Technical Plate Carrier Review: T.Rex Arms AC1.5 Plate Carrier

T.REX Arms has earned a reputation for practical innovation—starting from humble origins and growing rapidly into a prominent provider of tactical gear. While recent leadership transitions have placed the brand under scrutiny, our intent here is to examine the AC1.5 plate carrier on its own merits—not comment on company dynamics.

The AC1.5 is promoted as being an updated, refined version of the T.Rex Arms AC1 plate carrier. This technical overview dissects T.Rex Arms AC1.5’s design, performance, material choices, and compatibility with thermoregulation systems using purely empirical data.

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Format

As with our previous installments, this overview is facts-first and instrument-backed. We don't share conjectures or opinions. We aim to provide you with the necessary data to make informed decisions, empowering you to reach your highest potential. That is what Building A Superhuman Future® is all about.

Relationship Disclosure

Let’s cover relationship disclosures. We requested a sample of the AC1.5 from T.REX Arms as part of our Plate Carrier Overview series; they agreed and provided the unit at no cost. We’ve previously featured their AC1 plate carrier in another plate carrier overview video, which we’ll link in the description. Nevertheless, this breakdown remains strictly objective—driven by measurable facts and standardized testing methods. No opinions, only results.

IceAge Ecosystem Integration

Now, let’s find out how seamlessly the T.Rex Arms AC1.5  integrates with our suite of thermoregulation tools, the IceAge Ecosystem.

Because the AC1.5 lacks internal velcro loop fields, you will need our CATAMARAN Gen 3 to integrate our ICEVENTS® Pontoons and ICEPLATE® via IMS Pro Gen 3. 

ICEFLASK™ Wing Holster integrates seamlessly with the hook and loop cummerbund attachment points on the front plate bag of the AC1.5, but ICEFLASK™ MOLLE Holster is incompatible with the AC1.5 because it simply lacks the necessary MOLLE to secure it. 

ICEVENTS® Aero and Classic Shoulder Pads attach seamlessly to the shoulder straps of the AC1.5. 

For turn-key solutions to upgrading your plate carrier, check out our Plate Carrier Upgrade Kit.

 

IceAge Ecosystem Integration Comparison Chart

Weight

Dry Weight

Few things impact human performance more than weight. Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. We all know this. Now let’s find out how much the T.Rex Arms AC1.5 weighs when dry.

With the front/rear plate bags, shoulder pads, cummerbund, and QASM buckles, the AC1.5 weighs 1.45 pounds or 23.2 ounces.

Wet Weight

Does wet weight matter more than dry weight? It depends on your mission. A Plate carrier’s ability to shed water weight quickly can dramatically impact operator performance. Let’s see how much the AC1.5 weighs when wet.

Our experimental design for this test is simple and the same across all of our wet weight tests.

We submerged the AC1.5 for 60 minutes, hung it to dry for 60 seconds, and weighed it.

After submerging, the AC1.5’s Wet Weight came out to: 2.4 pounds or 38.4 ounces.

For those who have seen our Technical Plate Carrier Overview series, you know our testing method is straightforward and consistent across all plate carriers:

All tests are conducted in our controlled HQ2 facility in Knoxville, TN, to eliminate external variables like sunlight and wind.

Thermal Transmittance

What is Thermal Transmittance, and why does it matter for plate carriers? Thermal transmittance refers to the rate at which heat moves through a material. In the context of plate carriers, it specifically pertains to the body-facing side of the plate carrier plate bag. 

When a material, such as a wall or a plate bag, is well-insulated, it has low thermal transmittance, making it effective at protecting against external temperature changes—ideal for homes, vehicles, or cold-weather gear. Conversely, poorly insulated materials have high thermal transmittance, which is beneficial for active or athletic apparel like running gear, PT outfits, combat uniforms, or plate carriers. High thermal transmittance allows the body to release excess heat generated during intense physical activity. 

Given that tactical gear inherently provides some level of insulation, it's crucial to choose equipment, particularly plate carriers and body armor, with the highest possible thermal transmittance. Essentially, you need gear with minimal insulation to enable your body's natural cooling processes to function optimally, helping you manage body temperature independently of your gear. This is critical to prevent heat-related issues, ensuring you remain effective and increasing your survival chances in the field. Some plate carriers, such as our ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, augment and enhance your body's natural thermoregulation mechanisms, boosting your physiological performance. For carriers lacking this feature, you can integrate items from our IceAge Ecosystem, like the IMS Pro Gen 3 Combo, ICEFLASK™, ICEVENTS®, and CATAMARAN Gen 3, to improve their thermal efficiency. 

