Do you want to acquire a bulletproof vest but aren’t sure where to start? We understand. When it comes to ballistic vests, you have many options: concealable or overt? Should you wear a vest or a plate carrier? What about the amount of protection, the material, and the price?
When you buy body armor, you’re investing in your safety. You need to know the result or answer these questions because your decision might mean the difference between life and death.
We’ll provide you with all the information to choose the bulletproof vest for your needs in this post!
THE ESSENTIALS OF A BULLETPROOF PLATE
Bulletproof vests are ballistic (bullet) resistant materials like Kevlar, ceramic, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or steel.
A gunshot or other projectile can contact the vest but not penetrate the wearer’s body because of these materials.
The gear is to fit like a traditional vest, covering the wearer’s torso region’s sides, front, and back.
WHY DO PEOPLE WEAR BULLETPROOF VESTS?
Most persons who wear bulletproof vests work in high-risk jobs, such as military, law enforcement, and security. These folks are at risk of being shot at regularly.
However, civilians may and do wear bulletproof vests. Bullet-resistant vests are available for children, adults, and even animals who assist law enforcement or the military!
There are various reasons why ordinary people employ bullet-resistant gear, but they all boil down to the same goal: bullet protection.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BULLETPROOF VESTS?
Soft and hard armor vests are the two types of bulletproof plate available at the most basic level. There are numerous factors to consider when selecting whether soft or hard body armor is ideal for you, but here’s a short review of the two categories and samples of vests created with each.
SOFT ARMOR
It is composed of lightweight, ultra-strong fabrics like Kevlar, Twaron, or Dyneema, and it protects against pistol bullets and up to.44 Magnum (UHMWPE). It is concealable and undetectable (can be worn under clothing). Also, it is simpler to maneuver in because of the reduced weight.
LEVELS OF SOFT ARMOR IN NIJ
LEVEL I
It was the first level of the NIJ, and it is now supposed to be outdated because weaponry has advanced well beyond Level 1’s defensive powers. This level is for ancient or second-hand body armor, which we strongly advise you to avoid for quality and safety reasons.
LEVEL IIA
After Level 1, this is the least effective but most concealable armor for undercover cops, intelligence agents, or VIPs who need to be mobile yet wish to remain unnoticed. Slower missiles or blades protect to some extent.
LEVEL II
Weight, maneuverability, protection, and concealability are all well-balanced at this level. Specific pistol and shotgun calibers have Level II armor.
LEVEL IIIA
IIIA is the most often recommended armor, as it protects against the majority of pistol and shotgun bullets. For available commercially concealable armor, this is usually the highest achievable grade.
THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOFT ARMOR
Soft armor’s benefits
- Concealable – may be worn by anyone and will not be seen.
- The material is soft and flexible, and it feels like a flannel shirt.
- It is light in weight and does not add to the total weight of security equipment.
- High deflection range – can deflect a wide variety of bullets and shrapnel efficiently.
- Kevlar, Dyneema, and other combination materials provide excellent resistance while being user-friendly.
Soft armor has a disadvantage.
- Lower levels of protection – can’t survive high-caliber or high-velocity bullets.
HARDBODY ARMOR
Hard armor is for persons who anticipate being in conflict or who operate in areas where they require the most protection against hostile projectiles. It employs strong armor plates, commonly steel armor, that can withstand most munitions except armor-piercing shots, as the name implies.
LEVELS OF NIJ HARD ARMOR
LEVEL III
It is to fight AK-47 bullets, and it is for rifle shots.
LEVEL III +
Although this is not a recognized NIJ level, it is for the body armor makers to indicate armor that can withstand higher-velocity rifle rounds and other threats, such as the M855 (“green tips”) and MI93.
LEVEL IV
It is the highest level of body armor, having exceptional resistance to most rifle, pistol, and shotgun projectiles. Its bulkiness and weight, however, limit its utility. When you need the most acceptable security, choose this one. Level IV plates are available from reputable firms like Spartan Armor Systems, Legacy Safety & Security, Chase Tactical, etc.
THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF HARD ARMOR
THE BENEFITS OF HARD ARMOR
- Exceptionally bullet-resistant — suitable for close-quarters warfare
- Externally wearable – alleviates some of the annoyances associated with hard armor.
- Individual rigid plates are put out of plate carriers for extra flexibility and utilize frequently.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HARD ARMOR
- Rigid plates recognized by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have a 5-year lifetime.
- It is difficult to disguise.
- Uncomfortable and bulky (especially in hot/warm weather).
- It adds to the overall weight of safety equipment.
- Armor-piercing bullets pierce through their defenses.
- If the user slips and falls, they may be injured, and their mobility may be limited.
SHOULD I GET A PLATE CARRIER VEST OR A SOFT ARMOR VEST?
If your most likely threats are weapons and you require the vest to feel like a second skin – wearable for long work shifts, concealable beneath clothing, and light enough not to hinder your movement if you need to run, leap, roll, etc. – go for a soft body armor vest.
On the other hand, soft armor vests offer relatively little ballistic protection against rifle fire.
If you’re more likely to get hit by rifle shots, go for a rugged armor plate carrier vest. Hint: you’ll need hard armor f you’re carrying a rifle yourself, and I don’t have to wear the vest for a prolonged time.
Plate carriers are also ideal for attaching extra gear to oneself using a MOLLE system (never heard of MOLLE? We’ll give you a tour!) OR if you want to be able to adjust your protection level for different tactical scenarios by using other level plates.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a concerned citizen concerned about the surge in mass shootings or a law enforcement officer, it’s critical to purchase a bulletproof vest that checks all of your boxes. It should suit your body and protect you against the weapons you’re most likely to encounter without being too heavy to prevent you from moving as freely as you need to.
