AR500 Armor® Comparison: Testudo versus Guardian

We have recently received  questions about the differences between our Testudo Gen 2.0 and Guardian plate carriers.

At first glance, they appear to be the same plate carrier, and while their design certainly overlap features, there are differences worth noting.

Similarities

• They both can accommodate 10”x12” plates
• They’re both made of 500D Cordura, with PALS webbing for MOLLE-compatible pouches
• They both feature a removable cummerbund and side-straps with impact resistant side-release buckles, allowing you to run the carrier with the cummerbund alone, side-straps alone, or both.
• Both have rear drag handles and removable padded shoulder pads
  

So, with the similarities out of the way, here are the differences between the two plate carriers.

Mission

The Testudo Gen 2.0 and Guardian are full-size plate carriers with plenty of PALS real estate for plenty of gear.

Plate Size

The Testudo is the only carrier in our line that can accommodate the larger 11”x14” plates and trauma pads, in addition to the standard 10”x12” plates and pads when using the internal support straps to keep the 10x12” plates from moving in the plate pocket. So, if you are running larger plates (or plan to), then the Testudo is the only way to go.  

The Guardian can only hold 10”x12” plates. This means the plate pockets are smaller, making the Guardian slightly smaller overall than the Testudo.

The plate pocket closure flap on the Testudo secures inside the plate pocket because of the 3D Mesh padding on the Testudo.  The Guardian’s plate pocket closure flap secures to the outside of the plate pocket, making for easier access to the plate pocket.

Padding

The Testudo features 3D mesh padding on the inside of the plate pouch that is next to the user’s body. This adds comfort and, due to the mesh design of the padding, better airflow to help keep you cool. The Guardian’s plate pockets are not padded, much like our Testudo Lite and Veritas Lite plate carriers.

Admin Pouches

Both feature and upper admin pouch and a lower kangaroo pouch, each with Hypalon® pull tabs, but because the Testudo is designed to hold larger plates, the upper admin pouch is also larger (about 12”x5.5” for the Testudo versus 9”x3.5” for the Guardian)

Cummerbund

As stated earlier, both carriers come with a removable cummerbund with three rows of PALS webbing. 

• The Testudo all-Cordura cummberbund has 3 rows of PALS webbing that is covered in loop Velcro on the outside. 
• The Guardian’s lightweight, mesh cummberbund has 3 rows of PALS webbing, with loop Velcro on the inside of the mesh. This facilitates placement of the optional Side Plate Pockets.
• The Testudo cummerbund is slightly taller (about ½”) to accommodate the integrated side plate pocket.

Weight

Because the Testudo Gen 2.0 is larger, has padded plate pockets, uses an all-Cordura cummberbund with integrated side plate pockets, it weighs about 50% more than the Guardian, approximately 3.6 pounds for the Testudo versus 2.2 pounds for the Guardian. If you add in the optional side-plate pockets for the Guardian, things even up.

Other
Both carriers have 2” side-release buckles on the shoulder straps, but the Testudo Gen 2.0 plates them on the back, making them less prone to damage than the Guardian’s traditionally placed front-side buckles.

Comparison Chart