Limited Gen I History
Our answer to the market's desire for a comprehensive load-bearing carrier was released to limited end users in 2024. With a dozen of the first gen carriers in the hands of users close to Shepherd, whether geologically or in spirit, we wanted to see what the consensus was on the design. A few key objectives for this iteration were released to see if a MKII was necessary, or if tweaking the gen 1/MKI design would suffice.
After a year of use, developments on the MKII began, most notably the cummerbund and front plate bags. In an effort to increase comfort and confidence in the carrier's ability to don and doff quickly and reliably, developments that were implimented to both streamlin the manufacturing process and to increase user conveinence in donning or doffing the carrier, the key objective in the design process.
Enter, the SLBC MKII.
Understanding the use case for Load-Bearing Carriers
Simply put, Load-Bearing Carriers are designed to accomodate heavier payloads for longer durations of time. Stepping away from some of the slick/covert carriers that have come into popularity, the SLBC MKII balances design with performance.
Primary Objectives for the SLBC MKII:
- End user DON/DOFF carrier repeatedly without interruption to 2nd line gear
- Control heavier loads on carrier while providing releif to end user
- Adjustable, breathable non-velcro cummerbund attachment
Q: Why use a Load-Bearing carrier instead of a more modern carrier?
A: This will depend on the end user's mission case. Designed primarily for civilian and dynamic law enforcement use, the SLBC MKII is designed to be worn in situations that require armor solutions for unknown lengths of time.
- Modern carriers are a design response to shorter mission timeframes and larger logistical support structures, where users can be resupplied repeatedly and carry smaller loads between resupplies. Can become uncomfortable with heavier loads over longer mission timeframes.
VS
- Load-bearing carriers provide users the ability to more comfortably carry heavier loads for longer lengths of time. Can become cumbersome with lighter loads/shorter mission timeframes.