REVIEW: Oberland Gear Armor Carrier Vest

The Armor Carrier Vest (ACV) is the small version of a plate carrier that Oberland Gear has on offer. We have taken a look at the ACV from the "Elite Series" for you. Elite means proprietary manufacture. In contrast to Gear, which is produced abroad (HERE is the ACV in the "non-elite" version), the Elite Series is made in Germany and sewn with materials that are TL certified. This means that now Gear is intended for military use because it now meets the standards of the Bundeswehr.

The plate carrier from the front and back: Here we have SK4 plates from Best Protection inside and the size of the plates also determines the ACV. In contrast to its "non-elite" counterpart, which strongly resembles a Pakistani cut of a JPC from Crye (especially in the area of the shoulder straps, but without using innovative materials like Hypalon), the Elite ACV is designed differently. This includes a drop system that is activated via a cable pull on the right shoulder (it's not quite clear what the loop on the left shoulder is for). The Elite ACV also does not have a kangaroo pouch in the front, which would store magazines or maps. Here you can only attach what is secured via MOLLE.

Seen from the side, you can see the cummerbund that wraps around the upper body. It is closed and equipped with MOLLE, so there is also enough space here to attach pockets. If you open the large flap (right side), you can see a classic plate carrier solution. The cummerbund comes from the right and left, is velcroed in place, and secured with the large flap. So far, so normal.

On the back, there is also a large flap, here you can see how the right and left arms of the cummerbund come together and the cable of the drop system comes over the shoulder, goes through a loop that secures the cummerbund. When the cable is pulled, the plate carrier comes apart and can be quickly dropped. Very practical in emergency situations.

View of the cummerbund: one side has sewn MOLLE loops and velcro, the other side is bare. You can see the seams. Very Spartan.

The interior shines with comfortable 3D mesh fabric, which forms the belly and backside continuously and is also visible on the shoulders. From the belly pouch protrudes an SK4 plate from Best Protection. Slide it in, velcro the flap, and the plate carrier fulfills its purpose.

CONCLUSION: The ACV from Oberland Gear is a nice compact plate carrier, which is advertised by Oberland Gear as light armor for drivers (why, usually it's soldiers who are on the move who need smaller, lighter gear, not those already sitting in a car). It's nice to see how it has evolved: from a small copy of the Crye Precision JPC in the original version to a full-fledged armor that is a kind of miniature CIRAS. The material used by Oberland Gear (600 Denier Ballistic Nylon) is not really innovative, but the quality of the workmanship is good. MOLLE makes the ACV fully customizable. The drop system is solidly executed. By the way, with this color, the ACV would also be suitable for the Austrian Armed Forces (if they were allowed).

The Oberland Gear ACV is available at Gearmaniacs for 259 euros (excluding shipping).