Tips for Choosing a Concealed Bulletproof Vest

• It can make all the difference in how you perform in a fight when you operate in a high-risk environment whether you have the proper body armor protecting your torso from a bullet or a sword.

• Different kinds of bulletproof vests are available, providing defense against a variety of weapons and ammunition. While not all vests are made with concealability in mind, some are. 

  
  

  A solid generalization is that a body armor item will be less concealable the more protection it provides.

  
  

  Contrary to this, concealable vests make up for their reduced level of protection with improved wearability and discretion—two qualities that are essential for users in several branches of law enforcement.

  
  

  In cases involving firearms, attackers frequently aim for the torso because it is the largest target. An attacker may decide to go for an exposed region, such as the head, An attacker may decide to go for an exposed region, such as the head, if any body armor is visible surrounding this crucial place. One of the most significant investments you'll ever make is a concealable bulletproof vest, therefore it's critical to know exactly what to look for when comparing all the available models.

  
  

  Protection level, weight, mobility, and comfort are important considerations while selecting concealable body armor.

  
  

  The vest must fit properly and cover the person on all sides in order to provide complete protection. Up to Level IIIA, which offers protection from up to a.44 MAG (but not knife attack), concealable bulletproof vests are available.  We'll examine how to pick the appropriate kind of covert body armor for the threat you're most likely to face in more depth.

  
  

  Fit and sizing will also be discussed, as they are important factors in the effectiveness of protective gear. We'll close by looking at some of Chowey Armor's top bulletproof, stab-resistant, and multi-threat vests in an effort to help you choose equipment that precisely meets your requirements and offers maximum confidence, protection, and comfort while working.

  
  

• TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ABOUT BODY ARMOR

  HOW BODY ARMOR WORKS

  CHOOSING CONCEALABLE ARMOR

  CAN A BULLETPROOF VEST STOP AN AK 47?

  CAN CIVILIANS OWN LEVEL 4 BODY ARMOR?

  WHY IS WEARING A BULLETPROOF VEST ILLEGAL?

  STAB-PROOF VESTS—CLASSIFICATIONS

  WEIGHT, MOBILITY, AND COMFORT

  HOW SHOULD BODY ARMOR FIT?

  HOW TO MEASURE FOR SIZE

  CARING FOR CONCEALABLE BODY ARMOR

  HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR BODY ARMOR?

  WHAT IS THE BEST CONCEALABLE BODY ARMOR?

  FINAL THOUGHTS

  
  

• ABOUT BODY ARMOR

  Body armor is a vest-like garment designed to shield the wearer's torso from blades and ballistic damage. Body armor can be tactical and worn over clothing (overt) or concealable and worn underneath clothing (undercover).

  
  

  A protective panel made of multiple layers of ballistic or stab-resistant materials, along with a fabric carrier into which the protective panel is inserted, make up body armor.

  
  

  Some concealable body armor has unique pouches in the front and, on occasion, the back that can contain trauma packs—additional armor panels. These armor plates offer supplementary defense against kinetic threats. They are either soft or firm.

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• HOW BODY ARMOR WORKS

  WHY IS BODY ARMOR SO POWERFUL?

  Generally speaking, body armor protects by absorbing and dispersing the energy from a ballistic impact through a web-like system of incredibly strong fibers that are woven throughout the entire garment.

  
  

  The idea behind stab-resistant body armor is quite similar to that of bullet-resistant armor: with stab-resistant vests, several layers of material made of extremely strong fibers deflect the threat or spread the force of the hit over a greater area of the vest by "stretching."

  
  

  WHAT SETS A BULLET RESISTANT AND STAB RESISTANT VEST DIFFERENTLY?

  A stab-resistant vest differs significantly from a ballistic-resistant vest in that it is comprised of laminated layers of extremely densely woven cloth that are spaced very closely apart. This is done to combat the fact that pointed objects, such as knives and ice picks, produce initial contact forces that are far higher than those produced by bullets.

