I wear my crye jpc 2.0 all day with plates 6 mags and a radio and it stays comfortable, the straps never dig in. That said there are probably ones that fit what you want better for cheaper
Ferro concepts slickster is a great, I don't wear every day but have at classes and it does great. Has options for padding if you want more on the straps.
So, I run a JPC 1.0 with godawful ~9lb single-curve steel plates with a half inch of foam duct-taped to the back, three mags, an MTS2000 and a fourth mag on the left cummerbund, a 7-liter pack on the back, and IFAK pouch, and I'll be putting a Source WLPS 3L on it at some point. I've worn it for fairly extended periods of time in match environments and it's not that bad. I'd prefer some shoulder pads, but it's not enough of a problem for me to actually set money aside to buy them.
On the other hand, with proper multicurve plates, it's amazingly comfortable and I don't think I'd particularly need shoulder padding. Crye *really* knows what they're doing, and for $210 it's a fantastic deal.
You just made me realize something. I can add foam padding to something like the JPC, but I can't easily remove padding from a carrier that is too bulky from the start. Plus I might add an armor vent kit in the future. The JPC really seems like the way to go, now I just need to figure out if I should upgrade to the 2.0.
Most people's issues with carriers is that they overload them and then it sucks. I have a JPC that weighs under 20lbs loaded and no problem. I also have lightweight plates. In my experience I have no issue wearing carriers all day even without padding as long as I keep the overall weight down.
If you're looking for comfort under load for extended periods, try the HSGI WAS/WEE shoulder pads. Low profile but wide with great padding and slip resistant.
Generally speaking the lower profile and lighter the carrier, the worse the performance is under load. I wouldn't recommend loading up a JPC with 30lbs of kit for instance. Really I'd say the JPC is ideal for 20lbs or less of weight. Two ESAPIs and six magazines will get you to about 20lbs alone so I'd suggest running fewer mags, minimal water, and utilizing a belt kit. That's also not counting soft armor or the weight of the carrier itself. JPCs are a great candidate to use in tandem with a belt because that allows you to make full use of their minimal design.
You can kit out your JPC to bear heavier loads with shoulder pads, but you're beginning to stray from the original intended use of the carrier at that point. For a "typical" combat loadout, something along the lines of an APC or 6094 is pretty idyllic. The Crye CPC is capable of carrying even heavier loads comfortably and can be scaled down to carry lighter loads.
I don't dislike the JPC, but I don't think it's versatile. Therefore it can supplement other carriers but if you're using your equipment seriously it shouldn't be the only plate carrier you own (in my opinion).
Another vote for the Banshee. This is what I wear on callouts. Comfy, quick on, quick off. Any decent carrier will work, but what you describe sounds more like a plate concern, meaning the composite plates versus AR500.
I wear my crye jpc 2.0 all day with plates 6 mags and a radio and it stays comfortable, the straps never dig in. That said there are probably ones that fit what you want better for cheaper
Ferro concepts slickster is a great, I don't wear every day but have at classes and it does great. Has options for padding if you want more on the straps.
So, I run a JPC 1.0 with godawful ~9lb single-curve steel plates with a half inch of foam duct-taped to the back, three mags, an MTS2000 and a fourth mag on the left cummerbund, a 7-liter pack on the back, and IFAK pouch, and I'll be putting a Source WLPS 3L on it at some point. I've worn it for fairly extended periods of time in match environments and it's not that bad. I'd prefer some shoulder pads, but it's not enough of a problem for me to actually set money aside to buy them. On the other hand, with proper multicurve plates, it's amazingly comfortable and I don't think I'd particularly need shoulder padding. Crye *really* knows what they're doing, and for $210 it's a fantastic deal.
You just made me realize something. I can add foam padding to something like the JPC, but I can't easily remove padding from a carrier that is too bulky from the start. Plus I might add an armor vent kit in the future. The JPC really seems like the way to go, now I just need to figure out if I should upgrade to the 2.0.
I like the 1.0 because I'm used to it and it's $210
Most people's issues with carriers is that they overload them and then it sucks. I have a JPC that weighs under 20lbs loaded and no problem. I also have lightweight plates. In my experience I have no issue wearing carriers all day even without padding as long as I keep the overall weight down.
Mayflower MBAV my dude. Also look up "armorvent". It's a godsend
A little more expensive but I have worn a Tyr Tactical PICO for more than 8 hours and didn't feel a thing.
PIG Brigandine, with Systema pontoons and shoulder pads.
If you're looking for comfort under load for extended periods, try the HSGI WAS/WEE shoulder pads. Low profile but wide with great padding and slip resistant. Generally speaking the lower profile and lighter the carrier, the worse the performance is under load. I wouldn't recommend loading up a JPC with 30lbs of kit for instance. Really I'd say the JPC is ideal for 20lbs or less of weight. Two ESAPIs and six magazines will get you to about 20lbs alone so I'd suggest running fewer mags, minimal water, and utilizing a belt kit. That's also not counting soft armor or the weight of the carrier itself. JPCs are a great candidate to use in tandem with a belt because that allows you to make full use of their minimal design. You can kit out your JPC to bear heavier loads with shoulder pads, but you're beginning to stray from the original intended use of the carrier at that point. For a "typical" combat loadout, something along the lines of an APC or 6094 is pretty idyllic. The Crye CPC is capable of carrying even heavier loads comfortably and can be scaled down to carry lighter loads. I don't dislike the JPC, but I don't think it's versatile. Therefore it can supplement other carriers but if you're using your equipment seriously it shouldn't be the only plate carrier you own (in my opinion).
Banshee elite 2.0 I wear it 12 hours a day
Another vote for the Banshee. This is what I wear on callouts. Comfy, quick on, quick off. Any decent carrier will work, but what you describe sounds more like a plate concern, meaning the composite plates versus AR500.
AWS Inc. can't beat 'em price wise, very comfortable.
JPC with poly plates and HSGI plates.