PIG Plate Carrier (US Pat. Nos. 9,222,757 & D781,000)
by Sean
PIG Plate Carrier - The PIG Plate Carrier is the most versatile PC I have ever worn. The LIK Kit is a huge plus for limiting the amount of straps hanging off of my body armor. Having the ability to change the attachment points for the Double D ring (I love saying that) to fastex is great for my weak side. I can still ditch it quickly on one side but don't have anything that interferes with my my rifle stock on my firing side. The super small profile of the PIG rig is amazing. i no longer feel like the state puff marshmallow man in my Armor. I was a little worried when i first put it on that it wasn't giving me enough coverage. Then I realized MY ESAPI plate was in it.... made me realize how poorly I had covered my vital organs in the past. The high riding PIG PC keeps my thoracic area covered better than any other PC I have ever worn and I have a full range of motion. The way I see it, I'll survive a gut shot more than likely (although the pain may make me want to die) but my chances of surviving a collapse lung due to trauma are slim.
The Patrol Incident Gear Plate Carrier (PIG PC) is a Patented (US Pat. Nos. 9,222,757 & D781,000) design that was over two years in the making. Starting off as a modified Eagle Plate Carrier Pre-production model in 2007, we threw out the drawing board altogether and performed a complete ground-up metamorphosis based directly on a list of functional attributes we wanted to feature. The result is the most versatile, and most highly-rated plate carrier on the market. The PIG PC is a lightweight plate carrier system that allows the user to configure the kit to work optimally with their mission profile. It is proudly Made in the USA, and offers some of the most unique features available on a plate carrier today.
Approx. weight (w/ Molle Cummerbund): 2 lbs 11 oz
- Elevated Plate Profile - Most plate carriers on the market tend to carry the plate extremely low in relation to the most vital organs and vessels in the upper-thoracic region they are meant to protect. One of the main goals of this carrier was to get both front and back plates high enough to maximize protection of your vitals. An adjustable plate harness pushes each plate to the top of the plate pocket, and keeps plates centered left and right through internal velcro stabilizers. The PIG PC also places the top of the rear plate ABOVE the connection point to the shoulder straps. This allows both front and rear plates to be optimally positioned without sacrificing comfort.
- One Size Fits Most – The adjustable plate harness and the internal Velcro stabilizers allow the wearer to use any size SAPI/ESAPI plate from Small through Extra Large (or similar corner cut plates) without having the plates bottom out or swim around in the carrier. The PIG is the only plate carrier that can secure this wide range of plate sizes while maintaining such a low footprint on the wearer.
- Rear Padding System - The rear plate carrier features two vertical back pads that keep contact off of your spine and creates an air-flow channel to aid in increased ventilation and heat dissipation. These vertical pads flow into the integral padded shoulder straps, creating a continuous shock-absorbing feature that is extremely comfortable for extended use.
- Hybrid Construction - Utilizes 500 Denier Cordura and lightweight Pack Nylon in different areas according to abrasion exposure to minimize weight.
- Multiple Cummerbund Options - Now you can get all the features you want, or just those you need with regards to the cummerbund. With 2 cummerbund options and 3 side plate carrier options, you have multiple configurations to select from.
- Scalable Side Plate Pocket Options - Now you can use 6"x 6" side plates as well as 6"x 8" & 7" x 8" models with the extended retention strap feature on both of our Side Plate Carrier models. The elastic expansion capability allows you to run just a side plate, or both a side plate and a soft armor backer behind it with no slop or movement in the pouch. The PIG Modular Side Plate Carrier (MSPC) adds the most versatility, securing most any size side plate with or without soft armor backer to any Molle surface.
- Dedicated Plate-backer Pockets - Each PIG PC ships with a custom cut foam panel that sits inside a dedicated pocket to increase comfort for the wearer. You can access and replace this panel with a soft armor insert without having to touch your plates and visa-versa. This makes plus-ing up or scaling down a much simpler operation.
- G-Hook Applications - The PIG PC is the first production Plate Carrier to utilize ITW G-Hook, easily one of the most versatile pieces of hardware available to the tactical market today. Used in the primary shoulder strap attachment, it allows the user to replace hardware in the field and select between a side release buckle or a metal D-ring assembly. The PIG PC Load Integration Kit also uses G-Hooks to seamlessly integrate the popular Eagle Yote pack to the PIG PC.
- Semi-Rigid Drag Handle - The tubular nylon drag handle houses a length of plastic tubing to increase surface area and comfort when gripping.
- Split Cummerbund Retention Flaps - By splitting the cummerbund flaps, the user is able to keep one side attached at all times through repeated don/doff cycles. The flaps' outer corners are retained by snap tabs that come up from underneath to keep the corner retained. Each flap includes a kangaroo pouch for hasty item storage or integration of dedicated flap pouches.
