How tight should a plate carrier be? While this sounds easy to answer, there’s more to it than you might think! While too much room in your plate carrier might leave room for your plates to move. Too little could result in them cutting into your body uncomfortably or falling out entirely since we want our plate carriers to be as comfortable as possible while still being effective. Here are some tips and the ultimate guide.
Plate carrier fit
One of the main reasons for buying a plate carrier is to protect your chest and vital organs. So, being comfortable when wearing it is paramount. While comfort is subjective, there are limits. This guide provides an overview of how tight you should adjust your plate carrier and what factors to consider.
Every plate carrier has a different design, so how tight it should be will vary from vest to vest. If a plate carrier is too loose, it will ride up when running or doing any physical activity. On the other hand, if it’s too tight, you could damage your neck muscles because it can restrict blood flow to your brain and internal organs. Also, if a plate carrier is too tight, air won’t circulate inside, which can cause overheating and sweating.
Right fit
Your plate carrier should fit comfortably and not restrict your movement. There are several ways to tell if it’s too loose or tight. If you can fit more than two fingers between your neck and your plate carrier, then it’s probably too loose. If there is no room between your neck and your vest, then it’s probably too tight. It shouldn’t feel like someone is choking you or your breathing is restricted.
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So, according to those guidelines, your plate carrier should fit comfortably. You can always tighten it with your adjustable straps if it’s too loose. If they are too tight, loosen them and adjust them, so they fit correctly.
As long as your plate carrier isn’t too loose or tight, it will perform fine. If you’re unsure of what size to order, buying a vest with multiple adjustment points will make it easier to customize, and you can also read our guide on what size you need.
When your body is too compressed or too restricted, it puts pressure on your heart and lungs. It can make it hard to get enough oxygen into your blood. Even something as small as an overly tight tank top or sports bra can cause these issues in extreme cases. If your vest feels restrictive when you breathe, then it’s probably too tight. If that’s not possible, try loosening up other parts of your kit, like load-bearing equipment (LBE) and vests, so they aren’t constricting your breathing.
What happens when a plate carrier is too loose?
When a plate carrier is loose enough to allow arm movement, it can cause problems like rubbing and chafing from your arms moving around. It also means that your carrier could move out of place if you were involved in an accident or hit hard enough to get knocked over. Plate carriers should fit tightly with no wiggle room for comfort; not too tight that they restrict movement, but just snug enough so there’s no bounce when you run or jog.
Myths About Sagging Plate Carriers and Vests:
There are plenty of misconceptions out there about plate carriers. They include that they should always remain tight and that sagging equates to failure. We’ll dive into these myths and provide tips for properly adjusting your vest or carrier. So, it still fits like a pro.
1- One of these myths is that all carriers must remain tight and fit snugly against your body. It is simply not true, as there are plenty of situations. Where it’s beneficial to wear your vest or carrier more loosely. For example, wearing your vest too tightly can result in chafing or irritation over time. While sagging can help reduce strain on your shoulders and back.
2- In addition, many people assume that sagging equates to failure. There are indeed standards for how carriers and vests should fit. But those standards are designed to ensure safety and combat fatigue. Carriers and vests that don’t meet these standards can still provide protection. It just might not be as effective as it could be.
3- Another myth is that carriers and vests can only be adjusted when they’re brand new. It isn’t true, as there are multiple ways to adjust your vest or carrier over time. For example, adding shoulder pads can provide additional comfort and protection for your shoulders over time.
4- Finally, many assume that adjustable carriers and vests are fewer protectives than nonadjustable models. It isn’t true, as adjustable carriers and vests can provide more protection over time.
What Does the Law Say?
According to OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment standard, body belts, harnesses, and other materials used to secure additional protective equipment shall not be more than two inches above or less than two inches below the point of rostral balance.
Body belts and harnesses shall fit so they do not obstruct work movements or safety lines. In other words, please don’t make your vest so tight that it restricts movement. But also, don’t let it sag around your waist like an old ’80s gangster rap video.
Right Fit
An adequately fitted plate carrier will allow you to run without hindrance and keep your plates from shifting during vigorous activity. If you’re having trouble deciding how tight is too tight, err on the side of the looser; if it’s uncomfortable in any way, tighten until it feels right.
Harness Slack is Not Worn for Comfort
When we get into our carriers for training, some tend to pull on the straps and tighten them down. It is due to habit; we don’t like things that shift or move around when trying to do something else. So, what better way to solve that problem than by pulling it as tightly as possible? Unfortunately, harness slack is not worn for comfort but rather for safety.
The purpose of your harness slack is to allow room for ballistic plates they shift while moving or during an incident. If your carrier was pulled too tight and there was no room between your plates and vest body. There would be no place for those plates to go. If they shifted, that could mean serious injury if they were forced against vital organs such as your heart.
Harness Slack May Be Necessary for Medical Reasons?
Although measuring sling/harness slack is not required to sustain medical certification, some people will have more slack than others. Those who suffer from lower back pain, scoliosis, or even asthma may not be able to breathe deeply enough when braced in their harnesses with full tension on their slings. Having slack in their systems can allow them to breathe easier during challenging physical tasks and limit stress on their bodies overall.
Conclusion:
Now that we’ve established why form-fitting carriers are advantageous, it’s time to get into how they fit. As mentioned above, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sizing a plate carrier. However, some general rules of thumb can help us choose one that fits properly.
The front and rear plates should generally cover at least 80% of your torso. A good rule of thumb for fitting a plate carrier is to put it on like you would if you were about to go out in public or perform law enforcement duties. Then, take a look in a mirror from multiple angles. Make sure all buckles are closed and tightened as much as possible without discomfort.
I hope these tips have been helpful to those of you who are looking for advice on how to choose a plate carrier. As with most things, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sizing. But knowing some general rules of thumb can help ensure that your investment fits properly and will serve its purpose in an emergency. Remember: when it comes to gear, your life depends on it!
