Plate Carrier Upgrade Accessories
Universal Plate Carrier Ventilation Upgrade Kit - (FITS ANY PLATE CARRIER/BODY ARMOR, including USMC PC Gen III, US ARMY MSV, Crye JPC, CPC, SPC, FCPC v5, etc.)
Performance Enhancements
[ OVERVIEW ]
Fits Any Body Armor. Yes, Any.
The Universal Plate Carrier Upgrade Kit from Qore Performance® is designed to enhance any plate carrier with cooling, ventilation, and comfort—without permanent modification.
Standard plate carriers trap heat, creating inefficient microclimates. Traditional padding retains moisture and heat, increasing fatigue. This system solves that problem with 3D honeycomb stand-off ventilation.
The IceAge Ecosystem
A modular thermoregulation system built to retrofit any armor platform—soft or hard—so performance doesn’t degrade in extreme conditions.
Pairing CATAMARAN Gen 3 with ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads delivers a lightweight, universal upgrade that improves airflow, comfort, and endurance.
Ventilated Padding Only
Includes:
- 2 × CATAMARAN Gen 3 Combos
- 1 × Set of ICEVENTS® Shoulder Pads (Classic or Aero)
CATAMARAN Gen 3 panels enable mounting of ICEVENTS® Classic Pontoons or IMS Pro Gen 3 onto any plate carrier—MOLLE, slick, or hybrid.
Combined with ICEVENTS® Shoulder Pads, this setup provides airflow, impact dispersion, and improved comfort under load.
If your carrier has shoulder straps and plate bags, this kit will fit.
No Tools. No Mods. No CIF Headaches.
- No damaged gear statements
- No reimbursement paperwork
- No compliance issues with CIF/IIF turn-ins
Install in minutes. Add or remove as needed.
Pre-Packaged Efficiency
Each kit is pre-assembled for efficiency and cost savings. Configurations cannot be changed, but components are available separately.
100% Made in the USA
Engineered, manufactured, and assembled in the United States for durability and reliability.
[ SPECIFICATIONS ]
[ SPECIFICATIONS ]
| Length | Width | Height | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATAMARAN Gen 3 (Per Panel) | 16.625 in / 42.23 cm | 10.75 in / 27.30 cm | 0.125 in / 0.3 cm | 5 oz / 0.3 lbs (with ICEVENTS®) |
| ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads (Per Pad) | 10.25 in / 26.04 cm | 3 in / 7.62 cm | 0.25 in / 0.635 cm | 0.6 oz / 0.0375 lbs (per pad) |
[ WHAT'S INCLUDED ]
8 x 5-inch Velcro One-Wrap straps
2 x 48" of Elastic Shock Cord
[ VIDEOS ]
[ FEATURES ]
| Universal Mounting | CATAMARAN Gen 3 adds a Velcro loop field to almost any plate carrier or soft armor carrier, MOLLE or slick. ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads are mounted via OneWrap and can be used with any body armor system. |
| Multiple Mounting Methods | Designed for maximum versatility, CATAMARAN Gen 3 can be mounted with MOLLE, Velcro One-Wrap, elastic shock cord, and more. |
| Ultralight | Weighing just 5 oz (0.31 lbs), CATAMARAN Gen 3 Combo adds ICEVENTS® Classic Plate Carrier Ventilation Pontoons to any armor system. ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads are 90% air by volume and add only 0.6 oz (0.04 lbs). |
| Ultra Thin | CATAMARAN Gen 3 adds virtually no bulk, measuring just 0.125 inches thick (0.3 cm). ICEVENTS® Classic or Aero Shoulder Pads are among the slimmest available at just 0.25 inches thick. |
| Strong | CATAMARAN Gen 3 is constructed from ICEPLATE EXO® laminate, delivering exceptional strength-to-weight ratio with a tensile strength of 600+ pounds and a fully hydrophobic chassis. |
| Simple Installation | Installation of CATAMARAN Gen 3 and ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads can be completed in just minutes. |
[ COMPATIBILITY ]
Our Plate Carrier Ventilation Upgrade Kit is compatible with any plate carrier or soft body armor system with shoulder straps and a plate bag.
ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads are engineered for mobility and ventilation, delivering 90% air by volume at just 0.6 oz.
CATAMARAN Gen 3 enables mounting on carriers without internal Velcro loop fields, including ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 , Crye AVS, and Shaw Concepts ARC V2.
Designed for universal compatibility, CATAMARAN Gen 3 mounts using MOLLE, elastic straps, Velcro One-Wrap, or shock cord—working with both structured and slick carriers.
