What gear pouches, armor plates, and accessories should I use with ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 and other plate carriers?

DFNDR Level III+ C Stand-Alone Rifle Rated Armor Plates

We selected these DFNDR Armor Level III+ C stand-alone rifle rated plates specifically for use with our ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 ultralight ventilated plate carrier for elite military, law enforcement and freedom-loving citizens. In addition to best-in-class performance characteristics, DFNDR Armor Level III+ C Stand-Alone Rifle Rated Armor Plates have the perfect Medium ESAPI geometry to mate conformally with ICEPLATE® Gen 3 / IMS Pro Gen 3, making them an ideal choice for use with ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3. We also offer DFNDR Armor Level IV for a higher ballistic protection rating as well as the DFNDR Armor RF1 Elite armor package for ultralight weight protection.

IMS Pro Gen 3

Pairing ICEPLATE® Gen 3 with IMS Pro Gen 3 (ICEPLATE® MOLLE Sleeve Pro) is a plate carrier hydration and body armor cooling/heating game changer. Advancing our vision for Building A Superhuman Future, IMS Pro Gen 3 Combo harnesses the full power of the water you carry on duty: freeze for cooling, hot water for heating, all-climate hydration. Worn on the inside or outside of your plate carrier, ICEPLATE® MOLLE Sleeve Pro Gen 3 mounts securely to your plate carrier using any combination of MOLLE and/or Velcro Hook or Loop. IMS Pro Gen 3 features laser-cut MOLLE on the rear in addition to Velcro brand hook tape on one face and Velcro brand loop tape on the other face for universal compatibility with any plate carrier MOLLE and/or hook or loop field. Exchanging ICEPLATE® Gen 3 is built on our "Hydration Magazine" concept and is as simple as it sounds.

ICEFLASK® Wing / MOLLE Holster

ICEFLASK® is a 16.9oz/500ml water bottle that also delivers 23 watts of conductive cooling or 17 watts of conductive heating to end-users by closely resembling the dimensions of a PRC-152 MBITR radio, fitting seamlessly into NATO -152 radio pouches. Conceived by Felix of Redbeard Tactical, it enhances warfighter performance and mounts to ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 or any plate carrier with Velcro loop fields using the ICEFLASK® Wing Holster, or MOLLE surfaces via the ICEFLASK® MOLLE Holster. This versatile tool provides personal cooling, heating, and hydration when worn, and serves as a stackable, durable cooling or heating block for coolers and insulated bags, excelling in both tactical and outdoor settings.

ICEPLATE® MOLLE Back Panel - Dynamic Principles

ICEPLATE® MOLLE Back Panel is a lightweight, low profile solution to allow MOLLE mounting of a Qore Performance ICEPLATE® Gen 3 to the external PALS field of your carrier. The design is optimized for ICEPLATE® Gen 3's advanced features. The external mounting is intended to give you hydration-only use of your ICEPLATE® and allows for heavy packs and equipment to be worn over the top without fear of rupture.

It features four fixed MOLLE straps, three removable one-wrap loops for drink tube management, a 6"x3" loop field for Identity Patches, full laser cut PALS on the outside and bottom for pouch attachment, and Crye-pattern zippers for attaching zip-on back panels.

ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons

ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons provide stand-off ventilation and padding against hard body armor inside your plate carrier or under your soft body armor vest for your chest and back. Stand-off ventilation inside your plate carrier or soft body armor vest promotes evaporative cooling and eliminates hotspots. ICEVENTS® Classic Ventilation Pontoons are the ultimate plate backer.

ICEVENTS® Aero Minimalist Plate Carrier Shoulder Pads

Ergonomically optimized to deliver maximum mobility for overhead movement and prone positions, ICEVENTS® Aero Plate Carrier Shoulder Pads bring load carriage and ventilation to the next level at an impossibly light weight. ICEVENTS® Aero Plate Carrier Shoulder Pads are designed for military, law enforcement, security contractors, prepared citizens, and competition athletes wearing plate carriers, backpacks, or rucks, who prioritize efficiency, speed, and agility. ICEVENTS® Aero shoulder pads are ideal for minimalist plate carriers including, but not limited to the Crye Precision JPC 2.0 and SPC, Spiritus Systems LV119 Overt and LV119 Covert, Ferro Concepts Slickster and FCPC v5, Haley Strategic Thorax, ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, etc.

