Best Body Armor [Tested]: Hard Plates & Soft Armor - Pew Pew Tactical

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Updated 10.12.23: Removed AR500 Lightweight UHMWPE

Looking to prevent extra holes in your body?

The world of body armor is confusing…with misinformation abounding and tons of technical stuff. But we’ve got you covered.

The Pew Pew Tactical team and network have been wearing all different types of armor for years. And we’ve shot up a BUNCH of body armor.

And before we run through our recommendations…we’ll walk you through the important technical aspects so you can choose the best armor for your end-use and budget.

Ready? Let’s go!

Safe Life Multi-Threat Level IIIA Vest

AR500 Level III+ Lightweight Steel Body Armor

Spartan Armor Body Armor Single Plate Level III+

Spartan Armor Elaphros Level III UHMWPE Body Armor, Set of 2

AR500 Level IV Ceramic Body Armor

RTS Tactical Carrier & Armor Kits

Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plates

Mira Tactical Level IV Plate

Almost all manufacturers are under a big lead time due to current events…so be aware!

Best Soft Armor for Civilians & Law Enforcement

A light and comfortable all-in-one solution that can be worn outside to be super concealable.

The Safe Life Multi-Threat Vest in Level 3A gives you a lot of coverage on your torso and sides. Check out the panels that go into the vest.

Plus, it’s strike and slash resistant…and doesn’t add too much width to your sides.

It comes in other variants such as First Response, Level 3A+, High-Vis, and Tactical Molle.

We’ve been wearing it around the office, and so far, it’s very comfortable as advertised.

Stay tuned for our shooting tests! But for right now highly recommend it for an all-in-one handgun-rated low-profile vest.

Use code PEWPEW10 for 10% off.

Safe Life Multi-Threat Level IIIA Vest

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

The FRAS system is much thicker/heavier compared to the regular Level 3A system above, but it’s still reasonably soft and bendy where it counts.

Keep in mind if you want rifle-rated armor, you’d have to go hard plates.

This system covers much more of your torso compared with plates.

The weight is around the same as going with a super light carrier and plates (small is around 15 lbs).

Check out the number of plates a single FRAS replaces…

We’re going to train with this one soon, but one possible drawback is that the cumberbund isn’t too stretchy and might inhibit heavy breathing. Oh, yea…and it’s a pretty penny.

We’ll report back with some testing, but this is really cool if it can replace plates in certain situations.

Use code PEWPEW10 for 10% off.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Next up…the ability to defeat rifle rounds!

Best AR500-Based Steel Armor Plates

We’re big fans of AR500 Armor (yes, confusing name), who is likely the largest player in AR500-based armor. And who we’ve tested it ourselves.

Check this video out for all their offerings:

As well as our full review of all their products.

One of our favorites (and what we wear most of the time) is their Level III+ Lightweight Steel Body Armor.

As we mentioned, Level III+ isn’t an NIJ rating, so pay attention to the details. AR500 uses independent testing and is very clear about what its armor can and cannot handle.

Level III+ takes care of the zippy M193 5.56 rounds (which are standard NATO rounds).

Plus…it’s much more lightweight and thinner than its regular III+ counterpart.

We’d also recommend going with their curve for comfort and a build-up layer of Paxcon to mitigate spalling.

AR500 Level III+ Lightweight Steel Body Armor

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

What’s your take on the AR500 Armor Level III+ Lightweight? Rate it below.

Another big player in the AR500-based steel armor space is Spartan Armor.

Their plates look better, and they have more movement-inducing cuts compared to AR500 Armor.

They also use a nicer feeling/looking coating comparatively and a rubbery material on the back…if that matters.

Again, we’d go with their Level III+ plates for proper rifle protection.

They are NIJ certified, and we’ll be bringing their plates out to the desert soon for our own testing!

We recommend upgrading to the Full Coat Frag Mitigation Coating for additional protection from shrapnel. It will increase the weight of your plates a bit but will protect you from spalling.

Spartan Armor Body Armor Single Plate Level III+

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

How about something lighter but at the cost of a little thickness?

If you want ultra-light protection that still will defend you against rifle-rated threats, check out Spartan Armor Elaphros Lightweight Level III UHMWPE body armor.

These plates were designed for operators who needed maximum maneuverability but still wanted great protection at an extended distance. They’re also stab-resistant for close-quarters protection and are multi-shot rated.

Manufactured using Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Hybrid Fibers, these plates weigh in at a mere 3.5 pounds per 10×12 plate.

We shot them up in our standalone Ceramic & UHMWPE Body Armor review.

