⚠️This is not a review, nor is it an endorsement.
This new plate carrier was announced not too long ago by an equipment company we’ve heard good things about. We’re interested in gear like this for several reasons, mostly in the context of “combat tracking” operations (or tactical tracking, or whatever term you prefer). The best armor for a follow-up is a switched-on team and no armor most times, but that’s not always an option, especially in the military. It’s hard enough to get up and down mountains or through difficult terrain in all the armor Marines and Soldiers are required to wear, much less trying to do so while also cutting and reading sign. The same thing goes for LEOs — it’s hard to track effectively or move efficiently if you’re burdened with the Level IV heavy vests and ballistic helmets that are more appropriate for room clearing in a limited or isolated target structure.
RE Factor Tactical, a veteran (SOF) owned company in Colorado, calls the plate carrier (PC) the “Advanced Slickster.” It’s intended to be a multi-use design, i.e. for low profile/low vis missions as well as kinetic/overt stuff as well (obviously with a few changes made between one and the other). It was designed in collaboration with Ferro Concepts and is described as having several key features that could put it in the running for at least some estimations of “best plate carrier.” Those include:
▪Ferro Concept’s tested Slickster base
▪PTT Loops on front of vest
▪Integrated Kangaroo pocket for magazines/essential equipment
▪Elastic comms wires
▪2 x integrated radio pouches capable of fitting up to a PRC-152 Radio
▪4 x 6″ Zipped admin pocket capable of holding a passport or similar sized item
▪Elastic cummerbund with 4 x magazine carriers
▪Added elastic retainers to cummerbund carrier for magazine retention
▪MOLLE Laser cut back panel
REFT says they designed the PC “…after years of frustration of wearing plate carriers that were good, but not quite good enough.”
They further explain,
“This plate carrier went through extensive testing overseas with individuals actively participating in the war on terror. We continued to develop the plate carrier based on the actual current needs of combat. Our goal was to set out and create the best plate carrier on the market with features that could: maintain current comms systems, carry multiple magazines, attach equipment to the back, hold standard PTT systems, hold important documents and maps, fit in both a high vis environment and a low vis environment and most importantly be worn comfortably for long periods in a multitude of environments.”
Luke Peelgrane of RE Factor Tactical said in the release, ” Our goal was not just to create the best plate carrier available, but to create a low profile/slick plate carrier that could adapt to fit any individual mission need without sacrificing functionality. While this isn’t the most low profile system on the market it is the most low profile carrier that can still be adapted for use in high vis kinetic environments if needed.”
The company says the Advanced Slickster plate carrier will “fully accommodate” multiple communications systems. This apparently includes dual radio pockets for those carrying multiple radios and numerous elastic loops to route radio and antenna wires. A flap on the front of the carrier is intended to accommodate and secure several different PTT (Push-To-Talk) radios currently in use.
As of this writing, no Greensiders (that we’re aware of) have used one of these in the field. This is not a recommendation. However, if you are interested in learning more (or buying one), they’re online at RE Factor Tactical. It’s available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green, Wolf Grey, and MultiCam. They also publish a good blog that addresses both tactical issues (like how to speed up your pistol draw speed) and veteran interest things like the Veterans United Lighthouse Program. You keep up with it on their website.
Weaponize your senses. Enroll in a Greenside Training class here.
Connect with us on Instagram, @greensidetraining.
Join us on Facebook, Greenside Training LLC.
