Google and a grain of salt is going to be your friend at that point most have pluses and minuses that may or may not be the deciding factor for you.

FIT is the most important factor in a PC for me. Its even higher than durability. Unfortunately, you have to buy one to test it and the first won't likely be the one you end up with.

This is how people like me end up with countless piles of stuff.

As greaser said: google, read, and take the plunge. You aren't likely to get your answer here. I've posted my knowledge already, and don't think there are too many here that wear them.

My only parting thought would be: DO NOT CHEAP OUT. You won't like the results.

Being one that HAS had to wear armor (active duty Cop for 3 years) yeah, do not go cheapest route! check around and If you can find a police organization Updating, they will probably have a company rep out to measure the officers. IF they do, see if you can get measured as well and then pay for it as a separate order.

I don't think many LE Agencies look fondly upon civilians having body armor.

The Dept in the city I live closet too destroys their armor and carriers when they upgrade.

Soft armor has an expiration date, but the carriers don't.

You never know unless you ask though. Who knows, MAYBE he could stalk the rep and hit him up when he's ready to leave.

I know there are exceptions to my above statement, and I understand the logic of restricting armor (from a LEO's perspective).

However, I feel the argument is fundamentally flawed in the same manner as the gun control debate. You cannot legislate criminality or criminal intent out of existence so you cannot make second class (ie less rights) peasants out of the citizenry.

GD, do some checking around, there might actually be a manufacturer not to far from you that you could go to. Once on my way to visit friends I located a manufacturer and went there. I could have gotten one directly from them if I had wanted to.

You can also go to the local uniform shop. That's what I did.

Yeah, that might work as well Gary. Good idea!

Good idea I will have to see what is in the Dayton Ohio area.
I don't want to cheap out! I was also thinking that how do carriers feel when using a back pack? I know some have a place for a plate in the back and some only front. I was thinking a full front/back carrier but with the pack not sure.
Any experince to advise on guys?

When I wear a plate carrier at work (not often these days thankfully) it is made by SORD, Aussie company that also has a manufacturing facility in the US (SORD USA). I have no complaints.

GD...don't get caught up in the "camouflage of the day” cycle either, I LOVE the look of some of the new pattern that have appeared over recent years BUT none really offer significant improvement over what is about and more over what you can achieve yourself with a rattle can and some sponges (on gear not shirts/pants/jackets). If you are buying nylon gear I am more incline these days to buy a solid colour and work it over with some paint/dye to make it match your AO. I guess what I am saying, is don’t hunt for a carrier or gear and settle for an inferior design/fitting just because it comes in the latest colour.

I have a good bit of gear in multicam (or MTP and the Aussie version) but FAR more in tan, coyote and OD green. The only reason I have accumulated the multicam I have is that the price came waaaay down with its broad use. NO WAY would I have paid the original asking prices. And yes, multicam works very well in most places I frequent but so does AusCam and some of my paint rubbed/splattered/sprayed worked even better…

Thanks for the wisdom Andy. I really wish I could try on carriers before I buy.