How Much Do Plate Carriers Weigh?

Plate carriers and plates are of course essential for first responders. You never know what may happen or when so it is always advised to stay prepared. Duty belts add about 15 pounds of weight to a person, add a plate carrier on top of that and you have added at least 10 more pounds. This article will go into detail about the weight of a plate carrier and which elements of the carrier change the weight for the wearer. 

The Carrier Itself 

For certain departments, officers are required to wear their plate carriers inside of their uniforms, while other agencies prefer their officers wear an outside vest. Whether it is worn on the interior of the uniform or the outside, the vest offers the same amount of protection. 

When a plate carrier is worn on the inside of a uniform it allows the vest to be concealed, while still providing the officer with protection. The outer vest allows the officer to affix additional gear onto the vest. Though this adds weight, it lets the officer avoid adding any more gear to their duty belt. 

Do all plate carriers weigh the same and how much weight do the actual plates add? Carriers vary in weight, size, and design. For instance, some are made to be more tactical than other carriers. These may be worn for particular circumstances on the job or for specialized police units such as SWAT teams or other details that often have special police operations. For this type of scenario, a steel plate carrier would be best since it can hold Level IV plates for maximum protection. 

A carrier by itself can weigh anywhere between one pound to three pounds depending on the type. For example, a lightweight carrier such as the Condor Cyclone Lightweight Plate Carrier weighs less than the Shellback Tactical Rampage 2.0 Active Shooter vest weighs more and can hold plates that are higher levels. This vest would be for those situations when law enforcement must respond to an active shooter call or another high-risk incident.

The Plates

The actual plates that go into the carrier vest are designed for particular panels within the vest. Again, a lightweight carrier will hold smaller or lighter-weight plates than a ballistic vest that is designed for higher-risk situations. It is a good idea to have more than one ballistic vest, this way there is always a backup near or there is one for every type of situation. After all, especially as a law enforcement officer, you can never be too careful or too prepared. 

Most carriers, especially those made for higher-level plates, have an area for side plates as well as front and back. These plates offer more protection for law enforcement officers and add weight to the uniform. Lighter-weight carriers have areas for front and back panels only.

Inner vests, those carriers worn inside of a uniform, have side, front, and also back ballistic panels. It is important to remember that ballistic panels have an expiration date. These panels and the date on them should be checked every so often to ensure the safety of the officer. Plate carriers are made to last and are durable, however, if the carrier itself begins to stretch or the hook & loop begins to wear it is best to replace the carrier.

How to Handle Weight Added to the Uniform 

Of course, the more gear that is added to a carrier the more the carrier will weigh. It is important to keep in mind to try to distribute the weight from your duty belt and the vest evenly if possible. When gear is evenly distributed, it decreases the likelihood of pain or even injury. Overcrowding a vest or a duty belt can not only cause health issues but may be problematic while on the job. If an officer is constantly trying to adjust their gear, they may not be as vigilant as they need to be on the job. For example, too many items placed on a vest or belt can be distracting or get in the way of the officer. A police officer needs to be situationally aware at all times. The less an officer has to worry about when it comes to their gear the better.

When configuring the best way to wear gear, law enforcement officers need to keep in mind what specific gear is required or they will use and what extra accessories could be kept in the patrol car in a go-bag. It is important to have everything needed but it is equally important to ensure every item that is affixed to the belt or vest is in a place that will not hinder the officer during day-to-day activities. A full vest can weigh up to 35 pounds. 

Where to Get Plate Carriers and Plates

When you are a law enforcement officer, the majority of the time, your department will issue you your plates and carriers. Plates, carriers, and kits which include everything needed for a ballistic vest. LA Police Gear has a wide variety of carriers of every kind from lightweight to those made for higher risk situations. Choose from brands such as 5.11, Condor, Shellback, and LAPG to name a few. 

There is also a wide variety to choose from when it comes to color as well as low visibility carriers. This way no matter what type of carrier you may be looking for or what type you may need to protect yourself on the job you can find what you’re looking for. Again, the carrier you choose may depend on department requirements.

When configuring what gear needs to go where on your duty vest or belt, ensure that each item is necessary and required for your respective department.