Plate Carrier Sizing

One of the most common questions asked by tactical noobs is about plate carrier sizing. "What size plate carrier do I need?" is a common question because plate carrier sizes vary by brand but the answer is actually very simple. You should buy a plate carrier that fits your armor plates. In this article, we’ll cover armor plate sizing and in turn, plate carrier sizing. 

What Is a Plate Carrier?

A plate carrier is the shell that holds armor plates. Soft body armor is usually measured and cut for a custom fit right out the box. Most plate carriers come in standard sizes, are worn over clothing, and most that are commercially available are constructed from material other than a bulletproof fabric, which is why they need the armor plate. 

For many, a plate carrier doubles as a load-bearing vest for tactical purposes. Therefore, the design usually features MOLLE webbing so that you can attach and detach gear pouches. Some athletes like to wear a plate carrier for training purposes. It gives them extra weight for a more intense workout. 

No matter the reason for wearing a plate carrier, understanding how to find the right size plate is almost the only thing you need to do. 

What Size Armor Plate Should I Get?

Finding the right size plate requires a little bit of measuring and applying some practical standards. For plate sizing, all you need to do is measure your chest from the notch in your collarbone to the belly button for length and from nipple to nipple for width. 

When you browse our selection of armor plates, you might not and probably won’t find the exact dimensions you need. Instead, you’ll find standard sizes. So, you should grab the plate that closest matches your size. 

For example, AR500 offers multiple size plates that include a 10x12 inch and 11x14 inch. If your chest measures 10x13 inches, you should pick the 10x12-inch plate and here’s why:

While a larger plate will cover a larger area, the plate really only needs to cover your sternum, which protects the heart, lungs, and esophagus. The 10x12in plate will effectively do that without restricting your movement or adding unnecessary weight. 

Plate Carrier Sizing

If you’re searching for the right size plate carrier, you’re really looking for one that will hold the right size plate. Plate carrier size, in this instance, becomes somewhat irrelevant. 

Still, the listed size of the plate carrier varies depending on brand. A company like 5.11 Tactical only offers a one-size-fits-all, Blackhawk offers traditional sizes like small, medium, and large, and AR500 sizes are listed according to plate size. So, which one do you buy?

Again, the right size plate carrier is the one that can hold the dimensions of your armor plate. After you’ve narrowed your selection by that, you should then match the size to your body type. After that – it doesn’t matter if it's medium, large, or a one-size-fits-all – almost all of them come with adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist band or cummerbund.

Remember, to find the right size plate carrier, you must first find the right size plate. Find your size armor plate and plate carrier today and make sure to check out our guide on How to Buy the Best Plate Carrier to learn more about sizing and additional features to look for in a tactical vest.