  
  

  It's crucial to realize that a vest that is stab-resistant but not bulletproof won't protect the wearer from weapons.

  
  

  Ballistic-protection vests, however, also give some defense against blunt-force trauma and abrasion injuries.

  
  

  In fact, a number of police officers have come through physical assaults or vehicle collisions that would have killed them if not for the bulletproof body armor's ability to withstand blunt force trauma.

• CHOOSING CONCEALABLE ARMOR

  The first factor to consider when you are choosing concealable armor is the level of protection you need. This means knowing what kind of weapon you are most likely to encounter in a threat.

  
  

  Bulletproof Vest NIJ Level Armor Types

  Armor Type I: .22 LR; .380 ACP; light; minimum protection for on-duty police officers; not commonly used currently in favor of higher protection.

  
  

  Type IIA: Type I threats + 9mm; .40 S&W; heavier than Type 1 but suitable for full-time use.

  
  

  Type II: Type I and II A threats + 9mm; .357 Magnum; heavier and bulkier than Types 1 and II A but suitable for full-time use.

  
  

  Type IIIA: Type I-II threats + most handguns + High Velocity 9mm; .44 Magnum; Highest level of concealable protection. Suitable for routine wear generally. May need evaluation for hot, humid climates.

  
  

  Type III: Type I-III A threats + 7.62mm (FMJ) rifles  (U.S. military designation M80); Suitable only for tactical situations requiring high protection level.

  
  

  Type IV: Type I-III threats (single shot) + .30 caliber (AP) rifles; Highest protection possible; often ceramic material. Suitable only for tactical situations requiring high protection level.

  
  

  NIJ=National Institute of Justice; LR= long rifle; ACP=Automatic Colt Pistol; S&W= Smith and Wesson; FMJ=Full Metal Jacket; AP=Armor Piercing 

  
  

  Hard vs. Soft

  Vests designed for combat are either soft or hard. Soft vests offer protection at NIJ levels II through IIIA. When a shotgun or handgun needs to be protected against, law enforcement officers and security professionals generally wear these vests. Spectra, Twaron, and Kevlar are examples of typical materials. Hard armor vests, typically used by military and SWAT teams, use NIJ level armor types III and IV. They use ceramic, steel, or metal to defend against shotgun slugs or rifle bullets, hence they are more heavier and thicker than soft vests.

• CAN A BULLETPROOF VEST STOP AN AK 47?

  No, at least not covert vests (concealable vests), is the quick response to this. The 7.62 mm FMJ steel round from an AK-47 would not be protected by soft body vests with armor category IIIA or lower.

  
  

  NIJ level III or level IV hard armor would be necessary for protection against the AK-47 because these are the levels made to do so.

  
  

  CAN CIVILIANS OWN LEVEL 4 BODY ARMOR?

  As a civilian in the US, you typically have the freedom to buy and don body armor. Even while civilian armor typically ranges from level IIA to level IIIA, this also includes Level IV hard armor plates.

  
  

  It is the civilian's responsibility to be fully informed of the laws of body armor in whatever state they intend to buy and wear protective vest. The legality of body armor purchase and wear differs from state to state.

  
  

  There are some similarities between states, though. Body armor cannot be purchased or worn in many places by anyone who have been convicted of a serious felony (or even violent misdemeanor). Wearing body armor while committing or attempting to commit a felony is generally a crime with varying consequences.

  
  

  WHY IS WEARING A BULLETPROOF VEST ILLEGAL?

  Many people question why there are so many regulations on the state level in the USA governing body armor, which is meant to protect and cannot injure someone on its own. Not to add that in other nations, like Australia and Thailand, possessing body armor without a permit is prohibited everywhere. 

  
  

  The rationale for such regulations and restrictions is that wearing body armor while committing a crime indicates that the wearer anticipates (and perhaps intends to provoke) violence.

