REVIEW: Pentagon Zeus Plate Carrier

Zeus is the father of the gods, Pentagon itself is the god of war from America, but the Zeus plate carrier comes from PENTAGON from Greece. They produce - by their own definition - "tactical sportswear". This may be the reason why Zeus at first glance reminds us of the TacTec Plate Carrier from 5.11 Tactical used in CrossFit, although the detailed solutions, as we will see, are somehow different.

From the front, Zeus looks like a large surface of laser cut MOLLE. Those who want to use it less for sports and more as a plate carrier can attach decent pockets here.

Zeus is designed as a detachable carrier. It doesn't do this on the shoulders with a rope system, but uses quick release buckles. Clips - and everything is open.

The shoulder straps lead into an upper admin compartment on the front plate pocket. Convenient for maps or even for the Snickers bar you grab for quick energy during sports. It doesn't have to be all Paleo...

Laser cut MOLLE always requires a second layer to close the slots. Since the material is continuous from top to bottom, the abdominal flap is not recognized as such. However, it is secured with Velcro straps that are folded inwards on the underside.

Under the abdominal flap hides the second part of the quick release system. This is a solution that we have never seen before. Pull the D-ring at the bottom, then the cable releases and frees the cumberbund.

So that this does not have to be done all the time, there are two large quick release buckles on the sides of the cumberbund, which can be opened without having to unfasten anything. It's quick, but quirky.

The cumberbund itself is not elastic and two-row. By the way, it looks similar to the TacTec, but functionally it is not the same because it is elastic and three-row.

Upside down world: the cumberbund is velcroed at the back. Normally, the whole thing is designed so that the quick release system would be found at the back. Zeus has its own rules.

The well-padded shoulder area wraps around the neck like a "U". A rescue handle is also available. This solution on the back leads to - as with the 5.11 Tactical TacTec PC - the wearer having to ensure that the back sits as high as possible when using ballistic plates. Otherwise, the SAPI plate at the back is definitely too low.

When everything is closed: also flexible MOLLE slots at the back as far as the eye can see.

On the inside, Zeus is equipped with padding so that a breeze can reach your divine body.

CONCLUSION: For athletes, this Zeus is a way to get an affordable plate carrier. Especially since PENTAGON also offers very wonderful sports plates.

The PENTAGON Zeus plate carrier is available at RECON COMPANY in black, green, and coyote for Euro 129.95. There is also a variant at the same price in a camouflage pattern reminiscent of Greek Lizard in Multicam. The sport plates from PENTAGON are available HERE.

PENTAGON on the web: pentagon.com.gr

RECON COMPANY on the web: www.recon-company.com