It took Tula 7.62×39 strong and had some more extensive rear deformation from M80 (7.62×51). But you’d probably survive.

Stopping Wolf .223 was easy, and we actually had a difficult time finding the impact.

And although the Elaphros technically isn’t rated for the faster M193…it survived that as well. However, it did get stopped by M855 Green Tip.

The lesson here is…if Level 3 is all you need…this will do it.

Spartan Armor Elaphros Level III UHMWPE Body Armor, Set of 2

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Spartan offers a 5-year warranty, and these plates have a 5-year shelf life. But if you’re looking for a little more protection…check out…

Best Ceramic Level IV Body Armor

If you’re looking for a little bit more serious protection and don’t mind the bulk, AR500’s Level IV Ceramic/PE armor might be what you’re looking for.

Like the AR500 steel plates, you can find ceramic plates in a variety of cuts and sizes.

You’ll pay a little more per plate than you would for similar steel plates, but you do get an extra level of protection from high-powered rounds.

These plates run about an inch thick and weigh about 8.3 pounds a plate. They also come with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and have a 10-year shelf-life.

Oh, yea…and they stopped a couple of shots of 30.06 M2AP armor-piercing rounds.

If you’ve got the dough…

AR500 Level IV Ceramic Body Armor

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

RTS Tactical is a relative newcomer, but they’ve made a name for themselves with ultra-affordable ceramic level IV armor at ~$150 a plate.

Scary…having affordable and level IV in the same sentence…

One thing that’s different is that they are some thicc bois at 1.1″ and 6.3 lbs.

The weight is actually ok, but you’ll need a more conventional carrier rather than something more minimalist since it likely won’t be able to hold it. My Crye JPC 2.0 did not like it at all.

But there are enough YouTube videos out there showing decent punishment. And I received a third-party ballistic test result from them.

We finally got the chance to test them in our Ceramic & UHMWPE series.

An initial 7.62×39 shot landed dead center, and the plate has very little cavitation.

However, additional hits from M80 ball caused severe damage and effectively put the plate out of the running.

Some .223 rounds after started deflecting, and the final Black Tip rounds cut the plate in half…something we didn’t see in other Level 4 plates.

Unfortunately, our sequence of rounds didn’t lend the plate well to a direct Black Tip hit to start off with…but for the price, it did really well against 7.62×39.

RTS Tactical Ceramic Level IV Plate

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

If you’re going the affordable route…check out their plate/carrier combos so you can be sure it will fit.

The carrier is decently built but a little cumbersome by today’s standards. Still good if you aren’t using it day in and day out.

RTS Tactical Carrier & Armor Kits

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

When price is no object for the right protection.

Their body armor is top-of-the-line and trusted by law enforcement and military personnel, and it’s for a good reason.

The Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plates are multi-strike rated and tested against 7.62×39 Mild Steel Core, 7.62×51 M80 Ball, 5.56×45 M855, and 5.56×45 M193, which puts this armor at around a level III+ (though Velocity doesn’t specify).

These plates only come in a 10×12 inch traditional cut size, but they’re triple curved to hug the contour of your body and are 0.60 inches thick.

Each plate weighs 6 pounds, which does put them on the heavier–but more protective–end of things.

Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plates

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

It can be hard to get ahold of Velocity Systems armor since the company will only sell directly to law enforcement or the military, but it can be found at other retailers.

Is RMA really the king of armor?

Their Level IV’s come in at a super hefty 8 pounds per plate and are 1 inch thick.

Off to the desert for testing!

Our first 7.62×39 round took a good chunk of ceramic but didn’t manage to fully penetrate …on all other plates, we could see the backing material.

Plus…no backface deformation that we could tell.

Our M80 7.62×51 shots managed to sneak one round through when it was very close to a previous hole.

The same thing occurred with Wolf .223 as the end of the strings got through as the plate got more and more damaged.

However…the M2AP Black Tip was stopped…and with almost no rear deformation.

A second round of Black Tip was not a good time, though…

The price is good at ~$160 a plate for certified Level 4 protection. It’s a little heavier, but rear deformation is almost nonexistent for the shots it stopped.

But if you’re looking for good multi-hit protection, you might want to move on. We reached out to RMA, and we’ve got you a 5% discount with code PEWPEWTACTICAL5 .

RMA Armament Level IV Multi-Curve Plate

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

We love our Mira gas masks, as reviewed in our Best Gas Masks article.

But how does their armor fare? Specifically their Level IV.

Again…take a look at the details in our Ceramic & WHMWPE test in the desert. But here’s the gist.

