10 Best Plate Carriers 2020 [Buying Guide]

Your Authors and Guides

Heather
Patton

Jennifer
Trimbee

Samantha
Dewitt

How to Choose the Best Plate Carrier

Plate carriers are armored vests that are used in military operations or during police missions. They can be used for airsoft games or paintball matches as well, and a lot of them are highly customizable to the way you need to use them. We’ve compiled a list of the best plate carriers on the market right now, and there’s something for everyone! Here are some things you should know before we get started.

Material: What is the vest made of? Popular options are mesh and different grades, or deniers, of polyester or nylon. When it comes to the denier, the higher the number, the better the quality of the material.

Adjustable: Is the vest adjustable? You need to be able to move around freely while you’re wearing it, and the best way to ensure this is to get one that can adjust to your particular parameters and measurements.

Size Range: This is the size range that the vest comes in before it is adjusted. Some have one-size-fits-all builds, while others are calibrated to certain sizes and can be taken in or out via belts and Velcro from there.

Color: This refers to the color of the vest. Because these are tactical vests, the most common color is, of course, black. They also come in tan colors, several different versions of camouflage, and even olive drab.

Magazine Pouches: This is the number of magazine pouches that come with the vest. Most can be removed, and you can even add additional pouches or ones that fit your preferred mags. We’ll let you know what comes with it here.

Padded Shoulder Strap: The padded shoulder strap can be a lifesaver when you’re carrying a lot of stuff on your vest, and that’s why this is one of the premium features we looked for. It can make you a lot more comfortable.

Top 10 Products

With that knowledge, it’s time to start looking at some of the best plate carriers that we found during our research. Though the list is full of great plate carriers and tactical vests, our top pick and budget pick are our personal favorites. Make sure that you check them out before moving through the rest of our recommendations. We are sure that you’ll find your new favorite tactical vest, no matter what you’re using it for!

Condor Outdoor Modular Chest Set

The best armor plate carrier on our list is the Condor Outdoor Modular Chest Set. It contains padded shoulder straps for extra comfort, two internal mesh pockets, webbing for attachments, daisy chains (or MOLLE), and an adjustable chest platform that you can also remove. The hydration carrier is built in too so that you can put a bladder inside. In total, this heavy-duty 500D nylon and mesh vest has six built-in mag pouches and three internal pockets. The waist is adjustable from large to extra-large, and you can purchase sizes all the way up to 3XL. The number of MOLLE straps allows you to customize the vest to the exact specifications that you want. It’s definitely the best plate carrier for the money right now, due to the heavy customization and the wealth of pockets. The padded straps are a nice touch for the weight you’re carrying as well. It comes in black, olive drab, coyote, and Multicam colors.

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UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest

When it comes to the Leaper UTG 547, one size fits most. It’s adjustable in almost every way, including the way that the pouches hang and how they are available. It’s far and away the best 11x14 plate carrier on our list because of the different ways that you can customize it. It uses 4 deluxe adjustable rifle mag pouches that each hold 1-2 of the most popular mags. They close with a hook and loop, and contain drain holes and elastic to make sure that your magazines are secure. It also includes a cross-draw holster, making it the best budget plate carrier that also includes other equipment. The back loop system allows you to carry additional gear, and there are two large internal pouches for documents or maps. The rescue handle is a useful touch. At just 4 pounds, this is the best lightweight plate carrier that we found during our research. It’s pretty amazing!

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Yakeda Combat Tactical Vest

You can order the Yakeda Combat Tactical Vest up to size 4XL, and all sizes are adjustable. It’s one of the best plate carriers for police on our list because of the size range and the ways that you can customize it. You’re going to want a comfortable fabric if you’re wearing this vest for a long time. Here, that comfort is provided by high-density 600D polyester with breathable, lightweight mesh. There are a ton of removable pouches, all of which close with a hook and loop that makes them perfect for housing your mags. It’s great for a wide variety of activities. The belt is designed so that you can adjust it to your perfect size while still retaining full freedom of movement, which is ideal. This plate carrier comes in black and a few other colors so you can choose the one that best matches your activity. It’s also great for outdoor activities and paintball!

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GLORYFIRE Tactical Modular Vest

GLORYFIRE makes the best tactical vest plate carrier on our list. This vest has it all, from high-grade polyester material and breathable mesh to padded shoulders and a wealth of pockets and pouches. It’s designed to attach modular accessories on all sides, so there is a ton of customization options that you can use to adjust the vest to fit your needs. It has adjustable shoulder straps as well as hook and loop webbing that is heavy enough for a variety of attachments, as well as side-release buckles on the shoulders and an internal waist strap. It even comes with an adjustable cummerbund that has pockets to easy access. You can get this vest in black, tan, olive drab, and camo black so that you have a pattern for every occasion. This is a great tactical vest and plate carrier that carries all of the most advanced, amazing features at a high quality that’s going to last.

