The TAC 11 Noontime™ Plate Carrier is an ultralight tactical carrier weighing just 12 ounces — the lightest plate carrier capable of sustained operational demands. Made in Texas using X-Ply aramid thread laminated to 500D Cordura® for an exceptional weight-to-strength ratio, the Noontime™ fits up to 10"×12" and Medium SAPI-size armor, features a reinforced Tegris composite cummerbund with MOLLE, a Kangaroo Adjustable Insert (KAI) for limitless accessory configuration, and adjustable Mil-Spec elastic straps. Berry Compliant.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TAC 11 |
| Weight | 12 oz (0.75 lbs) |
| Plate Compatibility | Up to 10" × 12" | Medium SAPI-size armor |
| Available Sizes | Medium (35.75"–40" + 3" stretch) | Large (42"–47" + 3" stretch) |
| Colors | Multicam Tropic (and additional colorways available direct from TAC 11) |
| Outer Material | 500D Cordura® with X-Ply diamond pattern aramid thread laminate backing |
| Plate Bag Material | Dura-Stretch® Tweave® |
| Cummerbund | Lightweight vented mesh, Tegris composite reinforcement, MOLLE compatible |
| Insert System | Kangaroo Adjustable Insert (KAI) — triple-slot, individually adjustable depth |
| Berry Compliant | Yes — Made in Texas, USA |
| Side Armor | Compatible with Soft KOR and Hard KOR side armor options |
| Additional Options | Qore® Ice Vents shoulder pads available |
Product Overview
The TAC 11 Noontime™ Plate Carrier represents the current state of the art in ultralight carrier design — engineered to fill the gap between uniform-style soft armor vests and robust tactical plate carrier systems, at a weight that neither category can match. At 12 ounces total carrier weight, the Noontime™ achieves what would have seemed paradoxical a decade ago: a plate carrier that weighs less than many soft armor vests, yet accepts hard armor plates up to the 10"×12" standard format and provides genuine operational load-bearing capability.
The material science driving the Noontime™'s weight achievement is the X-Ply aramid thread laminate backing on the 500D Cordura outer shell. X-Ply refers to an alternating angular layup of aramid (high-tensile fiber) threads embedded in the Cordura substrate — a composite structure that provides far greater strength per unit weight than either material alone. The aramid thread reinforcement resists tearing and puncture loads that would compromise a plain Cordura shell, while the Cordura provides abrasion resistance and the physical surface for printing and finishing. The Dura-Stretch® Tweave® plate bag material adds conforming stretch to accommodate plate insertion and secure retention without hard-shell rigidity.
Made in Texas and Berry Compliant — meaning the carrier meets the Berry Amendment requirement for American-made materials and production in federally procured military and law enforcement equipment — the Noontime™ is designed for operators who need a primary carrier for extended patrol, reconnaissance, or sustained operations where base weight accumulates into significant fatigue over time. For a direct comparison: a standard plate carrier weighs 3–5 lbs. Adding two 10"×12" Level IV ceramic plates brings total system weight to 15+ lbs. The Noontime™ reduces the carrier contribution to that total by approximately 2–4 lbs — a meaningful reduction over a 12-hour operational period.
Kangaroo Adjustable Insert (KAI)
The KAI is the Noontime™'s defining organizational system. It is a triple-slot insert with individually adjustable depth for each of the three sections, using 1.5" OneWrap Velcro straps to set how deep each slot configuration extends. This allows one insert to serve as a magazine pouch set, a radio/tourniquet carrier, a handcuff holder, or any combination thereof — by simply adjusting the slot depths per mission requirement. Dual vertical stitch lines between sections can be cut away to modify the number of active sections, adding user-serviceable customization without tools.
- Triple-slot architecture: Three independently adjustable pouches in one modular insert
- 1.5" OneWrap Velcro depth control: Set each section depth individually for different accessory sizes
- Cuttable dividers: Remove section dividers to create a larger single pouch if needed
- Mil-Spec elastic: Retention function maintains operational integrity over thousands of cycles
Cummerbund Design
The Noontime™ cummerbund is a lightweight vented mesh construction reinforced with Tegris composite — a thermoplastic polypropylene tape fabric used in ballistic and structural applications for its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. The Tegris reinforcement gives the cummerbund structural rigidity for MOLLE-mounted accessory loads without adding significant mass. Shock cord connects the two cummerbund halves for sizing flexibility. The cummerbund can be worn with either the Velcro or tube adapter ends to the carrier front, enabling use on other carrier systems beyond the Noontime™.
Side Armor Options
TAC 11 offers the Noontime™ with compatible side armor integration through the Soft KOR (soft armor side pouches) and Hard KOR (hard armor side plate pouches) accessories. The cummerbund MOLLE accepts these side armor options to extend ballistic protection from the front/rear plates to the lateral torso — a critical coverage zone in many threat scenarios. These accessories are sold separately from the base carrier.
See also: Plate Carriers & Tactical Vests | Premium Body Armor Vests | Armor Plates & Panels
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.
