What Are the Different Types of Body Armor?

Body armor is worn by law enforcement and military officers all over the world to protect them as much as possible from the ballistic threats they face daily. It’s also worn by civilians in a variety of environments when they use or are around other people using firearms.

While firearms are one of the most dangerous threats that humans face, they are an important aspect of life for hunting, security and even hobbies. A woman named Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, the lightweight fiber used in body armor.

But why and how modern body armor was created is interesting.

How Was Modern Body Armor Created?

It was during World War II that a British Army Colonel, Malcolm C. Grow, made the first flak vest out of manganese steel plates and nylon. The vest weighed 22 pounds and only protected where the plates hung. It certainly wasn’t comfortable. The military used this version of the bulletproof vest up until the Vietnam War.

Richard Davis, a pizza delivery guy, is credited with the invention of the body armor we wear today. Apparently, delivering pizza in Detroit in the 1970s was a dangerous occupation. But Richard wasn’t just anyone. He was a U.S. Marine.

When he opened a pizzeria, he was held at gunpoint one night while making a delivery. So, weeks later, when a delivery to the same back alley for the same order came in, he was prepared with a .22 revolver under the pizza.

They tried the same thing again and a gun battle broke out. The Marine took a round to the leg, and another grazed his temple, but he managed to get off four shots. And while he recovered, someone burnt his pizzeria to the ground.

So, you can see where this story is going. With little left to his name, Davis heard about a new tire technology called Kevlar (the primary material that makes up today’s vests). He managed to get some that he put together into a vest using some ballistic nylon. Davis called it the Second Chance vest and tried to sell it to the police without much success.

So, he knew that he needed something different. He decided to put on a demonstration for the police where he shot himself in the chest while wearing the vest, knowing there had been no prior testing. And when he did, it hurt like hell, but it worked. Later his design was the standard for all police in America. Variations to Davis’s design are still used by our troops to this very day. Check out his interview with the Smithsonian.

The Different Body Armor Classifications

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sets the standard for body armors, and they’ve done so since 1972. This standard is the only one accepted for the body armor that corrections and law enforcement officers wear. It classifies body armor by different threat levels that it protects against.

Ballistic Threat Levels

For any ballistic performance level, the general testing protocol requires that the bullet doesn’t perforate the vest and the vest also protects the body from blunt force trauma.

There are five types of body armor, each ranked by their ballistic performance level. The standard also defines a separate test class that allows manufacturers to validate body armor against threat levels not covered in the other five classes. Here are those types of armor classifications.

Armor Piercing Rifle - Type IV

Type IV plate inserts or hard armor offer the highest ballistic level and protect officers from armor-piercing rounds. This type of body armor is different from the others because it consists of hard plates instead of soft body armor. Thanks to modern technology, they are much more comfortable.

These plates are often the ones used for active shooter situations and by SWAT teams. Hard armor is also commonly used by the military. Hard armor plates, used with plate carriers constructed of heavy-duty material, can stop high-powered rifle rounds that soft body armor just can’t.

Level IV plates come in several different options, including:

• Steel plates
• Spectra (Hard Polyethylene) plates
• Hybrid plates
• Ceramic plates

LA Police Gear carries a variety of plate carriers based on the U.S. Army’s Soldier Plate Carrier System. Leading body armor companies such as Point Blank, Second Chance, Condor and First Spear craft this body armor.

While these plates aren’t for everyday use because of how heavy they are, the design is definitely made for active shooter situations and SWAT teams.

Level III - Rifles

This level is the next one down from Level IV and also protects against rifle rounds. Level III body armor consists of hard plates as well. The plates must be able to take six 7.62x51 NATO rounds traveling as fast as 2,780 feet per second to be labeled as Level III armor.

Level IIIA - .44 Magnum; .357 SIG

Type IIIA body armor can withstand .357 SIG bullets as well as 44 caliber and .44 Magnum rounds. Some body armor suppliers create body armor that is Level IIIA+ that also protects against 9mm Civil defense rounds, FN 5.7 and shotgun rounds. Note that these special vests aren’t officially certified by NIJ.

Level II - .357 Magnum; 9mm

This level of body armor protects against 9mm rounds at higher speeds (up to 1,245 ft/s) than the level IIA and .357 Magnum rounds.

Level IIA - 9mm; .40 S&W

This type of body armor can sustain damage from .40 Smith and Wesson and 9mm rounds.

Level I - .22 and .38 Caliber Rounds

Level I body armor is not up to NIJ standards, so it’s not on their list because it can only withstand small rounds. But since there is a Level I, it’s on this list just to let you know it exists. This body armor is not one that law enforcement officers or the military would use.

