Tactical Games Loadout – Plate Carrier, Clothes, and Magazines – Part III

If you have been following our journey through The Tactical Games and competing for the first time you will know we have already covered a lot in Part I and Part II. This was a gamut of firearms, optics, ammunition, holsters, magazine pouches, and my rationale for what I selected in my Tactical Games loadout. The only items we have left to discuss are my plate carrier, clothes, and magazines. While these last 3 items that we are going to discuss might seem inconsequential, we promise you that caring about the little things definitely matters. In fact, I had bruising for over a week due to 1 piece of gear in 1 event because I chose wrong! Let’s swing into this week’s kit items! (just like I swung through that make-shift window in one of the events we competed in)

Fitness/Competition Coverage on AllOutdoor

The Tactical Games is a physically grueling competition that couples weapon manipulations with real-world fitness tasks. Accuracy and speed are paramount, but safety trumps everything. If you participate in The Tactical Games you are acknowledging the danger and difficulty that this competition demands of the competitor. Only participate if you can safely and effectively deploy the firearms you are competing with.

Herein, all of the information provided is the opinion of the author through his personal experiences in The Tactical Games as well as his background leading up to the event. The gear and tactics suggested ahead are a way, but not the way. Take it like a grain of salt.

Tactical Games Loadout – Plate Carrier

For a plate carrier, I had 2 options at my disposal: a Premier Body Armor or 5.11 Tactical. The 5.11 Tactical plate carrier I have owned for several years and have great respect for. I’ve done rope climbs, box jumps, Olympic lifting, and all manner of squirrelly workout movements. With all that being said, I went with my Premier Body Armor plate carrier simply because I could cinch or tighten it done more around my chest/torso. While I did not know the events we were going to be doing at my Tactical Games event in Iowa, there are always rumors of long runs. So, I wanted a plate carrier that wouldn’t bounce around on my chest during a 2 – 5 mile run. Unfortunately for me, I chose wrong.

The Premier Body Armor plate carrier performed excellently in all events except a 2 mile run we were tasked with. The Premier Body Armor one was cinched tight to my chest in all other events, I had freedom of movement, and it did great. Unfortunately during the run, I developed a bruise over my left clavicle fast. All plate carriers will bounce (a little bit) when you are running, and although the Premier Body Armor one bounced on me less, that plastic tear-away buckle beat the $hit out of my clavicle. Like… immediate, painful, black-n-blue bruising. By the time I finished my run, I wasn’t even thinking about running 2 miles in 50+ Lb of gear and kit in 90 degree heat anymore. All I could think of is my painful clavicle. So, the Premier Body Armor performed well in 95% of the things I asked it to do, but if I do another Tactical Games event again (which I intend to), I will be switching to my reliable 5.11 Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier.

1x – Premier Body Armor Core Plate Carrier w/ Level IIIA Cummerbund Armor – MSRP $629

Tactical Games Loadout – Clothes

For the clothes I chose to compete in at The Tactical Games, I had one significant overlying principle: be comfortable. While we had no idea what events we were going to be competing in going into the event, I knew flexibility, range of motion, and freedom of movement would be important. I chose the 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex 2.0 pant because it stretches while still being durable. If I had to, I could do heavy barbell movements and never feel restricted. Then – and this might run counter to some people’s thought process – I chose some rad long socks. Why long socks when its hot as hell out? Because I didn’t want dirt, mud, and/or brass getting into my shoes or pants while competing. Did I sweat more? Yeah, but when you’re already dripping wet what is a tiny bit more anyways.

To go with my 5.11 pants and socks, I also deployed a pair of their original A/T Trainer shoes. They have super gnarly tread and grips on the bottom which was perfect for rope climbs and all of the unknown terrain they needed to handle. Finally, I also chose a belt that might run counter to what other people were doing with an EDC Belt Co belt. Their belts are heavy-sewn nylon/cloth material that was flexible (again, going for flexibility and comfort). For every event, I would load up mag pouches and magazines as the event dictated or required. A straight-up battle belt that’s 2 layers (2 belts) Velcroed together might have been faster, but its also heavier and more restrictive for squatting/running movements. I’d rather add 5 minutes of extra prep time to every event with more flexibility and it worked great for me.

Tactical Games Loadout – Magazines

To compete in The Tactical Games, we were told to have 5 magazines for both our rifle and handgun of choice to compete. Since both my chosen rifle and handgun came with 2 magazines, I needed to buy 3 additional for each. With my Springfield Armory Echelon, I used normal factory magazines (no-brainer). For my Springfield Armory Saint VICTOR B5 rifle, I opted for more Magpul M3 magazines. Some people like steel AR magazines… some people like [insert bougie, niche company]… It’s my personal opinion that Magpul magazines are the gold standard for civilians. They’re cheap, extremely reliable, and work with everything. It’s hard to fabricate an argument against Magpul.

Tactical Games Loadout – Final Thoughts

Again, for anyone looking to try The Tactical Games, the first thing I would suggest before spending a bunch of money on gear to LARP with is to read the rules. Super boring, I know, but if you’re an old Masters athlete, think expensive gear can totally make up for my utter lack of training, or whatever… the division you compete in will dictate a lot of the gear you run. Below is my Tactical Games loadout of plate carrier, clothes, and magazines I used – and as you can see – the money starts to pile up fast. Everything I ran I would consider mid-tier: good, if not, great quality stuff you’d expect to run without an issue. After 7 events in 2 days of 90° heat, all the gear I chose worked perfectly (except for destroying my clavicle on the run).

1x – Premier Body Armor Core Plate Carrier w/ Level IIIA Cummerbund Armor – MSRP $629
2x – 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex Pant 2.0 – MSRP $85.00
2x – 5.11 Tactical Sock & Awe Crew Digi Camo Socks – MSRP $9.49
1x – 5.11 Tactical A/T Trainer – MSRP $54.49
1x – EDC Belt Co Foundation Belt – MSRP $45.00
3x – Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 GEN M3 – MSRP $14.95
3x – Springfield Armory Echelon 9mm 20-Round Magazine – MSRP $44.99
- Tactical Games Loadout Total (based off MSRPs & Quantities) = $1,097.29

My Tactical Games loadout was a mix of things I personally owned or am actively reviewing for AllOutdoor. If you’re contemplating any of them, I stand behind the statement that they are good quality with my own wallet. I am going to purchase all of these pieces in order to subject myself to more Tactical Games events in the future. It was a good test of fitness and shooting that I authentically enjoyed. As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! Additionally, watch for future articles outlining all of my lessons learned from competing in The Tactical Games.

Adam Scepaniak