Shaw Concepts is one of the most respected tactical gear manufacturers in the United States. Their products are trusted by infantrymen, special operations forces and SWAT teams around the world. Every item they produce is manufactured in the USA and meets Berry Compliance standards, meaning their gear meets the same requirements as equipment issued to US military personnel. Shaw Concepts designs products that solve real operational problems, and the results speak for themselves across hundreds of verified reviews from active operators and serious end users.
At Gear Town, we are proud to carry Shaw Concepts gear and ship it directly to customers across Europe. In this article we take a close look at the ARC Carrier V2 and the key accessories that make it one of the most complete and capable plate carrier systems available today.
Who Is Shaw Concepts?
Shaw Concepts is a Virginia based tactical equipment company with a focus on building gear that is purpose driven, modular and made to last. The brand was founded by former military and law enforcement personnel who understood firsthand what load bearing equipment needed to do under pressure. Their mission is to continuously improve on what exists in the market rather than simply replicate it, and every product they release reflects that approach.
The company holds a GSA Advantage listing, meaning their products are approved for procurement by US government agencies. They work with infantry units, SOF teams and SWAT departments across the country, and their gear has seen real world use in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Shaw Concepts also maintains an active YouTube channel where they document gear design, field testing and operational use, which gives buyers a transparent look at how their products are developed and validated.
The ARC Carrier V2
The ARC Carrier V2 is the flagship plate carrier from Shaw Concepts. It was designed to fill a genuine gap in the market for a feature rich, overt combat arms plate carrier that could serve the needs of infantry soldiers, SOF operators and law enforcement teams simultaneously. The V2 refines everything that made the original ARC Carrier popular and adds improvements across comfort, adjustability and modularity.
The carrier is built around the innovative Spider Tab System, which allows different plate sizes, shapes and thicknesses to be used within the same carrier without modification. This system also serves as excellent cable management for radios, PTT cables and antennas, routing them cleanly through the carrier and out of the way. On the inside, StratusFit Pads provide both comfort and ventilation, keeping the carrier breathable during extended wear in hot conditions.
The front plate bag features MOLLE and PALS webbing for chest mounted pouches and electronics, a full Velcro loop field for industry standard placards, PTT retention holes and top flap slits for routing cables and antennas. First Spear Tube and metal oval ring hardware on each shoulder provides robust adjustment and compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket components. The rear plate bag offers six columns and six rows of MOLLE and PALS, accepts both shock cord and Velcro style cummerbunds, and includes a Velcro loop field for identification patches.
ARC Shoulder Pads
The ARC Shoulder Pads that come with the complete kit use close cell foam with spacer mesh padding to reduce fatigue during heavy loads. Spacer mesh along the neckline adds additional comfort at the point where most carriers cause the most irritation. OneWrap Velcro strap anchors serve as both a strap management system and a cable routing solution, keeping the shoulder area clean and organised.
Sizing and Colours
The ARC Carrier V2 is available in two sizes. Small/Medium fits Small and Medium SAPI plates and compatible shooter cut plates, with a cummerbund circumference of approximately 112 to 122 cm. Large/Extra Large fits Large and Extra Large SAPI plates, with a cummerbund circumference of approximately 127 to 138 cm. Both sizes are available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Black, and buyers can choose between a 3 inch and 5 inch S-LOK cummerbund depending on the amount of side coverage needed.
The complete kit weighs approximately 1.0 kg including the plate bags, cummerbund, shoulder pads and straps. With over 160 verified reviews and a 94 percent five star rating, the ARC Carrier V2 is one of the highest rated plate carriers on the market from any manufacturer.
S-LOK Cummerbund
The S-LOK Cummerbund is built around Shaw Concepts' patent-pending S-LOK connection system, which allows front and rear load bearing assemblies to be quickly connected, disconnected and reconfigured without touching the front side loadout. This makes the S-LOK Cummerbund the most adaptable cummerbund in the Shaw Concepts lineup, allowing users to swap configurations rapidly in response to changing mission requirements, armor setups or clothing layers.
