[hot_shot under fire]

I’m also going to have to +1 the Banshee here. Superb build quality, especially considering the price. I picked mine up nearly 2 years ago for $98.00 USD (in the A-TACS pattern when it was brand-spanking-new no less!) on sale from Ares Armor. I’ve gamed it many times and wear it every chance I get and it is still holding strong with no rips in the 1000D or webbing. The stitching has never so much as budged compared to the cheaper gear I’ve picked up over the past 2 years that has fallen apart in no time.

Speaking from personal experience, Pantac, Condor and TMC are utter crap compared to TAG. In the time I’ve had my TAG/Shellback Tactical Banshee Plate Carrier I’ve watched my first TMC plate carrier fall apart, the Pantac plate carrier’s stitching unravel like a wool sweater, and I just gave the Condor one to a buddy because the “500D” felt like a heavy twill fabric at best.

To be completely honest, go the distance and spend the extra few bucks on the Banshee. You will not be disappointed. And if you’re still not sold on it because you have to buy pouches too, believe me, $20.00-$30.00 bucks here and there for some pouches over time is nothing to worry about. Just don’t look back and calculate how much you actually spent on the stuff a year from now.