REVIEW: Team Wendy ESAPI Training Plate

This is not Papa Smurf pressed into square shapes. Nor is it the upcoming ice cream creation of this year's summer. The blue color is meant to visually signify that it is simply a military training item. These ESAPI Non Ballistic Training Plates come from Team Wendy. We checked them out for you.

Here you can see the bright blue plate. They are made of polyurethane composite and weigh about 2.5 kg each, only available as a pair. In terms of sizing, they correspond to a Small ESAPI measuring 22.2 cm x 29.9 cm, which is what the average American wears on the chest and back. At the same time, they are as heavy as an XL ESAPI. The idea behind it: the training ESAPI should fit into as many carriers as possible, but at the same time, it can weigh as much as the heaviest one.

If you are into ESAPIs, it's no longer a problem. These training plates are meant to protect the expensive ballistic originals and stress the blue dummies. Our jump with 90 kilos on the Team Wendy ESAPI flattened it pretty quickly, and that's not a problem at all, because this plate is relatively soft, at least compared to a real ESAPI.

With Team Wendy, you can strike, jump, or fall on it, and nothing happens that shouldn't. The Wendy ESAPI does not provide any ballistic protection – so please do not hold it up to your chest and let someone shoot at it at home – but it simulates the weight and size of its real counterpart and is excellent for training.

The sizing is good, just put the plates in the plate carrier and you can start practicing with them.

CONCLUSION: A very good idea from Team Wendy. The ESAPI Training Plates fill a real gap, both for those who need it for work and for the reenactor of the world who wants to experience the real weight of ESAPIs but doesn't need ballistic protection. These things can really be put to good use, but more on that later...

You can get the Team Wendy ESAPI Training Plate in Germany at HQG Ausrüstung for around 160.00 Euros (currently not available).