How To Properly Set Up A Plate Carrier

While virtually operators on the field won't accept the option of selecting the exact manufacturer or type of armor they choose, they should at to the lowest degree have the selection to fit their carrier to size. For skillful models, you will exist able to adjust the plate carrier on both shoulder straps, as well every bit both sides of the cummerbund.

When adjusting your plate carrier, in that location are four things to await for:

Coverage
Elbowroom
Condolement
Light weight

And, they are in that verbal lodge. Your comfort doesn't mean much if your vital areas are exposed. Similarly, y'all are better off letting the PC be a bit looser and covering everything it needs that trying to find the platonic fit.

Only, if you know that you lot are safe and tight, y'all might also be comfortable. Especially over extended missions, plate carriers tin can become very cumbersome and induce fatigue if they are not well balanced and comfy.

Finally, the carrier should be calorie-free on its own. As the plates will always be relatively heavy, you don't need the belong itself to add to the pounds without providing something extra that you will use.

That is why y'all should ever attempt to utilise your verbal size of SAPI/ESAPI plate and carrier, and to arrange it as much as possible to fit your torso type and build.

How Should a Plate Carrier Fit?

Earlier y'all get-go adjusting your PC, y'all will demand to know what you are looking for. In modular vests, you will have an choice of different cummerbunds and vest sizes, and you can mix and match if you want to.

The plate should sit about an inch below your collarbone, allowing you to almost touch the tips of the SAPI cutting if you lot push button your shoulders in. This will make the plate cover all of your vitals while leaving you maneuverable with both your arms and waist.

Setting up the plate is generally easy if you are also wearing a collarbone module, as they will fit exactly with each other where they need to be. But, if you lot just accept the vest, you can press the plate where information technology needs to be and accommodate the height straps afterward that.

The lesser of the backplate should exist in the aforementioned spot every bit the bottom of the front plate, and each side should be at an equal distance from your neck and shoulders.

This is in the ideal situation provided that your body is more or less symmetrical. Otherwise, you will want to adjust the superlative straps and milk shake your body while there is no gear on the vest. This way the weight of the plates will force it to be balanced.

If the vest is not choking you lot or dangling from your neck, you should be okay no matter your build.

Shoulder Straps and Cummerbund

Once you lot have placed the plate in the spot where it needs to be, start adjusting the shoulder straps until they are counterbalanced between the front and the dorsum in the right position.

This shouldn't be washed visually, as most vests aren't symmetrical front to back. But, if the front is in the right place and the straps are in the middle, you are skilful to go.

Depending on the fastening system, yous might have business firm or cushioned pads, simply they will piece of work in the aforementioned way. Concord one side with your hand and tighten with the other, this style it will ever stay in the aforementioned position.

One time you are done, with the shoulders, focus on the cummerbund. Ideally, it should be pressing on your body at all times without squeezing y'all. It should only start being a flake tight when yous inhale to the maximum and exist a bit loose if you tuck and cavern in your chest.

But, brand sure that you are keeping your PC in the middle. Hold the plate against your breast firmly and tighten each side a bit until you lot get a perfect fit on both sides.

Using Ventilation

Finally, with those that take a slimmer physique, it may be needed to use padding or ventilation to make the plate carrier fit perfectly. Using ventilation pads is the all-time option always considering it adds to the comfort and reduces backface deformation.

If your plate still has an inch of space from the chest fifty-fifty when the shoulder straps are centered, placing that inch of ventilation is always preferable than taking a smaller vest that might not embrace your vital organs.