REVIEW: FROG.PRO Defender Low Visibility Plate Carrier

The kit at hand, while being totally modern: FROG.PRO has reinvented itself and has been presenting its new minimalist line for a few months now. We have already introduced the Defender Plate Carrier with its options to you here: now we have tried it hands-on. Individually configured, as slim as possible, out of the car and put on.

FROG.PRO focuses on Low Visibility and is fully on trend: a slick Plate Carrier equipped with only the essentials. Here are four magazines, radio, tourniquet on the person, nothing more.

On the side, there is a non-armored Stretch-Cumberbund that serves as a practical equipment carrier.

On the back: nothing. A truly slick design that is extremely functional in practice. Since the plate pockets are flexible, everything works: SAPI, E-SAPI, Swimmer Cut, and more.

This is the complete kit from FROG.PRO Defender Low Visibility Plate Carrier: Two plate pockets, front and back. Two Cumberbunds, here three-rowed, making it the S/M variant. The L/XL variant would be four-rowed. Those are also the two size options in which the Defender is available.

We have here the modern Multicam Black kit on the person. The Defender is also available in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, and of course Multicam. Upon request, Tan and Italian Vegetato are also available.

The Cumberbund also includes the magazine load that comes with the kit.

This means that they can be detached from the Cumberbund and then from the plate carrier. The kangaroo loses its pouch. A very efficient way to have an optional magazine carrier on the person.

The 5.56 Mag Velcro Insert Triple is also available separately from FROG.PRO for those who already have a plate carrier.

Basically, it consists of the most efficient organization of Hypalon and Velcro. At the top, you can also thread in a bungee cord as a backup if you feel unsure about the magazines.

The problem of the drain openings is also elegantly solved in Hypalon.

All in all, a maximally slim kangaroo insert, which the user can also use as a magazine carrier in a backpack.

FROG.PRO has a very specific type of Velcro, which can also be seen on the back of the insert. The same hook and loop Velcro is also used on the cumberbund.

Without the kangaroo pouch, the Defender is simply a slick that can also be worn concealed. The cumberbund can also remain empty, so that the Defender is purely used as a plate carrier.

Nice detail on the shoulder straps: the logo frog from FROG.PRO has its place here.

Patches are essential: on the chest, the Velcro is waiting for your emblem.

The clips on the chest are the docking points for other expansion options: such as the Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag if you need more storage space. Or the Modular Reconnaissance Chest Rig from FROG.PRO, essentially the micro rig of the Italians.

Of course, other micros fit as well - HERE is the SPARTANAT Guide Micro Rigs.

There is a special cutout in the cumberbund so that it is easy to release. A pleasant detail, if the cumberbund is chosen large enough. Personally, we could use one size larger.

Here is the detached cumberbund with the FROG.PRO Velcro at the front. You can see the free grip surface nicely.

Shoulder straps are minimalist: MIL-W-17337, Class 2 Webbing with a width of 2". If you want more padding, you have to get it yourself.

The shoulders are adjusted simply by Velcro. It's also easy to see how well everything is sewn.

Back view of the plate carrier: you can nicely see the SAPI that is pushing through. Otherwise, nothing special here.

Rear Velcro panel with the attached Low Visibility Elastic Cummerbund. We are pushing the limits here, even if we only want to wear medium plates, the larger cummerbund would be advantageous.

But let's unpack everything around the Defender for a moment.

These are the two parts of the cummerbund - with enough lateral slots for equipment.

And here are the two plate pockets of the Defender Carrier.

In the middle of the rear, a Rubber Patch from FROG.PRO is installed. The carrier rests on the shoulder blades - the patch doesn't look good on the spine. We would have chosen a different place for it. If it bothers you: cut it out.

Last but not least: the attachment of the SAPI plate is also done with Hypalon and the well-known Velcro.

CONCLUSION: FROG.PRO is once again at the forefront of time and delivers a beautiful and minimalist kit with the Defender that wears great. Armani-Gear that can expand and adapt step by step as needed by the user. Best Italian design.

You can get the FROG.PRO Defender Low Visibility Plate Carrier directly from FROG.PRO or any retailers carrying the brand for 299.99 euros. You can find FROG.PRO in Vienna at STEINADLER.

FROG.PRO online