Video Transcript
The Hesco L210s have been our most popular and best-selling plate for quite a while now, and for good reason. They offer quite a bit, a good threat protection for a really good price. We've actually sold over 37,000 sets of these, but unfortunately, they are going away. Now, there is good news to that. That is because they're being updated. So, they are now the Hesco L211s, and they do come with a couple extra features, comparatively, to the previous L210s. So, let's go over what those are for the additional price that you're paying for.
What the Hesco L211s are now offering is lighter weight. So, they are, as a set, one pound lighter, so about half a pound per plate lighter. They are offering now officially M855 green tip. So, now you get the 62 grain protection, and then also you are getting double the multiple hit performance with the Hesco 211s, comparatively, to the L210s. Now, the downside to that is obviously the price, and also the L211s are gonna be slightly larger than the L210s. So, we're gonna stack these guys up, show you exactly that size difference, and as you can see, the dimensions, height-wise, width-wise, and everything's the same, but the thickness is 0.1 inches thicker. So, what that means is, is the L211s is gonna be a little bit tighter of a fit into our medium AC1s, but they still go in there. They're just gonna take a little bit of an effort. So, let's go ahead and demonstrate that real quick.
So. So, as you guys are probably aware, our medium AC1 was sized kind of around the L210. They slide in there pretty easily, just like so, you didn't really need a technique or anything to get these in there, just like that. Now, the L211s are not gonna be the same case. You're gonna, you may need to finesse these just a little bit more. So, you can get them started in the same fashion, just kind of slide them in there, and then when you get towards the bottom of the plate, it's gonna get a little bit tighter. So, there's a couple ways you can do this. You can continue to try and muscle this if you want. You can grab both sides of the plates, just to make sure you're pulling it evenly in, and that'll help.
Or, what I like to do is I'm grabbing the flap, using my palm as I grab, and just pushing it in, and then it'll go in pretty easily. Another way you can do it is just staying the plate back up and just pushing the plate back down, and they'll go in. So, yes, they're a little bit tighter, but as you can see, they do fit. Now, if you're wondering about the plate backers, plate backers still work in these, you're not gonna be able to put both the plate and the plate backer in the plate back at the same time. That's gonna be a little too tight, but once the plate's in, these guys will slide in there with no issue.
There you have it. L211s in our medium AC1 with the plate backer, they still fit. If you guys are curious about what the L210s were and what the L211s are now, what does special threat mean? All that means is that they don't have a specific level three, level three plus, level three A, level four NIJ certification. These are designed around a specific cartridge or a specific threat. In the case of these, they are designed around the intermediate cartridge, so 5.56, 7.62x39, and armor piercing rounds within that intermediate cartridge. Now, generally, level three A, level four, whatever the threat rating is, that offers 30 caliber stoppage like M80 ball, sometimes don't offer the threat protection of armor piercing rounds like MA55 and 7.60x39 API. These plates do that, so that is one of the great features of these plates.
Another feature to note about the L211s, if you're unfamiliar with the L210s, is that they are single curve. A lot of plates that are more common, like sappy cut plates, are multi-curve, so not only do they curve side to side, but they also curve top and the bottom, that just shapes it on your body a little bit more. Being similar cut just helps with the price. Is it more comfortable? No, it is not. It is not ideal for them in their body type. For me, when I wear single curve plates, it doesn't affect me at all, but sometimes people will experience the plates tipping out a little bit, so just something to be aware of.
If you guys have any questions regarding the Hesco L211s, what the difference is between them and the L210s, if you guys have any fitment issues with getting these into your medium AC1s, go ahead and email us at team@trex-arms.com.