Whether you want to be safe at home or at work, or want to make some protective preparations in a less safe neighborhood, bulletproof vests are an integral part of bulletproof plates.
But you have many choices. You may feel overwhelmed and know what is worth your time and money to understand, because there are so many materials, weights and grades.
Especially when you just come into contact with the world’s bulletproof equipment, it’s easy for you not to know how to choose.
There are many things to consider before buying, including material, manufacturer, ballistic performance rating (i.e. the type of bullet borne by the gear), weight / thickness and why you wear bulletproof vests.
In this article, we will show you what you should look for when looking for bulletproof plates in the market, and share some of our top selected products in the wide range of safety body armor products!
What should be considered before buying bulletproof plates?
1.Budget
When buying bulletproof plates, you don’t have to worry too much about the cost and budget, but when your life is threatened, you shouldn’t be stingy in quality. After all, this can protect your life, and we don’t want you to spend too much money.
That’s why safety body armor provides a money saving plan if you need it. If you happen to find the same grade of equipment you purchased with us at a lower price in other places within six months after purchase, we will provide the corresponding price!!
2.NIJ Certification
Each high-quality bulletproof vest has a NIJ (National Institute of Justice) certification label. No label means that armor cannot be tested according to strict standards.
You should avoid these products without any quality inspection. Safety body armor’s products are produced in strict accordance with NIJ grade, and quality is our best goal.
3.NIJ Protection Class
All NIJ certified bulletproof plates can withstand a certain range of ammunition penetration during the test, and obtain the corresponding NIJ level.
Make sure you understand the meaning of NIJ level before purchasing. Then find out what you are most likely to face and let the equipment prove to be able to cope. If pistol threat is your main risk, level II or IIIA is your best choice.
Any bulletproof vest above NIJ III can resist heavy rifle and armor wearing threats.
If you want to add green prompt protection, you need III +. There are special threat level armor, you need to communicate with us in advance, and you need special production if you have special requirements.
4.Soft Armor Or Hard Armor
Is soft armor a traditional bulletproof vest or a soft armor insert. It is much lighter than hard things and can be hidden, but it covers a small range of threat levels and cannot protect machine guns or higher threat weapons.
Hard armor appears only in the form of plates inserted into the plate vest. They are much heavier, but they can resist the threat of rifle. They are more protective, but they are heavier and less flexible than soft armor
5.Material
One of the biggest debates in the armor industry is whether to use steel core, ceramics or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites? Today, let’s learn about the characteristics of these materials:
A.Steel Bulletproof Plate
Steel plate is the cheapest material and can provide the best protection against armor piercing trajectory. But the disadvantage of steel plate is that it is heavier and thicker, which will make it uncomfortable to wear for a long time. If you only plan to wear bulletproof vests in target practice or short-range shooting training, steel plates are a good choice.
B. Ceramic Bulletproof Plate
The price of ceramic plate is higher than that of steel, and the multiple impact effect on the same point is not as good as that of steel, but this material is lighter, but it is still durable and has the protection not inferior to that of steel plate. At present, ceramic plate is the favorite material of the army.
C. UHMWPE (polyethylene) Bulletproof Plate
UHMWPE (polyethylene) plate is much lighter than ceramic plate or steel plate. They can be attacked many times in the same area before they are obviously injured, and they have a very good durability rate. However, at present, the attack level of civilians is no longer up to level 4.
Therefore, less and more materials are used in pingming. Of course, the materials are more novel and the price is much higher than the other two materials
Bulletproof Armor Plate FAQ
Is it legal for civilians to have bulletproof vests?
Basically all countries are legal
Let’s take the United States as an example. The federal government allows people over the age of 18 who have not been convicted of felony to use and possess bulletproof vests. Even level III and IV hard armor is legal.
However, the laws vary from state to state, so check the situation in your state before buying bulletproof vests. For example, if you’re in Connecticut, you have to get your equipment in person. You can’t choose to mail them. If you’re in Texas, there’s no problem
Is it legal to transport bulletproof vests?
In the United States, Yes, it is legal to transport hard steel and soft armor bulletproof vests and inserts.
If you are interested to learn more about this, we have a full article on whether bulletproof vests can be transported internationally
How do I maintain the armor bulletproof plate?
Knowing how to properly maintain any protective equipment is the key to maintaining safety. The methods are as follows:
Clean the dishes with a damp cloth (don’t get wet!) or sponge
Do not use any household cleaning appliances (such as dishwasher)
Clean the ceramic plates carefully because they can be fragile if not handled properly
For storage dishes, we recommend:
Do not put anything on the ceramic plate. Store it in a cool and dry place to avoid direct sunlight
The steel core can be laid flat, and both steel and ceramics can be hung in the carrier vest for storage. However, it should be noted that over time, this may reduce the performance of the vest, so try to lay the bulletproof plate flat, so it will not affect its own structure
How do I Choose The Best Bulletproof Plate For Myself?
First, understand why you wear bulletproof vests and why you need bulletproof plates.
Are you involved in high-risk scenarios that may face higher dangerous weapons, or are you mainly concerned with the general protection of pistols during the mission? Do you only need to gain weight in training scenarios or fitness activities? Each requirement has a corresponding bulletproof level, so understanding your requirements is the first step to select the right bulletproof plate.
Once you know why you need bulletproof vests, determine your priorities. If you want a high level of protection, you are a good choice for hard armor on armored vehicles,
If you want a light armor plate to improve mobility, soft armor is more common, but some hard armor plates can meet this requirement.
Then there is the problem of materials. The steel plate is heavy but protective. The ceramic plate is lighter, but after many times of the same point impact, the hardness is lower. Polyethylene is expensive but durable.
You may even decide that a backpack board is your best choice. In this case, you may want to see our guide to buy bulletproof backpacks.
Do you find this article useful? Please leave us a message below! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Our experts are waiting to help you put on your armor and prepare for any challenge.
