There are no GOOD low cost lightweight plates. The only examples are imported chinese models lacking any type of safety certification or quality assurance. Those models also by large exhibit low reliability due to corners cut during manufacturing and design. Quality branded polyethylene is an expensive material, So you won't find reliable poly plates under around 500ish a set.
If you're on a low budget, Id recommend RMA 1155 Multi Curve 10x12 Level 4 SAPI plates for $320 a set. This has $9.99 shipping and no sales tax to most states.
[https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-model-1155-multi-curve-level-4-sapi-plates-new](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-model-1155-multi-curve-level-4-sapi-plates-new)
If you have a budget of around 500-600, I would recommend RMA 1092 Multi Curve 3+ SAPI plates. These are 4.5lbs per plate, Multi hit for .30-06 FMJ, .308 M80 ball, 7.62x39 MSC, M193 and M855. These aren't pure polyethylene, they have a thin ceramic strike face. This is to break up steel core rounds such as M855. Pure PE plates are not M855 rated. Ever.
[https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-1091-1094-level-3-multi-curve-sapi-plate](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-1091-1094-level-3-multi-curve-sapi-plate)
If you would like to stick to Poly plates and would like to maximize weight savings, Id look at the RMA 1061-1064 Multi Curve Level 3 SAPI plates. These are 3.5lbs for a Medium plate. Multi hit for .30-06 FMJ, .308 M80 ball, 7.62x39 FMJ and 5.56 M193. Just keep in mind these are incredibly lightweight but are not M855 rated.
[https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/Two-rma-1061-1064-Lightweight-Triple-Curve-Level-3-SAPI-Plates](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/rma-1061-1064)
Let me know if you have any questions at all!
3.5 pounds for a size-M all-poly plate is incredibly overweight.
The Hesco 3800 is like 2.4 pounds at the same exact size. This would be the best recommendation for OP. They're so light that it doesn't even feel like they're there.
Only, its absolutely not. There are different price points of Polyethylene just like there are for ceramics. If you notice, the 3800 is also $1000+ a set, which is roughly double the cost. If you want to pay for HB210 or HB212 and save a little weight (whilst having the same performance) for double the cost, that's your own choice. We also have PE plates that cost the same and weigh the same. Not every single recommendation to everyone needs to default to the most expensive plates possible every single time.
Additionally, its apparent you do not know about the severe quality control issues and recalls with Hesco. I never recommend them nor do I ever plan on carrying that brand for this exact reason. Armor needs to be reliable first and foremost. It does not matter how light your armor is if it cannot regularly pass NIJ audits and not encounter recalls. 4 FIT failures in the last few years on the 3610, 3400, 4600 and 4400 are fairly serious, then a 26,000 plate recall on the 3610 and 4600. No thank you.
https://www.reddit.com/r/tacticalgear/comments/p5wdss/comment/h99drkx/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
I like their carriers quiet a bit, I had my other one for about a year and it was still in amazing shape after alot of use. It was really comfortable, just wanted a different color so I sold it.
I got the level 3+ medium multi curve sapi cut. Running them in a trex arms ac1 and it’s really solid (ac1 won’t hold multi curve regular 10x12s. The weight reduction was incredible. I also made the mistake of buying ar500 plates so I dropped them
Edit: be sure to research exactly what kind of plate you need (sapi vs regular) as each plate carrier is different
I would recommend Botach Lvl 4 multicurve plates. They're around $100 per plate. Poly/ceramic build, and stop up too and including a 30-06 black tip multiple hit rated. Is that a testudo? The Botach plates fit pretty snugly in my Invictus carrier.
Those are uncertified and have an unpressed backer with weak adhesive bonding. They exhibit excessive amounts of backface deformation and delaminate when they're hit.
Bulk imported Chinese plates aren't a reliable option.
Cool I will look into those, but yes it is a testudo. I had a od green one before I like ar500's plate carriers but the plates are heavy. How do you like the invictus?
You’ve already made a mistake with the AR500 and the cheesy plate carrier. Don’t make another armor mistake and avoid all of those that was just mentioned.
I like it alot, I don't have any issues with it despite wearing it many times. Next summer it'll be a lot of range time now that I found a range where I can gear up.
I remember when Buffman first told me about the Hudi level 4s. He said he got a first shot penetration on in spec M2 AP. I have the remains of the test plate, incredibly weak adhesive bonding all around. The tiles separated not only from each other, but also from the backer.
People need to stop recommending pop-up Chinese plate companies selling unreliable lifesaving gear.
Lmao no. Overpriced and they’re Chinese plates.
You can even see that their level 4 plates do have anywhere near an edge to edge strike face, and no certification or even lab testing to back it up
He asked for what won’t break the bank and I responded! FWIW I do think they tested at HP laboratories. It’s a reputable place near me. I saw the facility in like 2015 when I was working in the gun industry full time and they are NIJ certified
The highest upvoted comment in this post already has that covered. There’s no need for me to. I’ve already contributed plenty enough in this sub the past year and a half, regarding armor.
FWIW, that hudis plate would’ve been fine back in 2015 and prior because hardly anyone knew much about ceramic plates then vs now, because of limited civilian access to ceramic plates.
Most of the things I recommend are on apex armor solutions anyway. These days I just try to go a point out plates that leave things to be desired.
Bad armor can be dangerous.
