Designed as a continuation to previous designs, the Dynamic Plate Carrier by Dynamic Principles was released in late 2023, and offers an interchangeable, light-weight platform that the end-user can configure between carrier and chest rig based on an individual’s mission needs.
Made predominantly from laminate nylon and laser-cut MOLLE slots, the Dynamic Plate Carrier (DPC) is designed to have key components (cummerbund/placard) interchangeable with Dynamic Principle’s Chest Rig components (shoulder straps/back panel), and enable end-users to move easily between the two platforms as needed. Furthermore, Dynamic Principle tailors the DPC to the specific plate design needed (in this review sized for SAPI plates) to provide the best fitment possible.
At the front, the DPC has a 9.75” (W) x 6” (H) field of hook-and-loop (female) fabric above which is another 6.0” (W) x 3.0” (H) field of (female) hook-and-loop (with six rows of laser-cut MOLLE-compatible slots) for attaching morale, identification patches, or affixing an admin pouch. Two fixed vertical laminate nylon loops on the front carrier are anchored to support 1” wide, ITW Nexus’ QASM slide-release (female) buckles (included) that can then attach to Dynamic Principle’s Micro (sold separately), or other aftermarket placards. Elastic nylon bands (for cable or hydration tube retention) and elastic nylon tweave along the sides allot for proper fitment and flexibility.
The rear carrier includes a 6.0” (W) x 3.0” (H) field of (female) hook-and-loop fabric at the top. The remaining surface area of the rear carrier then consists of laser-cut MOLLE-slots along the rear plate bag. Along both sides of the rear carrier are elastic nylon bands and oversized, Crye-compatible zippers for attaching support accessories or packs (sold separately). The cummerbund attaches to the rear plate bag via a hook-and-loop field that then has an over-the-top flap that secures to the interior of the rear carrier.
The interior side of both the front and rear carrier have a nylon mesh (with closed-cell foam padding) for added breathability but otherwise unremarkable.
The shoulder straps are anchored to the front and rear carriers with double-layer laminate nylon, with hook-and-loop fabric that allots for adjusting the length between the shoulders. Removable shoulder pads have associated hook-and-loop material on the interior to provide adjustment in sizing (in case cable or hydration tubes are ran inside), as well as anchor the shoulder pad to the shoulder strap.
The cummerbund for the DPC is a band of elastic nylon; slotted and reinforced with laminate nylon for additional (between two, three, or four) rifle magazines (or other sized items), and secure to the front carrier via 4” Taktic Buckles.
The bottom of the front and rear plate carriers have a foldable flap for securing plates via hook-and-loop. The plate bags themselves are sized to accommodate standard civilian or SAPI-sized plates (sized per the customer at the time of purchase).
The Dynamic Plate Carrier is available in Ranger Green (featured) and Multicam (with others planned soon), and comes in Small to Large SAPI or civilian 10”x12” sizes.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Fair (2/5): Regardless size or color selection, the DPC is priced via individual components as; the DPC plate bags ($115 for front, $135 for rear), shoulder pads ($30), cummerbund ($80-$85), and Micro ($100) placard. Moreover, many of these same elements can be used towards building a DPC chest rig/platform if so desired and save on some cost. In its reviewed configuration, the DPC would have an MSRP of $470 (at the time of this publication). Each component is constructed from two layers of 500D laminate nylon that are pressed to give a dual-sided material with a good degree of abrasion and stain resistance. In comparison to similar market alternatives; the Tomahawk Laminate Carrier ($195.00) by T3 Gear, the PLATE 6 (similarly configured) ($340) by Blue Force Gear, the SMC – Laminate ($356) from Grey Ghost Gear, a fully configured LV119 ($417.00) by Spiritus Systems, or the Spitfire Mk II (similarly configured) ($431) from Direct Action show that the DPC is priced fairly given the materials and design, and the price reflects the newest product on the market, but the price may become more appropriately adjusted over time.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the elements of the DPC came down to a good, full range-of-motion in the carrier’s design; allotting for shouldering of the rifle and adequate padding in the plate bag/shoulder straps. The shoulder straps themselves did an adequate job of dispersing the full weight of carrier, plates and accessories across the upper torso – while the removable shoulder pads remained firmly in place with no excess shifting/movement. Without any type of padding along the interior of the plate bags to create an air channel, body heat was retained more predominantly. A recommendation to Dynamic Principles would be to run parallel foam padding, vertically, on the interior of both plate bags (in addition to the existing padding) that would move that core heat and dispel some of the sweat/moisture. The elastic cummerbund style was also adjustable via hook-and-loop panels on the back carrier to various torso sizes, and enabled a good comfort to the end-user. But the cummerbund (and fitment of the overall carrier) would have benefited more if the dimensions of the hook-and-loop panels on the cummerbund were longer and allowed for further adjustment. Currently once adjusted, the amount of fabric left secured to the rear carrier was less than comparable to other carriers using the same style of attachment. The wrap-over flap of the rear carrier still secured the cummerbund, and at no time did it slip or lose a secure hold, but more range in adjustment could have added to the comfort aspect. Some chafing on the softer inner skin of the arms was noted from the empty pockets of the elastic cummerbund, likely due to the edges of the elastic material curling the corners of the laminate nylon pouches outward slightly under tension (a common occurrence with this style of cummerbund).
