Crye is perhaps one of the most synonymous names in the tactical nylon industry, and among its longer-lasting product lines is the Jumpable Plate Carrier (JPC). The original JPC was designed in 2010 as a lightweight plate carrier that allowed the end-user to customize as desired. In 2015 the JPC was updated as a 2.0 version that no longer included the attached front magazine placard and other changes. But the JPC 2.0 has become one of the most sought carriers on the market for more than its functionality.
Designed as a minimalist, skeletonized plate carrier, the JPC 2.0 offers a platform made from mainly 500D Cordura nylon, on which the end-user can configure based on their individual mission and needs. At the front, the JPC 2.0 has a concealed admin pocket at the top (secured via hook-and-loop), and a 6″ (L) x 3″ (H) MOLLE-compatible field of hook-and-loop (female) material on the upper half for morale or identification patches. Two hidden vertical nylon loops on the front carrier support the attachment of slide-release (female) buckles (not included) that can support magazine placards or a detachable chest rig.
The bottom half of the front carrier features an extensive field of hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching the front cummerbund or attaching MOLLE or magazine placards. Behind this material is a hidden kangaroo pouch for flat items or documents.
The rear carrier includes a nylon drag handle at the top (rated to a 400 pounds load). The remaining area of the rear carrier then consists of MOLLE-compatible nylon bands with hook-and-loop (female) material along the webbing on the top half of the carrier. Both sides of the rear carrier also include #10 oversized YKK zippers that are compatible to any number of Crye or aftermarket packs, backpanels, or accessories (not included).
Both sides of the front and rear carrier also include two polymer rings (four total on front) and a slide adjustment buckle (two total on rear) for attaching side plate carriers (not included) or single-band cummerbunds.
The interior of both the front and rear carrier are 330D nylon and include an open-cell, spacer mesh fabric at the top for breathability. The sides of both carriers also include an elastic tweave fabric that stretches to accommodate a variety of plate dimensions and sizes.
The shoulder straps represent a blend of material; anchored to the front and rear carriers with Hypalon (a type of synthetic rubber) fabric, with hook-and-loop material that allots for adjusting the length of the shoulders. This fabric attaches to the EZ-Doff Handle that is run through the front of the shoulder straps and (when needed) will quickly disconnect the shoulder straps for access to the torso.
Both shoulder straps also include removable pads made from an elastic tweave fabric for breathability and moisture reduction, and secured via hook-and-loop.
The cummerbund is Crye’s AirLite Skeletal System that uses both nylon and a High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) layer to provide rigidity and maximum breathability. The cummerbund itself is anchored at the rear carrier via shock cordage, and secured to the front carrier via hook-and-loop (male) fields, with 2-step emergency doffing handles. Much like the front carrier, the front panels of the cummerbund also include a field of hook-and-loop (female) on which the end-user could attach associated magazine placards (sold separately).
The bottom of the front and rear plate carriers has a deep flap for securing plates inside via hook-and-loop, and the front flap includes a popper snap button for securing other Crye placard systems (sold separately).
