REVIEW: Line of Fire Cobra Carrier

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From Canada - the connoisseur recognizes that immediately from the patch on the chest - comes the Cobra Quick Release Plate Carrier, which is made by LINE OF FIRE and will be available from mid-October. SPARTANAT presents it exclusively in advance. The plate carrier continues a trend that started with belts and now seems to be taking over the entire armor industry: it uses AustriAlpin Cobra Buckles (HERE the interview on the function and history of the buckles). And it also has some other good features that we at SPARTANAT have checked out for you.

At first glance, you notice: the Cobra Carrier looks wider. And it is. The fixed magazine pocket in the front flap on the abdomen holds four M4 magazines compared to three in other plate carriers like LBT-6094A or Crye Precision JPC. The cummerbund has pockets for the side armor. The wide shoulder straps are also noticeable. The Cobra Carrier feels like a small one, but it is armored like a big one: Front, back, shoulders, and sides have soft armor inside. The plate carrier is only available in one size: "One Size Fits All". The shoulder length adjustment works on the back, the strap is not looped back to the front by the way. And of course, there is also a rescue handle.

Here are the very wide, comfortable shoulder straps. They are not super soft, but they hold soft armor. The top side (right) is also equipped with MOLLE.

With the flap on the back raised, you can see how the pockets for the side armor are threaded as a cummerbund. Here, AustriAlpin and ITW Nexus are also involved. The flap itself is fixed to the straps with ITW clips, which is a bit tedious the first time you fix it. On the right, you can see the central loop, which can also be lined with a simple strap. Then the plate carrier is open on the sides and has more air, the side pockets are simply omitted.

Here again, the side pockets in detail. The outside with MOLLE on the left, the inside with pure Multicam on the right. Inside, of course, there is soft armor.

The Cobra buckles look exceptionally good on the carrier. Their advantage: press twice with thumb and forefinger, namely on the side of the body (left, bottom) and on the front of the shoulder (left, top), and the plate carrier releases. Advantage over other quick release systems: this plate carrier is just as quick to put back together as it was to disassemble. No tedious tinkering or fumbling, an impressively simple solution.

The discarded Cobra Carrier assembled. Lined with a mesh lining inside for breathability.

On the underside, the plate pocket is opened, the soft Level IIIA armor can be removed. LINE OF FIRE has some amazing plates that push the performance limits far up. We will introduce them soon.

CONCLUSION: A compact and very convincing plate carrier. The Cobras are exceptionally practical on the Cobra Carrier. The Quick Release works as quickly as the reassembly. The carrier is overall very flat and offers maximum protection even though it is small. Having four magazines in the belly instead of three is also an advantage. Custom works, small extra requests on the carrier, are possible from Line of Fire, just inquire.