Chase Tactical Triple 5.56 Velcro Mag Pouch
£31.00–£34.00
£33.00
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Chase Tactical
£14.00
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Chase Tactical
£31.00 – £34.00
£31.00
CT-11T556VMP-BK
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Chase Tactical
£31.00
In stock -2 Products
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£52.00
CT-20K5PMP3-BK
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Chase Tactical
£41.00
In stock 0 Products
Chase Tactical
£39.00
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Chase Tactical
£33.00
CT-25FBP3-BK
In stock 0 Products
Chase Tactical
£38.00
CT-20556MP3-BK
In stock -1 Products
Chase Tactical
£26.00
CT-20PMP2-BK
In stock -1 Products
Chase Tactical
£28.00
CT-25FBP2-BK
In stock -17 Products
Chase Tactical
£24.00
CT-25FBP1-BK
In stock -2 Products
Chase Tactical
£21.00
CT-20S762P1-BK
In stock 0 Products
Chase Tactical
£24.00
CT-20556MP1-BK
In stock 0 Products
Chase Tactical
£34.00
MEDTAC0688
In stock -1 Products
Chase Tactical
£32.00
CT-20556MP2-BK
In stock -1 Products
Chase Tactical
£38.00
CT-20PMP3-BK
In stock 0 Products
Chase Tactical
£20.00
CT-20PMP1-BK
In stock -1 Products
Chase Tactical
£33.00
CT-20K5PMP1-BK
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Chase Tactical
MED-TAC International's armor accessories collection includes side plates, cummerbunds, plate carrier accessories, armor covers, and retention components used by law enforcement, military, and security professionals. Sourced from authorized armor manufacturers and distributors, these support pieces extend and optimize your ballistic protection system — available from our clinician-founded, veteran-led team in Pembroke Pines, FL.
What Are Armor Accessories and Why Do They Matter?
Armor accessories are the components that complete, secure, and expand a ballistic protection system beyond the primary plate carrier and plates. Side plates provide lateral coverage for the soft tissue and vital organs unprotected by front and rear SAPI/ESAPI plates. Cummerbunds stabilize the plate carrier on the torso, distribute load, and can be configured to carry additional MOLLE-mounted pouches or soft armor panels. Armor covers protect hard plates from environmental wear and provide a low-visibility option for plainclothes or covert operations. Without properly fitted accessories, even NIJ-rated plates provide incomplete coverage. View our full Plate Carriers & Tactical Vests and Hard Armor Plates collections for the complete protection ecosystem.
What Types of Side Plates Are Available?
Side plates come in several formats depending on the threat level required and the plate carrier's side plate pocket dimensions. 6x6 inch soft armor side plates (IIIA-rated) provide lightweight handgun and fragmentation protection without adding significant bulk. 6x8 inch hard armor side plates offer rifle-threat protection (Level III or IV) for high-risk environments. Most modern plate carriers, including those from Velocity Systems, Ferro Concepts, and Crye Precision, accept standard 6x6 or 6x8 side plate dimensions. Proper side plate integration should cover the floating ribs and lateral vital structures from armpit to waist on both flanks.
| Accessory Type | Function | Common Sizes | Compatible Systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Plates (Soft) | IIIA lateral handgun protection | 6x6, 6x8 in | Standard side plate pockets |
| Side Plates (Hard) | Level III/IV rifle threat lateral coverage | 6x6, 6x8 in | Hard side plate pockets |
| Cummerbunds | Carrier stabilization, load distribution, MOLLE expansion | S/M/L/XL | Platform-specific (QD, Velcro, buckle) |
| Armor Covers | Plate protection, low-visibility, covert integration | Plate-specific sizing | Universal or model-specific |
| Retention Components | Carrier adjustment, drag handle, shoulder pads | Universal | MOLLE/PALS compatible |
How Do I Choose the Right Cummerbund for My Plate Carrier?
