Body armor now serves a range of uses beyond military conflicts and battlefields, making its application less restricted than in days past. If you are new to body armor, there may be much that you don't know yet that may leave you confused and searching for answers. We have put together a beginner's guide to body armor - explaining its various types as well as giving an understanding of threat levels and distinguishing body armor vests from one another.
What Is Body Armor?
Body armor is protective clothing worn to defend against physical attacks that could cause them harm. While initially worn by soldiers in war, today it can serve a wide variety of uses across many professions and can protect people in various professions such as Riot Police officers, private bodyguards or even ordinary citizens from harm.
Body armor typically falls into two categories: soft and hard body armor. Your choice will depend on what level of protection is necessary; additionally there are different kinds of body armor designed to offer different degrees of defense against different threats. Understanding what you want to be protected against can help when selecting appropriate body armor.
Are Body Armors Legal to Wear Publicly?
Body armor purchases in the US are legal for anyone without needing background checks or ID; however, each state varies as to when and why people can wear body armor; most states allow anyone except those convicted of felonies to purchase and wear such gear; however some have more stringent laws like Connecticut where residents cannot buy body armor online and cannot import from outside sources into the state.
Other countries vary. Australia prohibits anyone without authorization from possessing body armor in certain territories; in contrast, purchasing and possessing body armor has no restrictions or requirements in the UK; Canada requires license to wear body armor while EU legislation forbids its civilian usage.
Each country and state has different laws and regulations; therefore it is imperative to conduct some research into your respective country/state laws prior to purchasing body armor to make sure you don't break any.
Different Types Of Body Armor
Body Armor Vest
Also known as a bulletproof or ballistic vest, this is an item of body armor that helps absorb and reduce the impact to the torso from fragmentation from explosions and firearm-fired projectiles. This is usually worn by police officers, correctional officers, security guards, and some regular citizens. Depending on what you need protection from, there are different types of vests, for different levels of protection.
Soft Armor Plates
Soft armor plates are flexible yet strong and protective; light yet not bulky they are typically worn under clothing as part of a body armor vest or plate carrier.
Hard Body Armor Plates
Hard body armor plates offer the highest level of protection available while remaining light and comfortable enough to be carried or worn in plate carriers or vests.
Concealed Vest
Concealed body armor vests are designed to be worn underneath street clothes or uniforms without being visible, yet offer full protection from bullet and stab threats. Their soft armor panels help prevent this from being visible while still offering full torso coverage for bullet or stab attacks. They provide full front, back, and side coverage.
Full Body Tactical Armor
Military personnel typically don full body armor. It consists of front, side and back protection in a vest that may also include more extensive coverage such as helmet and arm/leg armor protection - usually intended to be displayed above clothes as opposed to worn underneath clothing like its concealed counterpart.
Bulletproof Military Plate Carriers
Plate carriers are another type of bulletproof vest, but lighter and more comfortable than full-body armor vests. They can hold both soft and hard armor plates to provide various levels of protection, making them popular choices among military and police services alike.
