RTS Tactical is a seller of high end plate carriers as well as the plates to put inside. RTS Tactical sent me a couple of Level III+ plates and their Advanced Sleek 2.0 plate carrier a couple months back, so I could check it all out.
The Sleek 2.0 is a great setup that allows me the ability to don it relatively fast (even though it’s heavy with the plates) in an attempt to up my chances of living, just in case I ever forget to report on that six hundred and first dollar and find some freshly trained fat bodies kicking my door in at night on behalf of my drunken uncle.
The RTS Tactical Level III+ plates are good to go. There are plenty of shooting videos out there with folks putting their Level 3+ plates to the test that really show their durability. They’re capable taking various rifle rounds like 7.62X39 and 5.56 NATO green tips with ease.
The plates themselves are AR600 steel that features a strong coating to make sure you don’t take any bullet fragments after being hit.
Being bullet resistant is great, but the real winner is the carrier itself.
Comfort:
As I sit here and type this out, I’m actually wearing the carrier, plates inserted. It is pretty comfortable, considering what it is. This is due to the thick padding on the body-facing portion of the carrier itself.
Also helpful is the fact that you can adjust the carrier to your body type. Because I have a longer torso than most, and I’d rather protect my heart than my intestines if given the choice, I can raise it up a bit more than the average size guy or gal might need.
The side straps attach to the vest with some really thick Velcro material, and the straps themselves are a stretchy type material that is nice for those of us with beer bellies. Helping aid in comfort, is the fact that the plates are contoured for the human body, and the straps help it get nice and close.
If adjusted properly, which some folks might not do, there shouldn’t be any movement in the carrier once it’s on.
The straps also have some built in magazine pouches that hold standard AR-15 mags, with the ability to hold AR or pistol mags, depending on which pouch you’re using.
Sizing:
The biggest concern I had prior to ordering, is that I wouldn’t fit inside the plate carrier. I’m a pretty big dude, even though I’ve lost about 20 pounds since receiving it.
The company was nice enough to send me the XXL version and it fits well. And, because it’s got options as far as being adjustable goes, it still fits. Thankfully, because I’d hate to have to put all that weight back on just to protect my organs.
If your stomach is bigger, you can adjust the stomach straps to your liking. Just keep in mind that it should be relatively tight. This plate carrier is meant to be snug so it doesn’t move.
I adjusted it as follows the first time I put it on, and have only adjusted it to make up for lost weight since:
I put the Velcro straps to where I wanted them on the backside, and then on the front it is always adjusted to the right spot, based on where it sits on the back. Because speed is important to me in case my drunk uncle, or some other criminal, breaks in during the wee hours of the morning, I have it adjusted to the exact spot each time it goes on.
So the back side (pictured above) of the straps never come off. To don and doff the the vest, I undo the left front strap, and and know that the front tips of each strap should touch, as shown in the (below) photo.
I don’t want to adjust it after its on because that takes time.
When I put it on, I tend to leave the right side strapped, and just slip my arm through the hole, and then reach down with my left hand to find the other strap. I grasp the thick, Velcro tip of the strap, and run it up to its spot, touching the other strap.
Voila. I can then run, kneel, or whatever I need to do to protect myself. It is tight enough that it doesn’t move.
Materials and Quality:
Overall, the RTS Advanced Sleek 2.0 Plate Carrier is a high quality item. I didn’t dissect it, ya know, because I like it, but the parts that I can see hold up to my scrutiny.
The stitching is solid and seems to hold up under my use so far. Not that I’m running around and low crawling through the desert in 29 Palms, because those days are behind me.
But, so far so good.
The padding really helps to aid in the comfort level and distributing the extra weight of the heavy AR600 plates.
Overall, this is a nice system that seems like it’ll do a great job of protecting me from dying if I’m ever shot while wearing it.
And, as we all know, you always want a higher rated level of body armor than those stacking up at your door.
Options:
There are a few options. For example, you can get a standard black carrier, or one in coyote. It also comes in three different sizes S/M, L/XL, and XXL.
Finally, you have the option to have the logo on the carrier straps, or it removed. The price doesn’t seem to change when you select different options, which is always a plus.
Conclusion:
If you’re in the market for a new plate carrier system in a comfortable package, you might want to check out this newer option from RTS Tactical. You can learn more by visiting their website, here.
Keep in mind that this system works with 10X12 plates, and won’t work with other sizes.