The cummerbund uses First Spear Tubes quick disconnect buckles for secure and fast closure, thermoplastic reinforcement throughout its length to maintain structure under load, and MOLLE and PALS running down the entire length including over the buckle hardware. A soft loop Velcro inner liner allows Velcro based accessories and soft armor to be mounted directly to the inside of the cummerbund. Included flap sets with removable male First Spear Tubes allow direct placard connection, and two sets of shock cord in approximately 3 mm and 5 mm diameters are included for tensioning and adjustment.
The S-LOK system also enables chest rig and plate carrier hybridisation, meaning users can connect different front and rear assemblies to create a setup that suits their specific role. The side length is fully adjustable from 34 to 46 cm, making the S-LOK Cummerbund a one size fits all system compatible with a wide range of body types and carriers.
The S-LOK Cummerbund is available in a 3 inch and 5 inch sleeve profile. The 3 inch version weighs 298 g and the 5 inch version weighs 354 g. Both are available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Black, and both are made in the USA to Berry Compliance standards.
ARC Placard V4
The ARC Placard V4 is the cornerstone of the ARC suite and the center focal point for everything hanging on the front of your carrier. It was designed to bridge the gap between traditional MOLLE magazine pouches and fixed placards, and accepts nearly whatever calibers it needs to. While most placards on the market can hold three M4 magazines, the V4 expands to accommodate up to four 5.56 magazines across in a single row, up to six 5.56 magazines when double stacked, and up to three .308 magazines. Having 30 to 90 additional rounds accessible in your primary real estate is a significant advantage that few competing placards offer.
The V4 uses a hook and loop Velcro interior and is engineered to work with the RAM Inserts, SPCTR Inserts and OmniStacker Inserts from Shaw Concepts, offering a wide range of configurations for different weapon systems and missions. The RAM Triple 556 Insert in particular transforms the V4 into a capable breaching platform, with tools like the Pandora fitting directly into the insert for immediate access. The front face features PALS webbing up to 8 rows by 3 columns, with additional PALS on the sides and bottom for extra pouch mounting. A 23.5 by 12.7 cm hook backing secures the placard to any compatible plate carrier or chest rig, and adjustable height straps allow precise positioning on the carrier front.
The V4 weighs just 170 g and is available in nine colour options: Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Black, Wolf Grey, M81 Woodland, MC Tropic, MC Arid and MC Black. Inserts and accessories are sold separately.
NERD Pouch
NERD stands for Necessary Equipment Readily Deployable, and that name describes exactly what this pouch is for. The NERD Pouch is a flat organisational pouch designed to mount on the front of placards with MOLLE, giving technically oriented and leadership roles a dedicated space for tools, documents and admin items that would otherwise end up loose in pockets or buried in a pack. Radio operators, team leaders and point men are the primary users, but anyone with a specialised task that requires tools and documentation will find it useful.
The exterior features a full loop ID patch field for unit identification or marking patches. The interior has a large loop field on the front side for additional organiser inserts or electronic device mounting, two rows of varying size elastic organiser bands on the other side for pens, markers and small tools, and a full width flat pocket for maps, documents and flat items. A tie off point inside keeps valuable or delicate items secure during movement.
The NERD Pouch comes in two sizes. The Small version is 15 cm wide and 15 cm tall with a 4 cm depth, mounts to four columns of PALS, and weighs 113 g. The Large version is 23 cm wide and 15 cm tall with a 4 cm depth, mounts to six columns of PALS, and weighs 170 g. Both sizes are available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Black and Wolf Grey, and both are made in the USA to Berry Compliance standards.
RAID Pouch V3
RAID stands for Releasable-Abdominally-Integrated-Drop Pouch, and this is one of the most versatile hanger pouches on the market. Rather than simply being a box pouch hanging below the front plate bag, the RAID Pouch V3 uses a First Spear Tube quick disconnect system that allows it to be detached from the carrier with one hand and reconnected just as easily. This enables fast access to the full contents when laying the pouch open next to a patient, handing it off to a teammate, or simply removing it when it is not needed for the current task.
