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The LORICA PRIMUS plate carrier isn’t trying to be just another mass-produced carrier. The PRIMUS is a Canadian-made system built in-house with a clear focus on modularity, durability, and real-world operator needs.
Designed by professionals for professionals, the PRIMUS combines laser-cut Squadron laminate construction with a clean, scalable design that supports a complete range of pouches and attachments.
In this review, I break down the materials, fit, and function, and how the supporting gear comes together to form a capable loadout.
I’ll cover the strengths, the few areas that could be improved, and how the PRIMUS performed in real-world use. After running it hard, it’s clear this is a tier-one, high-quality platform built with genuine attention to detail.
Here’s the full breakdown.
Table of Contents
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LORICA – PRIMUS
SPECS
- Rating: 5/5
- Material: Squadron Laminate
- Supported Plate Size: 10 x 12 Sappi Plates
- Size: Custom
- Weight: 3 -4 lbs
- Manufactured: Canada
PROS
- EXTREMELY RUGGED AND DURABLE
- EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE
- HIGHLY MODULAR
- CUSTOM-SIZED ON ORDER
- MAGNETIC QR BUCKLES MAKE DONNING AND DOFFING VERY EASY
- STIFF MATERIAL IS LOAD-BEARING
CONS
- SHOULDER STRAP BUCKLES TURN AND PINCH STRAPS
- SHOULDER STRAPS AREN’T ANGLED OUT
PRICE
OR CONTACT LORICA FOR YOUR PRIMUS
sales@loricaequipment.com
+1-604-392-2295
VERDICT SNAPSHOT
Overall, the PRIMUS is by far one of the most superior plate carriers I’ve worn, from the JPC 2 to the Condor Cyclone RS.
Traditionally, choosing a lightweight nylon plate carrier has meant sacrificing some rigidity and load-bearing capacity.
The PRIMUS takes a different approach, combining a lightweight construction with a rigid, supportive platform designed to handle heavier loads.
From the laser-cut MOLLE and the front placard attachment system to the QR buckles, quick-adjust shoulder straps and the adjustable plate pocket, the PRIMUS was developed for the modern-day operator.
The PRIMUS also comes with removable mesh padding, offering breathability and airflow for comfort, whether you’re running it in a heavy configuration or a minimalist setup.
The PRIMUS is highly functional, highly adaptable, built for all-day comfort and an absolute beauty to run.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
When I first took the PRIMUS out of its packaging, a couple of things stood out to me right away.
The first was the lack of traditional PALS webbing, as LORICA went with purely laser-cut MOLLE. I can admit I was a little wary of this at first, as I have found in the past that laser-cut is less structurally strong than traditional PALS.
However, it was the second trait that stood out to me that made me rethink my view of laser-cut MOLLE, and that was the material LORICA made the PRIMUS out of, which is Squadron laminate.
The Squadron offers vital traits that traditional denier nylon lacks. One of those main traits is stiffness and, with it, strength.
The Squadron makes the laser cuts much stiffer and stronger, ensuring they don’t wear nearly as fast and hold their shape with the weight of attachments.
That being said, I could feel the added stiffness of the material right off the bat and realized the potential benefits this would have on the laser cuts.
Other than that, the overall quality was obvious; I looked hard, but didn’t find a single loose or frayed thread
IN THE TRENCHES
As seen in many of the photos for the article, I got out with some buddies for a full, very hot range day, where I put in some solid hours and ran the PRIMUS quite hard.
We ran some stationary drills, such as the Bill Drill and Mozambique, as well as a bunch of shooting, moving, and other random nonsense.
I also tested the drag handle on the PRIMUS and put it through some of the Combat Force test exercises we do yearly in the military as a combat arms unit.
I can wholeheartedly tell you that, overall, the PRIMUS did not let me down.
Once I adjusted the shoulder straps and cummerbund, it was like a second skin. It was comfortable the whole time; it never felt like it was pulling on my shoulders and traps, and it stayed tight and in place as I moved.
Even at the end of a long, hot, yet very fun day, I could have easily continued wearing the PRIMUS, which is exactly what you want in a plate carrier.
BUILD BREAKDOWN
MATERIAL
Squadron Laminate is a rugged, lightweight, high-strength, water-resistant laminate material commonly used in high-end tactical gear.
It combines layers of Cordura nylon into a single laminated structure, with common Squadron constructions using 500D and 1000D nylon.
This gives it considerably more structure and rigidity than a single layer of nylon while keeping the material relatively lightweight.
It gives you the strength and stiffness you want from a plate carrier without making it feel like you’re wearing a heavy piece of armour.
