I know I'm a retard for not buying it sooner but meth said we needed furniture instead of just sleeping on air mattress and eating on a towel. I was kinda digging the picnic vibe though.
Any good budget options for plate carriers and plates? Mag pouches would be good too.
Most important thing is to get the plates. Someone mentioned shellback and they do have Level IV rated plates for about $360 for a set. When it comes to a plate carrier you can always go buy some fabric, needles, and thread and sew your own if it came down to it.
As far as pouches go ESStac and HSGI make good ones that will last. Some of the newer condor stuff is better than it used to be. It won't survive a 6 month deployment in the sandbox, but I have double 7.62 condor pouch that has held up through several matches over the last couple years held in an old rock quarry that tends to rip up gear.