Everything You Need to Know About Body Armour

Selecting The Right Body Armour

The truth is, no material is fully bullet proof. While there are various forms of bullet resistant material on the market today, it’s important to understand the benefits of body armour as much as its features and benefits.

In this article, we explore the different types of body armour and what to consider when doing your research and determining their effectiveness.

What is Body Armour and Why Do You Need It?

In an ever-changing world where tensions are heightened and there is a lot of uncertainty and unrest, people are taking their safety and that of those who work to protect it, into far greater consideration.

There is a very large variety of body armour that exists today, but the one thing they all have in common is protection. After all,  body armour is designed to protect the wearer from different dangers. It is meant to keep you as safe as possible.

Types of Body Armour

There are many types of armour available, depending on what you are looking to use it for. From soft armour to hard ballistic plates and stab and spike proof vests, there are many options and details to consider when purchasing body armour. Below, we explore some of the more popular armour options available.

Plates

Body armour plates are meant to protect the wearer from serious injuries caused by high-impact hits directly to them, abrasions from small firearms, incoming shrapnel, and knife threats. Plates are typically constructed with AR500 steel alloy, which is used in armour sold to SWAT teams and law enforcement. It is also the same material that is used to build armoured vehicles.

Bullet Proof Vests

A ballistic vest, or bullet-resistant vest, also known as a bulletproof vest, is personal armour that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration to the body from firearm projectiles and shrapnel from explosions. It is work on the torso. Soft vests are made of many layers of woven or laminated fibres and can protect the wearer from small-calibre handgun and shotgun projectiles.

Stab and Spike-Proof Vests

Stab-proof vests protect against edged blade weapons and utilise the same types of material as bullet proof vests. To protect against edged weapons, however, these vests will rely on chainmail or laminate to protect you.

Multi-Threat Armour

It is important to understand the threats you will most likely face before choosing the appropriate armour. Multi-threat armour uses tighter fibres and weaves to offer protection against stab and spike weapons. A multi-threat vest is ideal for police or prison officers who may face a wide range of threats. All of which can prove deadly without proper protection.

Things to Take Into Consideration

Body armour saves lives. That’s a fact. However, it can be hard to know which option is best for you. Choosing armour does not have to be an agonizing process. Below, we explore the different things to consider when making your selection.

Threat Level

It is important to identify your threat level, first and foremost. The level of protection you need is number one when considering what to purchase.

Fit

Test different fits and do a wear-test on different combinations of armour. Move around to get a sense for how it might feel in the field. Mount your accessories, shoulder your weapon, put your gear on, and see how they move with you. Does it chafe? Does it prevent you from mounting the weapon properly? Does it hamper arm movement? Does it interfere with your handgun or duty belt items?

Stand-Alone Armour vs. In-Conjunction Armour

In-conjunction armour offers protection against handguns, but with an additional hard plate added, it can also defend against riffle rounds. They defeat the threat as a team. Stand-alone armour plates do not require any other type of protection to be effective against the threat level. Many choose to wear these in a carrier vest for convenience.

Comfort

Body armour should cover three key areas of your torso. The Front, back, and sides. Armour should be snug without hampering movement and should not ride up into your neck or interfere with your duty belt when you sit, squat or bend.

Mobility

Armour should allow you to have proper mobility and flexibility. Obviously, wearing it will impact you somewhat, but you it should allow you to remain nimble and agile. Things should not get in the way of your mobility to the extent where it would affect how well you can move quickly.

Factors that Affect Effectiveness of Armour

While body armour is rugged and durable, it’s not impenetrable under all conditions. Several factors determine how well it works beyond its design. Below, we list some of the most important factors which can impact armour.

Moisture

Water can wreak havoc on soft armour. As the fibers get wet, they begin to relax, spread apart, and weaken the overall structure of the weave. This allows gaps in coverage. Soft armour is therefore housed in a waterproof carrier that repels moisture. If that seal is broken, moisture can work its way inside and weaken the weave.

Multiple Hits

Most armour is designed to withstand one or two shots in a single area. Multiple hits, however, can compromise the integrity of both soft and hard armour.

Coverage

The wider the ballistic material, the better chance the bullet will hit. Be sure any gaps in your vest are closed. Clamshell vests can leave areas of vulnerability on the sides if not sized properly.

Wear and Tear

Like anything, body armous does not last forever. As durable as it is, soft armour, especially, can break down over time. With daily use, that breakdown can accelerate depending on conditions. For this reason, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recommends inspecting in-use body armour at least once per year.

Take Your Time – Select the Right Gear

Whichever armour you choose, it needs to fit right and be properly maintained and cared for. That is the bottom line. Armour which does not fit properly is uncomfortable. Ensure that it is properly fitted and get re-assessed if your weight changes and things start to become uncomfortable. Speak to your local body armour expert to get the most up to date information on the latest and greatest body armour news and tips.