Tactical vests have been a staple not only for law enforcement and military personnel but also for the average person who happens to love the outdoors and survival training. These handy and functional vests can also protect you from bullets, depending on which type you use.
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As a part of your complete tactical clothing collection, a tactical vest should be comfortable at all times. It should also serve the purpose of why you have it in the first place. This purpose may vary from one person to another.
Tactical vests have varying features suitable for your needs. Knowing the essential features you should look for will help you decide which one is likely to be the best choice for you.
A tactical vest is typically a part of law enforcement and military uniforms, allowing them to carry gear like ammunition and magazines when they are on duty.
Sometimes referred to as an army vest, the tactical vest has also made its way into the hearts of non-uniformed personnel as well. The storage functionality it offers makes it convenient for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists, as it allows them to store tactical accessories like knives, flashlights, and gloves.
Tactical vests come in different designs but are often made of durable, water-resistant fabrics and steel wire for stabilization.
Often, the terms tactical vest, plate carrier, and chest rig are used interchangeably when it shouldn&#;t be the case.
A plate carrier is a type of tactical vest, but a chest rig is totally different. Though a chest rig offers the same convenience when it comes to storing essential gear and other tactical equipment, it doesn&#;t contain the body armor typically found in a plate carrier.
Premium brands like Rothco and Barska carry reliable and durable tactical chest rigs for more storage space.
The plate carrier, on the other hand, is a heavy tactical vest that holds plates or body armor meant for protection against weapons and bullets. This makes a plate carrier a good bulletproof vest to keep you safe from unwanted dangers.
Body armor plate carriers protect the heart and lungs. It partially ensures the safety of the wearer when worn properly. Take note that not all plate carriers have the same level of protection since they have been classified into different levels based on the protection they offer.
Tactical vests are not all made equal. They differ in their use and the gear they can hold. With that said, expect that the pouches also differ in size and number.
What do you need to look for when buying tactical vests? The best tactical vests don&#;t rely on function alone but also on the comfort of the wearer.
Despite having different lifestyles and needs for a vest, this essential gear must boast of the following key features:
The main purpose of using tactical vests is to store more items needed for the job and outdoor survival. That is why a good feature of a vest is the number of pouches or pockets it has.
Most vests have space for a radio, pistol mag pouches, a pistol holder, and other utility pockets. Think about the things you have to carry around with you. Then, choose the vest that can handle your stuff properly without overcrowding the pockets.
The MOLLE System is a good feature, but not all vests have it. MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment and is a popular plate carrier system.
Due to its modular design, it can be used in any situation while allowing the user to move comfortably. The main attraction of a MOLLE vest is its webbing, which is made from durable and reliable nylon straps. It also allows customized attachments so that you can easily sort out the things that you need to carry around.
Adjustable straps are not simply there for adjustments but to ensure your comfort as well. Tactical vests with straps you can easily adjust allow better movement and increase your body&#;s range of motion when you need more flexibility.
An armor plate vest should also be adjustable to ensure better protection against gunshots. Ballistic plates installed in a tactical vest should be in the right position for them to give utmost protection against injuries. An armor carrier vest should always have a good fit.
Depending on the design, tactical vests have to hold heavy body armor plates at times. Given the weight load the vest deals with, materials used in construction should be durable enough to withstand tough situations.
Since the vest is placed over combat shirts such as BDU shirts, it deals with more external elements. A vest made with weak materials can&#;t be considered tactical at all since it won&#;t be able to handle extreme conditions.
Vests should further be reinforced with heavy-duty buckles, extra padding, and strong zippers for them to be sturdier.
Tactical vests also differ in style depending on use. Harness battle belts, for example, are meant to hold firearms, ammunition, and a few other tools and equipment like a bleeding kit. However, these harness belts don&#;t cover the entire chest area and don&#;t offer as much protection as plate carriers do.
Another design type is a cross-draw vest. The simple and convenient design of the vest makes it a top choice for many uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. This is also a top choice, often used as an Airsoft vest where users can store their airsoft gun and pellets more conveniently.
There are other designs for tactical vests. Before getting yours, know which design type works best for your needs.
Carrying important stuff around in a vest is more convenient than stowing it away inside tactical backpacks or bags.
The use of tactical vests for gear provides easy access to what you need. This improves self-protection against dangers while also ensuring the comfort of the wearer.
