Downgrading a plate carrier to just load carrying

[warlord]

I bought a JPC and when it arrived it came with two very thick foam inserts. I didn't really want to run armour at all, just wanted something to carry gear like mags and radio. So initially I removed the plates.

Problem was the JPC then kinda lost it's shape a bit. So it needed something to support it, just not 20mm of hard foam. So I got creative. My brothers kid used to have these foam floor tiles to play on when he was a rugrat. They'd do the job just fine. Draw round the original foam as a template, cuts easily with a stanley, and presto one much more flexible JPC.

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[Albiscuit]

Yup, job done...  

Or an old camping roll mat does the job too  

 

[djben9]

my Warrior CPC came with white foam inserts front and back to keep shape while shipping, i removed them straight away. It also keeps you warm ,and i overheat as it is!. My brother still wears his inserts in his PC for some reason.....

good to know though as my two still have some foam matting i could use to keep the other chest rig back panel in shape....

 

[Sacarathe]

Do you think the cut down mat would remain rigid with 2-4cm diametre holes (or hexes) punched(for strength) throughout? For heat exchange obviously.

My PC has dummy plates but there's really no reason for them to be solid, only rigid.

 

[Albiscuit]

I would have thought so, as long as you dont go too mad.

obviously the more holes you put the less strength it will have as you are taking away some of the structure and being a softer material it will lose rigidity, but a few wouldnt hurt and may have a decent noticeable difference

 

[warlord]

I guess venting it would be easy to do, but then is it going to make much difference thermally? The air in a duvet is still a good insulator.

 

[tinkle60]

If you really need cooling, this could be an option: https://www.qoreperformance.com/products/iceplate

 

[Albiscuit]

LOL what next!!