LASER CUT MOLLE
Laser-cut MOLLE replaces traditional sewn-on nylon MOLLE webbing with precise slots cut directly into the carrier’s laminate material.
This reduces bulk and weight while keeping the carrier’s exterior cleaner and more streamlined.
The slots still provide the attachment points needed for compatible pouches and accessories, while the laminate underneath adds structure and rigidity compared with traditional PALS webbing.
HOOK AND LOOP PLACARD SYSTEM
The PRIMUS runs a modern placard system. This is a removable, often hook-and-loop front panel, as seen on the PRIMUS, that lets you quickly change a plate carrier’s configuration without swapping the entire carrier.
The placard typically holds your magazines, an admin pouch, or other core mission equipment and attaches to the carrier using QASM buckles, hook-and-loop, MOLLE or a combination of the three.
This makes the carrier much more modular, allowing you to run different setups depending on mission-specific needs rather than having everything permanently attached to the front.
PLATE POCKETS
The plate pocket of the PRIMUS is a simple, hollow pocket that fits a standard 10×12 SAPPI plate and has no fancy or complex internal strap systems.
If an adjustment is needed to better fit your plate, simply insert the plate as deep into the pocket as it will go, then pull the hook-and-loop straps tight on the rear of the plate pocket.
With companies always trying to stand out and be different, I can’t tell you how nice this simple construction is.
PADDING
The padding is a standard breathable mesh padding on both the front and rear of the PRIMUS. I’d say it falls somewhere in the medium-to-minimalist range for the amount of padding.
It’s not a gigantic pillow like on some carriers or completely nonexistent like the Crye Precision JPC 2.0.
Ultimately, though, it is completely comfortable. I wore it for a long time and ran it pretty hard, and I was totally comfortable the entire time. Hot and sweaty in 40-degree weather, but quite comfortable.
The padding is also held on by hook-and-loop, so both can be easily removed to clean them or exchange them if you ever manage to wear them out.
SHOULDER STRAPS
The shoulder straps are hook-and-loop quick-adjust straps with detachable padding for extra comfort.
The open side of the shoulder straps faces your front, so if need be, you can unhook it yourself and adjust it on the fly; however, given how strong it holds, I wouldn’t expect it to ever come loose, regardless of the environment.
The detachable padding is the same style as the front and rear plate pocket padding and equally as comfortable; I didn’t have any issues with the carrier pulling on my shoulders or traps.
QR BUCKLES
LORICA describes their magnetic QR buckle system as a positive-positioning closure, designed to stay aligned once connected.
I can attest to this as the magnetic closures, which use self-aligning magnets, definitely make connecting the carrier quick and straightforward.
The magnets help guide the two sides into position and hold them together without needing to manually line them up like a traditional buckle.
I’ll talk more about this later, but these QR magnetic buckles were one of my favourite features on the PRIMUS.
CUMMERBUND
When you contact LORICA to order your PRIMUS, the cummerbund is one of the aspects LORICA will tailor specifically to you to ensure the perfect fit.
Made from the same squadron laminate, the cummerbund is quite stiff, allowing it to function as more than just a retention device; it is also load-bearing, helping to transfer the carrier’s weight from your shoulders.
This also allows the cummerbund to be covered with heavy-duty laser-cut MOLLE webbing, offering a ton of extra storage space for those needing to carry more gear on extended missions.
The rear of the cummerbund has a small section of elastic that lets you pull it tight when donning the PRIMUS, helping ensure a snug fit once it’s on.
The front and rear of the cummerbund are securely fastened to the PRIMUS with large hook-and-loop panels. They hold so securely that there’s zero release even when dragging nearly 300 pounds.
They also allow for quick donning and doffing with LORICA’s fantastic QR magnetic buckles at the front of each side of the cummerbund.
DRAG HANDLE
The drag handle on the PRIMUS is kept tucked out of the way and held in place via hook-and-loop down between the rear padding and the rear plate pocket.
It is a single strip of nylon, and I was originally concerned about its strength and functionality; however, after running it through a few tests, it held up well, and accessing it quickly wasn’t as hard as I thought it might be.
It easily handled dragging approximately 300 pounds, and although it wasn’t as easy to grab when it was just sticking up from the rear, like in this photo, it wasn’t that hard either in a hurried situation.
ID PANELS
Both the front and rear of the PRIMUS have hook-and-loop ID panels with laser-cut MOLLE webbing for identifying patches, electronic attachments, or whatever you’d like.
MODULAR TASK POUCH
LORICA’s Modular Task Pouch is an extremely functional, extremely well-designed, and useful admin pouch.
