Best Body Armor 2023

Nov 06, 2023

Navigating through the vast array of ballistic vests solutions available in the market can be a daunting task. Selecting the ideal body armor that meets your specific requirements is often a challenging process.

However, fear not, as BodyArmorNews.com has got you covered! Let us make your quest easier and assist you in finding the perfect body armor solution. Aiming to offer the most protection and comfort.

For 2023, we have assessed six top-notch ballistic packages that are concealable and lightweight. If you are looking for the ultimate protection, these products are the cream of the crop. It's essential to consider the worth of a life-saving product when selecting a ballistic vest. As it is a crucial investment that could save your life.

To aid in your decision-making process, we have compiled details on six incredible soft armor panel solutions. Some of which are from the most reputable body armor manufacturers in the industry.

These manufacturers include; Slate Solutions, Armor Express, Point Blank Enterprises Inc, EnGarde, Safariland Armor and Armor Matrix Systems.

1. Thickness

2. Weight

The weight of a panel is a crucial factor to consider while selecting body armor. A lighter panel provides you with more opportunities to carry extra load-bearing equipment. Additionally, a lighter ballistic vest is usually more comfortable to wear. Making it ideal for prolonged usage. To compare the weight of various panels, it'srecommended to use a lbs/ft² (or kg/m²) calculation. That is because not all panels provide the same ballistic coverage. This method ensures a fair comparison between panels of different sizes and shapes.

3. Flexibility

4. Warranty / Sustainability

The warranty offered by a body armor manufacturer states the period during which they guarantee the ballistic properties of their armor panel. A longer warranty impacts the cost per year calculation (=price vest : warranty period) for a ballistic vest.

For instance, suppose a vest costs US$ 1000 and has a warranty of 5 years. In that case, it would be twice as expensive as a US$ 1000 vest that has a warranty of 10 years. Which is based on the price per year calculation.

As the body armor industry strives to become more sustainable, the lifespan (and thus warranty) of a ballistic panel is incredibly important. Therefore a longer lifespan contributes to a higher sustainability score.

5. Price

Manufacturer:Soft armor solution:Threat level:Ballistic material:Thickness:Weight:Warranty:Flexibility:Retail price (incl. conc. car):Estimated Leadtime:

Slate SolutionsSLXIIIAIIIAAramid and UHMWPE.21 inches / 5.3 mm0.86 lbs/ft² and 4.2 kg/m²5 yearsvery highUS$ 950 (US$ 190 per year)5-6 weeks

SLXIIIA Weight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card8/108/108/108/105/10

7.4 out of 10

Manufacturer:Soft armor solution:Threat level:Ballistic material:Thickness:Weight:Warranty:Flexibility:Retail price (incl. conc. car):Estimated Leadtime:

Armor ExpressRZR-XT-IIIAIIIAAramid and UHMWPE.20 inches / 5.1 mm0.84 lbs/ft² and 4.1 kg/m²5 yearsvery highUS$ 1785 (US$ 357 per year)4-6 weeks

RZRG2-A-IIIAWeight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card8/108/108/104/105/10

6.6 out of 10

Manufacturer:Soft armor solution:Threat level:Ballistic material:Thickness:Weight:Warranty:Flexibility:Retail price (incl. conc. car):Estimated Leadtime:

Armor Matrix SystemsPP-GEN7-IIIAIIIAUHMWPE.23 inches / 6 mm0.96 lbs/ft² and 4.7 kg/m²7 yearshighUS$ 550 (US$ 79 per year)2 weeks

PP-GEN7-IIIAWeight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card6/107/108/1010/107/10

7.6 out of 10

Manufacturer:Soft armor solution:Threat level:Ballistic material:Thickness:Weight:Warranty:Flexibility:Retail price (incl. conc. car):Estimated Leadtime: Point Blank EnterprisesAXBIIIAIIIAAramid and UHMWPE0.19 inches / 4.8 mm0.79 lbs/ft² and 3.9 kg/m²5 yearshighUS$ 1984 (US$ 397 per year)7-8 weeks

AXBIIIAWeight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card9/108/109/103/105/10

6.8 out of 10

Manufacturer:Soft armor solution:Threat level:Ballistic material:Thickness:Weight:Warranty:Flexibility:Retail price (incl. conc. car):Estimated Leadtime:

EnGarde body armorFLEX-PRO™IIIAAramid and UHMWPE0.23 inches / 6 mm0.92 p/sf and 4.5 kg/m27 yearsvery highUS$ 845 (US$ 135 per year)1 week

FLEX-PRO™Weight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card7/108/107/108/107/10

7.4 out of 10

HW-2019-01-SBWeight:Flexibility:Thickness:Price:Warranty:

score card10/108/107/104/105/10

6.8 out of 10

All the ballistic panels reviewed are exceptional products. They represent the finest and most discreet level IIIA armor options currently available on the market. Whichever panel you choose from this list is sure to surpass your expectations.

This panel has an advantage over its competitors since it has a lower price and a longer lifespan/warranty. An extra benefit is that the PP-GEN7-IIIA panel can be shipped within two weeks.

Although this brings us to the end of the best body armor 2023 rankings, we have included some more general information that will help you make your choice! And so, before wrapping up, let's talk about what body armor is and why you need it.

Bulletproof vests are made up of a textile carrier that holds two armor panels. Although they are not bulletproof, they provide significant ballistic protection against various threats. These panels belong to two categories: either hard armor or soft armor.

Hard armor panels provide protection against heavy threats posed by assault rifles. While soft armor is designed to shield against lower threats, such as handgun ammunition.

The National Institute of Justice in the US certifies and tests these panels. Most manufacturers follow the NIJ Standard-0101.06, which ranges from II (the lowest handgun protection) to IV (the highest protection).

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