Bulletproof Vests

Concealable vests are designed to provide undetectable protection as this type of body armor is specifically designed to be invisible when worn under your clothes. This type of ballistic vest is designed for maximum comfort, maneuverability, and discretion when worn under regular everyday clothing.

Many law enforcement officials wear concealable body armor under their uniforms as well.

In most cases, concealable body armor is designed to protect police officers, prepared civilians, and etc. against smaller caliber ballistic threats such as handguns. However, compared with heavier traditional ballistic tactical vests, these give law enforcement more range of motion and maneuverability while still providing unparalleled protection from the less powerful handgun rounds that they’re likely to encounter on a day-to-day basis.

These vests usually carry soft armor panels that may be NIJ level 2 or level 3a body armor. This level of armor is extremely lightweight, thin, and easily concealed under your shirt. Concealable vests are popular with undercover police officers, security, V.I.P. protection, and other professionals.

Additionally, some concealable ballistic vests might also be designed and rated to resist knives and other edged weapons. Such concealment vests often incorporate a special type of anti-stab armor plate or material to prevent any puncture or slash getting through the armor.

Concealment vests usually also feature adjustment straps in the shoulders and waist in order to get a snug fit that also correctly covers the vital organs.

Contrary to concealable body armor, tactical vests are designed for law enforcement and military units who fill roles of a tactical nature. These vests usually have MOLLE or other load bearing mounting systems to carry tactical gear like extra magazines, communication gear, medical kits, and other items.

• A Tactical vest is essentially a tactical bulletproof vest that is not intended to be concealed like concealable body armor, but rather worn over clothing in an overt manner while participating in law enforcement operations or military duties. They feature many more pockets and utilities than the typical concealable bulletproof vest.
• This is perfect for admin purposes such as handcuffs, ticket books, and etc. A lot of law enforcement agencies today have made the switch from concealable ballistic vests underneath uniforms to tactical ballistic vests, mostly because they offer more features in one single package with multiple pockets and pouches attached.
• Additionally, aramid vests of this type commonly come with pockets for rifle-rated body armor plates so you can upgrade your protection on the go. Most vests also have side plate pockets that (with armor panels inserted) protect the vital organs in case shots enter through one side of the vest paneling.

The Police Patrol Vest or Duty vest is another style of bulletproof vest an officer or security personnel will wear while on street patrol. These are designed to be worn with a duty belt, provide ballistic protection of level IIIA and usually contain extra magazines and handcuffs in addition to any other gear the officer might need for their shift.

Police officers generally wear this style of bulletproof vest when they make high-risk arrests, serve search warrants, and raid locations.

The main difference between a tactical vest and a patrol vest is the amount of gear that it can hold. A tactical vest has more real estate and load bearing capabilities for equipment.

It will hold more magazines, handcuffs, and other items for a mission whereas a police duty or patrol vest will only contain what an officer needs for his shift.

Additionally, these vests may be used as utility vests that officers wear while on day-to-day patrols which typically do not require them to make high risk arrests. Such patrol vests usually are equipped with pouches so officers can carry additional ammunition or items they might need during their shift.

They also tend to resemble the look of a police officer’s uniform or are designed to look less intimidating and tactical.

Plate carriers are specialized vests designed to hold hard ballistic armor plates. These plates are intended to provide protection against various ballistic threats, most commonly high-caliber high-velocity rifle rounds.

• Plate carriers are commonly used by military personnel, law enforcement officers, and security, as well as civilians during civil unrest or other dangerous scenarios. 
• The primary purpose of a plate carrier is to provide a platform to securely hold armor plates over vital areas of the body, the chest and back. Plate carriers only cover the vital organs and do not provide as much coverage as typical bulletproof vests.
• Plate carriers also might provide a load bearing surface such as MOLLE to attach other equipment like extra magazines. These carriers are adjustable to ensure a snug and comfortable fit that properly covers the user’s vital organs.

Based on the type of protection they provide, there are three different types of body armor.

Most people don’t know this, but a ballistic armor vest does not protect you from stabs, even though it can stop a bullet.

