FirstSpear STT Plate Carrier Base, SKD Exclusive
Combine the technological advances of First Spear and the marketing gonads of SKD in a dirty, backseat tryst, and the only thing that could gestate is a ground-breakingly evil product like the First Spear STT (Six-Twelve-Tubes) Plate Carrier.
The First Spear STT PC was created in conjunction with and exclusively for SKD, and offers 6/12(TM) and Tubes (TM) technology in a sub $200 Plate Carrier for the first time. What the market has been missing for years (since the likes of the Eagle Plate Carrier with Cummerbund) has been a full-featured plate carrier from a top tier brand in the sub-$200 category. With the First Spear STT Plate Carrier, you not only get all the traditional features in an all-molle front, back and cummerbund, but you get the bleeding-edge technologies of 6/12 (TM) and Tubes (TM) for a lightweight Molle interface, sex-pot good looks, and the fastest don and doff in the industry- all in a package that weighs a scant 1.6 lbs.
The plate pockets are sized to handle most shooters cut 10" x 12" commercial armor plates, as well as Medium ESAPI/Ceradyne plates (L or XL ESAPI will NOT fit). The bottom flap pushes the plate to the top of the pocket to keep your armor in its proper place over your upper thoracic region. Exclusive to this SKD-spec STT Plate Carrier is the integration of loop velcro strips on the front and back carriers for option of adding PIG AFC Pontoons for increased air flow and padded goodness.
We are offering 3 different cummerbund sizes to maximize fit. Measure your chest around the widest part (usually at nipple height) and it should correspond with your jacket size if you know it. Compare that measurement with the sizes below to select your cummerbund.
S/M: 38"-44" (can hold 6" x 9" soft armor )
M/L: 42"-48" (can hold 6" x 9" soft armor)
If you are in between 2 sizes we recommend trying the smaller of the two sizes first. These sizing suggestions are general guidelines. There are multiple variables in play that make fitting armor an imperfect process at best but this will put most people into the size they need to be.
The M/L and L/XL cummerbunds have elastic for up to 2" of additional stretch. The thickness of your plates and whether you are running any soft armor will also affect the sizing and fit. Adding PIG AFC Pontoons will reduce the size and fit considerably.
As you can probably tell, we're pumped up to offer the STT Plate Carrier exclusively and hope you feel the same way!
As with all First Spear tactical nylon gear, the STT PC is proudly Made in USA!
For plate carrier fitting advice, please see the SKD Blog post: How to Choose the Right Size Plate Carrier
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Reviews
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Good, with some reservations
I dont normally review things, just simply hate it or like it in silence, but this carrier has some good and bad that I feel should be out there. First off the good. The carrier is super light and sized as a minimal design, clearing your whole belt line for your first line gear. It's pretty comfy even without addition padding, but more would definitely make it nice. Now for the bad. The whole 6/12 design was a solution to a problem few had. The extra ounces of webbing wasn't enough to matter usually. Although this design is supposed to work with "legacy molle," the same mentality as calling and iPhone 6 a legacy iphone, it does not particularly like malice clips. If you attempt to run normal HSGI Tacos across the front, the Velcro will not bite enough inside the plate pouch to keep it high and tight as advertised, leading to plate shifting. I think something a little more secure for the plate pocket should have been used, and the cost could still be low.
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Great PC! Almost perfect.
I have never been a big fan of the plate carriers that required the user to lift up the central portion of the carrier - right where mags and other pouches would mount - just to get into or out of the carrier. The First Spear Tubes quick attach system seems to be the best solution for easy access with a cummerbund. My only complaint is that the Tubes at the shoulder can sometimes get in the way of shouldering the weapon. It is more of a "crap that is annoying PEW PEW PEW" than a "Crap I can't bring the rifle to bear", so I'll let it pass. Being able to reverse the front and back panels to get the shoulder tube out of the way would be a big plus.
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Just what I was looking for
Fits my 10×12 plates snuggly. Love the tubes. Light weight and good fit.
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FirstSpear Plate Carrier
Great lightweight plate carrier! I use it as my part of my "active shooter" response kit in my cruiser and it fits great over my uniform and soft body armor. A real value from SKD.
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The budget carrier that doesn't deliver.
There are a few good things with this carrier. It has good material and stitching. The 6/12 system is effective. But there's bad, starting with the tubes. The shoulder tubes can interfere with shouldering the weapon, the side tubes remove prime pouch-mounting real estate (the 2 and 10 o clock positions) and adjustment is more difficult than traditional velcro and elastic cummerbunds. There is no padding on this carrier. The shoulder straps will start biting into your shoulders very quickly. If you actually intend to wear this carrier for longer than 10 minutes, you need to buy padding. I just find it shitty to advertise this as a sub $200 carrier when it needs an extra $40-$70 into making it wearable. I made it work with my 10x12 plates, but the plate carrier really is fitted for esapi mediums. While I will continue to use this carrier and purchase my gear from this site, I can't recommend it.
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Nice
The barrel release system is absolutely excellent as long as it last for years (should) Whole thing is smaller than expected but wanted minimulist anyway. Great product!
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Excellent Plate Carrier
Back plate pocket is a bit larger than the front. But wasn't really an issue once everything's properly secured. Extremely lightweight. I have my doubts about the strength of the laser cut fabric but time will tell if those doubts are warranted. Seems strong enough but i really doubt its tougher than standard molle. Helps keep the weight down a bit though. I threw pontoons on front and back as well as PIG BRIG shoulder pads and its comfy as hell. I foresee no problem wearing it for long hours. And then of course there are the tubes. Tubes is damn nice once your cummerbund is all set up. Donning and doffing are awesomely easy. Molle seems to work perfectly fine on this carrier, As well as malice clips. I did find myself be a bit more careful while installing pouches but nothing major. Overall a great buy and I completely recommend it.
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Fantastic
Absolutely awesome plate carrier. Very light weight and comfortable. Transferred all my pouches over and she is a beast. Will recommend to others.
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Good plate carrier
Good lightweight plate carrier. Easy and quick to get in and out of. Comfortable to wear for long periods of time. My only complaints is that the lack of Velcro for ID patches front and back and that the plate pockets are sized a little small.