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Barbarians Tactical Molle Vest

Barbarians Tactical MOLLE Vest is a durable vest that has everything a great plate carrier needs. It’s made of high-density 600D polyester that is comfortable and will last. It has large zippers and strong mesh that will keep your items right where you need them. It’s great for paintball, airsoft, and other outdoor activities. There are 3 rifle magazine pouches here, 3 small equipment pouches, a holster for a pistol, flashlight pouch, accessory pouch, and a removable bullet holder. There is an internal hydration pocket for holding a bladder and a phone pouch to keep your smartphone with you during your operation. The reach MOLLE panel allows you to attach different materials and additional pouches, and two D-rings will help you hold carabineers and other equipment choices. It’s fully adjustable and comes in this uniform black color. It’s one of the best tactical plate carriers we could find because of all the pouches that come with it.

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vAv YAKEDA Tactical Chest Rig Vest

The vAv YAKEDA Tactical Chest Rig is one of the best minimalist plate carriers that we found for the simple fact that it becomes anything you need it to be. Do you need some magazine pouches and that’s about it? The YAKEDA is the vest for you. It’s versatile enough to be a minimalist vest but has enough customization options and MOLLE strips that you can add a wide variety of accessories, pouches, and plates to make it your own. It easily accommodates your needs. It comes with a mesh spacer so that you have cool air circulating at all times to keep you comfortable. The upper section folds away to give you access to pockets with three vertical and 7 horizontal MOLLE strips, so you have even more options for additional pouches. The elastic loops on the shoulder straps allow you to secure communication equipment or tubes from your hydration bladder for easy access to your water.

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GZ XINXING Tactical Airsoft Vest

The GZ XINXING Tactical Airsoft Vest is made specifically for airsoft play, paintball, and costumes. It’s a gaming vest for these activities that has everything you need for all of your accessories. It’s a comfortable vest made of 900D nylon that you’re going to love wearing. It comes in sizes small through 2XL, and it’s fully adjustable at the shoulder and waist. It’s built to carry 3 standard magazine pouches, a map and flashlight pouch, and 2 communication pouches. One medic pouch can also be attached. All of the bags that come with the vest are removable if you don’t need them, so you can use only what you need to save on weight and movability. This vest comes in black and a few other colors, depending on what you want for your uniform. Plus, they offer a full refund with their money-back guarantee if it’s not everything you need for airsoft or paintball games.

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Marmot Tactical Vest

The Marmot tactical vest is the best military plate carrier on our list because of all of the different removable pouches that come with the vest. There’s enough space for all of your gear with plenty of spare. You’ll get a radio pouch, a detachable pistol mag, flashlight pouches, a right-hand draw holster that fits a subcompact, compact, or standard pistol, as well as internal pouches. There are shoulder shooting pads, a shotgun shell holder, additional utility pouch, 3 rifle mag pouches, and that’s just what comes with the vest! There is plenty of room on the Velcro strips to add more accessories. The mesh makes it comfortably ventilated for long wear. It comes in sizes small through 2XL and is adjustable at all turns so that you can get the perfect fit. It even includes D-rings for other equipment attachments like carabineers, picks, and axes. You’re going to love everything about this tactical vest.

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ArcEnCigl Tactical Molle Vest

This Tactical Molle Vest by ArcEnCigl is made of ultra-durable military-grade 1000D nylon. It’s stitched well and lined with thick PVC so that it isn’t going to wear out anytime soon. It contains various MOLLE attachment areas so that you can add all of the extra pouches that you need. Included with the purchase of the vest are three magazine pouches, a map pouch, a walkie talkie pouch, and flashlight pouch. There are two additional communication pouches and a single medic pouch, and all of them are removable so you only have to attach what you need. The lightweight load-carrying system includes a suspension belt that helps keep the weight evenly distributed so it doesn’t slow you down too much. It’s great for tactical training, the military, or for airsoft battles and paintball games. This particular vest is tan, though there are other color options available. This well-constructed vest is versatile and useful for a variety of activities.

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MGFLASHFORCE Tactical Vest

Last on our list is this MGFLASHFORCE Tactical Vest that includes everything you need for airsoft and paintballs, or even when you go camping or engage in other outdoor activities. It’s a completely adjustable vest that comes in sizes between small and 2XL, perfect for all body sizes and types. IT’s durable and comfortable, made of 900 denier nylon. It’s well-constructed and coated with a thick layer of PVC so that the nylon isn’t going to wear out anytime soon. There are a ton of different pouches included: 3 mag pouches, 1 map pouch, a flashlight pouch, 2 communication pouches, and a medic pouch. Each of these bags is removable so you can choose whether or not you want to use them. It’s a flexible, versatile vest that you can use for just about anything, and you’re definitely going to enjoy wearing it out in the field, during your games, or while you’re hunting or camping.

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About the Author

Heather Patton

Expert Researcher and Writer

Heather Patton is a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped. She has been creating high-quality content for over a decade and covers home, lifestyle, beauty, fashion products and more.

Learn more about Heather

Article last updated on:

September 29, 2019

See more reviews:

Best Plate Carriers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Condor Outdoor Modular Chest Set

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest

How to Choose the Best Plate Carrier

Top 10 Products

Condor Outdoor Modular Chest Set

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest

Yakeda Combat Tactical Vest

GLORYFIRE Tactical Modular Vest

Barbarians Tactical Molle Vest

vAv YAKEDA Tactical Chest Rig Vest

GZ XINXING Tactical Airsoft Vest

Marmot Tactical Vest

ArcEnCigl Tactical Molle Vest

MGFLASHFORCE Tactical Vest

About the Author

TOP PICK

Condor Outdoor Modular Chest Set