only video I can find regarding the ats low vis rig. Can you fit a full sized pistol in that front pouch?

also, in an ARFCOM thread many years ago, a gentleman by the username Combat Diver who had served in the Navy's special operations community mentioned that CAG replaced their 1911s with 40 cal Glock 22s in the early years of GWOT. but their high volume of shooting led to many frames developing cracks and other wear & tear. this led to CAG quickly moving on to 9mm Glocks. would you happen to know why your colleagues over at CAG initially chose the 40 S&W cartridge to replace their 45 ACP, instead of going straight to 9mm Glocks like many others within the SOF community?

You should check out the warrior assault systems 901 chest rig. Its a chest rig that can be made a plate carrier and vise versa. Its incredibly modular, comfy and will last forever.

Would the pros and cons of chest rigs over plate carriers also apply to webbing like ALICE or Bundeswehr LKS over plate carriers?

What type of hard plates do you recommend? Steel, Ceramic, Polyethylene?

What type is your short AR15?

Plate carrier every time

What about crawling with all these front attachements ? Seeing Ukraine footage I would like to stay mobile and as low as possible in a comfortable way. So what about hip/belt setups ?

I have both, im a LARPER cause its what makes me happy. 🖕🏻 D.F.

11:06 WHAT ARE THOOOOOOOOSE!?

Your full rig, what level plates to you rock with? Level IV? They look thick.

I am told SF guys do not carry plate carriers anymore. It looks like good for defense of a fort. I have noticed the vids of Afghanistan very few ever wore plates. They are heavy and bulky as I discovered personally.

How important were mag changes in your experience? Did you have to emergency reload often? Did you have to reload at all often? Thanks.

Enjoyed the video/info. RockOn.StayFree.

"Happy Mag" Check my kit sir you'll find the same thing :)