It was the only Level IV plate to take two direct M2AP hits.

But let’s back it up… They are pretty light at under 6 pounds per plate and .9 inches thick .

Our starting Tula 7.62×39 rounds didn’t cause any issues, although a good amount of ceramic was blown out…par for the course.

The next M80 shot took out another chunk of ceramic but had no rear exit hole. However, there was a decently noticeable distension in the back.

The second M80 shot somehow got deflected upwards. Commendable in stopping two 7.62×51 rounds when others failed.

Onto four rounds of .223…only the last one got through after the previous three seriously compromised the area. Not bad.

At this point, we were afraid the plate was not going to survive any M2AP Black Tip rounds.

It caught the first one, which tied it with the previous ceramic plates.

And amazingly caught a second round.

If you’re looking at an all-around Level 4 ceramic plate …the Mira Tactical Level IV is a great choice.

We’ve got you a discount as well…save 15% off armor with code PEWPEW15.

Mira Tactical Level IV Plate

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

We’ve gone through all our civilian options…

Now, how about something for law enforcement?

These are from well-known companies that sell exclusively to the police and military. Sorry, normies!

They are usually custom-fit since they are meant to be worn all day long.

If you were looking for something more concealable than a plate carrier, Safariland should be one of your go-to’s. Trusted by law enforcement, Safariland offers a variety of soft ballistic panels, including the Matrix Ballistic Panel.

This soft armor is rated Level II, which means it protects against stabs and most pistol-caliber threats. It’s thin and lightweight, so it can be concealed under clothing or uniforms, but offers a significant amount of coverage and protection.

It’s less than a quarter of an inch thick, and its ergonomic design makes it much more comfortable to wear on duty or for long periods of time.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

It pairs with a covert carrier, which will allow you to wear this armor under your clothing.

Another pick from Safariland, the SX ballistic panel, is the thinnest, lightest, and one of the strongest panels on the market.

It’s rated Level II, so you still get protection from many pistol calibers and stab threats, but it is a mere 0.16 inches thick.

Safariland designs its ballistic panel with comfort and ergonomics in mind. Protecting your life doesn’t have to mean neglecting your comfort!

Like the Matrix panel, the SX needs to be worn with a covert carrier.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Want to know what other brand of body armor is trusted by law enforcement? US Armor creates custom-fitted armor solutions, like their Enforcer 6000 soft body armor.

These ballistic panels cover threat levels at either Level II or Level IIIA, depending on which model you select. The Level II panels are 0.17 inches thick, while the Level IIIA panels are 0.26 inches thick–making this an extraordinarily comfortable covert armor to wear.

US Armor also uses Outlast Fabric technology, which helps keep the wearer cool and dissipates heat handily. While US Armor does offer standard sizing, they’re best known for their custom fittings, so your armor can be tailor-made to fit your form.

The downside is — custom-fitted armor requires a bit more work, a bit more time, and, of course, a bit more money as well.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Check out US Armor’s Master Product Catalog and get in touch with their sales team to place your order.

Now…time for the best carriers and accessories!

Whether you’re planning to pick up some standalone plates or spring for a set, there are still plenty of must-have accessories to go with your shiny new armor.

We mentioned it a few times above, but all the stand-alone plates that we talked about are worn inside of a plate carrier–a tactical vest with special pockets designed just for your body armor plates.

You can find carriers with velcro and MOLLE so you can attach all your gear to them, and you can also find carriers that can be hidden under your clothing for more subtlety. Choosing your plate carrier will depend on the type of plates or panels you buy.

You may be able to mix and match brands between your plates and your carrier, but when in doubt–stick with the same brand. Some armor systems work best when all parts are from the same manufacturer.

That being said, let’s look at some of our favorites!

We’ll start with the AR500 Testudo Gen 2 Plate Carrier, which is sized for AR500’s larger plate offerings. It features a fully adjustable cummerbund and shoulder straps, 3D Mesh technology to increase breathability, and plenty of gear-mounting options.

AR500 Testudo Gen 2 Plate Carrier

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

There’s also the AR500 Veritas Modular Plate Carrier, which is the smaller version of the Testudo. It has all the same great features, it’s just sized for smaller plates and smaller bodies.

Both the Testudo and Veritas carriers are available in coyote, olive drab, multi-cam, and black.

AR500 Veritas Modular Plate Carrier

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

For a super-light option, check out Crye Precision’s AirLite SPC.

The entire system weighs just over one pound, so you can cut the weight without sacrificing your protection. The mesh design also offers superior breathability.

You can get it in ranger green, multi-cam, black, and coyote.