- Front & Back Velcro PALS - Now you don't have to settle for either just a velcro panel, or PALS without velcro. Both front and back plate compartments have velcro-covered PALS webbing that lets the user configure the Plate Carrier with ID patches or modular pouches as necessary.
To order a functional PIG-PC system, at a minimum you must select 1 x PIG PC Chassis and 1 x PIG PC Cummerbund. This Ala Carte system allows the user to custom configure their carrier for their specific mission straight from the vendor.
Want a Low-Profile High Mobility configuration with slick sides? Select the PIG PC Chassis with PIG-PC-CBE (Elastic Cummerbund). This is easily the most comfortable and adjustable combination.
Want to maximize load capability and run with side plates? Choose the PIG-PC Chassis with PIG Plate Carrier Molle Cummerbund (previously named: Soft Armor Compatible Molle Cummerbund) and PIG-PC-SPC-CBM (Side Plate Carrier, Molle Cummerbund). Want Cummerbund Soft Armor inserts and the Side plate in front of the soft armor? Select the PIG Cummerbund Soft Armor Inserts and the MSPC.
Options are as follows:
- PIG-PC-CBE / Elastic Cummerbund - A simple 4" wide elastic cummerbund attaches via velcro to the rear cummerbund channel on the PIG-PC Chassis. When configured, user should affix the cummerbund on the bottom-most 4 inches of the rear cummerbund channel, and correspondingly secure the front of the cummerbund at the bottom-most 4 inches under the front cummerbund flaps.
- PIG Molle Cummerbund (previously named Soft Armor Compatible Cummerbund)- Offering 10 columns and 3 rows of PALS webbing on each side, this cummerbund allows for a host of modular mounting options. Adjustments to the shock cord can be made through an adjustment slot in the rear cummerbund channel of the PIG-PC Chassis. The offset paracord pull handles aide in removal when doffing. The inside of the cummerbund is lined with loop velcro to incorporate the PIG-PC-SPC-CBM (Side Plate Carrier, Molle Cummerbund) with a webbing loop for a retention tether. *This item can be used with the Eagle Molle Plate Carrier with Cummerbund.*
- PIG Elastic Cummerbund Sleeve - Instantly provides you with 6 columns and 4 adjacent rows of Molle to increase your load bearing capability. The Elastic Cummerbund Side Plate Carrier: allows you to carry any side plate from 6" x 6", 6" x 8" and 7" x 8". The Elastic Cummerbund Molle Sleeve w/ Side Plate Carrier: combines the features of both of the previous systems into one product.
- PIG-PC-SPC-CBM / Side Plate Carrier for Molle Cummerbund - This velcro pouch offers the user a side plate capability for the PIG-PC-CBM. Due to the large velcro engagement area inside the cummerbund, the user has a host of placement options, fore and aft, as well as by turning the orientation of the pouch. The pouch will hold 6"x 6" side plates as well as 6"x 8" & 7" x 8" with the retention strap oriented up or down. The cord supplied with each PIG-PC-SPC-CBM is for a tether to be tied through the grommet on the cummerbund for additional retention in extreme environments.
- PIG-MSPC / Modular Side Plate Carrier- When running Soft Armor in the Cummerbund, it is important to keep the Side Plate in front of the soft armor. The MSPC allows the wearer to do just that. Utilizing Malice clips, the MSPC attaches to the PIG Molle Cummerbund and any other Molle interface.
- PIG-PC-LIK / Load Integration Kit - Utilizing the innovative G-Hook from ITW, this kit includes all the necessary hardware to allow for the seamless integration of load and/or hydration systems such as the popular Eagle YOTE.
- PIG-PC-GH-SRB / G-Hook Side Release Buckle Kit (2) - Each PIG-PC-Chassis includes this item as a primary attachment for front and back plate carriers. This kit provides 2 additional assemblies to use as field replacements, or to attach additional accessories to the array of G-Hook anchors on the PIG-PC padded shoulder straps.
- PIG-PC-GH-DD / G-Hook Double D-Ring Kit (2) - This double ring assembly allows the user to replace a G-Hook Side Release Buckle assembly on the PIG-PC Chassis to allow for a reduced profile, and very quick strap adjustment.
For plate carrier fitting advice, please see the SKD post: How to Choose the Right Size Plate Carrier
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PIG Plate Carrier Plate Installation
How to install plates in the front and back plate pockets for ...
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PIG Plate Carrier Soft Armor Compatible Molle Cummerbund
3 part video detailing the installation of the Molle Cummerbun...
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PIG Plate Carrier Elastic Cummerbund
Details and installation of the Elastic Cummerbund for the PIG...