Specifications:
- Sizing for the JPC 2.0 is based off plate dimensions:
- Small……8.75” x 11.75”
- Medium…9.5” x 12.5”
- Large……10.50” x 13.25”
- XLarge….11.25” x 14”
The JPC 2.0 is available in Ranger Green (featured), Coyote, Multicam, and Black, and is available between Small to XLarge sizes.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Fair (2/5): Crye lists the JPC 2.0 as between $241.90 and $251.90 (color dependent), and few secondary distributors offer the JPC 2.0 at around $260 with some discounts around the usual holiday 15% events. The JPC 2.0 itself brings together a variety of materials to provide a lightweight and flexible plate carrier that gives the end-user the greatest flexibility to customize it as needed. In contrast, the Slickster ($168) by Ferro Concepts, the Spitfire Mk II ($239) from Direct Action, and the Tomahawk Low Vis Plate Carrier ($169) by T3 Gear all illustrate that materials and design influence price, and that the JPC is at a fair cost to consumers (bear in mind Crye also tailors its products to DoD MIL contracts so that will influence cost as well). However when compared to larger, more traditional plate carriers such as the Geronimo 2 ($490), and the Banshee Elite 2.0 ($309), or even more advanced carriers like the Strandhogg ($535) from First Spear or the PICO ($495.95) from TYR Tactical all show the full price spectrum of carriers in the current market when material and design are considered.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the JPC 2.0 had a fully adjustable cummerbund and shoulder straps that could be adjusted to ensure both the fit and the plates were appropriately positioned. The Hypalon material at the shoulder straps made the carrier very comfortable when articulating arms and allowed for more comfortable range of motion when compared to other more traditional designs. Elements like the hook-and-loop secured emergency doffing handles for the shoulder straps and cummerbund functioned appropriately (or of average use). The materials that made up the AirLite Skeletal System did provide a good level of structure to the cummerbund, and it did support side pockets without any sagging or while the carrier was being stored. The one element that is recommended to Crye for improvement would be the removable shoulder padding was thinner than other carriers, and as a result the weight of the plates and accessories were more readily apparent in the shoulders, neck, and upper torso—translating to fatigue over time. This can be mitigated through aftermarket shoulder pads, like SKD’s PIG BRIG Mk2 Shoulder Pad Set, but that is something Crye could improve with little additional cost to its core product. Another comfort aspect the consumer needs to bear in mind is the dimensions of the front hook-and-loop field for attaching placards. The D3CRX used for evaluations was slightly larger, and left some hook-and-loop (male) material sticking out and chafed exposed skin, whereas a Micro Fight Mk2 Chest Placard from Spiritus System would fit within its dimensions.
- Durability – Good (4/5): From a durability aspect the JPC 2.0 was made from a blend of 500/350 denier nylon, with HDPE elements for added support. The 500D Cordura along the exterior faces of the front and rear carrier ensured that there was good abrasion resistance while still giving ample flexibility in the overall material for dynamic movements or manipulation. The 330D interior still allotted for good strength in retaining plates inside the carrier, without being too abrasive on skin or exposed areas. Across the entire carrier extensive added reinforcement was noted, with bartack and X-pattern stitching at all key stress points, MOLLE fields, and along the cummerbund for added strength. The one area of concern from a durability aspect was the mesh fabric at the top of the interior to both front and back carriers, as some (specifically soldiers) had reported that the hook-and-loop (male) fabric on ACUs and other clothing would grip/tear at the mesh material, causing undue fraying. This issue was not experienced during evaluation as civilian attire was worn.
- Functionality – Excellent (5/5): Functionally, the JPC 2.0 was an excellent base platform plate carrier that allowed for interchangeability of various placards, MOLLE segments for attaching accessories, and features that enabled immediate access in the event of an injury. This put the overall purpose and function of the plate carrier up to the end-user to customize and determine (such as alternating it between low-vis or full tactical usage). But that said, the JPC 2.0 didn’t come with other elements commonly found in other carriers, such as rifle/pistol magazine pouches, and thus must be purchased separately. This is a duality that is reflected in the price of the base carrier as opposed to more complete setups. The other notable positive function was the AirLite Skeletal System, which provided more rigidity in the circumference and structure of the carrier and when attaching accessories. Perhaps the only recommendation for Crye to improve the JPC 2.0 would be to include two female slide buckles for the hidden nylon loops since that really is the primary function of the JPC 2.0 and it feels almost like an incomplete product without it. Including this could be done with minimal cost.
- Weight – Average (3/5): The JPC 2.0 evaluated (size XL) weighed in at 1.8 pounds (w/o plates) and owed its overall light weight to the fact that it was a base platform plate carrier, and didn’t have the other elements commonly associated to most designs (like magazine pouches). This left the end-user to customize and accessorize as needed and the weight would vary from there. The blend of mainly 330 and 500 denier Cordura remained lightweight, yet durable for a variety of purposes that minimized moisture saturation. In contrast, the Slickster (0.8 pounds) by Ferro Concepts, the Spitfire Mk II (1.5 pounds) from Direct Action, and the Tomahawk Low Vis Plate Carrier (2.0 pounds) by T3 Gear all illustrate that the JPC 2.0 is an appropriate (or average) weight for its materials and within the market.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: At the time of this publication Crye is currently moving host services and its website is down, but the JPC 2.0 can be found at other second-hand retailers like Patriot Outfitters, OP Tactical, and more.
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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