PLCE webbing is the British Army's belt-and-yoke load carrying system. A padded yoke spreads weight over your shoulders, a belt carries it on your hips, and pouches such as ammunition, utility and water bottle pouches clip onto the belt. To set it up, size the belt to your waist, put the heavy pouches where they ride on your hips, and adjust the yoke so the belt stays level.
- PLCE stands for Personal Load Carrying Equipment. It was introduced in DPM around the mid-1980s and later made in MTP.
- A full rig is a belt, a yoke and pouches: ammunition pouches, utility pouches, water bottle pouches and a bayonet frog.
- Belt sizes: Small fits waists up to 40in, Medium up to 45in and Large up to 50in.
- Ammunition pouches usually go at the front, with utility and water pouches at the sides and back.
- Osprey and MOLLE-based systems have taken over from PLCE as front-line load carriage in many roles, but PLCE is still widely used and easy to find.
What is PLCE webbing?
Webbing is the belt kit a soldier wears all the time in the field, even after the bergen comes off. It holds what you need immediately or in a hurry: ammunition, water, a brew kit, rations for the day and emergency items. PLCE, short for Personal Load Carrying Equipment, replaced the older 58 pattern webbing and has been the British standard since the mid-1980s. It was first made in DPM and later in MTP. The same family also includes the PLCE bergen.
Civilians use PLCE for bushcraft, walking, airsoft, reenactment and cadet training. It is popular because it keeps everyday kit on your hips, where it is easy to reach and does not strain your back.
What comes in a PLCE webbing set?
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| Belt | Takes the main load on your hips. All the pouches attach to it. |
| Yoke | A padded shoulder harness that holds the belt up and shares the weight with your shoulders. |
| Ammunition pouches | Front-mounted pouches with quick-access lids, originally for rifle magazines. |
| Utility pouches | Larger general-purpose pouches for rations, a stove, a waterproof or spare kit. |
| Water bottle pouches | Hold the issued water bottle, and usually a mug with it. |
| Bayonet frog | A holder that attaches to the belt. |
Which PLCE set should I buy?
Raid Supply sells three ready-made sets. Check each product listing for exactly which pouches are included.
| Set | Pattern | Emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| MTP PLCE webbing set | MTP | Current pattern, to match MTP clothing |
| DPM PLCE ammo rig | DPM | Built around ammunition pouches, as issued to infantry |
| DPM PLCE utility rig | DPM | Built around utility pouches for general carrying |
For bushcraft and walking, a utility-heavy rig is usually more practical because the large pouches take bulky items such as a stove, food and a layer. For reenactment or airsoft, the ammo rig gives the classic infantry look. If you are unsure which camouflage to choose, see MTP vs DPM camouflage.
What size PLCE belt do I need?
| Belt size | Fits waist up to |
|---|---|
| Small | 40in |
| Medium | 45in |
| Large | 50in |
Measure around your hips where the belt will sit, wearing the clothes you will use it over. A smock and a thermal layer can add a surprising amount. If you are close to a size limit, go up a size, because a belt can be tightened more easily than it can be let out. Our sizing and condition guide covers measuring in more detail.
How do I set up PLCE webbing?
Unit standing orders vary, but most soldiers follow the same basic principles:
- Fit the belt first. Adjust it so it closes snugly on your hips over your field clothing, before you add any pouches.
- Put ammunition pouches at the front. One either side of the buckle lets you reach them easily lying down or kneeling.
- Put water bottle and utility pouches at the sides and back. This keeps the heaviest items close to your hips and leaves your front clear.
- Balance the load. Match the weight left and right so the belt does not pull to one side.
- Attach and adjust the yoke. Set the yoke so the belt sits on your hips, not your waist. The yoke steadies the belt. It should not take the whole load.
- Secure loose straps. Tape or tie back loose ends so they cannot catch on anything or rattle.
- Test it. Walk, kneel, lie down and get up. Change anything that digs in, bounces or blocks your reach.
How should PLCE webbing fit?
When set up well, the belt sits on your hip bones, the yoke rests flat on your shoulders without pulling the belt up, and you can reach every pouch with either hand. If the webbing rides up when you walk, lower the yoke. If you feel the weight in your shoulders instead of your hips, tighten the belt and loosen the yoke a little. Webbing should stay put as you move. It should not bounce.
Is PLCE webbing still issued?
PLCE is no longer the only British load carrying system. In many front-line roles it has been largely replaced by Osprey body armour carriers and MOLLE-based vests and pouches. PLCE is still in wide use for training and by some units, and huge quantities have been released to the surplus market. That makes it one of the cheapest and most durable load carrying systems a civilian can buy.
Can I wear PLCE webbing with a bergen?
Yes. Soldiers have always carried the two together. The usual difficulty is that rear-mounted pouches can push the bergen away from your back, and the bergen's hip belt competes with the webbing belt for space on your hips. Moving bulky pouches towards the sides helps, and so does wearing the bergen hip belt loose or not at all. For choosing and fitting a bergen, read our British Army bergen guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does PLCE stand for?
PLCE stands for Personal Load Carrying Equipment. It is the British Army's belt, yoke and pouch webbing system, introduced in DPM camouflage around the mid-1980s and later made in MTP. The PLCE family also includes the bergen and its side pockets.
What size PLCE belt should I get?
A Small belt fits waists up to 40in, Medium up to 45in and Large up to 50in. Measure where the belt will sit, over the clothes you plan to wear under it. If you are close to a size limit, choose the larger size.
Where do the pouches go on PLCE webbing?
Ammunition pouches normally go at the front, either side of the buckle. Water bottle and utility pouches go at the sides and back. Keep the load balanced left to right and keep the heaviest items close to your hips.
Is PLCE webbing good for bushcraft?
Yes. A PLCE belt with utility and water bottle pouches keeps a brew kit, water, food and essentials on your hips, ready for use even after your pack is off. Many bushcrafters take the yoke off entirely for short walks and wear the belt on its own.
Should I buy DPM or MTP PLCE webbing?
Both work in the same way. MTP matches current-issue British clothing. DPM is the older woodland pattern and usually costs less. Choose MTP to match newer kit, or DPM if you already own DPM clothing or want the lowest price.
What condition is surplus PLCE webbing in?
Raid Supply grades surplus by hand as Super Grade, Grade 1 or Grade 2. Super Grade shows minimal use, Grade 1 light wear and Grade 2 heavier wear, and every grade is fully usable. See surplus grades explained for details.
Written by the Raid Supply team, who grade every item by hand in Buckinghamshire.