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What is a Plate Carrier Cummerbund?

A plate carrier cummerbund is a Cordura nylon sash that helps with fit and tool storage. 

The term cummerbund may bring to mind the idea of black-tie attire. But dating as far back as the Persian empire, people wrapped fabric sashes around the waist to carry tools and other items. They called them kamarbands, and they became common dress among military men. 

 

Why Wear a Cummerbund?

Do you need a cummerbund? No, but there are a variety of reasons you may want one. 

  • Comfort: A fully adjustable cummerbund allows you to loosen or tighten as needed to get the proper fit.
  • Storage: The plate carrier cummerbund continues to serve the purpose of kamarbands in ancient history, allowing you quick and convenient access to your tools. 
  • Stability: The cummerbund gives a more secure fit, keeping your carrier from shifting during movement.

Some people prefer the cummerbund over the side buckles on their carrier. You are free to run them in conjunction or choose for yourself. If you attach a cummerbund to your carrier and decide you want to remove the buckles, you can always do that. 

 

How to Adjust Your Cummerbund

Step-By-Step Instructions

Regardless of which cummerbund you’re using, all you need to do to adjust it for the perfect fit is:

  1. Press down on the shock cord stopper. This is the black plastic cord lock/fastener on your shock cord drawstring. 
  2. Loosen up the shock cord. Give yourself plenty of slack for the adjustment you need to make.
  3. Adjust to proper sizing. You can even remove the shock cord altogether if you’re trying to fit the cummerbund to a smaller frame. You can actually weave the carrier itself through its own sections of molle webbing, likewise, you can replace the shock cord with a larger section of paracord if you need the cummerbund to go larger than the included size max of XXXL.
  4. Press down on the shock cord stopper.
  5. Cinch the shock cord to secure the size you want. Double-check that this size works for you before going on to the next step. It should be snug, but still comfortable. Once your shock cord stopper is at the desired length, we recommend knotting the slack about an inch south of the stopper. This will create a stop if you should snag your cummerbund on a doorway or vehicle preventing its full-size walkout. 
  6. Fold your cummerbund in half lengthwise. This will allow the cummerbund to pass through the sleeve more easily. Try folding the loop-covered side on itself to prevent it from sticking to the velcro that secures the rear cummerbund pocket when the cummerbund is not in use.
  7. Pass the cummerbund through the sleeve. Stop when you have the shock cord part of the cummerbund lined up with the center of the pass-through design sleeve.
  8. Open up the kangaroo pouch on your plate carrier. Open it wide enough to keep the Velcro® on the admin pocket from sticking on the next step.
  9. Slide your cummerbund flap into the carrier’s kangaroo pocket. Spend enough time on this to make sure you get it straight and even. One tip is to stick a plastic shopping bag in the pouch to prevent it from sticking on itself, maneuvering one half of the cummerbund flap, then once even, pulling out the plastic bag and allowing it to attach to the kangaroo pocket on both sides. 
  10. Secure the cummerbund's left and right halves from each side to the front Velcro®. The two sides of the cummerbund should meet or overlap in the center and attach via velcro under the cummerbund flap.
  11. Fold the cummerbund flap from the kangaroo pocket down on top of the two cummerbund halves. Press down firmly to make sure everything is secure.

Once you have your cummerbund completely set up and installed, you may find it more comfortable to remove the side buckles. This step is not necessary, but you don’t need the buckles in place at this point.

 

What Cummerbund Kit Does the Armored Republic Offer?

We've designed our Cummerbund Kit to add storage and side armor capabilities. This is a great option for anyone who wants to add additional pouches, side plates, or side plate pouches to their plate carrier. 

Cummerbund Kit from Armored Republic

Cummerbund Kit Features

  • Prevents shoulder and back injury by keeping your plates concentric to your body when moving around in armor
  • Minimalistic and lightweight, yet plenty of real estate to attach additional pouches and gear
  • Capable of being used with our side plate pouches for pairing with side plate protection 
  • Laser-cut with perimeter stitching for excellent breathability
  • Made up of a front cummerbund admin flap
  • Adjustable from XS to 2XL+, or 26.5” to 50+”

Though intended to work with the Veritas model, this kit is adaptable to work with other carriers as well. All you need is a pass-through design in the back of your carrier, kangaroo pocket, or cummerbund flap on the front plate pocket. 

 

Conclusion

Put simply, the cummerbund is a Cordura nylon waistband that gives your carrier a better fit and provides you with additional ways to carry your essential tools. The kit works in conjunction with most carriers, provided they have the required features mentioned above. 

Categories: Plate Carriers