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The durability of the 500D laminated nylon DPC was excellent throughout the carrier, with extensive bartack and X or Box-pattern reinforcement stitching noted at all key stress points (joists, corners, edges, etc.), laser-cut MOLLE segments, and throughout the carrier’s individual components (shoulder straps, cummerbund, etc.). Some minimal wear was noted by the hook-and-loop material from constant donning and removal, but within expected range of wear. Any hook-and-loop segments themselves were similarly reinforced with stitch lines along the edges being straight and in double line. Continual donning/doffing of the two-band MOLLE cummerbund did not yield any excessive wear or de-threading of the hook-and-loop (female) or elastic material giving it a good, prolonged usage over time.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the DPC was another in the progression of carrier designs by Dynamic Principles, and blends the utility of a plate carrier with the option of reconfiguring most of its components into a chest rig. As a carrier, the DPC addressed many of the current features sought after by the civilian end-user, such as placard adaptability (with both Dynamic Principle’s placards or other popular aftermarket versions), range in motion, and carrier structure/retention. With its extensive laser-cut MOLLE and Crye-compatable zippers on the back panel, the DPC left significant room to grow the carrier and attach various accessories based on the individual mission. Dynamic Principle also fit the front/rear plate bag based on the ballistic plate’s design (identified by the consumer at the time of purchase), which resulted in a snug fit without excess material or space (thus eliminating the need for a plate riser strap on the bag’s interior). The elastic nylon cummerbund that was included with the DPC was an appropriate (or average) style for rapid donning; but (even tightened) it was unstructured, and when bending at the waist or running it still allotted for some minor excess movement (due to the elasticity of the material). Perhaps the largest area of recommended improvement for Dynamic Principles to consider addressing was the 4” Taktic Buckles on the placard and used to adjoin the cummerbund bands. The design of these buckles (made by National Molding Inc.) necessitates that the male/female sides interlock only by evenly pressing the two together directly from a perpendicular angle (which was difficult while wearing the carrier). If the two 4” bars are off-angle in the slightest, then the center pressure-locking mechanism did not attain a complete lock (if at all). Moreover, when some debris (dirt, small rocks, sand) was introduced along the bar of the buckle, that would impinge on the two sides from obtaining a connection and inhibit a solid lock. A solution to consider would be swapping out the 4” Taktic Buckles with First Spear tube buckles (now available for commercial and individual sale) that have a functionally improved locking mechanism, and allow a top-down or bottom-up approach that sweeps debris clear. The TakTic Buckles use the same footprint as First Spear tube buckles and could be easily exchanged. Another minor functional recommendation for Dynamic Principle to consider would be to include a drag handle (properly anchored) to the rear plate bag to assist in casualty care under fire if needed.
- Weight – Good (4/5): As a base carrier with, the DPC plate bags (front and rear) for SAPI plates (not included) weighed in at 22.8 ounces, whereas the elastic cummerbund weighed in at a total of 8.8 ounces, and the Micro placard was 8.7 ounces. Overall in this configuration, the complete DPC weighed a total of 40.2 ounces. This weight reflected the bulk of overall laminated nylon (typically a double layer) used throughout the entire product, as well as minor elements such as the elastic tweave, thick foam padding, and extensive hook-and-loop. In contrast; the Tomahawk Laminate Carrier (20.8 ounces) by T3 Gear, the PLATE 6 (similarly configured) (27.2 ounces) by Blue Force Gear, the SMC – Laminate (24 ounces) from Grey Ghost Gear, or the Spitfire Mk II (similarly configured) (33.92 ounces) from Direct Action show that the lightweight laminate nylon materials in a minimalist design (often a single layer in many places) did keep the overall weight down. This put the DCP at the upper end of weight in regards to the list of market alternatives using similar materials, but over those minimalist carrier designs. In contrast, the Dynamic Plate Carrier had a good overall weight when compared to more Cordura nylon-based carriers like the Leonidas (36.8 ounces) from Spartan Armor (and without an included placard), or the Banshee 2.0 Elite (32 ounces) from Shellback Tactical (again without placard) that are typically heavier than minimalist carriers.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://dynamicprinciples.us/store/p/41p81pc26glu0zzpko5cm4hvmr36x3
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, 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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