Airsoft Action - January 2021

KIT & GEAR
5.11 ALL MISSIONS PLATE CARRIER
it, designed for the quick release mag holder that’s
included with the purchase. This holds three STANAG
(M4 style) magazines. The Hex grids are available as
a single aftermarket item; allowing you to buy others
and build them to suit different loadouts, making
it super easy to change from mission to mission,
depending on the task.
With all hex grid parts removed the plate carrier
looks more like the 5.11 Tac-Tec version, only without
MOLLE on the lower half of the outer front and rear
plate panels. This still means you can attach Velcrobacked
pouches should you require them. That said,
the plate carrier has another Kangaroo pouch here, so
using the quick release mag holder mentioned above,
you can carry magazines easily - just in a slightly more
low-profile loadout.
This option is still available at the lowest profile
option too, once you remove the two stretchy
cummerbunds, meaning all you have is the front
and rear plate sections held around your waist by a
single strap and clip. The padded sleeves that feature
hydration tube guides for a water bladder along the
outside edge of the the shoulder can be removed
from the shoulder straps themselves, making the
whole thing into a very low-profile plate carrier.
Inside there are two thick pads on the front
and back, adding that element of comfort but
also providing a channel of airflow to avoid you
overheating under the plate carrier. The plates I got
in addition to the carrier are non-ballistic and are for
training only. They give the feel of the real thing and
certainly the weight, which means that it is a great
option for exercise too, adding 10kg to any exercise.
If I am exercising with the plate carrier, I use it in the
lowest profile option, that way it doesn’t get in the
way of any exercise but still makes me work harder.
The plates themselves are held in place by Velcro
straps, seating them perfectly over your vital organs.
There is an additional Velcro seal at the base of the
plate pocket sealing them in place.
In-game I have only used it in full loadout. I also
added two MOLLE pouches on the front, both at
45-degree angles. Initially I had them at opposite
45-degree angles until a friend advised me to put
them both on the right side as I am predominantly
right handed, therefore I would change magazine
with my left hand and it would allow both magazine
pouches to be easily accessed from the left.
The design (as stated in the name of this plate
carrier) is geared to all your needs, ready for all
missions. It comes in two colours, black and kangaroo
(a darker version of tan).
Overall, I am happy with it. It is very
accommodating and allows me to customise my plate
carrier more than ever before. The quality of 5.11 is
always very high and this latest plate carrier maintains
it; I even have a new item for exercising with,
which is an additional bonus I did not envisage. It is
comfortable and even after wearing it for some time it
still is not an issue.
It is pricey but for the fact it’s modular, allowing
you to do more than any other plate carriers, makes it
worth it. AA
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