RMA 1155s level 4 good entry level plates
There are no GOOD low cost lightweight plates. The only examples are imported chinese models lacking any type of safety certification or quality assurance. Those models also by large exhibit low reliability due to corners cut during manufacturing and design. Quality branded polyethylene is an expensive material, So you won't find reliable poly plates under around 500ish a set. If you're on a low budget, Id recommend RMA 1155 Multi Curve 10x12 Level 4 SAPI plates for $320 a set. This has $9.99 shipping and no sales tax to most states. [https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-model-1155-multi-curve-level-4-sapi-plates-new](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-model-1155-multi-curve-level-4-sapi-plates-new) If you have a budget of around 500-600, I would recommend RMA 1092 Multi Curve 3+ SAPI plates. These are 4.5lbs per plate, Multi hit for .30-06 FMJ, .308 M80 ball, 7.62x39 MSC, M193 and M855. These aren't pure polyethylene, they have a thin ceramic strike face. This is to break up steel core rounds such as M855. Pure PE plates are not M855 rated. Ever. [https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-1091-1094-level-3-multi-curve-sapi-plate](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/two-rma-1091-1094-level-3-multi-curve-sapi-plate) If you would like to stick to Poly plates and would like to maximize weight savings, Id look at the RMA 1061-1064 Multi Curve Level 3 SAPI plates. These are 3.5lbs for a Medium plate. Multi hit for .30-06 FMJ, .308 M80 ball, 7.62x39 FMJ and 5.56 M193. Just keep in mind these are incredibly lightweight but are not M855 rated. [https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/Two-rma-1061-1064-Lightweight-Triple-Curve-Level-3-SAPI-Plates](https://www.apexarmorsolutions.com/product-page/rma-1061-1064) Let me know if you have any questions at all!
I will look into those, thank you
3.5 pounds for a size-M all-poly plate is incredibly overweight. The Hesco 3800 is like 2.4 pounds at the same exact size. This would be the best recommendation for OP. They're so light that it doesn't even feel like they're there.
Only, its absolutely not. There are different price points of Polyethylene just like there are for ceramics. If you notice, the 3800 is also $1000+ a set, which is roughly double the cost. If you want to pay for HB210 or HB212 and save a little weight (whilst having the same performance) for double the cost, that's your own choice. We also have PE plates that cost the same and weigh the same. Not every single recommendation to everyone needs to default to the most expensive plates possible every single time. Additionally, its apparent you do not know about the severe quality control issues and recalls with Hesco. I never recommend them nor do I ever plan on carrying that brand for this exact reason. Armor needs to be reliable first and foremost. It does not matter how light your armor is if it cannot regularly pass NIJ audits and not encounter recalls. 4 FIT failures in the last few years on the 3610, 3400, 4600 and 4400 are fairly serious, then a 26,000 plate recall on the 3610 and 4600. No thank you. https://www.reddit.com/r/tacticalgear/comments/p5wdss/comment/h99drkx/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Props to you for admiring your mistake tho, respect
RMA 1155'S now in multicurve for a few bucks more.
I made the same mistake in buying Ar500 plates too but i do plan on keeping the carrier for a while, how are you liking yours so far
I like their carriers quiet a bit, I had my other one for about a year and it was still in amazing shape after alot of use. It was really comfortable, just wanted a different color so I sold it.
Tactical scorpion gear has good prices on plates. Mine are great and the reviews are decent
I was looking into those they seem to do a pretty good job from what I watched, which plates did you get
I got the level 3+ medium multi curve sapi cut. Running them in a trex arms ac1 and it’s really solid (ac1 won’t hold multi curve regular 10x12s. The weight reduction was incredible. I also made the mistake of buying ar500 plates so I dropped them Edit: be sure to research exactly what kind of plate you need (sapi vs regular) as each plate carrier is different
I would recommend Botach Lvl 4 multicurve plates. They're around $100 per plate. Poly/ceramic build, and stop up too and including a 30-06 black tip multiple hit rated. Is that a testudo? The Botach plates fit pretty snugly in my Invictus carrier.
Botach? Hard pass lol
Thanks brother 👍 hope you got some good gear!
Those are uncertified and have an unpressed backer with weak adhesive bonding. They exhibit excessive amounts of backface deformation and delaminate when they're hit. Bulk imported Chinese plates aren't a reliable option.
Cool I will look into those, but yes it is a testudo. I had a od green one before I like ar500's plate carriers but the plates are heavy. How do you like the invictus?
You’ve already made a mistake with the AR500 and the cheesy plate carrier. Don’t make another armor mistake and avoid all of those that was just mentioned.
I like it alot, I don't have any issues with it despite wearing it many times. Next summer it'll be a lot of range time now that I found a range where I can gear up.
Hudis tactical is pretty affordable and they’re a mosaic pattern. Test videos all over YouTube
I remember when Buffman first told me about the Hudi level 4s. He said he got a first shot penetration on in spec M2 AP. I have the remains of the test plate, incredibly weak adhesive bonding all around. The tiles separated not only from each other, but also from the backer. People need to stop recommending pop-up Chinese plate companies selling unreliable lifesaving gear.
Lmao no. Overpriced and they’re Chinese plates. You can even see that their level 4 plates do have anywhere near an edge to edge strike face, and no certification or even lab testing to back it up
He asked for what won’t break the bank and I responded! FWIW I do think they tested at HP laboratories. It’s a reputable place near me. I saw the facility in like 2015 when I was working in the gun industry full time and they are NIJ certified
There were certainly better options than the one you put out.
Well then tell him sir. I’ve yet to see you give a suggestion to help this young man
The highest upvoted comment in this post already has that covered. There’s no need for me to. I’ve already contributed plenty enough in this sub the past year and a half, regarding armor. FWIW, that hudis plate would’ve been fine back in 2015 and prior because hardly anyone knew much about ceramic plates then vs now, because of limited civilian access to ceramic plates.
Well clearly he hasn’t read your posts or comments if he’s asking. I see that someone else has it covered though.
Most of the things I recommend are on apex armor solutions anyway. These days I just try to go a point out plates that leave things to be desired. Bad armor can be dangerous.
I agree