So, you've just bought a plate carrier (from me?) and you're putting it together now - let's make it simple so you can follow along! This may or may not be in the 100% correct order, but you'll still get the same end result, a completed plate carrier set-up!
The basic contents for a plate carrier, since most come unassembled, are as follows:
- Front plate bag
- Rear plate bag
- Cummerbund
- Strap attachments
These are the "bare minimum" to put together a plate carrier, so let's say you at least have these!
However, many of the optional add-ons are as follows:
- Placard + Magazine Inserts
- Dangler
- Pouches
My kit (LPPC V.2 - Low Profile Plate Carrier) that you will be seeing in the pictures below had the full set-up, including an AceTac Skeleton Admin Placard and Micro Dangler.
The first thing I did was take the AceTac Skeleton Admin Placard and opened it up to expand it and insert the quad magazine pouch. This is a very simple step, as all you have to do for most placards I've ever dealt with is velcro the magazine inserts inside - even Kydex inserts include velcro backing to seat into a placard correctly. So whatever you're using, you should be able to just velcro it on it, as pictured below.
Following this step (though you can choose to do it on the very last step once the plate carrier is all put together), I attached the placard to the front plate bag via QASM buckles and velcro, to ensure it won't move anywhere. The velcro backing ensures that the placard will not have any side-to-side movement. Pictured below is what the front plate bag should look like once the placard is attached.
After that, I attached the front plate bag to the rear plate bag, there is velcro on both sides to line up, then the shoulder pads go over it, like shown below. To note: you should have the velcro on your shoulder pads facing OUTWARDS, not INWARDS like pictured below, this is just to avoid the velcro rubbing on your neck/shoulders as much. Depending on your size, you may need to adjust these shoulder straps to your body! If you're of average build/size, I recommend starting with the straps overlapped where the velcro is, then adjusting from there as needed. If you're doing any cable management for radios, this is where you would feed your radio cables through (the outer velcro sleeve).
Once you have this step completed, you have the base of your chest rig completed! This is more-or-less what it should look like.
Next we're onto the cummerbund, there is a lot of variation here based on what cummerbund you're using, but most attach roughly the same way. If you're not using the LPPC V2 plate carrier, yours may look differently than the picture below. For this kit, the FirstSpear Tubes face outwards, and the velcro slides behind the rear plate bag, creating a strong attachment point for both cummerbunds, as shown below. This is another point where you have room for adjustments, depending on your chest/waist size. You can push the cummerbunds in much further if you're smaller, or pull them out more if you're larger. I recommend starting with them at a nice middle point.
Next, you'll weave the FirstSpear Tubes into the placard if you're using one, or the plate carrier if you aren't. Some variations of this plate carrier (and others) utilize velcro flaps for the front instead of FirstSpear Tubes - if that is the case, simply attach the velcro under the front flap of the plate carrier. Pictured below is what the end-result should be once you attach the FirstSpear Tubes into the placard and attach the cummerbund to it. This gives you a strong attachment point, but also a quick way to detach one cummerbund side and rapidly remove your plate carrier.
Finally, now is when you would attach any extra add-ons, like a dangler, additional pouches to the front of the carrier, an integrated assault pack, etc. The dangler I am utilizing for this set-up velcro's into the front plate bag's velcro backing, all I did was open the flap and attach it there. You can add additional pouches via the laser-cut MOLLE points, velcro, etc.
Congratulations! You now have a completely setup plate carrier, ready to go. The last step would be adding the plates - all plate bags I've ever dealt with have an opening that has a secure strap + velcro to keep the plates in-place. Open that up, toss your plates in, and you're ready to go.
Love that, super easy and clean package.