Stab Threat Levels

There is also a standard for stab resistance. This standard defines the minimum performance requirements for stab-resistant armor, and those standards say that it must protect the torso against stabs and slashes from spikes and knives. It also describes the testing process.

The vests are tested in two separate categories–stab and spike. Stab testing is for edged blades and the spike weapons refer to improvised blades like the ones prisoners fashion to be like ice picks.

The standard sets three body armor performance levels based on its ability to prevent a puncture that stabs deep enough to injure someone’s internal organs at varying strike force speeds. It also sets two different protection classes–one for improvised spikes and low-quality blades and another for high-quality knife blades produced commercially.

Multi-Threat Level Body Armor

Advanced technology now makes it possible to buy body armor that addresses multiple threats. Kevlar vests that are stab-proof can be laminated to also defend against spikes. These vests naturally will cost more, and this is a major deciding factor for the law enforcement agencies purchasing body armor. While multi-threat body armor would be the first choice for many of these departments, they may not have the budget to purchase it.

Additional Gear Related to Body Armor

Bulletproof vests and other body armor have come a long way since the 1970s. For instance, many agencies across the United States actually wear outer vests more than those worn under your uniform shirt. Let’s look at the equipment you may need or want related to body armor.

Plate Carriers

As mentioned briefly above, hard body armor plates are usually used with plate carriers. Plate carriers have pockets in the back and front that hold your plates, and an aramid material makes up the lining.

When purchasing a plate carrier, there is one primary factor to consider: the type of protection you need or the type of plates your carrier will hold. There are a variety of plate carrier designs out there. Some have side pockets for ballistic panels and some are made specifically for military operations or active shooter incidents.

Many plate carriers have MOLLE attachments or pockets so you can carry other vital gear for whatever your mission is.

Photo by Shun Li

Tactical Vests

Tactical vests are often used interchangeably with the term plate carrier, but there is a slight difference. A tactical vest is a sturdy vest with pockets to carry essential items, and many carry body armor plates as well. The biggest difference is that not all plate carriers have a lot of extra pockets. The primary job of plate carriers is to carry body armor plates.

There are also a variety of tactical vest accessories that help you organize your equipment so it’s easy to access when you need it. You can buy utility pouches, cummerbunds for quick deployment, magazine panels and more.

Tactical Chest Rigs

Chest rigs are ideal for hunters, police officers and MilSim players who don’t need a full tactical vest or body armor. They sling over your shoulder and wrap around your torso or chest. These rigs can carry radios, mag pouches, flashlights and other important tools.

Tactical Helmets and Riot Gear

Head injuries can be life-threatening, so whether you’re a security guard, military service member, police officer or first responder, the likelihood of sustaining a head injury is even higher. Tactical helmets help protect your head during many types of tactical situations, and some offer ballistic protection.

Riot gear is protective equipment and clothing designed specifically for dealing with violent crowds. Correctional and police officers use riot gear the most. It can also be used in other tactical situations as well.

Choosing the Right Body Armor and Tactical Gear

For most people using body armor and tactical gear, whoever you work for sets the guidelines and decides what gear you wear. But if you find yourself choosing your own gear, it’s important to seek advice from someone professional like LA Police Gear, especially when it comes to body armor.

Many factors affect what type of body armor or equipment you need. One is choosing the right gear for the job. Someone practicing with simunitions will need something completely different than a SWAT officer. And a hunter will need something different than an officer on patrol.

You also need to be measured for body armor by a professional. Proper fitting ensures that the armor protects you like it’s supposed to. Any gear that doesn’t fit right can leave gaps in coverage and protection–and that can be a deadly mistake.

Cost is another significant element that helps decide which armor you choose. Bullet- and stab-proof vests are more expensive the higher the level of protection provided. Body armor is one area where cutting corners to save money can get you killed.

Another mistake police agencies take is not replacing vests before their shelf-life expires. Over time, material in vests breaks down. Wearing a vest past its prime can lead to catastrophic results. Body armor should be inspected at least yearly, and agencies need a plan to replace worn-out bulletproof vests.

When you’re not wearing your body armor, you must store it the right way by laying it flat in a dark room that’s about room temperature. Don’t hang the vest carrier by its straps because this causes it to stretch over time, so it won’t fit right.

Thanks to a pizzeria owner, modern body armor has saved thousands of lives over the last several decades. But it can’t protect you if you don’t wear it. That’s an error many officers make, and this is often because of an ill-fitting vest. If it’s not comfortable, it’s difficult to wear 12 hours a day.

You never know when you’re going to need your vest, so wear it every day. It won’t do you any good if you store it in the trunk of your police car.

If you need body armor, contact LA Police Gear for professional help choosing the right type for your needs.

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