Designed as a professional, multi-use plate carrier, the High Risk Adaptable Carrier (HRAC) by HRT Tactical offers a platform made from 500D Cordura nylon, on which the end-user can configure based on their individual mission and needs using HRT’s proprietary pouches and accessories.
At the front, the HRAC has a three rows of MOLLE-compatible field of hook-and-loop (female) material on the upper quarter of the carrier for morale or identification patches. Two fixed vertical nylon loops on the front carrier are anchored by a fourth row of MOLLE-compatible nylon, support two proprietary HRT slide-release (female) buckles that are used to attach into other HRT placards (not included). On both sides are elastic cuffs for routing hydration tubes or comms cables.
The approx. bottom half of the front carrier features an extensive field of hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching the front cummerbund, and/or attaching MOLLE or magazine placards.
The rear carrier includes a nylon drag handle at the top (rated against HRT test individuals in excess of approx. 250 pounds w/o issue). Both sides feature similar elastic cuffs as on the front carrier. The remaining surface area of the rear carrier then consists of MOLLE-compatible nylon bands with either hook-and-loop (female) fabric along the top quarter of the carrier, or standard MOLLE-compatible nylon bands on the lower three-quarters.
The interior of both the front and rear carrier are 500D Cordura and include a removable open-cell, padded spacer along both sides for breathability. These padded spacer pockets on the front/rear carriers also include a band of hook-and-loop (female) material for attaching additional HRT padding (sold separately).
The shoulder straps are anchored to the front and rear carriers with via double-layer Cordura, with hook-and-loop fabric that allots for adjusting the length of the shoulders.
Both shoulder straps also include removable pads with quarter-inch open-cell foam, and secured via hook-and-loop.
The cummerbund for the HRAC is a simple band of nylon (with a slide-adjustor at the rear); anchored at the rear carrier via shock cordage, and in turn secured to the front carrier via hook-and-loop (male). In turn, the front strap of the cummerbund band includes two fields of hook-and-loop (female) on the outward exterior, which the end-user could attach associated magazine placards (sold separately). Lastly, slide-release buckles at the front of the cummerbund strap enable for rapid donning/doffing.
Included in this review was the optional HRT two-band MOLLE cummerbund upgrade that replaces the nylon strap with a wider cummerbund for attaching side-panels or accessories. The two-band MOLLE cummerbund attaches at the carriers in much the same manner, but the front panels of the MOLLE cummerbund include a broader field of hook-and-loop (female) on which the end-user could attach associated placards.
Both sides of the cummerbund include two full-length MOLLE-compatible nylon bands and integrated sleeves for inserting soft-armor segments.
The bottom of the front and rear plate carriers has a deep flap for securing plates inside via hook-and-loop, and both flaps include nylon pull loops to assist in removal.
Specifications:
- Medium Carrier fits 10”x12” or Medium SAPI plates
- Large Carrier fits 10”x13” or Large SAPI plates
The HRAC is available in Ranger Green (featured), Black, Coyote, Multicam, Multicam Black, M81 Woodland, and comes in either Medium or Large sizes.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): Based on size and color selection, the HRAC runs between an MSRP of $149.95 and $204.95; with an optional two-MOLLE band cummerbund ($59.99-$69.99), or quick release cummerbund ($109.95-$119.95) (both sold separately). The various placards (sold separately) run between $39.95 and $119.95 based on complexity and overall volume of material needed. All of which are constructed from a Teflon-coated 500D Cordura nylon that gives the various HRT components a good degree of abrasion resistance. In comparison to similar market alternatives; the JPC 2.0 ($251.90), the Ferro Concepts Slickster ($160), the SMC ($322) from Grey Ghost Gear, and the Thorax ($369) from Haley Strategic show that the base HRAC is priced very well (good) given the materials and design, and more appropriately (average) when the cummerbund is upgraded.
