REVIEW: Velocity Systems SCARAB Light

A plate carrier is actually a very simple thing. And there are classic designs that work well and are popular. The SCARAB Light from Velocity Systems takes such a design and modulates it to perfection.

At first glance, we see little surprising: the SCARAB, here in Ranger Green, is a MOLLE-covered plate carrier with a kangaroo pouch. And in Central Europe, it's an exotic. It is available through GEARMANIACS on request. We from SPARTANAT have taken a closer look at it for you.

What is noticeable first about the carrier is that it has very narrow shoulder straps. Looks uncomfortable, but it's not. Much of a plate carrier depends on the shoulder design - and then, of course, on how wide the carrier itself is built and whether its nape, as here, is very pronounced.

When you remove the stretch cover, a shoulder strap made of Ultracomp is revealed. It can be adjusted to be short or long, is padded at the bottom, and is anchored with D-rings to the plate pockets of the carrier. The stretch cover can also be used as a cable tunnel for the radio. The narrow shoulder is also intended to collide as little as possible with the shoulder straps of backpacks or other portable equipment.

On the chest, we see enough Velcro for every patch you have and two clips for attaching chest rigs.

On the belly, there is great freedom. Here three possibilities come together: equip the flap and use it as a closure, release the flap and organize the compartment behind it, or clip on a chest rig.

You don't have to attach every MOLLE loop that is offered to you. The SCARAB has a kangaroo pouch, in which the wearer can insert an insert that can be filled, for example, with three M4 magazines. This equipment keeps the carrier flat and light.

The flap is of course also part of the closure system. Lift it up and the observer sees how the cummerbund comes from the left and right back and is velcroed with its Velcro squares. So far so classic.

Velocity Systems opts for a supporting MOLLE construction on the cummerbund, which is filled with mesh to allow enough air to reach the man who already has to sweat enough. The cummerbund is available in several sizes, so that small and large people can be happy with it.

Finally, something where your girlfriend is right: inner values count. The size of the carrier corresponds to the plates inside. Medium for medium, Large for Large. Our piece carries the nice labeling M and L. To prevent anything from slipping, the ESAPI plates can be secured with Velcro straps. These are the inner values: the better the plate, the more protected the life.

Velocity Systems also does not waste any material in the back part, instead, the cummerbund is velcroed quite tightly - see left in the plate compartment. The length adjustments are the differently long bands. That's a good thing, why take more material than you need …

In front, however, where it is important, the owner can attach. In the presentation of the kangaroo pouch above, it certainly noticed that the MOLLE loops on the flap are covered with Velcro.

Together with the buckles above and the Swift-Clip Kit from Velocity Systems, the user can easily insert chest rigs here - such as the D3CR from HSP (here in our review) - or Mayflower Rigs. But different equipped Placards (replacement flaps in specific configurations) from Velocity Systems also fit here, which can be quickly replaced when the shooter, for example, needs to switch between M4 (5.56) and SCAR-H (7.62) on the fly. The combination of rig and plate carrier is great when the soldier really needs to gear up. But the man can take off the combat gear without having to remove the protective plate carrier. By the way, an admin pocket is integrated in the front pocket for easy access to maps and other essentials.

Finally, something where your girlfriend is right: inner values count. The size of the carrier corresponds to the plates inside. Medium for medium, Large for Large. Our piece carries the nice labeling M and L. To prevent anything from slipping, the ESAPI plates can be secured with Velcro straps. These are the inner values: the better the plate, the more protected the life.

You don't have to be soft to not want it too hard. The mesh on the SCARAB is pleasantly soft and a little padded. Then the plate is not so hard on the luxury body ... The carrier itself is made of supple 500D Cordura.

A back can also be delightful. If the man were a sheriff here, he could easily attach the legible sign at the top back panel. The user can also expand here with MOLLE pouches.

But we like best the two zippers on the right and left, so storm gear can be quickly attached here.