For a detailed understanding of heat transfer methods and their relevance to your gear, check out the infographics in our INSIGHTS blog article titled "The Methods of Heat Transfer," linked in the show notes below.

Here’s our test protocol:

Record FLIR surface temperature of the inside of the carrier at room temperature.

Insert a frozen ICEPLATE® Curve.

Place a hard armor plate on top for 30 seconds.

Remove the hard armor plate and record the temperature again.

The AC1.5 recorded a baseline surface temperature of 79 degrees fahrenheit and an ICEPLATE® inside temperature of 49 degrees fahrenheit resulting in a thermal shift of 30 degrees fahrenheit. 

What do these numbers mean? In this chart, we’ve ranked the plate carriers we have tested from highest to lowest thermal shift. The smaller the spread between the Initial or Baseline Surface Temperature and the surface reading at room temperature, the lower the Thermal Transmittance of that plate bag. The plate carriers marked in red have low thermal shift readings, meaning they will trap and retain more heat, making you hotter. The larger the spread between the Initial or Baseline Surface Temperature and the surface reading at room temperature, the higher the Thermal Transmittance of that plate carrier. The plate carriers marked in blue have a higher thermal shift, which means they are better at removing heat to let your body's thermoregulation mechanisms work as naturally as possible. These tables show how the T.Rex Arms AC1.5 compares to the other plate carriers tested:

Attachment Mechanisms

Let’s now break down the main attachment mechanisms that the AC1.5 utilizes. The AC1.5 allows attachment with:

• Single MOLLE Row Interface on the front plate bag.

• QASM buckles on the front plate bag.

• Hook-and-loop fields
  
  

Variety

From colorways to sizing, let’s talk about the AC1.5’s variety. 

• Available color options include: Black, Coyote, M81 Woodland, Multicam, and Ranger Green. 

As for sizes, the AC1.5 comes in: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large, based on plate size (not wearer body size).

Country of Origin

Country of origin is a critical consideration when selecting a plate carrier. COO is a dependable but not absolute indicator of innovation, quality, and craftsmanship. So where does the T.Rex Arms AC1.5 come from?

The AC1.5 is made in the USA.

Country of Origin Comparison Chart

Price

Price is the least important factor when choosing your plate carrier—this is life-preserving gear. Most of us have learned the hard way that cutting corners on tools comes with a cost. So, here's our advice: Do your research, and buy once, cry once. Invest in quality now to avoid regrets later. And since you're here watching this INSIGHTS video, you're already on the right track.

As listed on the T.Rex Arms website at the time of publishing this video, the AC1.5 costs $240 dollars to $250 dollars depending on the colorway you select. Multicam and M81 Woodland cost an extra $10 dollars, bringing their price to $250 dollars while the other colors cost $240 dollars.

Conclusion

That’s the full technical breakdown of the T.Rex Arms AC1.5. We hope you found this article and video both informative and enjoyable. 

Do you have experience running the AC1.5? Drop your feedback, configurations, and impressions in the comments below.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel, follow us on Instagram @qoreperformance and sign up for LaunchPad for early access to our next wave of performance-enhancing tools.

Also, don’t miss Best Plate Carriers 2026—our annual roundup where we compare every carrier we’ve tested throughout the year in one comprehensive video. See how they stack up side-by-side, backed by real data.

Until next time:

#StayFrosty

About Qore Performance

For those of you who are new to Qore Performance, we live for Building A Superhuman Future. It is why we exist. We help customers be the greatest version of themselves, to create competitive advantages where none previously existed. We design, build, and manufacture thermoregulation and hydration solutions that weaponize temperature to improve performance and survivability for military, law enforcement, prepared citizens, pilots, outdoor enthusiasts, and industrial professionals at America’s greatest companies. If you’ve purchased chicken or coffee from a drive thru in the United States, there is a high probability you’ve seen our ICEVEST HiVis Safety Vests, our ICECASE iPad Cooling cases or both in use while rolling through one of these corporate powerhouses.

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