REVIEW: BeaverFit SOE Plate Carrier

If you survived Christmas, we know what you got: a belly. It's high time to do something about it. For those looking for more challenge, throw on a weight vest, for those preparing for a mission, the plate carrier. From BeaverFit – known for their container fitness centers that can be taken on assignments – they have their own plate carrier, seen at the BeaverFit booth at TACWRK in the image above. It looks like a regular plate carrier and comes in two possible qualities: Cordura and laminate (pictured here). Why this is the case is not quite clear to us, but there is a price difference. The laminate is more expensive. The plate carrier is available in Multicam and Multicam Black. The magic of this SOE Plate Carrier is the loadout: it can be equipped with three magazine dummies and two plate dummies. The SAPI dummies are available in curved and flat versions. And there's a price difference, too. The principle is the same with magazine and SAPI dummies: they have the original weight. An M4 magazine weighs 0.5 kg, a SAPI Plate 2 kg. The dummies weigh the same. They are made of metal on the front ... ... and foam on the back. Probably more for the correct thickness, but maybe also to feel a bit more comfortable on the body during movements. It's a sports carrier, it should be comfortable. The rest is hard enough. The plate carrier is otherwise very classic: the back has MOLLE laser cut, so the user can also mount a hydration bladder. The shoulders are very well padded, especially important when carrying weight while in motion. The cumberbund is simple, an elastic band that wraps around the body on the sides ... ... and is velcroed on the front and back. The flap can be fully released by the wearer, so the carrier can also be worn as a normal slick carrier during operations – filled with real plates. The PC is not a toy, but a fully functional gear. Inside, a very soft mesh is installed. This is good, as the carrier is typically worn with a t-shirt during sports. And no one wants your delicate skin to be damaged.

CONCLUSION: Sport with a weight vest is not a new idea, but BeaverFit adapts the plate carrier for sports. 5.11 Tactical has already done this, as they are in the weight vest business for CrossFit. The BeaverFit SOE is well-designed, but also comes with a hefty price tag.

BeaverFit is asking for 365 pounds for the Cordura version with curved plates, and 300 pounds for the flat plate. Hypalon and flat is 400 pounds, Hypalon curved 460 pounds. The curved SAPI plates alone cost 195 pounds. HERE is the whole sports vest section at BeaverFit. Beaverfit training gear is available in Germany at TACWRK.The BeaverFit logo as a patch on the carrier. The second logo, C2R, refers to the original solution: the Carrier from the Hereford Kit Company, which manufactures the SOE for BeaverFit.