A spine plate vest includes a back support including an inward-facing side opposite an outward-facing side and connected to a center portion of a waistband, a first pocket positioned on the inward-facing side of the back support and adapted for receiving a gel pack, a second pocket positioned on the outward-facing side of the back support and adapted for receiving a spine ballistic plate, a first metal bar adapted to receive a first side end of the ballistic plate, a second metal bar adapted to receive a second side end of the ballistic plate, the waistband connected to the inward-facing side of the back support, a first plurality of pockets adapted for receiving a plurality of gel packs on an inward-facing side of the waistband, a plurality of ballistic plates positioned between the inward-facing side and the outward-facing side of the waistband and a shoulder interface.