Alaska State Troopers Duty Vest

[ranger470]

After watching the awesome NATGEO series on the Alaska State Troopers I was wondering about the vest that they wear.

I am guessing that it is an external carrier for their body armor but would anyone know who makes that particular external carrier?

Also, do they wear their body armor externally due to the extreme cold conditions there?

[ArkansasFan24]

Well, at the Arctic Man event you could tell that the highlighted trooper who got spit on was wearing his "concealed." A lot of agencies seem to be moving to the external carrier because it's handy. The weather probably isn't so much a factor. Just my guess.

[gonzo1510]

ABA, Safariland, and Point Blank all make them.

You can always have your made custom at your local uniform shop or tailor.

They don't run more than $100-150.00 depending on where you go. I have one from my armored car company.

I don't think they keep you any cooler so much as you can take it off or open it up to cool off.

[11b101abn]

I think that the predominant Maker of the external vest carrier is called Turtle Tracks.

She only just got her site up, but she's been in the biz for a while now.

Maybe an AK officer can chime and help a little more than I can.

[ranger470]

Gentlemen thank ya'll for the replies!!

I tried looking up a Turtle Tracks website but it wasn't working real well.

[OneLunG]

Turtle Tracks in the company. They are great to work with. A carrier with them runs about $250 with an extra $100 or so if you want it rushed. They can pretty much customize them any way you want.

Most guys up here I know use em. (I do). The advantages are they are more comfortable, and its nice to store that gear on your body rather than your waist..

I would highly recommend them.

[G-MAN]

OneLunG,

Could you post some pics if you get a chance? I saw those carriers on TV as well and I figured they were custom made they look really well made and functional.

I also wear an outer carrier but I try and keep it simple because I don't want it to look to tactical/swat looking for regular street work, those vests look exactly what I am trying to get.

G-man
1*

[That Guy]

$250? Man her prices are going up. I have owned two where the fisrt one cost me $120 and the second about $150 even though it has less pockets.
She would love to make them of folks outside since things are slowing down a bit of officers buying them. Barb at least locally asked for the panels so she could trace them. Only advice is to ask for a stronger (heavy duty) zipper. The regular ones wear out too fast.

TGY

[That Guy]

You can pick up an "off the shelf" external carrier from a police store for as little as $50 up here...

Barb makes some good stuff and the design/style by far is great. You can configure it to fit things you need instead of having generic pockets. One pocket I have is on the outside of the breast pocket which holds IDs so I don't have too. Another holds a tape recorder perfectly. Cops will drop $250 on a flashlight without blinking (not me though).


TGY

[OneLunG]

I'm on shift right now.

I will try to post a picture tomorrow in the am of my vest and its layout.

[akflyer]

Turtle Tracks made mine too. It's an external ballistic panel carrier and doubles as a place to carry all kinds of other gear and paperwork. I carry my notebook, cell phone, digital recorder, knife, cheat sheets, pocket statute book, keys, rubber gloves, and sunglasses in/on my vest (among other misc. items). I used to keep my tazer and an extra set of cuffs on/in it too, but my job description has changed lately lessening the need for those items. Not all of the AST people have had theirs made by her, but those who didn't wish they had.

[ranger470]

When I try to browse the TurtleTracks website I get some error messages. Is it just a new site or do they not use that site anymore?

[OneLunG]

I've never really used their website....I just call them, and they send me all the paperwork thats needed...

[ranger470]

When you get a chance to post a photo that would be great. Thanks

[Brader]

It seems that nearly all the departments in Alaska use these. We mainly get them from Turtle tracks in Anchorage. An Ofc's wife here makes them also, and so does a company in Fairbanks.

I'm skinny so it really helps hold equipment. I've got my Taser, cell, recorder, 2 sets of handcuffs (w/ pull tab), and small flashlight. The inside has a holster for a bug and velcro'd key ring. Theres a spot for hidden handcuff key that's accessible from the back. Also throw things like latex gloves in there. If you're gonna be working at your desk for a while you can just pull it off. I couldn't live without it.