New to body armor? Work through these steps in order and you will end up with armor that fits your needs, your budget and your body.
1. Decide what you need protection from
Most handgun threats can be stopped by soft armor, which is light enough to wear all day. Rifle rounds need hard plates. Be honest about the threat you are planning for, because that one choice drives weight, cost and comfort.
2. Pick a protection level
Armor is rated by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The newer NIJ 0101.07 standard uses HG levels for handgun threats and RF levels for rifle threats. Plenty of good armor is still labeled under the older 0101.06 standard (Level IIIA, Level III, Level IV), and those ratings remain valid.
3. Choose your plate material and cut
Steel is cheap and tough but heavy. Ceramic gives strong rifle protection at a middle weight. Polyethylene is the lightest but thickest. The cut decides how much coverage you trade for arm movement.
4. Get the fit right
A plate that rides too low protects your belly instead of your heart. The top edge belongs near the notch at the top of your breastbone, and the width should roughly match the distance between your nipples. Most adults wear a medium 10 x 12 plate.
5. Choose how you will carry it
Soft armor rides in a concealable vest under a shirt. Plates go in a plate carrier. A chest rig carries magazines and gear but stops nothing on its own.
6. Train in it
Wear your armor to the range. You will quickly find what needs to change in your mount, your draw and your reloads.
Know the law
Body armor rules vary by state, and federal law bars people convicted of violent felonies from owning it. Check the laws where you live before you buy. We are shooters, not lawyers.