Over the years we have produced and designed a number of plate carriers. The Varjelus is our take on a sensible plate carrier, somewhat pragmatic, very functional. This is by no means the fanciest system out there, but a sensible one with features and design elements that combined make it highly practical.
Notable features include numerous cable routing options, adjustable plate bag fit, integrated drag handle, very quickly adjustable structural cummerbund and compatibility with numerous aftermarket accessories.
This Varjelus plate carrier base package includes:
- Front plate bag (weight 0.5 lb (230 g))
- Rear plate bag (weight: 0.7 lb (295 g))
- Cummerbund (incl. attachment cord and locks) (weight 0.5 lb (240 g))
- Shoulder pads (weight 0.1 lb (65 g))
No ballistic panels or plates are included.
Plate bags
The front plate bag is placard compatible, with three attachment height options. Works with both G-hooks and split-bar Side Release buckles. Three of the four PALS webbing rows on the chest extend all the way to the side seams of the plate bag, offering a full six channels wide mounting surface with room for PTTs on the sides. The 3.9" (10 cm) tall loop surface is big enough for large patches and identifiers.
The rear plate bag has full PALS webbing from side to side and top to bottom, with a 3.9" (10 cm) high loop surface for patches and identifiers. An integrated 22" (58 cm) long drag handle is stored inside its own compartment on the upper back and deploys by pulling the protruding webbing grip tab.
The shoulder straps on both plate bags have hook on the bottom and loop on the top. The 1.6" (40 mm) webbing makes the carrier compatible with aftermarket QR accessories (Tubes, ROC etc.).
The body side of both plate bags feature fields of loop fabric, onto which six one-wrap straps attach. Use these to adjust the fit depending on what sort of plates or soft armour panels you are using. The loop fields also allow for attachment of hook-backed comfort pads.
Cable routing options include the aforementioned one-wrap straps, which can be used to secure cables to the sides of the plate bags. The front plate bag has 2" (50 mm) elastic webbing loops on the sides for cable routing/stowing. Vertical tunnels on the sides of the rear plate bag allow cables to be routed from the cummerbund attachment points up to the shoulders.
The plate bags are made for 10"x12" (25 x 30 cm) and SAPI M plates and soft ballistic panels. Will also fit shooters cut plates. Most ICW plates + NIJ IIIA panels and SA plates will fit, up to a maximum thickness of ca. 1.4" (35 mm).
Structural cummerbund
The cummerbund is made from laser cut LDPE, with webbing on top forming PALS attachment channels. The body side is lined with loop for attachment of side armour bags. The skeletal construction allows for good airflow whilst the structural rigidity offers support for attached equipment.
The front ends of the cummerbund are three PALS rows tall, offering a solid full height mounting surface for taller pouches, radios etc.
The rear ends of the cummerbunds are two PALS rows tall, positioning the rear plate bag one step higher and eliminating unnecessary weight. The rear ends of the cummerbund slide into the rear plate bag and through flat webbing loops.
Attachment and adjustment of the cummerbund is done via elastic cord and cordlocks on the outside of the plate bag, offering fast and effortless adjustments when changing clothing layers.
One-size-fits-most, adjustable for a circumference of ca. 33" to 55" (85 to 140 cm).
Structural shoulder pads
The shoulder pads have 3D mesh on the body side for comfort, loop on the top to prevent sliding and elastic webbing loops for routing hydration tubes, cables etc.
Inside the pads is a layer of closed cell foam with a separate 1 mm LDPE sheet on top, offering structure. These can be removed via the open slit on the pads if you prefer a non-structural configuration.
Accessories
We offer a suite of accessories for the Varjelus plate carrier:
- Comfort pads: 3D spacer mesh panels for the front and rear plate bags.
- Side armour bags: for adding soft side armour to the cummerbund.
- Groin flap: for adding groin armour and pouch attachment surface.
- PALS placard: 6x4 PALS webbing for use with tall AK magazine pouches, QR buckle compatible.
- 3x2 AR15-AK placard: triple-double lidded magazine pouch placard for AR15 and AK magazines.
Learn Finnish with Savotta!
“Varjelus” is (one of many) Finnish words for protection, in this case with a slightly otherworldly vibe to it. “Varjelus” could roughly be translated as “the otherworldly protection of (something)”. So yes, very cool! Made for your protection.
