How should armor plates fit?
When standing, the top plate edge should rest at the level of the jugular notch (the soft spot right above the sternum). Bottom of the plate edge should extend to approximately 4.5 inches above your service belt insuring protection of vital organs and vessels. The plate should fit comfortably when standing or sitting.
People shorter than 5'2” (157.5 cm) will be best suited with 9” x 9” or 8” x 10” plates. People taller than 5'2” under 6'3” (190.5 cm) will best be suited with 10" x 12" plates. People taller than 6'3” can readily employ 11x14 (280x356).
The most common armor plates' size is 10x12 and it should be enough to cover vital organs for more than 80% of the population. However, it is better to make a couple of quick measurements to determine what plates are best for you.
The plate should sit about an inch below your collarbone, allowing you to almost touch the tips of the SAPI cut if you push your shoulders inward. This will make the plate cover all of your vitals while leaving you maneuverable with both your arms and waist.
A larger plate, like 12 inches or even 13 inches, can lead to two things: larger portions than necessary or a plate that feels empty. When buying dinner plates, your best bet is to go for a 10-inch plate, as it is perfect for portion control and is large enough to fit all components of a traditional dinner.
The carrier should feel snug and tight, you should be able to feel yourself breathing against the plates. Ask your friend to help align your plates or use a mirror if that's not an option. A common mistake is wearing the plate carrier too low.
10 x 12" is closest to a Medium SAPI or Large Swimmer cut, so most vests designed to these sizes will fit a 10x12" plate.
all tactical tailor plate carriers are sized by plate size. 10x12 would be a medium plate carrier.
The most important thing is to measure your plate correctly and accurately. In order to do that, you'll need a tape measure, and a flat surface to lay your plate on. Lay your plate flat on the surface, and stretch your tape measure across the center of your plate.
The standard size Rifle Plate is 10" by 12" (25 by 30 cm.) But the fit of armor is absolutely critical to get the most coverage that is comfortable and ergonomic for your needs.
What size plate should adults use?
The evidence is that the larger plate you eat from, the more food you serve on it and the more you serve, the more you eat. Simple but true. I recommend a 10 inch or 25cm diameter dinner plate and our plates are designed to demonstrate two distinct portion sizes on the one plate.
A lunch plate is slightly smaller than a dinner plate, averaging about nine inches in diameter. These are traditionally used at luncheons where food portions are smaller. They are also best for typical lunch foods, such as sandwiches and finger foods.
The plates should still sit high on your chest and cover your upper/middle back. No matter who you are, male or female, you wear your body armor in this position because that's how you protect the most crucial parts of your body—your heart and lungs.
Body armor and plate carriers can be bulky, restrictive to movement, restrict the trunk of the body so breathing is more difficult, and can cause chafing around waist or armpits if they are not properly secured.
10 x 12" is closest to a Medium SAPI or Large Swimmer cut, so most vests designed to these sizes will fit a 10x12" plate.
The development of powerful firearms made all but the finest and heaviest armour obsolete. The increasing power and availability of firearms and the nature of large, state-supported infantry led to more portions of plate armour being cast off in favour of cheaper, more mobile troops.