Reviews
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Well made, quality product
I normally just run from my belt but had the need for a chestrig/plate carrier. After some research and thanks to the SUCKIT promotion i decided to go ahead and order the PIG Plate Carrier. All i can say is wow. It is very well made, sturdy, good quality stitching, comfortable - a very well made product. In addition to the above it has some very nice additional features that make it stand out from other products. The ability to take a variety of plate sizes/types and hold them secure is a plus. Highly recommended.
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PIG
I love this carrier.It sits comfortably and has a great carrying capacity. (My pack can span from 60-100 lbs. depending on the day.) It keeps me much cooler than my previous APCs, and the plates stay grounded in their respective places. It's hard to find a complaint about this equipment. If I were you, I would buy this. "Wolfram," STS Operator.
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P.I.G. Plate Carrier
Absolutely love this rig, never realized how low my plates rode on my RBAV/Paraclete/IOTV. The over head arm range of motion superb. Donning and doffing is super easy and the internal padding is cushy and well ventilated. All in all its an outstanding piece of kit and worth every penny!
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Great gear
I had been looking for something with more flexibility of plate choice than my Eagle NSW rig. This PC is BY FAR the most comfortable I have worn. The plates sit up nice and high, like they should. The only issue I had was that for the soft plates to fit perfect you have to use the PIG ones, but that is a small issue and there are work arounds for it. Here is hoping they let me use it on my next deployment, as it smokes the scaleable plate carrier in every way.
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THE VERY TOP OF THE LINE!!!
Well my initial three reviews were a little long, so I have to summarize all the praise from that one. Pros: Quality for the price is unreal. Shipping from SKD was three or four days tops. Options of how you want to set this rig up, by far best out their. Back padding panels that flow right into the shoulder pads is unique and amazingly comfortable. LIK(Load Integration Kit), is an amazing option. No more need for bulky and more often than not useless GP pouches. Everything can just go into the back pack(I prefer the Eagle Yote), which you can detach and throw into your rucksack when need be. Ability to egress quickly without cables that always get in the way is a huge plus. Rock solid construction at minimum weight. Cons: Kind of a pain to get setup(lots of velcro that sticks to everything before you're done). MOLLE cumberbund has no stiffener like elastic side plate adapter, creating a droop with heavy and bulky GP pouches. OUTCOME: Amazing product for price!
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P.I.G. Plate Carrier
This thing rocks! It is my first personally owned PC, I have been issued three different styles in the past, and this one puts them to shame! The plates ride high, making squating or bending over easy! Its also much cooler than the other PC's I've used. I am a contractor in the middle East and it is great to have any piece of equipment that will keep you a degree or two cooler and incrase your mobility, without sacrificing safety. Get it!
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Finally somebody got the plate height right!
Owning an Eagle CIRAS & PC already, I wondered if the PIG would fill a role for me or end up 'just another PC' in the closet. As soon as I put it on I knew that this was something special - the PIG is ALL ABOUT THE PLATE HEIGHT. I am a shorter guy, fairly broad across the chest and found the placement perfect to provide ample protection and clear holsters and equipment mounted on warbelts. Padding is generous and the straps are profiled for full range of movement and comfortable shouldering of weapons. Wearing the PIG with plates for 3-4 hours at a time illustrated the improvement this is over the older Eagle PC in terms of airflow and comfort. I was going to give this 4 stars as I rarely feel a product deserves to be rated 'perfect', but I can't find anything I dislike. It rides well, solves the plate height problem, is cool, comfortable and low-profile. It is light-weight but exudes quality of construction. It ticks all the boxes so it gets five stars from me.
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The "PIG" is worth the price!
Coming from a military background and constantly training with competitive shooters, I have seen my share of plate carriers. However, when I first saw the PIG while shooting last Saturday, I fell in love. This thing is durable, comfortable, and has several options for wear. -The plates are held securely in place, and do not swim around while moving. -The front plate is carried high, which is a good thing, it leaves more room around my waist for access to my pistol, extra mags, and dump pouch. -The elastic cummerbund kept the carrier secure to my body while moving, but allowed it to expand while in the prone or taking heavy breaths. -The vertical pads running along the inside flow seamlessly into the padded sholder straps, this definately improves comfort over long term wear. I compared it to slightly less expensive plate carriers that I was considering buying and the differences are astonishig. The "PIG" is worth the price!
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Look no Further
My friend just picked this up and let me try his on for a day of shooting at a private range. It is just plain comfortable compared to my own vest, which I thought wasnt bad. Notice the padding running up inside/back of this unit. It elevates the vest away from your spine, keeping you from having back pain that other vest would give you. Additionally it wraps around snug so as you run and gun, you wont have a vets bouncing around. PLENTY of room for stuff, run 10 mags, radio, dump bag, medical pouch, hydro pack, and kabar. Carries your plates/mags/gear comfortably and securely as you move and shoot, also holds plates higher, over your heart/lungs where they should be. Get this plate carrier, you wont regret it.