Below are examples of confirmed compatible carriers. This is not exhaustive— CATAMARAN Gen 3 fits most plate carriers on the market.
[ COMPATIBILITY ]
| Plate Carrier | Compatible | Optimal Mounting |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army MSV | ✔ | Velcro One-Wrap, Elastic Straps, Shock Cord |
| U.S. Army IOTV | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| USMC PC Gen III | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| T.REX Arms AC1 | ✔ | Velcro One-Wrap, Elastic Straps, Shock Cord |
| Spiritus Systems LV-119 (Covert / Overt) | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| LBT 6094 | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Crye Precision AVS (Front Plate Bag) | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Crye Precision SPC | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Crye Precision JPC 2.0 | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Defense Mechanisms MEPC | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Ferro Concepts FCPC V5 | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Ferro Concepts Slickster | ✔ | Velcro One-Wrap, Elastic Straps, Shock Cord |
| AWS SMU Operator Hybrid | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Agilite K-Zero | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Agilite K19 | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
| Armored Republic Testudo Gen 3 | ✔ | MOLLE, Elastic Side Straps, Velcro One-Wrap |
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above plate carriers are far from the only setups compatible with
CATAMARAN Gen 3, this list is not exhaustive.
[ WHY VENTILATION IS IMPORTANT IN PLATE CARRIERS ]
In demanding environments where plate carriers are required—military, law enforcement, or prepared civilian use—managing heat and moisture is critical. The CATAMARAN Gen 3 Combo paired with ICEVENTS® Aero Shoulder Pads addresses a common issue in tactical gear: maintaining airflow to reduce overheating and improve comfort.
Plate carriers and chest rigs without proper ventilation trap heat and moisture against the body. This can lead to discomfort, reduced cognitive performance, and increased health risk— especially in high heat or humidity.
CATAMARAN Gen 3 enables airflow between the body and armor, reducing heat buildup and improving overall endurance during extended wear.
It integrates with ICEVENTS® Classic Ventilation Pontoons , allowing you to bring ventilation technology to virtually any plate carrier system.
[ THE QORE PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE ]
The CATAMARAN Gen 3 Combo enhances performance through integration with ICEVENTS® technology—improving comfort, adaptability, and thermal management.
Engineered materials promote airflow and evaporative cooling, while panel placement ensures consistent ventilation across both front and rear plate bags.
Its universal compatibility with MOLLE-equipped carriers allows users to upgrade any setup—from full tactical systems to minimalist carriers.
The mounting system is fast, secure, and requires no permanent modification, delivering reliable performance in any environment.
ICEVENTS® technology helps regulate temperature and moisture, supporting sustained performance in high-heat and long-duration use cases.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about CATAMARAN Gen 3:
[ FAQ ]
[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]
-
What colorways is CATAMARAN Gen 3 available in?
CATAMARAN Gen 3 is available in black only, as it is not visible when worn under a size Medium or larger plate carrier.
-
Are front and rear CATAMARAN Gen 3 panels different?
No. Front and rear panels are identical and fully interchangeable. The selection exists only to simplify product selection.
-
Should I run ICEVENTS® in Venturi or Parallel configuration?
This depends on plate type. Venturi works best with Shooter/Swimmer cuts, while Parallel is better suited for SAPI plates.
-
Does CATAMARAN Gen 3 work with Shooter/Swimmer cut plates?
Yes. It can be trimmed to match plate shapes without compromising structural integrity.
-
Will CATAMARAN Gen 3 work with soft body armor?
Yes. It works with soft armor systems using MOLLE, Velcro loop, or elastic shock cord mounting.
Example: CATAMARAN Gen 3 mounted to an Armor Express Revolution vest with ICEVENTS® pontoons.
-
Will CATAMARAN Gen 3 work with slick plate carriers?
Yes. It supports MOLLE, Velcro One-Wrap, elastic shock cord, and other mounting methods.
-
Will Qore Performance make a full-size ICEVENTS® pad for entire plate bags?
No. For two key reasons:
- Airflow efficiency: A full-size pad reduces airflow compared to the twin pontoon design.
- Profile control: Modular pontoons allow users to control bulk and maintain a professional appearance.
-
Does CATAMARAN Gen 3 provide cooling on its own?
No. CATAMARAN Gen 3 is a mounting platform only and does not provide thermoregulation by itself.
To achieve cooling or ventilation, you must pair it with:
- IMS Pro Gen 3 (cooling, heating, hydration)
- ICEVENTS® Classic Pontoons (ventilation only)
Universal Upgrade Kits bundle these systems together.
[ RESOURCES
]
IceAge Insights
For bulk Corporate/Unit/Agency orders of 100+ units or to request a quote, please click here.