Sometimes, some people work in such a place, where wearing plate carrier vests is a necessary thing. and somewhere a simple plate carrier is not good enough, the work people do, can be so critical that they need to use a bulletproof vest.
A normal plate carrier vest would either help you hold your essentials or shed some extra pounds but a bulletproof vest would protect you as well. If you are in deployment, law enforcement, or in a profession in which your life is at risk, you should definitely buy a bulletproof vest.
What is Bullet- Proof Vest?
A bulletproof vest is a famous body armor to protect you from bullets by absorbing the impact of bullets or other ballistic attacks to protect that can harm your body.
If you are from the military, who is looking for the best bulletproof vest for the same reason, or simply for your protection then you have come to the right place. Bulletproof vests are easily available in the market and so without further ado, let’s get into it.
Buying Guide of Best Bulletproof Vests
Buying a vest can be a very difficult task. You need to look for a lot of things to consider in it and buying a bulletproof vest is even more of a difficult task. We are mentioning a few things to keep in mind for you to consider before buying a bulletproof vest.
1- Size:
So for a vest, rig, or armor, you need to focus on the size. You need to make sure that it fits you perfectly, so it covers most of the area around your body, doing that it can protect you in the best way possible. Size is also important because an uncomfortable size can hinder your performance and make it difficult for you to go through with a task.
2- Price:
Since it is a bulletproof vest, it is going to be really costly, what you need to see is how much your budget allows you and in that particular budget, what features and extra plate carrier accessories you can get in a bulletproof vest. You need to ask yourself whether spending money is worth it or not and for that matter you need to look at all the required features.
3- Weight:
You need to check the weight of the vest you are wearing. Since we have assembled the best among those for you to buy.
Looking for the best bulletproof vest, that means that having everything perfect in this vest is really crucial for us. So, you need to notice what size suits you the best. It could either be heavy or light depending on the kind of task you are performing or the kind of areas and environment that you usually work in.
4- Comfort level:
This is the most important thing to notice in a bulletproof vest, why? Because wearing a bulletproof vest means that your life is dependent on it. You could be a law enforcement officer or a hunter, in any way your life is at risk so you cannot afford any kind of discomfort that might distract you from your target and that might cause you to hurt.
So for that, you need to ensure that you are maximally comfortable with the bulletproof armor that you are wearing. There are a lot of things that play a role in increasing or decreasing your comfort level. Those being:
5- Shoulder padding:
A shoulder pad is an important thing in a vest, as it ensures comfort and movement. If you don’t have a shoulder pad that might end up hurting your shoulder and arm so for maximum comfort a plate carrier shoulder pad is necessary.
6- Fitting
The second thing that is necessary for a vest is fitting of the bulletproof vest. As we have mentioned multiple times that a bulletproof vest means the circumstances are crucial. We have to ensure perfection. Fitting is important because it allows you to move around and perform your task with ease. For the fitting, you have to look for straps and see how many straps it has and if they fit you or not. Having a velcro is a bonus and would help in the fitting even better. As for straps, you just need to tighten them or loosen them to fit you accordingly.
7- Cloth material:
One of the important things is the cloth material being used in the vest or armor. To ensure that they are long-lasting and stretchable. These are not the only things that you need to look in a cloth, you also need to see if it is breathable enough for you or not and more importantly, the weight that it can withstand. And above all, how long is it gonna last.
8- Mobility:
Your vest needs to allow full movement of your arms, shoulders, and trunk. For that, you need to look at the essentials of the vest. You have to see the length of the vest and see how much is it covering your body. Whether or not it reaches your torso. Mobility is highly important for any task, even if it is as simple as a routine exercise. Otherwise, it would be an obstacle to your performance.
9- Weaning the vest:
You have to measure the nature of your task and see how you are going to wear your vest. You have to see if it should be above or underneath because if the situation is very serious then you would prefer wearing it underneath so that your enemy cannot see your weak points or know where they can hit you. Although, in some cases, you do need to wear it on your dress as a uniform or for some other purpose.
