Armor dates back to 3,400 years ago when ancient Greeks made it from bronze plates. Body armor is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect the body against a variety of threats.
It’s an essential item for individuals working in high-risk environments. These include law enforcement, military personnel, and security personnel.
Body armor can protect the wearer from ballistic and stab threats, providing them with a layer of defense against potential harm. With advancements in technology, body armor has become more advanced, lightweight, and comfortable to wear.
Read on for a complete guide to the best body armor for 2023!
Body Armor Brands
There are several body armor brands available in the market, each with unique features and benefits. Each of these brands offers a range of body armor options with varying degrees of protection.
Comparing price, quality, and your specific needs, you can choose the brand that is right for you.
Point Blank Enterprises
This brand is known for its advanced body armor technology and innovative designs. They offer a wide range of body armor options, including soft armor, hard armor, and plate carriers.
PBE serves the military, federal agencies, and the Department of Defense.
Next Day Armor
Next Day Armor is a brand that specializes in producing high-quality body armor products for law enforcement, military personnel, and security personnel. One of the standout features of Next Day Armor is its commitment to producing body armor that is comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Their products are designed with the wearer in mind, and they use advanced materials and technologies to produce body armor that is lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear.
LTC
LTC (Leading Technology Composites) is a high-end armor manufacturer that offers a range of customization options. This allows the wearer to choose the body armor that is right for their specific needs.
This includes options such as color, size, and material, as well as custom logo embroidery and other personalization options.
Second Chance
This brand has been in the body armor industry for over 40 years and is known for its high-quality body armor products. They were the first company to produce Kevlar armor.
The founder of Second Chance developed the concept that led to the first modern bulletproof vest.
Types of Body Armor
In addition to all the top manufacturers of armor, it’s important to know the body armor options on the market. Body armor comes in a wide variety of styles for different applications.
Soft Armor
Soft armor incorporates light and flexible materials, such as Kevlar or Spectra, and is designed to stop smaller, low-velocity projectiles, such as those from a handgun. Soft armor is ideal for everyday wear because its flexibility makes it more comfortable.
Hard Armor
Hard armor uses harder materials like ceramic or steel. This kind of armor can stop high-velocity projectiles like rifle rounds. Hard armor is generally heavier than soft armor and is best for high-risk environments where the risk of rifle fire is high.
Plate Carriers
Plate carriers have pockets that allow the wearer to insert and wear hard armor plates. Plate carriers use a combination of materials, including nylon and other synthetic materials.
The blend of materials provides maximum protection while still being lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Tactical Vests
Tactical vests are specific to military and law enforcement applications. Tactical vests often include features such as MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) webbing. This webbing allows the wearer to attach and carry additional gear, such as magazines and flashlights.
The US military has used bulletproof vests since 1983 to protect soldiers from gunfire in combat.
Stab Vests
Stab vests are a type of body armor designed specifically to protect against stabbing attacks. Stab vests usually have a layer of material like Kevlar or Spectra to stop a stabbing weapon from penetrating the body armor.
Buying Body Armor
When it comes to buying body armor, there are several important factors to consider. These key considerations will ensure that you are getting the best possible product for your needs.
Purpose
Think about why you need body armor and what type of protection you require. Different types of body armor are good for different purposes and levels of protection, so it is important to choose the right type for your specific needs.
Certification
Make sure the body armor you are considering has been certified by a reputable organization, such as the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The NIJ sets standards for body armor and tests products to ensure they meet those standards.
Level IV body armor has the highest rating from the NIJ and offers the most protection. Armor with this rating can withstand a hit from an armor-piercing round.
Comfort
Consider how comfortable the body armor is to wear, especially if you will be wearing it for extended periods. Look for body armor that is lightweight and has a comfortable fit, with features such as adjustable straps and breathable materials.
Heavier armor may also require some padding to prevent it from bruising or digging into your skin.
Size and Fit
Be sure to select the right size and fit for your body. Body armor that is too small or too large may not provide adequate protection, and may also be uncomfortable to wear.
To ensure you get armor that fits, check carefully to make sure the seller offers a guarantee or return policy.
Budget
Keep your budget in mind when shopping for body armor. Body armor can be expensive, but it is important to invest in a high-quality product that provides the protection you need.
If you don’t need your armor to offer the highest grade of protection, you can save money on lighter-duty gear.
Reputable Brands
Buy from reputable brands with a proven track record of producing high-quality body armor products. Do your research and read reviews from other customers to ensure that you are getting the best product for your money.
Warranty and Maintenance
Consider the warranty and maintenance requirements of the body armor you are considering.
Some body armor products may require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to provide maximum protection. It is important to choose a product with a warranty and maintenance plan that meets your needs.
Protective Gear for Use With Body Armor
In addition to body armor, other forms of protective gear can provide additional protection and enhance overall safety. Body armor protects the torso, while other gear offers protection for other exposed body parts.
Helmets
Helmets are a common form of protective gear that can protect the head from impact and injury. Particularly in situations involving gunfire, you’ll want to protect the head more than any other body part.
There are several different types of helmets available, each designed to meet specific needs and requirements. For example, military and law enforcement helmets are designed to provide a high level of protection from bullets and other types of impact.
Just like with body armor, it’s essential to ensure helmets fit properly. A misaligned or loose-fitting helmet can fall off or offer insufficient protection.
Gloves
Gloves are another popular form of protective gear that can protect the hands from cuts, abrasions, and other types of injury. Gloves are essential for close-range encounters where the wearer may have to engage enemies hand-to-hand.
Protective gloves are a crucial part of riot gear and most military armor.
Knee and Elbow Pads
Knee and elbow pads are protective gear that can help protect the joints from impact and injury. Not only do they protect from impact, but they can also prevent injury for applications that require kneeling or going prone.
Protective Clothing
Protective clothing is a type of gear that is designed to provide additional protection to specific parts of the body. This may include jackets, pants, and shirts made with protective materials, such as kevlar or other bullet-resistant materials.
Protective clothing is useful for plain-clothes officers who wish to conceal their protective gear. Though it doesn’t offer as much protection as armor, protective clothing can offer defense against stabbing and some small-caliber gunfire.
Find the Right Body Armor for Your Needs
Body armor is an essential form of protective gear that can provide crucial protection and safety in high-risk situations. Investing in high-quality body armor and protective gear can help ensure that individuals are prepared and protected in high-risk situations.
Whether working in law enforcement or military operations or engaging in other types of high-risk activities, having the right protective gear is essential for ensuring personal safety and well-being.
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