REVIEW: Slick PC Low Vis by Ferro Concepts

"Slick" means smooth and smooth is cool ... At least there is an increasingly clear trend towards slick plate carriers lately. This is the Low Vis version from Ferro Concepts, a small manufacturer from Canada, who sews them themselves and sells them through their blog. The slick in the picture holds large SAPIS in the front and back. They are called "slick" because they are not meant to do much more than carry plates, in that they are "smooth," without MOLLE and their own pockets. SPARTANAT has taken a look at the Slick from Ferro Concepts for you.

Even the back can be delightful: the slick from the back has a Velcro area at the top and on the back you can also see that the straps used to close the plate carrier are sewn on.

These straps are elastic and you stretch them across the abdomen in the front and attach them to the lower Velcro area. At the top, you can also Velcro the shoulder straps and thus change the height of the front and back plate pockets. That's pretty much the whole adventure with this Slick PC ...

The interior of the Slick PC in all its glory can be seen on the left. At the top right are the shoulder straps, which are also adjustable with Velcro. At Ferro Concepts, the straps are also available in Multicam, while an LBT Slick can be recognized by its coyote-colored straps. At the bottom right, you can see how the compartment for the SAPI closes: insert plate, seal the large flap with Velcro. Done! There is a small tab to pull on, and everything is quickly opened again.

The front is not as bare as it could be. A map pocket on the chest has Velcro on it, so it can also be used as a patch holder. On the right and left of it are loops in Multicam, which can be used for attaching a PTT. Looking into the map pocket is difficult because it is quite snug against the chest plate: inside, there is a stitched elastic loop that can hold writing utensils or multiple chemlights.

CONCLUSION: The Slick Plate Carrier Low Vis from Ferro Concepts is a very practical piece of gear. It differs little from the LBT-6094A Slick from London Bridge Trading, but is slightly cheaper in price. Both slicks would be classified as Generation 1: this can be seen by the thin tension straps used to close the PC (Gen. 2 has straps that are twice as wide and side pockets that can be attached). A slick is great because you always have the SAPIS on your body. If you want to carry equipment, you would layer a LBT-1961 (preferably A-R) or another chest rig over it. The rig can be easily removed at any time, while the SAPIS stay on the body. For those who prefer a lighter load and want to upgrade the Slick PC: the Toy Soldier Velcro Mag Panels are an excellent and affordable addition.

The Slick Plate Carrier Low Vis is available directly from Ferro Concepts. It comes in sizes S/M and L/XL, as well as in Cordura colors 500D BLACK, 500D COYOTE BROWN, 500D MULTICAM, 500D AOR1, 1000D AOR1, 1000D OLIVE DRAB. It costs 100 US dollars.