Cummerbund selection depends on your plate carrier platform, mission profile, and whether you need to integrate soft armor panels or just MOLLE pouches. Most cummerbunds use one of three attachment systems: H-harness (fixed stitching) for lightweight builds, Velcro/hook-and-loop for adjustable fit and quick-doff capability, and quick-detach (QD) buckle for rapid removal during medical emergencies. Cummerbunds with integrated soft armor channels accept 6x6 panels for Type IIIA handgun protection on the flanks. For tactical medics who need rapid casualty access, a QD cummerbund is strongly recommended to enable quick removal during MARCH assessment.
What Should Law Enforcement Consider When Selecting Armor Accessories?
Law enforcement officers should prioritize comfort and range-of-motion for patrol wear, ensuring their plate carrier system does not restrict the draw, driving position, or extended-wear ergonomics. Side plates rated to NIJ IIIA are generally recommended for patrol configurations as a weight-optimized compromise that covers handgun, shotgun, and fragmentation threats. For active shooter response or tactical entry teams, hard side plates rated to NIJ III or III+ offer rifle protection at the cost of added weight. Armor covers extending to the cummerbund area can also allow subdued or plainclothes integration. Our Police/Fire/EMS Vests w/Armor collection features configured systems for duty wear.
Complete Your Ballistic Protection System
Side plates, cummerbunds, and accessories to optimize your plate carrier for any mission profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are side plates required for ballistic protection?+
Side plates are not legally required but provide critical lateral coverage that front and back plates cannot address. Standard SAPI/ESAPI plate geometry protects the center mass front and rear, leaving the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lateral ribs exposed. In high-threat environments — active shooter response, military operations, explosive breach — side plates significantly reduce the risk of incapacitating lateral wounds. Most tactical units and SWAT teams require side plates for entry operations.
What NIJ rating should side plates be?+
For patrol and general duty use, NIJ Level IIIA soft side plates (handgun and fragmentation protection) offer an excellent weight-to-protection balance. For tactical entry teams facing rifle threats, NIJ Level III (standalone AR-15, M855 ball) or Level III+ (M855A1, M193) hard side plates are recommended. Level IV provides the highest rated protection against AP rifle rounds but adds significant weight — typically reserved for high-risk warrant service or military direct-action missions.
Can I add a cummerbund to my existing plate carrier?+
This depends on your plate carrier's design. Some carriers use proprietary cummerbund attachment systems (e.g., Crye Precision, Ferro Concepts) that are not compatible with aftermarket options. Others use universal H-harness or Velcro attachment points that accept third-party cummerbunds. Check your carrier's documentation for cummerbund compatibility before purchasing. Many manufacturers also sell replacement cummerbunds that accept different soft armor panel sizes than the original configuration.
How do armor covers protect ballistic plates?+
Armor covers (sometimes called plate sleeves or plate bags) protect hard armor plates from moisture, UV degradation, abrasion, and chemical exposure that can degrade composite materials over time. For ceramic and UHMWPE plates, even partial delamination from repeated impact or environmental exposure can compromise multi-hit capability. Covers also reduce noise from plate-on-carrier contact during movement, and covert covers allow plates to be worn in civilian dress configurations without obvious tactical profiling.
What is the difference between a drag handle and a retention strap?+
A drag handle is an integrated loop or handle — typically mounted at the top of the plate carrier shoulder area — that allows a responder to drag an incapacitated casualty to cover without requiring a grip on clothing or limbs. It is a critical feature for tactical medics and buddy-aid scenarios. A retention strap (or keeper strap) is a connector that secures the front and back panels of a plate carrier to maintain alignment during physical activity, preventing the carrier from riding up or shifting during a foot pursuit or ground fight.
Do armor accessories have an expiration date?+
Soft armor panels — including those used in cummerbunds and side plate pockets — typically carry a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer, though ballistic performance testing shows meaningful degradation can occur from UV, moisture, and compression cycling over time. Hard armor side plates (ceramic, steel, UHMWPE) generally have a 5–10 year manufacturer warranty depending on material and construction. Textile accessories (cummerbunds, covers, retention systems) do not expire but should be inspected periodically for strap integrity, hardware function, and material degradation.
Related Collections
Plate Carriers & Tactical Vests
Hard Armor Plates
Soft Armor Panels
Ballistic Helmets
Police/Fire/EMS Vests w/Armor
RTS Tactical
Backpack Armor
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
