The Best Slick Plate Carrier? - ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3

Whether you’re looking for a minimalist plate carrier to keep in your vehicle, a slick carrier for covert duty use, or a simple, ultra-lightweight option for your loved ones, the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 fulfills all these roles perfectly. It not only excels as a slick plate carrier but also serves as a versatile chassis for dual ICEPLATE® wear, providing powerful cooling, heating, and hydration capabilities. Now available in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote, Black and HiVis, the highly functional adaptability of ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 makes for an indispensable tool in any environment or scenario.

Ultralight Minimalist Design

One of the standout features of the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 is its monolithic laminate plate bag construction. Built with a laminate material, it offers an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring the carrier can withstand tough environments while maintaining a hydrophobic chassis that remains lightweight, even when exposed to sweat or saltwater for OTB (Over-The-Beach) operations. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone operating in harsh weather conditions or engaging in strenuous activities where weight and durability matter most.

Above: ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 in Ranger Green, shown both completely slick and with Blue Force Gear Triple Speed Mag Placard with DFNDR Armor plates.

Weight Comparison to Other Slick Plate Carriers

One of the key advantages of the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 is its ultralight design, weighing in at just 15.2 ounces (0.95 pounds). To put this in perspective, it’s significantly lighter than many other popular slick plate carriers on the market, which often weigh over 1 lb without compromising on strength or durability. For example:

Dry Weight

Does wet weight matter more than dry weight? It depends on your mission. Whether salt water or sweat, the ability of a plate carrier to repel and shed water weight quickly can dramatically impact operator performance. 

If you have watched any of the many videos in our Technical Plate Carrier Overview series, you’ll know that our experimental design is simple and is the same for all plate carriers we test in this series: submerge the carrier in water for 60 minutes, remove and hang dry for 60 seconds, and then record the weight. We conduct all of these tests inside our brand-new HQ2 facility in Knoxville, TN, to ensure external variables, like sunlight, wind, etc., are absent.

Wet, the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 comes in at 17.6 ounces (1.10 pounds). Below, you can see how it compares to other slick plate carriers we have tested:

Wet Weight

This ultralight construction makes the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 ideal for users seeking maximum mobility, comfort, and low profile without the bulk typically associated with plate carriers. Stay tuned to our YouTube channel for a full breakdown of The Best Slick Plate Carriers of 2025.

Slick and Simple for Speed and Mobility

Simplicity is key with the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3. Its slick, minimalist design prioritizes speed and mobility, making it a top-tier option for low-visibility or fast-paced operations. The included elastic belt offers easy size adjustment for a secure, comfortable fit, and the carrier is compatible with any Velcro-mounted cummerbund, allowing users to tailor their setup based on mission needs. The HiVis version, already in use as a safety tool by drive-thru workers and others across the U.S. and beyond, provides urban camouflage with the unique ability to be seen but not perceived—something no other slick carrier can match.

Above:  ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 is now available in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, Obsidian Black and HiVis Safety Yellow.

ICEPLATE® Integration for Cooling, Heating, and Hydration

Where the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 truly shines is in its integration with our IMS Pro Combo system to allow for simultaneous armor and ICEPLATE® wear. By seamlessly pairing with the rear Velcro fields, users can add ICEPLATE® cooling, heating, and hydration capabilities through the IMS Pro. This feature transforms the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 into more than just a plate carrier; it becomes an all-in-one solution for performance in extreme environments. It should be noted that mounting IMS Pro will, of course, increase bulk and limit low-vis capability, but it is an option that can be readily added or removed depending on the task at hand.

Comfortable and Discreet

Additionally, the thin, flexible shoulder straps ensure comfort over extended wear, allowing for discreet use under a covering layer of clothing. Whether for covert operations or everyday wear, the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 excels in providing both functionality and comfort.

Conclusion: Versatile and Efficient

In summary, the ICEPLATE EXO®-SLK Gen 3 is more than just a slick plate carrier—it’s a purpose-built tool designed to meet the needs of those who prioritize speed, agility, and adaptability without compromising on protection or performance. With its innovative design and advanced integration capabilities, it stands out as one of the most versatile and efficient slick plate carriers available today.