  
  

  STAB-PROOF VESTS—CLASSIFICATIONS  

  For people more likely to face the threat of a sharp weapon than a gun, a stab resistant vest is the right choice. There are two classes for stab resistant vests:

  
  

  “Edged Blade” Class: protect against engineered, high-quality blades, e.g. kitchen knives, sporting good knives: “street” threats. Typical wearers are civilians, police officers, and security personnel.

  
  

  “Spike” Class: Protect against improvised weapons, lower-quality materials sharpened on rough surfaces like concrete: “correctional facility” threats. Typical wearers are correctional officers.

  
  

  There are three stab proof levels for stab resistant vests.

  
  

  Level 1: able to be concealed beneath clothing and thus suitable for covert vests.

  
  

  Levels 2 and 3: bulkier, utilizing armor plates comparable to types III and IV and thus are predominantly used as overt vests.

  Level 3 is used in the highest risk areas for stab attacks, such as prisons.

  
  

  WEIGHT, MOBILITY, AND COMFORT

  You might not be aware of how crucial comfort and mobility are when selecting a bullet resistant or stab resistant vest if you've never worn body armor or for an extended amount of time.

  
  

  No matter how protective your body armor is if it is removed and placed in the backseat because it is too uncomfortable to wear or is too heavy to use on a daily basis, it can be extremely uncomfortable if it doesn't fit properly or is too heavy and hot for the environment.

  
  

  Additionally, a poorly fitting vest can not offer enough protection and covering. This obviously applies to vests that are too small for their wearers, but the opposite is also true: Equally unwise is a vest that is larger than the wearer's torso.

• HOW SHOULD BODY ARMOR FIT?

  COVERAGE

  First is the question of coverage. There are bulletproof vests on the market that cover only the front torso, but fatality statistics for law enforcement officers show that a vest needs to cover the wearer’s front, back, and sides in order to provide optimal ballistic protection during a firearm incident.

  
  

  We really never know for sure what direction a threat will come from, so it’s best to be prepared.  

  
  

   

  
  

  FRONT PANEL FIT

  In terms of length, the front panel must not be too long, or else it runs the risk of pushing into the wearer’s throat when he or she sits down. To avoid this, space should be left around the top and bottom edge of the ballistic panel.

  
  

  When in a standing position, the panel should reach no higher than the second button of the uniform shirt, and there should be 2 to 2.5 inches from the panel bottom to the top edge of the gun belt.  

  
  

   

  
  

  BACK PANEL FIT

  When assessing the fit of the back panel, the aim is to ensure the body armor does not shift up when the wearer rises from a seated position.

  
  

  To achieve this, the back panel’s bottom edge should be ¼ to ¾ an inch from the gun belt’s top edge when standing in a natural manner.

  
  

  The top of the back panel should come up to no more than 4 inches from the seam of the uniform’s shirt collar.  

  
  

   

  SIDE PANEL FIT

  The front panel of a vest should have enough width to overlap the back panel by 2 inches for increased protection.

  
  

  Meanwhile, it is also important that the sides are high enough to provide protection to the armpit areas, but not so high that the panels chafe and rub the area during arm movement.

  
  

  HOW TO MEASURE FOR SIZE

  To know what size vest you should order, stand and have an assistant measure your dimensions using a soft tape measure. 

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• Measure:

  > Shoulder to shoulder
  

  > Across the front chest

  > Across the front waist

  > Torso height

  Once these measurements have been taken, they can be compared to the manufacturer’s vest sizing chart. 

   
  

  WEIGHT LOSS OR GAIN

  Due to the importance of only wearing properly fitting body armor, if you’ve recently lost or gained enough weight that your body’s proportions have altered, you should re-evaluate the fit of your ballistic vest using the criteria above.

  
  

  New body armor may need to be obtained if the armor you are using does not adhere to the measurement suggestions. While this may seem an inconvenience, it is again crucial to remember that properly fitting concealable body armor can make a difference between life and death.

