5.11 Tactical PT-R 5.75 lb Steel Weight Plates
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On this page: Verdict · The Good · The Not Good · Product Description · FAQ
Verdict Good: Extremely reliable, versatile steel plates for tactical training that swap easily between vests.
Weighted vest training is one of the best bang-for-your-buck ways to add intensity to your workouts, but for a smaller-framed woman the plates matter as much as the vest. Andrea, who stands 5’1″, runs the steel 5.11 Tactical PT-R plates at 5.75 lbs each, and she carries them in two different vests: the 5.11 plate carrier (one size) and the Ferro Concepts Slickster (Medium). Combined with her Ferro Concepts vest, the plates let her meet the 12 lb requirement for women’s weighted vests in tactical fitness.
She has had the plates for over a year and uses them for fitness training and tactical fitness competitions. In both vests, she says they “sit comfortably and hold up well during movement.” What she loves most is how easy they are to switch between vests, and that they’ve “proven to be extremely durable over time.” In her words, they’re “extremely reliable and versatile plates for tactical training.”
Our take on fit with the Slickster: Ferro Concepts says plates up to 6 lbs each are OK in the Slickster, and Andrea’s 5.75 lb PT-R plates come in under that. In our opinion they work great and haven’t caused an issue yet, and we’ll update this review if one ever comes up.
The Good ✅
- Hits the Women’s Weight Requirement: At 5.75 lbs each, the plates combined with her Ferro Concepts vest meet the 12 lb requirement for women’s weighted vests.
- Easy to Swap Between Vests: The same plates fit both her 5.11 plate carrier (one size) and her Ferro Concepts Slickster (Medium), and she loves how easy they are to move from one to the other.
- Comfortable in Motion: On her 5’1″ frame, they sit comfortably and hold up well during movement.
- Proven Durability: After more than a year of fitness training and tactical fitness competitions, they’ve proven extremely durable.
The Not Good ❌
- Big Jumps Between Weights: Andrea didn’t have a complaint of her own, but it’s worth knowing that 5.11 sells the PT-R plates only as pairs in three weights, 5.75, 8.75 and 13.75 lbs per plate, so there’s no in-between option if you want to progress in smaller steps.
Product Description
The 5.11 Tactical PT-R® Weight Plate Pair is a set of powder-coated steel training plates designed for weighted vest and plate carrier workouts. 5.11 gives them an ergonomic compound curvature and low profile for mobility and comfort, multiple grab handles for stand-alone weight workouts, and 2″ tie-down slots. They are labeled fitness use only and are not body armor. These are the steel plates, not 5.11’s soft PT-R Flex plates.
All three versions share the same 12.5″ H x 9.5″ W footprint and differ in thickness and weight: 5.75 lbs per plate (4.9 mm thick, 11.5 lb pair), 8.75 lbs per plate (7.6 mm, 17.5 lb pair) and 13.75 lbs per plate (12.7 mm, 27.5 lb pair). 5.11 lists them as fitting its TacTec™ Plate Carrier and TacTec™ Trainer Weight Vest.
For smaller frames, the 5.75 lb pair is a manageable starting point, and at just 4.9 mm thick it adds very little bulk to a vest. Because every weight uses the same footprint, you can move up later without changing carriers, as long as your carrier’s weight limit allows it. Need more weight? Will reviewed the 8.75 lb PT-R plates he runs in his 5.11 TacTec vest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the 5.75 lb PT-R plates meet the women’s weighted vest requirement?
For Andrea, yes. Combined with her Ferro Concepts vest, the 5.75 lb plates let her meet the 12 lb requirement for women’s weighted vests in tactical fitness.
What vests do the 5.11 PT-R plates fit?
Andrea runs them in a 5.11 plate carrier (one size) and the Ferro Concepts Slickster (Medium), and she loves how easy they are to switch between vests. 5.11 lists them as fitting its TacTec Plate Carrier and TacTec Trainer Weight Vest.
How durable are the 5.11 PT-R plates?
After more than a year of fitness training and tactical fitness competitions, they’ve proven extremely durable.
What weights do the 5.11 PT-R plates come in?
5.11 sells them only as pairs in three weights: 5.75 lbs per plate (4.9 mm thick), 8.75 lbs (7.6 mm) and 13.75 lbs (12.7 mm). All three share the same 12.5″ H x 9.5″ W footprint.
Are the 5.11 PT-R plates body armor?
No. They’re powder-coated steel training plates labeled fitness use only and are not body armor. These are the steel plates, not 5.11’s soft PT-R Flex plates.
A huge thank you to Andrea for taking the time to share her honest opinion and for supporting our project. Real reviews from real people are what GoodNotGood is all about, and support like yours is what takes us from good to great. We truly appreciate you!
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