Since not all tactical vests are created equal, get yours from a trusted dealer like All Security Equipment. We carry reputable brands for tactical clothing and gear. Feel free to check our website for any of your outdoor needs, like tactical slings and tactical boots, among others.
Brand
BulletSafe American Body Armor Xtreme HP Second Chance Monarch Safeguard Commander Bulletblocker - Defender Plus Point Blank GH Armor SystemsProtection Level
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
IIIA (3A)
Price
$299
$862
$
$520
$599
$399
$938
Sizes
S,M,L,XL, XXL
Custom
Custom
S,M,L,XL,XXL, 3X ($570), 4X ($620)
XS,S,M,L, XL,XXL
XS,S,M,L, XL,XXL
S,M,L,XL,XXL, 3X
Test Passed
NIJ .04 Level IIIA
NIJ .06 Level IIIA
NIJ .06 Level IIIA
NIJ .04 Level IIIA
NIJ .04 Level IIIA
NIJ .04 Level IIIA
NIJ .06 Level IIIA
Weight (approx, for a Large)
5.5 lbs.
5.0 lbs.
5.0 lbs.
6.5 lbs
5.0 lbs.
Not Listed
6 lbs
Pockets for Upgrade to Level IV
Front & Back, 10" x 12"
Front & Back, 7"x9"
Front & Back, 7"x9"
Front & Back, 10" x 12"
Front & Back, 10" x 12"
Front & Back, 8"x10"
Front & Back, 8"x10"
Order Online
Yes
No - Custom fit means a 4-6 week delivery time
No - Custom fit means a 4-6 week delivery time
Yes
Yes
Yes
30 Day wait
Available to Retail Stores
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
For more information, please visit Police Bulletproof Vest Wholesale.
Toll-free Support
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Liability Insurance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
Legal US Adress Provided
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Carrier Construction
Durable Nylon
Nylon, Litelok, Antimicrobial
Nylon, GORE-TEX, APEX
Cordura Nylon
Durable Nylon
Polyester/Cotton
Pollyester/Cotton
Condition
New
New
New
New
New
New
New
Country of Origin
China
USA
USA
Unknown
Unknown
China
USA
Overall Grade
A
C
C
B
B
B
D-
Pros
Price, Function, Features
Custom Fit
Custom Fit
3X and 4X sizes
Nice Vest
Nice Vest
Offered in 3X
Cons
Only tested, marketed, and sold by a US company.
It costs how much??? Price, Waiting Time, Small Plate Pockets
What is the price? Holy Cow! Price, Waiting Time, Small Plate Pockets
The Bulletsafe vest offers a similar vest for much, less.
The Bulletsafe vest is priced lower but very similar.
The Bulletsafe vest seems nicer, and is less expensive.
Priced like a custom vest, but has features below the Bulletsafe Vest
How to decipher the bulletproof vest buyer's guide: This bulletproof vest buyer's guide will help you if you are looking for a bulletproof vest. There are hundreds of different bulletproof vests, but which one is right for you? Let's discuss the terms in our guide and see if it will help you decide.
Protection Level: Not all bulletproof vests are created equal, but they are all tested using the same method. Depending on how well a vest does on the test, it is assigned a protection level. The higher the number, the more protection you are afforded. It should be simple, but they stuck the letter A into the mix and messed it up, so the protection levels go: IIA, II, IIIA, III, IV. So and "A" actually means that it is less protection than the same level without the A. Our buyers guide only includes level IIIA vests because we think this is the level of protection everyone should buy. Level IIA and Level II vests won't protect you from common handgun rounds like a .40 S&W or a .45, and those guns are everywhere, so level IIA and Level II vests were omitted from the buyer's guide. This explains why all of the vests on our buyer's guide table meet the level IIIA test.
Price: The price of a bulletproof vest is very important because if you cannot afford a bulletproof vest it will never save your life. We put this category second only to protection level. Read the other categories too, you'll want to make sure you aren't giving up too much by buying the best value vest.
Sizes: Some vests come in standard sizes while some vests can be ordered to fit anyone. Companies that cater to police forces usually offer more custom sizing to fit every officer. If you have to have custom sizing expect a wait as your vest will have to be made after you provide your measurements, and expect a price increase due to the custom nature of the work. If you can fit a standard size, you will save yourself time and money when buying a bulletproof vest. Sometimes companies charge a little more when you need a 2X, 3X, or 4X. This seems fair to us as there is more ballistic material in larger vests.