  
  

   

  FEMALE BODY ARMOR FIT

  Body armor for female wearers should conform to the distinct features of the female anatomy.

  
  

  Different manufacturers have different methods for accomplishing this. Some make unisex vests in a wide range of sizes with outside dimensions that can be altered to fit the female bust area, like enlarged arm holes.

  
  

  Most producers of female body armor have methods to cut and stitch the upper torso to create bust cups. When testing female models of armor, the seam resulting from this stitching method is the weakest point on the vest, so test shots are directed there to ensure the armor is effective.

  
  

  As with all body armor, it is key that there is a minimum 1-inch overlap of joined pieces and that the armor is not too long. Length is often an issue for female wearers, particularly if attempting to adjust a male vest to a female form. 

  
  

  This means it is especially important for female wearers to try on different models of armor to find the right fit.  

• CARING FOR CONCEALABLE BODY ARMOR

  Every model of NIJ standard compliant body armor comes with an instruction label, and the best way to maintain a ballistic vest is to follow the cleaning recommendations for each component of the gear listed on this label. But there are some general pointers:

  
  

  PROTECTION INSERTS OR PANELS

  > Hand wash with sponge or gentle cloth in cold water.

  > Make use of gentle laundry detergent.

  > Don't immerse yourself in water.

  > Avoid using bleach.

  > Never wash or dry anything in a machine.

  > Do not hang to dry.

  > Avoid being outside in the sun.

  > The use of dry cleaning is not advised.

   

  
  

  A REMOVAL CARRIER

   If the manufacturer's label suggests it, the item can be machine washed on the gentle cycle and dried.

• HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY FOR BODY ARMOR?

  While it's sometimes a smart idea to prioritize cost above comfort when buying body armor, it's always preferable to put your comfort and unique requirements first when making this decision.

  
  

  One of the few purchases you'll ever make, a bulletproof vest has the potential to save your life. Nobody who has ever survived a ballistic impact has ever wished they had spent less money on the life-saving body armor.

  
  

  There are a number of variables that affect how much bulletproof armor costs. Because more work is put into creating better concealable vests as effective as possible, they cost more. There is no valid reason to choose an inexpensive vest that shows through your clothing if you require covert protection. In a same vein, lighter, more comfortable vests typically cost more than bulkier, heavier vests. Body armor wearers don't want discomfort to prevent them from performing their duties for the duration of their shift.

  
  

  The price is also influenced by the degree of protection; the armor's NIJ level determines how much it costs. Again, there is no benefit to selecting a vest that is insufficiently protected against the threat you are most likely to encounter.

• WHAT IS THE BEST CONCEALABLE BODY ARMOR?

  Chowey Armor's selection includes the body armor you need, no matter what your requirements or price range are. The greatest vests available right now at the best prices are listed here, making it simple to select the ideal covert protection. 

  
  

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• New design Laser Cut Molle Bulletproof Vest Quick-release Multi-functional Bulletproof Vest for Police

   Conform to NIJ Standard-0101.06

   Level IIIA is threat tested against .357, 9mm, 45acp, .44 magnum

   Water-resistant panel cover with heat-sealed seams · Lightweight 4-way stretch ripstop shell fabric

    Complementary lightweight spacer mesh liner for improved airflow

   Front and back plate pocket for optional level IIIA, III, IV hard plates

   With a variety of equipment bags

• FINAL THOUGHTS
  

  Concealable body armor is one of the most important purchases you’re ever going to make. Consider whether you’d be best served by a ballistic vest, a stab resistant vest, or a multi threat vest.

  
  

  To choose the right size, stand naturally and have an assistant take your measurements so that the proper amount of space and overlap is present when wearing the body armor, and the equipment is comfortable and allows mobility. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when cleaning all components of body armor to maintain effectiveness.