r/canadaguns • u/Vsatbtw • May 03 '26

Application / Regulation advice Plate carriers

It’s hard to find much online. Some say you need a permit. Others say you just need a pal to buy a plate carrier in bc. I don’t want to do anything against the law. Is it legal to buy a plate carrier with just a pal in bc? On top of that. What are some good plate carrier recommendations? I was looking at the nexus

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u/EliteDuck May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26

The Shaw Concepts ARC carrier is arguably one of, if not the best PC on the market at the moment. The rest of ARC lineup like the PCP (plate carrier pack, self-accessible backpack), sidekick (comfy multi-holster leg strap with MOLLE), raid pouch (front-mounted dangler IFAK with QD, and it doubles as a 🥜 armour dangler), buckets, placard, mag inserts, pouches, etc are all incredibly innovative.

As for plates, the only NIJ-approved level 4s in Canada are the Aratech ones. The issue is they're heavy as fuck. Unless you're a big guy, they're not worth it. ITAR restricts exports of the good light level 4s from the US, so we're pretty much just stuck with the domestically-made Aratechs. The next step down, level 3+ (also called special threat sometimes) is a bit cheaper, much lighter, and the selection opens up a lot more. Hesco 3810s are pretty much the best we can get. Any other plates in Canada other than the discontinued Millburn Mountain Defense 3+ plates are either lying/using weasel wording, Chinese junk, or not NIJ approved.

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u/Holmes419 May 04 '26

3+ isn’t an official NIJ rating, it’s an industry term.

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u/EliteDuck May 04 '26

Correct, they're only recognized as 3s by the NIJ, but it's a worthwhile distinction to make considering the only 4s we have are boat anchors. I'd take a 3+ over a 3 any day.

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u/Holmes419 May 04 '26

I just found it ironic that you said if it’s not one of these brand 3+ they are using weasel words when 3+ itself is a weasel word with no actual defined meaning. 

It’s not really a worthwhile distinction since it has no inherent value aside from marketing.