Crye Precision’s AirLite SPC

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

If you’re looking for a covert carrier, we’ve got you covered with the Safariland M2 Covert Carrier. Not only is it low-profile and highly durable, but it’s easily washable, which is a big plus for people wearing protection every day.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

The anti-microbial, wicking mesh lining will keep you dry and cool all day long for a truly comfortable covert body armor. It’s available in a variety of colors, including tan, olive drab, navy, black, and white.

A current favorite of ours is the Ferro Concepts Slickster which is super low profile but can be built up with an additional kit.

We do an in-depth review here that includes a video.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

If you’re looking for a no-frills, low-profile approach to the original Slickster, but looking for some high-speed, quality-of-life improvements — the Advanced Slickster might be exactly what you want.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

You may not realize it, but body armor plates are only designed to stop a bullet — not make it comfortable. Body armor absorbs the ballistic energy of a bullet to some extent, but you’re still going to feel pretty dang sore afterward.

One way of mitigating the soreness is by wearing a trauma pad, like the AR500 Trauma Pad, under your armor.

These are non-ballistic pads, which means that they don’t provide additional protection. What they do instead is instantly harden upon impact, increasing the rigid surface area of your armor and helping to decrease the amount of energy transferred from your armor to you.

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

AR500 offers trauma pads cut to match all of their different plate sizes, so all you have to do is match them to your plates.

RTS Tactical Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shield

If you prefer Captain America to Iron Man, we have some ballistic alternatives for you! RTS Tactical has a series of shields, and we’ve tested them.

These steel Level III+ shields have a handle, a trauma pad to protect the forearm, and a retention strap. They are easy to use and comfortable to wear, depending on your strength.

They come in three different sizes, S, M, and L, and offer more protection the bigger they get, but they’re also heavier.

You can check out the full review, but suffice it to say, we were impressed with how they performed. We shot one with 9mm, .45 cal., M855 5.56mm, and even some shotgun slugs.

Nothing got through. Actually, the shield barely even looked like it was damaged.

The exterior lost some of its polyurea finish but was hardly even dented. The tested shield’s handle got a little loose after all the knocking around but tightened back up with some tools.

RTS Tactical Special Threats Mini Shields

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

RTS Tactical Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow

I can see where you might be scratching your head with this one. We were too at first, but we shot it anyway!

The idea of a ballistic pillow is interesting. Say you hear something go bump in the middle of the night, a pillow is one of the closest things to you.

You could respond with a firearm in one hand and, using the included handle, a pillow in the other. The tactics are very similar to the shields above.

These pillows are memory foam and actually very comfortable to sleep on (tested). They also stop IIIA threats.

Ours caught the 9mm, .45 cal. , and shotgun slugs, but the M855 got through as they are not rated for rifles.

RTS Tactical Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

There’s a myth that it’s illegal for civilians to own body armor, and it certainly seems true when you’re shopping around.

Some companies will only sell to you with the proper documentation indicating your status as an LEO or military member.

Truth is — all civilians in the U.S., with the exception of felons, can legally own body armor.

There may be some local regulations, so you should check out your local laws to make sure you’re in the clear. Don’t just take our word for it.

And unfortunately, after mass shootings…there’s been some lawmakers calling to add body armor regulations on regular civilians.

Will I become bulletproof with body armor?

In short–no. They’re bullet-resistant, meaning that they increase the rates of survival, decrease the severity of injuries that occur, and give you a better chance. 

All body armor can be defeated –it may just be a matter of what is shooting at it or how many times you’re hit.

And don’t think you can simply get up after getting shot while in body armor…chances are you’re going to be in a world of pain with possible broken ribs and internal bleeding.

That’s a TV/movie trope. And lastly…be sure to check out threat level ratings when shopping for armor, too. Get the level that is appropriate for the types of threats you might face.

Now…let’s squash some misconceptions about body armor legality.

Even if you don’t work in a vocation that requires protection from flying lead, there are still plenty of reasons to want a set of body armor…

The main one is…because you can . Second, you’ll look cool. But here are some of our other favorites…

Ok, let’s get this one out of the way… there are some pretty inexpensive (and long-lasting) hard plate body armor packages if you’re planning on protecting your home or roaming for supplies.

You probably don’t have time to don some armor…but peace of mind is a good reason. I recommend a Tough Hook system.

You’ll probably look more like a goober if you’re donning plates at the local range. But if you shoot in the open (or go to terrible ranges)…it doesn’t seem that bad of an idea.

Pe Bullet Proof Material Live-action role-playing…uh, yea…we don’t do this…we swear 🙂