ICEVENTS® Classic Ventilated AVS Harness Pad Set

The all-new ICEVENTS® Classic Ventilated AVS Harness Pad Set is a set of four upgraded ICEVENTS® Classic Ventilation Pontoons that directly replace the six foam pads that come standard with every Crye Precision AVS (Adaptive Vest System). The Crye Precision AVS has been in use with USSOCOM since 2012, but despite significant advances in load-bearing technology since then, hasn't had any major updates. That ends now. Built on the venerable ICEVENTS® Classic platform, these sets provide stand-off ventilation and padding under the Crye Precision AVS Harness to dramatically improve air flow and long-term wear comfort. The set features permanently bonded Velcro hook backing for customizable placement of the ventilated pads inside the AVS Harness.

Blue Force Gear Multi-Radio Bikini Pouch

The Multi-Radio Bikini Pouch further improves on standard drop down radio pouches by creating a lightweight yet durable radio holder that retains top and front functionality and is adjustable for different sized radios. Designed around the PRC 152, this pouch safely secures similar sized units such as the Thales MBITR and Harris Falcon III with an adjustable side bungee cord. It mounts to any MOLLE compatible platform with the patented Helium Whisper® Attachment System and provides increased durability with the use of ULTRAcomp® wrapping from underneath to the front face.

Crye Precision Airlite Configurable Radio Pouch

The AIRLITE CONFIGURABLE RADIO POUCH adds a new level of comfort and adjustability when carrying a radio on your vest. Multiple slots on the front and rear allow for a wide range of "ride height" adjustment and allow the same pouch to be used on either the operator's left or right side. Additionally, heavy-duty side elastic and an adjustable top cord provide a secure fit without interfering with controls. The AIRLITE pouch adjusts to fit most radios and magazines, including the 152, MBITR, and up to two M-4 30-round magazines.

Micro MOLLE Placard V2 - Dynamic Principles

The Micro MOLLE Placard V2 is an ultra-compact, versatile placard designed for maximum customization and durability. The placard features adjustable ride height with One Wrap straps and options for attachment via swift clips (included) or g-hooks (sold separately). It boasts two elastic loops perfect for carrying pens or chemlights, along with laser-cut PALS on the front, sides, and bottom for nearly endless customization with our PIMPS System or other compatible pouches.

The placard accepts Dynamic Principles' "Micro" sized inserts or any hook-lined insert fitting a 4” x 9” pocket, ensuring flexibility and functionality. Built to last with lightweight, Berry Compliant materials, it pairs perfectly with the ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 plate carrier.

AXL Equinox Cummerbund

The AXL Equinox Cummerbund is a rigid, lightweight cummerbund with a captured FirstSpear® Tubes™ attachment. The captured Tubes™ release mechanism allows the cummerbund to have the strength and load bearing of a rigid, structural cummerbund with the speed of doffing and donning of the tubes system. It is compatible with most side armor pouches, and comes in S/M and L/XL sizing. We sell the S/M variant with our ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, but should you need larger sizing, you can purchase the side strap variant and order the L/XL directly from AXL. Please note that use of the AXL Equinox Cummerbund will also require the AXL SPC Tubes Adapter.

Crye Precision Airlite Structural Cummerbund

The AIRLITE STRUCTURAL CUMMERBUND provides rigidity and structure for supporting side plates and heavy loads. It is compatible with ICEPLATE EXO® using our AIRLITE Cummerbund Adapter (sold separately). Pouches can be mounted cleanly on both the inside and outside of the cummerbund.

Our advice always begins with First Principles: why do you need side plates? If your SOP requires Side SAPIs, that's one thing. If your SOPs don't require them, our advice is to take a hard look at your current loadout, physical fitness level, and AOR to make an informed decision. Remember the old adage "ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain" is good advice based on functional realities.

For most applications, including law enforcement, Side SAPIs dramatically increase heat retention (more armor layout = more heat retention), which decreases performance and metabolic capacity. They also add permanent weight to protect against rare edge cases in permissive environments. However, for non-permissive urban settings, Side SAPIs are worth their weight in gold. If you must run side armor, we don't have perfect brand recommendations since we haven't found one we would run ourselves. Most are built with traditional 500D nylon and spacer mesh that trap heat, add bulk, and retain water weight. Fortunately, the AXL Equinox Cummerbund will accept any side SAPI pouch your mission dictates. We have developed internal ICEPLATE EXO® Side SAPI Pouch prototypes ourselves—let us know in the comments below if we should bring them to full production.