The GDG MOLLE V2 plate carrier ($100 CAD) is the outermost shell only. It holds your own 10x12 front/back panels and 5.5x6 side panels, but ships with no ballistic protection inside it. The GDG MOLLE V2 full vest bundle ($479.96 CAD) is the same carrier prebuilt with two NIJ Level IIIA 10x12 panels and two 5.5x6 side panels rated against handgun threats up to .44 Mag, so it's ready to wear the moment it arrives. Which one you need comes down to one question: do you already have compatible plates, or are you starting from zero?
What's Actually the Difference Between the Carrier and the Full Vest
The carrier is the nylon shell with MOLLE webbing, the harness, and the pockets that hold your plates in place. On its own, it offers zero ballistic protection. It's a mounting system, not armour. The full vest bundle takes that same carrier and pairs it with Level IIIA panels, so what you're buying is the complete protective package rather than just the housing for one.
If you want a broader rundown of what the different NIJ protection levels mean and how IIIA compares to IIA, II, III, and IV, we cover that in detail in Improve Your Safety with the Right Bulletproof Vest. This guide sticks specifically to what's included in each GDG option.
The GDG MOLLE V2 Plate Carrier: $100
This is the carrier by itself. It's built from heavy-duty denier nylon with 360-degree MOLLE coverage across the front, back, sides, and shoulder straps, so you can configure pouches and attachments however your post demands. The 4-point harness uses two shoulder buckles and two side cummerbund buckles for a fast, secure fit, and it's one-size-fits-most with adjustable height and width. It's built to hold 10x12 front and back panels and 5.5x6 side panels, and a large front pocket adds storage on top of the full MOLLE real estate.
This is the right call if you're bringing your own plates from a previous employer, a prior carrier, or a separate panel purchase and just need a durable, adjustable shell to hold them.
Shop the GDG MOLLE V2 Plate Carrier →
The GDG MOLLE V2 Full Vest Bundle: $479.96
This is the carrier plus everything you need to wear it as body armour on day one. It includes two 10x12 Level IIIA panels for front and back, tested to NIJ 0101.06 and NIJ 0101.07 HG2 standards and rated against handgun threats up to .44 Mag, while staying thin and light at 5.4mm and 370 grams per panel. It also includes two 5.5x6 side panels rated for 9mm, .40 S&W, .44 Mag, and .357 SIG rounds, so you get side coverage most base setups skip. The carrier itself carries over the same MOLLE webbing, breathable mesh interior, front pocket with snap closure, hook-and-loop fields for patches, and a built-in emergency drag handle.
This is the right call if you're outfitting yourself or a new hire from scratch and don't already own plates.
Shop the GDG MOLLE V2 Full Vest Bundle →
Already Have A Carrier? You Can Buy Just the Panels.
If you already own a carrier that holds 10x12 panels, maybe just buying the panels individually is the best call for you. We also stock 10x12 Level IIIA panels sold individually, sized to fit most carriers that accept a standard 10x12 cut, including this one. That's often the cheaper route if your carrier is still in good shape and all you need is a new set of panels.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Buy the carrier only if you already own compatible 10x12/5.5x6 plates, or your employer issues panels separately, or you don't need panels at all.
- Buy the full bundle if you're starting from zero and want front, back, and side protection out of the box, in one transaction.
- Managing a team? You may not need the same setup for everyone, some staff carrying over their own plates only need replacement carriers, while new hires or expanding teams are better served by the full bundle. Mixing and matching by person is usually cheaper than bundling everyone the same way.
FAQ
What's the difference between a plate carrier and a full ballistic vest?
A plate carrier is the nylon shell that holds ballistic panels in place. On its own, it provides no protection. A full ballistic vest, like the GDG bundle, pairs that same carrier with panels, so it's a complete protective setup rather than just the housing for one.
Is the GDG plate carrier itself NIJ rated?
No. The carrier is the shell only and carries no ballistic rating on its own. The NIJ Level IIIA rating applies to the panels, which are only included in the full vest bundle. If you buy the carrier alone, you'll need to add your own panels for it to function as body armour.
Can I buy just the ballistic panels if I already own a carrier?
Yes. We sell 10x12 Level IIIA panels individually, built to fit most carriers that accept a standard 10x12 cut, so you don't have to rebuy a full carrier if yours is still in good shape.
Do you offer volume pricing for outfitting a full security team?
Yes. Agencies outfitting multiple staff ahead of event season can mix carrier-only and full-bundle orders depending on what each team member already has. Call 416-901-7770 ext 102 for our corporate phone line or sign up for our B2B Corporate Portal to discuss team pricing.
Body armour regulations can vary by province and by employer policy. Confirm current requirements with your employer before purchasing or wearing body armour on the job.
Shop the GDG plate carrier if you've already got plates, or get the full IIIA vest bundle if you're starting from scratch.
Outfitting a team ahead of event season? Call 416-901-7770 or explore volume pricing through our B2B portal.