It contains a smaller zippered pouch on the exterior, MOLLE webbing, and, of course, its main zippered pocket that opens from the top.
Inside the main pocket, it is lined with loop and comes with a length of adjustable elastic in order to hold gear securely to the inside of the pouch. On the inside rear, there is another small storage pocket.
Other than the pouch itself, hands down my favourite aspect is the bungee cable LORICA routed around the top of the pouch.
This cable prevents the pouch from flopping open and spilling its contents. It can hold it open up to a 90-degree angle, giving you a platform to work and access your gear.
GP HANGER POUCH
LORICA’s General Purpose Hanger Pouch is exactly what it sounds like: a pouch that hangs below your mags or your main admin pouch for extra storage.
It attaches via a large hook-and-loop tongue to the front of the PRIMUS and is simply one large pocket, good for storing extra admin gear, medical gear, or, most importantly, snacks.
Like the rest of the gear, it has laser-cut MOLLE on the front and an elastic storage spot on the bottom for a tourniquet.
KANGAROO CHEST RIG W/ MAG INSERT
The Kangaroo Chest Rig with LORICA’s Triple Mag insert is arguably the focal point of the setup, sitting front and center on the PRIMUS’s placard system.
The chest rig attaches firmly to the PRIMUS with QASM buckles at the top and a large hook panel covering the entire rear.
Again, the functionality is next level. The QASM buckles ensure the chest rig stays attached to the PRIMUS whenever you need to detach it, for example, when you’re adjusting your cummerbund.
Each magazine slot uses moulded Kydex retention inserts that apply pressure to the magazine, keeping it securely in place while still allowing for smooth removal
On top, LORICA uses a standard bungee retention cord but has opted for a large polymer pull tab attached to the cord to allow you to easily access or secure your mags in any situation, in any environment.
223/5.56 MAG POUCH
Offering even more customization and a larger ammo capacity, LORICA’s individual magazine pouch is constructed from laser-cut Squadron laminate and uses a formed Kydex insert for magazine retention.
It has a relatively low-profile construction compared with traditional fabric pouches, and it is able to be attached to any MOLLE-compatible load-bearing equipment
It uses a bungee retention strap on top to keep the mag seated, with a fabric tab to aid in removal.
DOUBLE PISTOL MAG POUCH
The LORICA Double Pistol Mag Pouch is a clean, modular solution for carrying two handgun magazines.
Built from laser-cut Squadron laminate, it features removable Kydex inserts and adjustable retention (flap or bungee) that keep mags locked in without slowing the draw.
It mounts vertically on MOLLE with a half-inch ride-height adjustment, or horizontally via the rear pass-through slots for belt use.
Overall, it’s a low-profile, durable pouch that integrates well into a PRIMUS loadout without adding unnecessary bulk.
FLASHLIGHT POUCH
A tactical flashlight is described by many as one of the most important pieces of gear someone can carry.
The LORICA Flashlight Pouch is a simple, low-profile design built to secure most standard tactical flashlights.
It uses the same laser-cut Squadron laminate as their other pouches and features an adjustable closure for a snug fit. MOLLE-compatible mounting keeps it accessible on the PRIMUS or a belt without adding bulk.
MRC IFAK
The LORICA MRC IFAK is a compact, ambidextrous med-roll system built for fast access under stress.
Grab either the left or right deployment handle and the insert pulls free, giving you immediate reach to your trauma gear.
Laser-cut Squadron laminate keeps it durable and low-profile, while internal elastic compartments and a dedicated shears pouch organize standard IFAK contents cleanly.
It mounts on MOLLE (vertical or horizontal) or a belt via the rear pass-through, with an elastic cord for optional tourniquet retention.
TOURNIQUET POUCH
LORICA’s Tourniquet Pouch is a straightforward dual-purpose design that holds one tourniquet and a set of trauma shears. Constructed from Squadron laminate, it is fairly compact and MOLLE compatible.
With woven elastic side panels, it keeps both items secure yet quick to access. An adjustable retention flap lets you dial in the hold without slowing deployment.
MY TAKE
MATERIAL AND LASER CUT MOLLE
Hands down, from the moment I first opened the packaging, the Squadron laminate material and LORICA’s focus on laser-cut MOLLE, driven by the material and a desire for a low profile, stood out.
It quickly became the aspect I loved most about the PRIMUS and couldn’t get enough of.
I stated earlier that I was initially quite wary of the laser-cut MOLLE, but experiencing the toughness and strength the Squadron laminate gave the laser-cuts drastically changed my mind.
The Squadron laminate also provides the PRIMUS with structure and rigidity. It’s not just hanging off you like some plate carriers, which can be a burden.