Therefore, you have simple ballistic vests, stab protection vests and dual protection vests that protect you against both bullet and stab, slash, and spike.

These vests are designed to stop bullets and use either soft body armor inserts made from Aramid materials, or even hard ceramic plates.

Depending on the type of ballistic panels used in them, these vests stop different levels of ballistic threats

• Level II Body Armor 9mm and .357 Magnum
• Level IIIA Body Armor Pistol Rounds .357 SIG and .44 Magnum
• Level III Body Armor Rifle Rounds 7.62×51mm NATO
• Level IV Body Armor Armor Piercing Rounds

Designed to stop most handgun rounds, level IIIA soft body armor is made from Aramid or polyethylene fabrics.

This type of body armor offers good ballistic protection for its weight and price, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to protect themselves from bullets without wearing heavy rigid plates in a vest or under their clothes everyday.

While soft body armor vests are rated for stopping handgun rounds like level II or level IIIA, ceramic hard plates at level III or level IV on the other hand can offer ballistic protection against heavy rifle rounds.

Stab Proof Vests are designed specifically to protect against edged weapons, slashes and stabs from sharp objects. They can be used by correction officers, law enforcement officers as well as EMT’s for example.

Although not rated to protect against bullets and other ballistic threats, anti-stab vests offer excellent protection against more common threats like knife attacks.

The goal of stab armor is to completely stop and prevent penetration keeping the wearer safe from a stabbing attack. This happens by also ensuring that enough energy from the blow and spike gets absorbed in and through the soft armor, and thereby keeping you protected:

Spike 1 vest offers protection against low impact threats of 36 joules,

Spike 2 is for medium energy attacks with 50 joules of impact energy

Spike 3 is for high energy attacks with 65 joules of impact energy

As implied by their name, these dual-purpose vests offer comprehensive defense, shielding against both bullets and stabs. With added layers for ballistic and stab protection, stab-proof vests and dual-protection vests provide an enhanced level of security, although they may be slightly heavier and less flexible compared to standalone ballistic or stab proof vests. These vests are particularly favored by security forces safeguarding high-value assets in vulnerable locations such as banks.

When it comes to protection standards, ballistic armor vests and stab-proof vests share similar performance levels, with both adhering to guidelines established by the NIJ. These vests also rely on similar protective materials designed to mitigate specific threats.

Currently, the market’s most sought-after solution typically combines level 3A ballistic protection with level 1 or level 2 anti-stab protection.

Introducing Ace Link soft armor, with an impressive industry leading 8-year warranty. When wearing your soft armor everyday, we believe it should last longer than the industry norm of 5 years.

We are confident in the quality and durability of our product, ensuring it remains effective over the long term. Crafted using advanced materials and expert workmanship here in the USA, our soft armor is built to handle real-world situations without compromise.

With our 8-year warranty, you can trust that your safety is important to us, and we’re dedicated to providing reliable protection.

Body armor does expire and possess a suggested period of use. Comprising a variety of materials like ballistic fibers, polyethylene, and either metal or ceramic plates, body armor is vulnerable to deterioration over time.

This can be attributed to a wide blend of factors and ever-changing variables including exposure to environmental elements, moisture, sunlight, and regular wear and tear.

Manufacturers generally offer an estimated duration of service for their body armor products. This denotes the time span within which the armor is anticipated to supply dependable protection at its listed threat level.

Once this service period has elapsed, armor might exhibit decreased effectiveness in stopping ballistic threats or encounter other complications that impact its performance. The manufacturer cannot guarantee integrity of the armor after the expiration date.

• Replace Worn or Damaged Armor: In the event of noticeable wear, damage, or any substantial problems, promptly replace armor that has deteriorated or been harmed in any way.
• Replace when expired: Manufacturers designate a suggested service life or expiration date for body armor. This guideline is essential to uphold your safety and preserve the armor’s integrity amidst changing circumstances over time. Exchange armor that is beyond its service life or surpassed its expiration date.

