Useful Tips for Buying Body Armor

Body armor is essential in various situations but more often than not, you will see these being worn by the police and those in the military service. However, there are also certain instances wherein you may find the need to wear armor during sports such as target shooting. This article lists some of the most useful tips that you need to keep in mind when buying armor.

Explore the Different Types of Body Armor

One of the primary things that you need to do when it comes to buying the right armor fit for you is to explore the different types available in the market. Two of the most common types of armor are the soft and hard ones. The former is designed for light combat and can be worn without being visually detected. On the other hand, hard body armor is ideal for heavy combat because they are extremely bullet-resistant.

For this reason, you need to assess carefully what you will be using the body armor for. This is one of the things that you need to think about in search of the best bulletproof vest that will be able to suit your needs. In case you need a lightweight vest that won’t add to the overall weight of your security gear, then you should go for soft armor. Otherwise, if you prefer body armor that can be easily taken on and off as needed, then buy a hard body armor accordingly.

You will also need to shop for chest rigs that carry tactical gear and other important items. Look for chest rigs that are designed for your specific needs, whether it’s for carrying ammunition or other essential supplies like first aid kits.

Consider the Material Used

Another thing that you need to consider when it comes to buying armor is the material used to manufacture the security gear. The most common materials, in this case, include Kevlar, Twaron, as well as Dyneema. Kevlar is synthetic and typically used in the soft armor layers, similar to Twaron. Dyneema on the other hand is extremely lightweight but strong and durable. Overall, it’s about making sure that you find the best body armor plates for whichever activity you’re carrying out, as this way, you’ll ensure you’re well protected. 

Familiarize Yourself with the NIJ Rating

Finally, you need to familiarize yourself with the NIJ (National Institute for Justice) rating in buying body armor. NIJ is the certifying agency that sees to it that the body armor available in the market is effective and safe. For soft body armor, there are three NIJ rating levels while for hard body armor, there are two.

Level IIA for the soft armor means that the vest is the least effective compared to the body armor in the other levels. However, this also means that body armors with this NIJ rating is the most concealable ones. On the other end of the spectrum is the Level IV NIJ rating. The body armor having this rating level is the most advanced.

To ensure that you get the best body armor suitable for your needs, you need to explore the different types that are available in the market. Alongside this, you should also consider the material used in making the body armor and familiarize yourself with the NIJ rating. All these are geared towards ensuring that you buy the perfect body armor that will be able to best serve its purpose.