RangerWillrett
Active Member
AR500 has a minimalist carrier that is pretty nice. Some people hate on their steel plates but that are a great place to start.
Ferro Concepts uses their own ADAPT system, which is just a couple thin metal G hooks and Velcro backing on their placards (the thing with the mag pouches that you can attach to the Slickster plate carrier). Example below where you can see the system a little better
https://ferroconcepts.com/collections/front-flaps/products/adapt-molle-front-flap
It is a nice system and very low profile. it is also proprietary so you are only going to get front placards from Ferro Concepts unless someone else starts making them. The industry standard, which is slightly less low profile, allows you to use any chest rig or placard that uses the itw Nexus buckles, aka the Swiftclip system. There are tons of chest rigs and placards that use the swiftclip system.
Examples:
https://www.velsyst.com/products/uw-chest-rig-gen-iv
https://haleystrategic.com/d3crm-micro
https://www.spiritussystems.com/lv-placard-5-56/
Plate carriers that utilize natively are around too. Like the Spiritus 119 system:
https://www.spiritussystems.com/c-o-v-e-r-t-front-plate-bag/
https://www.velsyst.com/products/scarab-lt
Those aren't the only two systems out there - Crye has their own quick attachment system now with the JPC 2.0.
Personally I like the Swiftclip system because I can go from just having medical supplies to being ready to go with an MP7, SCAR H, M4, AK, or basically anythjng just by swapping placards. And if I decide I want a new plate carrier, I can just port everything over. You can put a Swiftclip adapter kit on the Slickster just like most other plate carriers if you want. I just think the Spiritus Systems plate carrier is better if you want to go that route.
For truly low profile, I like the First Spear Slick, as it is cheap (less than $100 retail), comfortable, and I can just keep a chest rig nearby if I need to. Since the harness of any chest rig I own uses the the Swiftclip system, I already have what I need since I use placards with that system for my regular plate carrier.
https://www.skdtac.com/FirstSpear-The-Slick-x2122-Ultralight-Plate-Car-p/fsr.521.htm
Hopefully that helps. The bottom line is that the Slickster is a great plate carrier and you would be well served by it or any other modern light weight one. Also don't get in a hurry to get side plates. They are expensive and heavy for their limited coverage.
I’ve started thinking about this in the last couple months. Found this video helpful.
AR500 has a minimalist carrier that is pretty nice. Some people hate on their steel plates but that are a great place to start.
Tons of options and everyone will have their best solution.
I like steel as I saw too many ceramic plates get broken in the sandbox. Don't like the newer plastic type of stuff as heat can mess it up and it has a life expectancy. So, I prefer steel as it will serve my kids when I'm gone.
I watched the first of several videos this guy has up. He's former military (maybe Marine since he keeps ragging the Army), but he seems to have a pretty sensible approach to things.
Ferro Concepts uses their own ADAPT system, which is just a couple thin metal G hooks and Velcro backing on their placards (the thing with the mag pouches that you can attach to the Slickster plate carrier). Example below where you can see the system a little better
https://ferroconcepts.com/collections/front-flaps/products/adapt-molle-front-flap
It is a nice system and very low profile. it is also proprietary so you are only going to get front placards from Ferro Concepts unless someone else starts making them. The industry standard, which is slightly less low profile, allows you to use any chest rig or placard that uses the itw Nexus buckles, aka the Swiftclip system. There are tons of chest rigs and placards that use the swiftclip system.
Examples:
https://www.velsyst.com/products/uw-chest-rig-gen-iv
https://haleystrategic.com/d3crm-micro
https://www.spiritussystems.com/lv-placard-5-56/
Plate carriers that utilize natively are around too. Like the Spiritus 119 system:
https://www.spiritussystems.com/c-o-v-e-r-t-front-plate-bag/
https://www.velsyst.com/products/scarab-lt
Those aren't the only two systems out there - Crye has their own quick attachment system now with the JPC 2.0.
Personally I like the Swiftclip system because I can go from just having medical supplies to being ready to go with an MP7, SCAR H, M4, AK, or basically anythjng just by swapping placards. And if I decide I want a new plate carrier, I can just port everything over. You can put a Swiftclip adapter kit on the Slickster just like most other plate carriers if you want. I just think the Spiritus Systems plate carrier is better if you want to go that route.
For truly low profile, I like the First Spear Slick, as it is cheap (less than $100 retail), comfortable, and I can just keep a chest rig nearby if I need to. Since the harness of any chest rig I own uses the the Swiftclip system, I already have what I need since I use placards with that system for my regular plate carrier.
https://www.skdtac.com/FirstSpear-The-Slick-x2122-Ultralight-Plate-Car-p/fsr.521.htm
Hopefully that helps. The bottom line is that the Slickster is a great plate carrier and you would be well served by it or any other modern light weight one. Also don't get in a hurry to get side plates. They are expensive and heavy for their limited coverage.
I was looking into a LVAC that holds soft armor and ares if desired. I like soft armor for most things.
Check out the Spiritus Systems LV-119 I love mine very modular with lots of options: covert vs overt, slick or placard or chest rig, tubes or velcro, molle or elastic cummerbund.
other options: Perroz LPSPC, Crye JPC, JPC 2.0, SPC,
Figure out what size plates you need before ordering the carrier. Also figure out what type of plates you need Level III, III+, IV. Avoid steel armor
https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/wiki/armor
https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityTacticalGear/comments/c6sao4/equipment_purchasing_guide/
Anyone have any experience running a Slickster plate carrier?
Looks like the ideal setup for a civilian based vest - low profile enough to fit under a jacket or oversized shirt, yet flexible enough to scale up to bigger needs.
Re-evaluating some things with a "fire extinguisher" mentality - better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it.
Last Monday in Richmond got me to thinking on some things.
https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster
If the plate carrier is completely slick then typically you would just use the swiftclip setup as a chest rig instead of a placard. Buy the straps/find the ones that came with the placard you bought, put them on, and throw that over top. That's what I do with the first spear carrier I linked to. If there is molle, obviously you can just loop into that, or have a tailor put a few loops of something like molle on your carrier.Can you help me understand how the Swift Clip system works with a slick carrier (or one that doesn't have the female connectors)? I see that they sell a kit that will attach female connectors to a 1" nylon strap, but on my Condor carrier (or these slick carriers) it's not obvious to me where I'd even attach the adapter kit?
Here's one that popped after doing some reading.
https://www.gadsdendynamics.com/collections/all/products/alpc-plate-carrier?variant=29243617017958
I wonder which of the 3 front options to go with.
Loop
PALS
3665