It’s strong, load-bearing, and wears like a second skin
QR MAGNETIC BUCKLES
It was the same kind of deal with LORICA’s quick release magnetic buckles. I got the PRIMUS unpacked, saw them, played with them and loved them.
The one thing I was initially concerned about was how they would hold up under real stress, but they did not let me down. As I mentioned earlier, we dragged nearly 300 lbs with the drag handle, and the buckles held up no problem.
No movement, no give, nothing, so I was extremely impressed with them at that point. They were no longer just a neat thing but a neat, highly functional one.
SHOULDER STRAP ATTACHMENT ANGLE
So, as much as I loved the PRIMUS, I did have one main issue that led to a couple of other issues. That main issue was the orientation, or the angle, at which the shoulder straps attached to the carrier.
The shoulder straps on the PRIMUS are vertically straight up from the carrier, essentially inline with it and my problem is, is that is not the way bodys are naturally shaped.
Traps and shoulders angle outwards, so for the straps to sit perfectly flush on your frame, which aids in comfort and long-term functionality, the straps should be angled outwards from the carrier.
You can see in the picture below how the natural shape of my traps is forcing the shoulder strap out; the buckle is pulling on the inside of the fabric loop, while the outside is loose.
You can also see in the following pic how the shoulder strap pulls to the outside of the buckle, while the connection point on the carrier pulls to the inside of the buckle.
This leads to the final and biggest issue, that the buckle twists under heavy use as you can see in the final image.
SHOULDER STRAP BUCKLES
As I was running and gunning, the buckles would twist and turn on me, as seen below. Slightly shifting how it’s sitting on my shoulders and really pinching the fabric.
Now, I didn’t notice any discomfort when the buckle twisted, but my concern is that, even with the stronger Squadron material, over time this would greatly shorten the material’s lifespan at these connection points.
And with how snug the PRIMUS sits on me, the only way to fix it was to have my mate undo the shoulder straps and straighten it, or to completely remove the PRIMUS and fix it myself.
In the end, this is by no means a deal-breaker, so don’t even go there, but something I’d like to see changed that I believe could make the PRIMUS just that much better.
FAQ’S
WHY SQUADRON LAMINATE OVER TRADITIONAL DENIER NYLON?
Squadron laminate (500D/1000D Cordura bonded together) is purpose-built for laser-cut MOLLE.
It delivers higher abrasion resistance, lower weight and bulk, sealed edges that won’t fray, greater water resistance, and fewer failure points than traditional sewn nylon with separate PALS webbing.
WHAT STYLE OF CARRIER WAS THE PRIMUS MEANT TO BE?
The PRIMUS was designed to combine the durability of a traditional duty carrier with the versatility and advantages of a plate carrier.
The goal was to create a rugged, long-lasting platform capable of handling demanding use while providing the functionality expected from a modern plate carrier.
WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEMS, IF ANY, WITH OTHER CARRIERS WAS THE PRIMUS MEANT TO SOLVE?
LORICA told me that the PRIMUS was developed alongside some of Canada’s elite emergency response teams, with a focus on all-day wear and carrying a heavy loadout.
Rather than following the typical mass-produced plate carrier design, LORICA wanted the PRIMUS to be a more rugged platform built around the demands of professional users.
The carrier was also developed with input from the operators who would actually be using it, with the goal of making it adaptable to a wide range of operational environments and requirements.
WHAT IS LORICA EQUIPMENT’S WARRANTY POLICY
Outer shell carriers are warranted against material and workmanship defects for 24 months from the date of issue and will be repaired or replaced free of charge after manufacturer inspection.
The warranty is void if the carrier has been altered, misused, improperly stored, inadequately maintained, or not cleaned according to instructions.
FINAL CALL
The LORICA PRIMUS proved to be an extremely well-designed, high-quality plate carrier. From the materials and construction to the fit, modularity, and real-world function, it performed at a tier-one level.
The supporting pouches and attachments integrate cleanly and expand the system without compromise.
LORICA Equipment and the PRIMUS plate carrier are shining examples of how the tactical gear community in Canada is not only surviving but thriving.
The only change I’d like to see is the shoulder straps angled slightly outward for a more natural fit, which would also fix the buckle turning issue. Beyond that minor point, I have no real complaints.
I love that everything is produced in-house under tight quality control, as it really shows in the finished product. When you order from them, you know you’re not getting a mass-produced product, but one made for you and your mission.
The team behind it clearly takes pride in their work and treats customers with genuine care. I’d recommend the PRIMUS to anyone looking for a capable, durable carrier built to the highest professional standard.
