Bulletproof Tactical Vest Buying Guide: Choosing the Perfect Level of Protection

A bulletproof tactical vest can save your life in the case of an emergency. But not all bulletproof vests are made the same. For example, some vests are fully concealable while others are not. 

You should also consider what you’ll be using your vest for when buying one. But if you’re not sure what kind of vest is the best for you, keep reading this article!

What Are Bulletproof Tactical Vest Made From?

The most popular kinds of fibers that are used for ballistic vests are Twaron and Kevlar. These strong fibers are stronger than steel on an equal weight foundation. The finest are twisted and layered many times to produce a structure of nets.

These nets can slow down a bullet until it completely stops inside of the nets. And the bullet also gets deformed which makes it less likely to penetrate the body.

Armor Levels

The point of a ballistic vest is to successfully stop the trajectory of a bullet or knife attack. If the projectile penetrates the body armor causing trauma to the body, then the protection is insufficient.

For this reason, ballistic vests are properly tests against these four contributing factors: the weight of the projectile, combination of caliber, bullet type, and velocity.

When shopping for a bullet proof vest, you want to take note of the protection level. For example, there are two types of armor levels. The first one is soft armor (level IIA) which protects against common handguns.

They may also protect against shotguns depending on the trajectory and distance from the gun. NIJ armor levels cover both soft and hard armor.

To avoid confusion, below are two lists separating the armor levels relevant to soft armor from those applicable to hard armor to avoid confusion.

Hard armor (level III) offers protection against rifles up to .308 Winchester. or 7.62 NATO. However, the bullets need to be FMJ or have a soft or hollow point.

Types of Bullet Proof Vests

There are different kinds of bulletproof vests. For example, there are overt vests and covert vests. And both of these vests have different protection levels. So keep reading to figure out which bulletproof vest is right for you!

Concealable Vest

A concealable vest is great for those who need protection but don’t want to give away their identities. A concealable vest can be safely worn underneath and clothing. They also provide thermal regulation and are very flexible!

Overt Vest

An overt vest will have the highest protection level. This kind of ballistic vest sits over your clothes. They are a lot bulkier and heavier than a concealable vest. This means they’re able to protect against heavier gunfire and thicker knives.

An overt vest can also withstand any weather conditions making it a perfect vest for outdoor usage! Not to mention, they also have the technology to cool down or heat up, depending on the external weather.

Heavy Duty Protection Made Easy

Having a bulletproof tactical vest is a requirement for most high threat level careers. However, they can also be worn for any other activities where a threat could be present.

So don’t wait any longer and buy a ballistic vest today especially if you work in higher threat-level occupations. If you enjoyed this informative article about ballistics and protection equipment, explore our website for more great topics!