The V3 introduced several improvements over previous generations. The body has been enlarged to accommodate compact handguns including the Glock 19, Glock 43X, Sig 365 and similar sized pistols. The clamshell zipper opens the pouch completely flat for full layout access. A retractable First Spear Tube allows the pouch to convert to a fanny pack configuration by pushing the tube into its internal pocket and attaching the RAID Fanny Strap to the side buckle ports. A tightened tourniquet elastic sleeve, double slider front zipper, shockcord ports on the front panel and shockcord holes on the rear panel for lashing small linear charges round out the feature set. The rear shockcord holes in particular make the RAID Pouch V3 a capable breaching pouch, allowing a breacher to lash on a small linear charge and pull it out at a moment's notice.
The full loop Velcro inner liner is compatible with OmniSert inserts for adding organisation to the interior. The front zipper pocket handles flat items and documents. A full Velcro hook and loop tubed flap mounts the pouch directly to plate carriers and chest rigs. The RAID Pouch V3 weighs 255 g and is available in twelve colour options: Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Black, Wolf Grey, M81 Woodland, Multicam Tropic, Multicam Arid, Multicam Black, Multicam Alpine, Jungle Tiger Stripe and Desert Tiger Stripe. Made in the USA to Berry Compliance standards. The fanny strap and OmniSerts are sold separately.
Plate Carrier Pack (PCP)
The Plate Carrier Pack, known as the PCP, is Shaw Concepts' answer to the 1 Day Assault Pack problem. Development began in 2019 with a straightforward goal: build a compact pack that attaches directly to a plate carrier and can be accessed by the user without needing a teammate's assistance. After three years of development and refinement, the PCP delivers exactly that.
The PCP has a total volume of 11 litres distributed across its main compartment and two general purpose pouches. The main compartment opens fully via a clamshell zipper, giving complete access to the interior and a loop lined inner surface for medical or organisational inserts. An internal hydration pocket can double as a tool sheath, and a side access zipper allows routing of hydration hoses, communication cables and other lines without opening the main compartment. Both general purpose pouches have Velcro loop lining inside and tie off points for securing valuable or sensitive equipment.
The shoulder straps are the standout engineering feature of the PCP. Inspired by a two point sling design with a shorter and wider form factor, they collapse to a very short length when mounted on a plate carrier and quickly extend to full length for standalone use. This means the PCP can transition from carrier mounted to standalone configuration in seconds, which is highly practical when moving between vehicles and dismounted operations. Compression straps on the sides allow the pack to be cinched down when not fully loaded.
The PCP comes with a mounting hardware kit compatible with most plate carriers on the market. It weighs approximately 851 g and is available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Black.
Magnum Armor Panel
The Magnum Armor Panel is a Level IIIA soft armor panel designed to provide supplemental groin or abdominal protection depending on the size selected. Groin armor has historically moved in and out of use based on the specific threats faced in a given conflict. Recent operational experience involving drone delivered munitions, artillery fragmentation and repeated exposure to small caliber threats at close range has driven renewed demand for effective supplemental soft armor coverage. Shaw Concepts designed the Magnum Armor Panel to modernise this category with a mobility focused shape and practical mounting options that integrate directly into an existing plate carrier setup.
The panel features dual directional MOLLE for attaching pouches directly to its surface, industry standard Velcro flap mounting for integration with a cummerbund or carrier front, and First Spear Tube mounting points for direct attachment of the RAID Pouch V3. The organic shape of the panel is designed to move with the body rather than restrict it, which is critical for maintaining mobility in dynamic environments.
Three size options are available. The Standard size measures approximately 27 by 30 cm and provides groin coverage. The XL size measures approximately 28 by 41 cm for extended coverage across a larger area. The Abdominal size measures approximately 25 by 17 cm and is optimised for frontal abdominal protection rather than groin coverage. All sizes are available in Multicam, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and Black, and all are made in the USA to Berry Compliance standards.
Build Your Shaw Concepts Kit at Gear Town
Gear Town ships Shaw Concepts products directly to customers across Europe from our warehouse in the Netherlands. There are no import duties, no customs complications and same day dispatch on orders placed before 21:00 on business days. Whether you are building a complete kit around the ARC Carrier V2 or adding individual accessories to an existing setup, you will find what you need in our Shaw Concepts collection.
