Technical Plate Carrier Review: Defense Mechanisms MEPC

In this article, we're diving deep into the technical aspects of the Defense Mechanisms MEPC. Hailing from Winona, Minnesota, Defense Mechanisms is a gear manufacturer and training company. Instead of relying solely on personal opinions, our focus is empirical data on the MEPC’s capability, materials, manufacturing, and more. With the plate carrier market more competitive than ever, we want to know: where does the MEPC stand? Read on or watch below to find out.

A Summary: The Defense Mechanisms MEPC plate carrier integrates seamlessly with Qore Performance's IceAge Ecosystem, allowing for enhancements such as ICEPLATE® and ICEVENTS® for improved ventilation, comfort, and thermoregulation. In terms of weight and thermal transmittance, Defense Mechanisms MEPC is best classified as middle of the market when compared to the other popular plate carriers we tested. Despite its competitive $140-$160 base price, there are no ready-made unique features and simply adding a cummerbund and plate bags brings the total up to $300. Additional pouches or IceAge Ecosystem integrations would raise that price even further. Overall, the MEPC is a well-constructed, middle-of-the-road plate carrier that is available in a range of colors, is manufactured in Winona, Minnesota, and is Berry Compliant.

Defense Mechanisms MEPC: IceAge Ecosystem Integration

At Qore Performance, our goal is to Build A SuperHuman Future, weaponizing temperature to enhance performance and survivability for all of our end-users. We started this Insights series as a way of answering customer questions about how to upgrade their plate carriers with our suite of thermoregulation tools, so IceAge Ecosystem integration is where we will start. This is particularly important given the substantial influence of core body temperature on athletic performance.

The MEPC is easily upgraded with both our ICEPLATE® and ICEVENTS® technologies. The overlapping shoulder straps, lined with spacer mesh on the interior, can be enhanced with our ICEVENTS® Classic or ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads (for a detailed look into the performance characteristics of spacer mesh, click this link). This integration provides improved ventilation, load-distribution, and comfort. The spacer mesh plate bag lining is an ideal candidate for our all-new IMS Versa for internally mounting ICEPLATE® Curve. This allows for conductive cooling, heating, and hydration on both the MOLLE or Slick variants of the MEPC. For those preferring external hydration, IMS can also be added to the MOLLE-backed MEPC variant.

Above: Defense Mechanisms MEPC equipped with ICEPLATE® Curve for plate carrier cooling, heating and hydration. ICEPLATE® Curve is shown mounted with IMS (ICEPLATE® MOLLE Sleeve) Versa and IMS.

IceAge Ecosystem Integration Comparison Chart

Defense Mechanisms MEPC: Weight Analysis

Weight is arguably the next most critical factor in plate carrier selection. Right behind temperature and environmental factors, weight significantly impacts human performance. The MEPC Medium plate bags tip the scales at 14.70 ounces, and when you add the Defense Mechanisms five Inch MOLLE Cummerbund, the weight rises to 23.90 ounces. Comparatively, this places the MEPC in the same range as the Spiritus Systems LV-119 and the Crye Precision JPC 2.0.  For a comprehensive weight comparison of the MEPC to other plate carriers we’ve tested, see the data below from our "Best Plate Carriers of 2023 video and article.”

Plate Carrier Dry Weights

Plate Carrier Wet Weights

For our next test, we soaked the MEPC in a tub of water for an hour, let it hang dry for one minute, and then measured its wet weight. Details on our experimental design can be found in our other videos. The results? The MEPC logged a wet weight of 40.25 ounces. 

Above: Defense Mechanisms MEPC plate carrier equipped With IMS Versa and CATAMARAN for conductive and convective thermoregulation capability..

Defense Mechanisms MEPC: Thermal Transmittance

Thermal Transmittance is the transfer of heat through a medium or structure. When talking about plate carriers, we want minimal insulation for maximum heat dissipation. Our baseline for the MEPC, in a controlled environment and with ballistic plates, was 75°F. After inserting a frozen ICEPLATE ® Curve, the average temperature dropped to 62°F.