10- Armor plates:
A bulletproof vest ensures your safety but the addition of an armor plate increases your chances of staying safe. You have to ensure that your armor plates are perfectly fitting your vest and they are perfectly sealed so they don’t fall out during a mission.
11- Armor rating level:
Another thing you need to notice is your armor rating level. There is a predefined system that tells us about armor rating levels.
According to that system:
: Level 1: It provides protection against small caliber guns. Whereas the last level, Level 4 provides protection against Ak 47 and other rifles like that.
There are a total of 5 levels: 1, 2a, 2, 3 and 4
12- Bulletproof vest guarantee:
You need to check all the labels before buying your vest, one of the most important labels being the warranty card. Usually, companies offer 5 years of warranty but it differs from brands to brands.
13- Accessories:
As every other vest, you need to ensure that you have customized the vest to your perfection. Whatever suits you and helps you during a task, you should go for it. Like for a law enforcement officer, you would need extra dump pockets and more pockets for putting extra pistols or magazines, if you are a hunter, you need to put maps and hydration packs within their vests. They not only help them on the battlefield but also in daily routine. So make sure that you know the accessories and buy the ones that are good for your work.
14- Protection level:
Another thing that you need to notice is the protection level of the vest. Different manufacturers make different designs of the vest and hence they have different protection levels and not just that, they protect different regions of our body, some more than others depending upon the brand that is making the best bulletproof vest and the purpose they are making it for.
Best Bullet Proof vest 2022 Reviews [Updated List]
As we have mentioned before, you need to know how much a vest is covering in your body. It can either be light or bulky depending upon the coverage it offers.
Following are a few vests that are potentially bulletproof, a few other accessories such as armor etc can be added with them to make them function even better and protect you easily.
1. WarTechGears Discreet Vest
The WarTechGears Discreet vest is specifically made for law enforcement officers for their protection. It has a lot of good qualities that should be there in a good vest. The first main feature is that it is highly adjustable and as we have mentioned this is a very important factor in a vest. You can easily adjust it according to your body shapes and needs. You have to buy metal plates with it to make it fully bulletproof. Not only that, the addition of a metal plate can be done on both sides front and back and with that, it also becomes stab-proof.
The vest is very well stitched for your comfort and is very sturdy. One of the drawbacks is that it does not fit all sizes, you have to be particular what size is available in and buy only if it matches your needs.
If you don’t want to use it as a bulletproof vest or maybe just need protection in the back or front, you can use the other pocket for other purposes such as adding magazines or other stuff that you would need on the battlefield.
Final Verdict:
The WarTechGears discrete vest is highly recommended for people who are working in deployment. The plates are removable so you can use this vest for other purposes as well such as exercising.
Specifications:
- Brand: WarTechGrears
- Style: Comes with two pockets in front and back.
Features:
- Adjustable.
- Comes with two pockets for the metal in front and back.
- It is highly adjustable.
- With the addition of metal, it becomes both bulletproof and stab-proof.
- Multipurpose
- Does not fit all sizes.
2. 221B Tactical Body Armor Bulletproof
The reason this vest looks like this is because it is specifically designed for warmer weather. This armor goes perfectly with a bulletproof vest. The purpose of this armor is to only enhance the function of a bulletproof vest. The 221B tactical body armor is made of mesh and is thick and has big holes in the mesh to provide extra comfort and that makes this armor highly breathable. This body armor helps decrease your sweating and rash development that are made as a result of wearing a vest too much.
These body armors provide proper weight distribution throughout your body which in turn helps you feel lighter and rescue the weight and stress of your vest. They also come with velcro for maximum adjustability.
This bulletproof body armor also helps prevent fatigue in the back and neck muscles, increasing your daily performance, without hindering it. For protection, the 221B tactical has also added features that make it resistant to bacteria and fungus. Keeping you safe from infection.
Final Verdict:
If you are looking to enhance your functionality and outcome in a task, you should definitely buy these. As it has been mentioned that they reduce sweat, which generally leads to prevention from dehydration which can help you function for a longer time on the battlefield. The weighted vest for CrossFit is also good for hunters.
