We want you to make an educated decision when you purchase your body armor. Most people don't know the basics, even many police officers and military veterans who wear armor everyday. Read on and learn so you can shop smartly.
You need to purchase both armor and a way to carry the armor. That means you will need a plate carrier or a backpack capable of holding an armor plate as well as the armor.If you have neither armor nor a carrier, then you can purchase a combo that includes both (you get a small discount by purchasing them together).
Different levels of armor.
The National Institute of Justice is the governing body over the standards and levels of body armor. Basically, there are two types of ballistic armor categories. One is designed to only stop bullets from pistols and the other will stop bullets from pistols and rifles.You should purchase armor for what you believeyou aremost-likely to encounter.
  • Level IIIa (3a) will stop traditional pistol rounds and is rated to stop a 357magnum. I say traditional because there are rifle cartridges that can be fired from pistols. Level IIIa will stop 9mm, 40cal, 45cal, etc. Our Level IIIa will also stop knives (both slashing and jabbing). It's very lightweight (~1lbs/square foot) and flexible.
  • Level III (3)is rated to stop most rifle bullets. This includes full metal jacket (FMJ), hollow point (HP), etc. It will not stop a direct hit from an 30 caliber Armor Piercing (AP)bullet. However, our armor has been tested by the US Army and has been proven to stop AP bullets when they strike at a 30 degree angle. It weighs about 9lbs/ square foot.
  • Level IV (4) is the highest rating of personal body armor. Level IV will stop pistol rounds and rifle rounds, including a direct shot from a 30 caliber AP bullet. This bullet is the same size that is fired from a 30-06.
What level armor should you buy? Most customers purchase the level III or level IV because they believe that in the day they will need to wear body armor, they won't be facing pistol threats any longer. However, the fact is that today you are 100x's more likely to be shot with a pistol in an armed encounter in America. Weight is another factor.
If you are not physically fit or strong enough to carry a ~20 pound nap sack for a few hours, you might consider the level IIIa or purchasing the level III or IV and begin working out to reach the fitness level you desire.
Ceramic or Steel?
  • Our level 3 plates are made from Ballistic Steel that is made in the USA. This is the same type of steel that is used to up-armor military HUMVEEs and other vehicles. It is 1/4" thick. Steel is harder than the lead and copper bullets that are fired at it and it causes the bullets to explode/shatter on impact. We coat it with a high density rubber material called poly-urea. That rubber traps the bullet fragments and helps to prevent secondary injury from bullet shrapnel. Level III plates can take a LOT of hits (100s) before failing.
  • Our Level IV platesare made of a Ceramic Composite glued to an Ultra High Density Poly-Eurea (UHDPE) backing and then covered in 500 denier fabric (thick). Ceramic works by slowing and trapping the bullet between the ceramic (which becomes shattered) and the UHDPE. Because of the way Ceramic works to stop the bullet, it is limited in the number of bullets it can stop. While most other ceramics can only stop a handful of bullets before failing, ours can stop up to 30 rounds from an AR-15.
What plate carrier should youbuy? Most customers will be perfectly happy with the Viper Modular Operator Plate Carrier. The Viper is inexpensive and adjusts to fit most body shapes and sizes from medium to XXL. It has adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable cumberbun. It is recommended by the National Tactical Officer Association (NTOA); however it is manufactured in China. If you want to purchase a more robust plate carrier, then you may consider our specially designed Bellator. The Bellator is 100% made in the USA and is made to military standards in every regard. Top of the line materials and construction. It does not fit XXL very well, but we do have youth and women's models. If you are a Big and Tall man (6 feet or taller and 220+) then you may consider the Defender. The benefit to the Defender is that it fits large people very well and it can accommodate the BALCS armor (which is two large panels of level IIIa that go from your neck to your waist and under your arm pits).
Colors? Many people like black because it looks cool (it does) and it may match their uniform or other equipment. However, black is not commonly found in nature; so, if you think you may have to hide or want to blend in with your environment (including crowds), you might consider a different color. I always recommend camouflage (in any variety) since it works to break up the visual pattern (that's why the military and hunters use it). If you want to go with a solid color (it's cheaper) I'd recommend Olive Drab (OD) green or Coyote Tan. These are colors that are found in nature and you can always add camouflage Molle gear to dress it up (more on that below).
MOLLE? The carriers we sell are covered in Molle webbing (pronounced 'Molly'). Molle webbing is a strap system that allows you toattach poucheslike first aid kits, magazine pouches, holsters, and more. I recommend that everyone carry an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) and at least four extra magazines for the rifle they will carry. There's a tendency to go overboard with attachments, and I urge you to keep it as minimalist as possible.
Youcan add ahydration bladder, canteen(s), knives, holsters, flashlights, food pouches, gloves, cleaning kits, mess kits, and more. If you need to carry more stuff, use a backpack.
Side Plates?There is a study by the Department of Defense that said that between 60-80% of Marine fatalities could have been avoided had they been wearing side plates. 6 months after that report, every deployed Marine was issued side plates. My personal opinion is that it's better to have them available than to not have them at all. Assess the situation and make the decision when the time comes.
What about other companies' armor? They say that 'Imitation is the best form of flattery'. We were among the first to commerciallycoat level III steel plates with anti-spall/ anti-shrapnel poly-urea over 2 years ago. Since then,a lot of competition has sprung up with cheaper alternatives. Consider the source of the metal: is theirs made inChina or elsewhere? Others use the same metal as us but often lack in their application skills of the poly-urea causing premature wear of the carrier and unreliable results when shot. Lastly, ask if they warranty their plates. We warranty our plates for life! When purchasing armor, it might not be the best practice to go with the lowest bidder.


Perfect Your Form
An air squat, also called a body weight squat, is an effective exercise for both the beginner and the advanced athlete. It uses just your body weight to tone and strengthen the muscles of your buttocks--gluteus minimus and maximus--and your thigh muscles, the hamstrings and quadriceps. Air squats also increase flexibility in the hamstrings and glutes. This exercise is effective for people on the go who might not have access to a gym or weight-training equipment.

Step 1

Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width apart, your toes turned out slightly and your arms resting at your sides.

Step 2

Engage your abdominal muscles and broaden across your chest by gently pulling your shoulder blades in towards each other.

Step 3

Bend your knees slowly, pushing your butt and hips out and down behind you as if you are sitting down into a chair. Keep your head and shoulders aligned over your knees and your knees aligned over your ankles. Keep your weight balanced evenly between the front and back of your feet.

Step 4

Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Keep your knees externally rotating, or tracking over your toes; don't let them fall inward. As you lower down, raise your arms up and in front of you no higher than parallel to the ground. Maintain broadness across the chest and lift the torso up off the thighs.
You can also do this workout with a backpack or body armor on to increase resistance.