- Comfort – Average (3/4): From a comfort aspect, the elements of the HRAC came down to the appropriate (or average) full range of motion in the carrier’s design. The shoulder straps did a good job of padding the weight and distributing the full weight of carrier, plates and accessories. However the volume of material in the joist between the shoulder straps and front carrier was somewhat obstructive in getting the rifle fully into the shoulder pocket—necessitating to float the stock somewhat into the shoulder during drills. The various cummerbund styles were also adjustable to various torso sizes that enabled a good comfort to the end-user. Somewhat unusually, the hook-and-loop material inside the carrier securing the plates was extremely strong (more so than usual) and the nylon loops to assist in removal was definitely needed. Otherwise, arm and torso range of motion in the HRAC was good for the design.
- Durability – Excellent (5/5): The durability of the HRAC was excellently thought out, with extensive bartack and X-pattern reinforcement stitching noted at all key stress points, MOLLE segments, and throughout the carrier’s individual components. Any hook-and-loop was also similarly reinforced with stitch lines straight and in double lines. Continual donning/doffing of the two-band MOLLE cummerbund did not yield any excessive wear or de-threading of the hook-and-loop (female) material giving it a good, pro-longed useage.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the HRAC was a great plate carrier for long-term professional or recreational use on the range or in the field, with a good range of motion in the arms and torso—and adaptability for a variety of HRT placards. But there was the limiting factor, with the front carrier’s proprietary HRT slide-release (female) buckles being the point of note. The front carrier buckles were incompatible to other popular placard types; such as the Spiritus Micro Fight Mk4, the D3CRX from Haley Strategic, or the T3 Day Rig, all of which use the more common slide release buckles with shorter male connectors. This (presumably) limits the HRAC to only HRT placards. That fact aside, there was extensive MOLLE on the rear carrier for attaching any number of associated accessories, hydration packs, or backpacks with similar mounting styles. Perhaps that would be the only recommendation for HRT to improve, to make the front carrier slide-release buckles compatible to general use, or at least make the proprietary buckles removable so they could be swapped out later by the end-user and thus increase the HRAC’s adaptability to other placard styles (something that is key when lying in the prone with a placard pressed up into the upper carrier). The nylon band cummerbund that comes included with the HRAC was an appropriate (or average) style for rapid donning, but (even tightened) still allotted for some minor excess movement. This issue however, was remedied by the two-MOLLE band cummerbund which gave good retention and provided a wider surface area to enclose the torso. Lastly, another good design aspect was the dual open-cell pads inserted into the front and rear carriers. This created an air-flow channel between the two, and up the center of the torso that moved heat and moisture away from the core of the body (where it is mostly reflected back at the body and concentrated). This feature did not completely eliminate sweating (something almost impossible to do), but could be further enhanced by adding the Pontoon padding (sold separately) that would increase this dynamic airflow further. And the open-cell pads were removable should it ever come time to submerge or clean the carrier so that the pads were not themselves saturated.
- Weight – Average (3/5): As a base carrier with the nylon strap cummerbund, the HRAC weighed in as 1.14 pounds (w/o placard or other accessories), and 1.15 pounds if the strap cummerbund was replaced with the two-band MOLLE version. This weight reflected the bulk of overall 500D treated Cordura nylon used throughout the entire product, as well as minor elements such as the foam padding and hook-and-loop. In contrast; the JPC 2.0 (1.08 pounds), the Ferro Concepts Slickster (0.8 pounds), and the SMC (1.05 pounds) from Grey Ghost Gear show that the exclusive use of more traditional materials (i.e. Cordura) in the HRAC design put it at the upper end of weight in regards to the list of market alternatives. But the HRAC remains appropriate (or average) in its overall weight when in contrast to more traditional carriers like the Leonidas (2.3 pounds) from Spartan Armor, or the Banshee 2.0 Elite (2.0 pounds) from Shellback Tactical.
Overall Rating – Above Average (19/25)
Product Link: https://hrttacticalgear.com/product/hrt-hrac-adaptive-plate-carrier/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, 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.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.