Test Passed: All of the vests listed have passed the National Institute of Justice's test: NIJ .06 Level IIIA. It is the global standard for ballistic protection. Vests that don't have proof of passing this test were not included in the test.
Weight: This is the approximate weight for every vest. Some brands give the weight for a size large, some medium, and some small, so we don't believe these weights are exact, but they are approximate.
Pockets for Upgrade to Level III & IV: We chose to show only vests that included pockets to hold upgraded body armor. Pay attention to the size of the pockets. Larger pockets allow larger plates.
Can You Order Online?: Many people will want to order their vest online. It should be easy to order a bulletproof vest as long as you live in a U.S. state other than Connecticut and have not committed a violent felony. Connecticut only allows face-to-face sales of body armor. Felons are not allowed to possess body armor and it is illegal to export bulletproof vests. Other than that, anyone else in the U.S.A. can legally own a bulletproof vest and should be able to buy it easily online.
Are They Available To Retail Stores: It is nice to be able to buy your vest locally where you can try it on, feel it, and take it home that day. If you want to buy your vest from a retail store, look for this. If you don't see BulletSafe.com vests at your local gun store or gun range, suggest to them that they give us a call. We are happy to have a new wholesale customer and we'll make sure you can still get your vest inexpensively and your local shop can continue to thrive.
Toll-Free Support: Having a toll-free number is a good indication of how willing a company is to hear from their customers. Look for a toll-free number from any online companies you deal with.
Liability Insurance: Police departments require $500k in product liability insurance before they will buy a vest. Insuring a bulletproof vest company against product liability is expensive, so some companies don't do it and would likely just declare bankruptcy in the case of a product malfunction. Look for a company that is structured to stand behind the product they sell. Bulletsafe vests have a $1M policy against product liability.
Legal US Address: We didn't list any companies in our buyer's guide that don't provide their legal address. Importing body armor isn't easy, and ordering from a company outside the US may result in your items being seized by customs.
Carrier Construction: What is the outer vest made of? Look for a durable material first and if you can afford it, look for a material that will keep you cool. If the vest itself doesn't offer cool construction, many people wear a t-shirt underneath that is made of a wicking fabric. They can be purchased for under $20 with brand names like Underarmor or Walmart sells one called Athletic Works.
Condition: We listed only new vests. Many people consider the lifespan of the ballistic materials in a bulletproof vest to be 5 years, while some consider it to be 10. Either way, bulletproof vests do not last forever. Buying a used one is like buying a used car battery or used tires. Most of the used vests on the market are former police vests that have been sold at the end of their useful life. These vests have been used daily and exposed to moisture and sun, the two things that degrade the aramid materials of a bulletproof vest. Some retailers try to sell you a brand new carrier with used ballistic materials. That is like selling a used tire with a fresh coat of armor all. The aramid fibers inside the vest are what degrade, a new carrier does nothing to reset the age of the vest. This is why we only listed new vests in our buyer's guide.
Country of Origin: Bulletproof vests are a fabric product. The carrier is sewn and the ballistic layers inside are woven and cut. You can source these things in the USA, but they are cheaper and of comparable quality from outside the US. A typical vest consists of over 60 pieces, so the cost increase to create these vests in the US is striking. If you can afford it though, it is a great example of patriotism. Keep in mind that the technology behind bulletproof vests isn't secret nor is it particularly American, so the vest you get from outside the USA will work just as well as the American model.
Overall Grade: We gave the vests listed an overall score.
Pros: Here we mention our favorite features of each bullet resistant vest.
Cons: In this area we list things we are unhappy about with each vest.
What isn't included in the guide: Level III and IV vests usually require hard armor plates, and you may want that, so we also included only vests that allow you to install hard armor plates. Some vests don't have pockets for upgrading. We excluded vests without pockets.
A "plate carrier" is a type of vest that doesn't provide any ballistic protection but does provide pockets that carry armored plates. Plate carriers allow you to easily wear only the hard plates that would provide level III or IV protection, but plate carriers don't offer enough protective area for most people. This is why most police officers wear a flexible vest. Plate carriers don't meet the needs of police forces and probably won't meet your needs. Armored plates are expensive, heavy, and inflexible, so trying to protect yourself well with a number of plates in a plate carrier isn't an ideal solution. To simplify our guide, we omitted plate carriers as well.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of police shields for sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.