Plate Carrier or Modular Chest Rig?

[Moparspanky]

If this has been covered just point me to the posts.

I've used only chest rigs. G.I. Load bearing assault vest and recently a Modular Assault Vest. Although I like the lightweight nature of the vests, I've never tried a plate carrier. I'm about to purchase another MOLLE loadout in OD and I'm looking for some thoughts on plate carriers vs. chest rigs.

Wondering if folks can let me know which they prefer and why?

[Variable]

If I weren't trying to simulate the typical modern Infantryman, I wouldn't wear one. They're heavy and restrict movement. But they're cool as crap and will score you points in the awesomeness factor.

[CommieHunter]

The only reason I wear a plate carrier is for the extra hit bonus in CQC competitions. I wear it all the time in CQC to keep familiarity.

I go as light as possible outdoors.

[Steve]

It depends on how much I am carrying. If I am running my SAW, I generally run a chest rig with a spare SAW box and a pouch with a spare battery, and a radio.

If I am running an assault rifle platform, I run a plate carrier. Since I need to carry a lot more mags, I need the MOLLE real estate. Also, when running an assault role, I carry a lot more gear than I do as a support gunner. The plate carrier distributes the weight, for me, better than a chest rig does.

One thing to watch out for: Lightwieght plate carriers (like the 5.11 ones) don't have a lot of inherant rigidity. They are (in my opinion) more comfy and breathe better, but you need plates or some sort of rigid insert to help it keep it's shape so it doesn't bend when you try to yank mags out of pouches. Heavier plate carriers like the ones put out by Blackhawk tend to hol their shape pretty well even without plates. The down side is that they are a bit thicker and heavier, so they trap more heat in your core area. Plan on increasing your fluid intake, make sure it is sized properly, and spend as much time in it as you can acclimatizing to the way it moves before taking it out to the field.

[Mack]

Outdoor I wear a chest rig because the summers here are brutal. CQC though I wear a plate carrier. They have a little padding and more coverage. Getting a mag dumped on you at close range isn't as bad.

I've thought about going to the TT Modular Plate Carrier with the side panels so I can pull those off for outdoor summer games. Condor makes something similar in concept although I can't remember the name.

[Catch22]

I prefer a plate carrier(with cummerbund) to using a chest rig. I've been using the Condor Operator Plate Carrier for a year or two now and had a Proud PC before that. IMO a platecarrier distributes the weight more evenly than a chestrig. Also with an adjustable/detachable cummerbund, you can modify the vest to just what you want or need.