A Level 3A bulletproof vest is not rated or designed to stop rifle rounds. Level 3A vests are only intended and rated to provide protection against various handgun rounds up to 44. Magnum, but they are not equipped to withstand the higher velocity and energy of rifle ammunition.

To counter the rising commonality and threat posed by rifle rounds, many individuals opt for a combination of soft body armor and hard armor plates, this is known as “In-Conjunction-With” (ICW).

The soft body armor offers protection against handgun rounds and assists in absorbing and distributing the force of impacts.

Meanwhile, the added hard armor plates, inserted into pockets within the vest, enhance protection against rifle rounds. These hard armor plates are labeled as ICW and provide a modular scalability of armor. 

Hard armor plates are usually constructed from materials such as ceramic, steel, or advanced composites. When combined with soft armor, ICW plates create a layered defense system that provides broader protection, spanning both handguns and rifles.

The Apex Armored T-shirt is the perfect low profile bulletproof vest for V.I.P. and executive protection for several compelling reasons.

• First, its discreet and thin design allows for seamless integration into a V.I.P.’s formal wardrobe, maintaining a professional appearance without compromising safety. The Apex with its thin soft armor panels are hidden in plain-sight when worn under clothes.
• This means that the V.I.P. can go about their daily activities with confidence, knowing they are protected without drawing unnecessary attention.
• Then, the Apex is constructed using state-of-the-art athletic fabrics that provide unparalleled comfort and breathability while still supporting the soft armor. This allows all-day comfort while cooling, wicking away moisture, and keeping odors at bay for longer.
• The armor itself is NIJ rated level 3A which provides lightweight and reliable ballistic protection against .44 Magnum rounds.
• It is NIJ tested at an independent laboratory to meet NIJ standards, proving that the armor will work when it needs to. This ensures that the V.I.P. remains safeguarded against the most common handgun threats while maintaining comfort and flexibility.
• The lightweight design of the Apex doesn’t hinder movement or trap heat, making it suitable for many situations where normal body armor would be a nuisance. 
• In the realm of V.I.P. protection, maintaining a low profile while ensuring constant safety is paramount. With comfort and discretion at the forefront, the Apex is an optimal choice for those seeking everyday protection in today’s dynamic world.

Police officers use different styles of bulletproof vests depending on the situation and individual department. The most common type of vest today is an overt vest like our Livewire, Primer, and Patrol. 

The optimal police bulletproof vest goes beyond safeguarding officers by incorporating features that enhance both functionality and officer performance. Like our LiveWire vest, featuring built-in utility pockets that play a pivotal role in making the job easier.

These purpose-built compartments cater to the every-day practical needs of law enforcement, offering secure storage for essential tools such as ticket books, pens, extra handcuffs, and more. 

By facilitating quick and convenient access to these items, the vest streamlines officers’ interactions with the public and empowers them to respond effectively to the various situations they may find themselves in.

The vest also features a MOLLE/PALS webbing load bearing surface, allowing the officer to remain streamlined or add any extra equipment as necessary. 

This seamless fusion of ballistic protection with integrated utility pockets and MOLLE exemplifies a vest that is finely tuned to the demands of modern law enforcement, prioritizing safety, functionality, and operational readiness.

Yes, customization and flexibility are important when it comes to your personal protection needs. That’s why we offer the option to purchase vests and soft body armor panels separately.

VEST CARRIERS:

• If you’re looking for versatile options, here you can explore our section of:  VEST CARRIERS . These carriers are designed to securely hold our soft body armor panels and are available in various styles, sizes, and colors. By choosing a separate vest carrier, you can easily pair it with different panels to adapt to different threat levels or scenarios. This modularity ensures that you have the freedom to update or upgrade your protection without needing to replace the entire vest.

SOFT BODY ARMOR:

• Furthermore, if you’re specifically in need of soft body armor panels, here is our dedicated range of options of: SOFT BODY ARMOR. These panels are engineered using cutting-edge materials and technologies to provide reliable protection against a variety of ballistic threats. By purchasing the panels separately, you can conveniently replace or upgrade the armor inserts as needed, extending the lifespan and effectiveness of your protective gear.