How does this compare? A closer look at our 2023 testing lineup reveals the MEPC's standing:

A brief explainer: A smaller difference between the baseline and ICEPLATE ® temperatures indicates poor thermal transmittance. Conversely, a larger difference means better heat dissipation. A low number signifies a warmer experience, while a high number indicates a cooler one.

Defense Mechanisms MEPC: Other Factors to Consider

Materials:

The MEPC is constructed using 500D Cordura, spacer mesh, hook and loop, Nylon, zippers, First Spear tubes, and a Squadron laminate cummerbund.

Unique Features:

The MEPC does not have any features that are unique to it. A good example of a unique feature is the Velcro quick release on the JPC 2.0 or the shrouded SwiftClip mounts on the LV119 or the Y-yoke on the K-19.

Attachment Mechanisms:

Three primary mechanisms allow customization of the MEPC: MOLLE, Hook and Loop fields, and Swift Clip or G Hook. Both the MOLLE and optional slick rear bags further offer either an ID patch loop field or loop covered MOLLE.

Above: Defense Mechanisms MEPC plate carrier in MultiCam Tropic, worn on the range with IMS Versa for plate carrier cooling, heating and hydration mounted.

Variety:

For colors and camo pattern options, it's available in a range of colors including Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, and various camo patterns. Size-wise, there's an added option for 8x10 ballistic plates. Below we compare color and pattern options with other popular plate carriers on the market:

Sizing Adjustability:

MEPC offers five sizes: 8x10, Small, Medium, Large, and X Large.

Size

The MEPC in Medium features 16” of adjustability in the shoulders. Our MEPC setup utilized the Small - XL Five Inch Hybrid MOLLE Cummerbund, with 10.25” of adjustment at the rear, and 10” of adjustment in the front.

Sizing Adjustability

Plate Bags:

The MEPC caters to various plate sizes:

• 8x10 fits 8" x 10" Plates
• Small accommodates 8.75"x 11.75" plates
• Medium caters to 9.5"x12.5" and 10"x12" plates
• Large is for 10.25" x 13.25" Plates
• X-Large fits XL 11" x 14" Plates

Plates can be of SAPI, ESAPI, Shooter, or Swimmer cut.

Accepted Plate Sizes

*Use of 10" x 12" Medium Shooter Cut Armor Plates thinner than 1.1" may require sewing additional Velcro fields to the bottom plate retention flap (see instructions and placement in product photo gallery).

Country of Origin:

A product's COO can shed light on its quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. Every MEPC is handmade in Winona, Minnesota, USA. A notable point for those prioritizing Berry Compliance.

Country of Origin Comparison Chart

It’s worth noting that when we reached out to Defense Mechanisms to confirm Berry Compliance on the MEPC, we contacted them at 3:28PM Eastern Time and got a response a speedy 24 minutes later at 3:52PM Eastern Time.

Above: Screenshot of email correspondence with Defense Mechanisms concerning the Defense Mechanisms MEPC's Berry Compliance.

Price:

Prices for the front and rear plate bags range between $140-$165, with a variety of cummerbund options priced from $50 to $175. Our setup, inclusive of plate bags, tallied up to $300 before pouch additions.

Defense Mechanisms MEPC: Conclusion

Thank you for joining us in this technical review of the Defense Mechanisms MEPC. The testing data shows the MEPC finds itself firmly in the middle of the pack amongst those we have reviewed thus far, albeit with thermal transmittance capability on the lower end of the spectrum, as can be seen in the table above.

Be sure to check out our Insights video and blog article: Best Plate Carriers of 2024 for side by side comparison data and stay tuned for our upcoming Best Plate Carriers of 2024 which will include the MEPC. Be sure to check out our Insights videos on YouTube and our articles listed at the bottom of the page.

Before you go, we want to know: are you considering an MEPC? If so, why? Also, let us know in the comments below what other Plate Carriers you’d like to see us review in future installments of the technical review series. Until next time, Stay Frosty.