So keeping with trying to find a good plate carrier for a female, we decided to try out Spartan Armor Systems Sentinel Swimmers Plate Carrier. If you are unfamiliar with what we’re trying to accomplish, let me refresh your memory. When looking online for plate carriers, you typically see videos on YouTube usually showing males. When trying to search specifically for female plate carriers, there wasn’t anything found on YouTube or the Internet.
So it got me thinking, what is out there for females that offer protection against the evils in this world. We decided we wanted to test a variety of Plate Carriers on a few female subjects and grading each carrier on Range of Motion (ROM), Level of Comfort, Sitting, Ease of Use, Adjusting, and Overall Ranking. The subjects will be grading each category from 1-5, 1 being the least and 5 being the best. Full disclosure, the subjects do not have to wear plate carriers for their full-time jobs and this is their first experiences with plate carriers in general. Our subjects range from fit to curvy (Size 2-14).
According to Spartan Armor, the “Swimmers Plate Carrier is specifically designed and cut to accommodate Swimmers Cut Body Armor Plates manufactured by Spartan Armor Systems. Sleek, ergonomic, comfortable, and designed for highly kinetic environments when movement and speed are of utmost importance, the Sentinel Swimmers Plate Carrier is ready for action.” With that being said, we decided to not get their steel plates with this plate carrier. We decided to go with LAPG Level IV 10″x12″ Shooter’s Cut Ceramic Ballistic Armor Rifle Plates.
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Again, full disclosure, the subjects do not have to wear plate carriers for their full-time jobs. We had our subjects wear the Sentinel Swimmers Plate Carrier with plates around the house to get comfortable wearing it. Then we had them jog, perform jumping jacks, forward lunges, and then pushups. We then went to the rifle range and had them fire weapons while wearing the plate carrier.
Spartan Armor Systems Sentinel Swimmers Plate Carrier Specs:
- Adjustable Size Ranging From M to 2XL
- Durable Emergency Drag Handle
- Anti-slip Shoulder Padding With Velcro
- Side Release Buckles On The Internal Waist Strap
- Padded Elevated Mesh On The Interior Of The Carrier For Breathability
- Fits 10″X12″ Swimmers Cut Plates
- Removable Cummerbund With Side Plate Pockets For 6″X6″ And 6″X8″ Side Plate Armor
- Velcro In Front Of The Carrier Is 8×4” With A Velcro Loop On Each Side
- Velcro On The Back Of The Carrier Measures 9×3”
- Extremely Durable Carrier Material That Can Withstand Wear And Tear Over A Long Period Of Time
- 1000 Denier
- Bottom-loading
- Weighs 2lbs. 9oz.
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Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Fit all subjects
- Once adjusted properly, Very Quick deployment
- Cummerbund feels like it adds more support
- Easy to adjust Cummerbund
- Very easy to install plates
- Good weight distribution
- Great Color Options (Black, Coyote Brown, Gunmetal Grey, Multicam, Spartan Green)
Cons:
- Shoulder Strap covers are decent, but some what too wide, but still comfortable in raising arms
- Hard to adjust without help (Not easy for one person adjustment)
- Unable to remove the Internal Waist Strap and just run the cummerbund
- Shooter’s Cut/Swimmer Cut Plates only
- Made in China
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Here are the average grades for Range of Motion (ROM), Level of Comfort, Sitting, Ease of Use, Adjusting, and Overall Ranking from 1-5, 1 being the least and 5 being the best:
- ROM – 3.375
- Level of Comfort – 4.125
- Sitting – 4.125
- Ease of Use – 4.25
- Adjusting – 4
- Overall – 4.25
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Overall, the Spartan Armor Sentinel Swimmer Plate Carrier was liked by all reviewers and will work for most users. The subjects reviews are just their own, so keep that in mind. Again, the female subjects do not have to wear plate carries for their full-time jobs. This review is for the average female just looking for a way of protection and for something that is designed for quick deployment and be carried in their vehicles.
As always, ya’ll be good and be safe!
