What are NIJ Levels?
The US National Institute of Justice (or NIJ) has established a numeric rating system for ballistic armor based on it's ability to defeat incoming rounds.
NIJ Level II
NIJ II armor is rated to stop lower powered pistol rounds including .22lr, .25acp, .32acp, .38spl and some lower velocity 9mm and .357mag
NIJ Level IIIA
NIJ IIIA armor is rated to stop more powerful pistol rounds including 9mm, .45acp, 10mm and .44 Magnum
NIJ Level III
NIJ III armor is rated to stop intermediate rifle rounds such as 5.56x45, 7.62x39 and 7.62x51
NIJ Level IV
NIJ IV armor is rated to stop full power and armor piercing rifle rounds including 5.56 M855, 7.62x54r and 30.06AP
What types of body armor are available?
Soft / Flexible Armor
Flexible armor up to NIJ level IIIA rating is available in standard 10x12in and 11x14in inserts or in larger shaped panels for enhanced coverage.
Rigid / Hard Armor
Rigid / Hard armor plates are available in standard sizes such as 10x12in and 11x14in from NIJ level IIIA to IV in a wide variety of carriers / vests
Soft + Rigid Combination Armor
Some armor systems combine larger IIIA flexible panels with additional armor inserts to achieve a higher level of coverage and protection. These systems are heavier and more expensive but offer significantly increased protection.
Concealed Armor
We offer a number of products which provide ballistic protection in a concealed package that can be worn discretely under normal clothes
What are some of the materials body armor is made of?
Aramid
Aramid is a term for aromatic polyamide, a class of synthetic nylon-like fibers distinctive for their dense molecular strands of linked carbon atoms and hydrogen bonds which give the fabric its tremendous strength.
Aramid composites have long been a mainstay of ballistic armor due to their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and absorb kinetic energy and continue to be used today in civilian and military body and vehicle armor.
Sold under the brand names Kevlar, Nomex and Twaron, aramid composite fabrics are flexible and lightweight and provide excellent ballistic protection.
UHMWPE
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene also known as UHMWPE, High modulus polyethylene (HMPE), and by the brand names Dyneema and Spectra, is a flexible polyethylene variant with extremely long molecular chains which give the material its trademark strength and toughness.
UHMWPE is lighter than ceramic, steel, or fiberglass armor plates and is spalling and shatter resistant and will not rust under any conditions
UHMWPE is also hydrophobic and abrasion resistant with a low friction coefficient and is resistant to many acids and solvents.
Alumina
Alumina is aluminum oxide, an ultra hard crystalline of oxygen and aluminum used as a substitute for synthetic diamond and in high level body armor. The dense hexagonal lattice structure of oxygen and aluminum ions, when bonded into a ceramic creates an ultra-hard armor that provides maximum level protection at a fraction of the weight of steel.
Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide is an ultra hard ceramic compound of silicon and carbon used in vehicle armor and high level body armor. The dense molecular lattice structure of silicon carbide crystals, when bonded into a ceramic creates an ultra-hard armor that provides maximum level protection at a fraction of the weight of steel or alumina.
Buying & Shipping
Is it legal to buy body armor online?
In the United States of America as long as a person is not prohibited from owning body armor it is legal to purchase body armor online with the exception of New York and Connecticut.
We do not accept orders from New York or Connecticut.
Please research your local laws before placing an order.
When will my order arrive?
We strive to ship every order as fast as possible but cannot be responsible for delays in transit.
Please check the tracking info for your order before contacting us and if your order is lost by the shipping carrier we will do everything we can to replace/refund your order.
What is the return policy?
Due to the nature of our products we cannot accept returns but we're always happy to answer any questions you may have before making your purchase.
Please see our contact form if there is anything you'd like to ask.
Where can I have my order shipped?
Orders can be shipped to addresses within The United States of America including Puerto Rico with the exception of New York and Connecticut.
Orders within the continental United States are shipped free of charge.
If you need your order shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico please use our contact form to ask for a shipping quote.
Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico?
We do ship to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico but because shipping rates vary for shipments outside the continental United States we ask that buyers use our contact form to request a shipping quote for their order.
Do you ship to addresses outside The United States of America?
We do not ship items outside The United States of America, we do however ship to Puerto Rico as it is a US territory and falls under United States Federal law. For orders to Puerto Rico please use our contact form to arrange a shipping quote.
Do you offer discounts for bulk orders?
Yes! Please use our contact form to let us know if you'd like to place a bulk order and we'll get back to you with a price quote.
Other Questions
Are these products new or used?
The products we sell are all brand new.
Do bulletproof vests protect from knives and blunt weapons?
Bulletproof vests are only designed and rated to protect against a specific level of ballistic threat and should not be used as a substitute for stab proof or impact protection gear.
What is the difference between "Concealed" and "Concealable"?
Concealed means the armor is designed to be worn concealed under a normal shirt at all times.
Concealable means the armor can be worn over the user's clothing as overt tactical gear or discretely under a jacket or sweatshirt.
How much will it cost to ship my order?
Shipping is free within the continental United States.
If you need shipping to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico please use the contact form to send us a message.