You spend every shift for several years wearing the same ballistic vest under your uniform. You know it's there keeping you safe, but it's even better when you aren't constantly aware of this protection because it fits just right. Thanks to thinner, more advanced ballistic packages as well as carriers featuring high-tech materials and designs, manufacturers are able to make concealable vests more comfortable and effective. Here's a look at some standout vests available right now.
Concealable Ballistic Vests
Kejo's Ranger concealable ballistic vest, Level IIA, uses Kevlar or Twaron material, allowing the vest to follow the contours of the body. The Ranger provides front, back, and side ballistic protection in both the male and female models. Features include an adjustable side closure design, a six-point adjustable poly-cotton machine washable carrier, and a sternum trauma plate pocket. The average weight of the front and back ballistic panels is about 3.25 pounds.
Point Blank Body Armor's new Vision NIJ Certified Level IIIA ballistic system (AIIIA-1) is a lightweight vest, weighing 0.98 pounds per square foot with a thinness of 0.3 inches. Ready for daylong comfort, Vision delivers bullet-stopping power that has been tested against "special threats" fragmentation projectiles including 2-grain, 4-grain, 16-grain, and 64-grain Right Circular Cylinders (RCC). The vest has also been shown to reduce the effects of blunt trauma.
Armor Express presents the Revolution concealable carrier system. With a lightweight microfiber shell, anti-microbial lining, and a microfiber "wearstrip" for added durability, the Revolution offers comfort and breathability to its users. The Revolution is available in both male and fully structured female models. The concealable vest is NIJ 0101.06 Certified in level II or IIIA.
KDH Defense Systems' Elite concealable carrier is designed to maximize comfort as well as protection. This vest has front-loading ballistic panels, a cool anti-microbial all-mesh inner liner, and a fully adjustable six-point strapping system. These features work together to ensure a comfortable fit. In addition, extended shoulder coverage provides the user with an industry-leading amount of protection.
U.S. Armor, celebrating its 25th anniversary, has developed the Enforcer XP. This concealable vest is designed with removable and washable panel covers in both male and female sizes. With DuPont Kevlar XP ballistic material, this vest uses anti-microbial, closed-hole mesh fabric, making it waterproof while giving it breathability. This vest also uses Comfort Curve, a padded shoulder strap system for even weight distribution.
Safariland's hybrid design for the XTREME HPO1 Type II vest is an ultra-thin, lightweight model. The vest incorporates vertical and horizontal Geometric technology, Curv resistance, and DSM Dyneema ballistic material, which is 15 times the strength of steel. The HP01 Type II provides increased reduction in blunt trauma and improved ballistic performance. It comes standard in a Universal AJ carrier, which is available in seven colors.