Specifications:
- Brand: 221B tactical
- Specifically made for men.
- Cloth material: Velcro.
- Dual-chambered.
Features:
- Made for warm environments.
- Functions perfectly with a bulletproof vest.
- Made of the meshwork.
- Breathable.
- Equal weight distribution.
- Adjustable.
- Prevents dehydration.
- Functions perfectly with a bulletproof vest.
- Highly breathable.
- Decreases sweat and rash formation.
- Reduces the stress of the vest.
- Adjustable.
- Prevents dehydration.
- Equal weight distribution.
- No significant cons were found.
3. VAv YAKEDA Tactical Adjustable Vest
The vAv YAKEDA tactical vest is a highly professional tacticafl vest. The good thing about this vest is that it comes in different sizes. From S-XXL. The vest under observation is made of high-quality cloth, the 1000D nylon which makes the vest highly recommendable. The cloth makes it lightweight and prevents wear and tear so you can wear it for a longer time without worrying. The cloth has meshwork sewed in it that makes this vest highly breathable. This amazing vest has nothing but good features, another being, highly comfortable.
This multifunctional vest has shoulder straps and the shoulders also come padded that make it even more comfortable to wear. The presence of velcro is just like a cherry on top making it super adjustable.
The way that this vest is built, provides maximum protection and with that, it also provides maximum movement. The height is also adjustable. Comes with a lot of pockets and a drag handle that enhances its functionality and allows you to put magazines in it and have a lot of backups in the battlefield.
Final Verdict:
If you are working in law enforcement, this is the perfect vest for you. It provides you with so many functions that are mentioned above that make it perfect for every occasion. This vest is worth all the money. It also has openings for armor plates so you can add them if you like.
Specifications:
- Brand: vAv YAKEDA
- Cloth material: 1000D nylon
- Size: S-XXL
Features:
- Cloth material: 1000D nylon
- Size: S-XXL
- Adjustable.
- Breathable.
- Lightweight.
- Long-lasting.
- Multifunctional.
- Adjustable height.
- Opening for armor plates.
- Adjustable.
- Breathable.
- Light in weight.
- Long-lasting.
- Comfortable to wear.
- Multifunctional.
- Adjustable height.
- Maximum mobility.
- Maximum Protection.
- Does not fit every plate in it.
4. Bulletproof Vest (For Youth)
This bulletproof vest is specially made for children and people with short stature. The best vest is made of high-quality cloth, the 600D nylon cloth which makes it highly adjustable and comfortable to wear. This vest for young children is highly breathable and prevents wear and tear. This vest comes with a lot of straps that you can adjust around your body to make it fit snugly around your body providing you with maximum protection and movement.
This comfortable vest also has some really high-quality features such as providing you with many pockets to put your belongings in them. You can put your maps, scales, cellphones and bottles, etc in it. There are a lot of straps on the surface of the vest for adding more material to the vest.
This is one of the lightweight bulletproof vests that is good for girls and teenagers. As mentioned earlier it can fit perfectly if you have a short build. The features are just a plus and kids usually love it.
Final Verdict:
This is really good for training, if you are starting to practice for hunting or getting yourself ready for a physical exam then this is the vest for you, providing you with maximal resistance that is required for you to train and get better at whatever it is that you plan on practicing.
Specifications:
- Brand: Tbest
- On surface straps.
- Purpose: Pockets for maps etc
- Cloth material: 600D oxford
Features:
- Straps present for adjustability
- On surface straps
- Adjustable.
- Cloth material: 600D oxford
- On surface straps for adding extra material.
- Long-lasting
- Breathable
- Adjustable
- Does not for people with big stature.
5. Condor Modular BulletProof Vest for Police
The condor modular vest is a heavy weighted vest and comes with a lot of webbing for you to add all the material that you want to add in it. The webbing features are good because it makes a vest highly breathable and easy to wear providing extra space at the same time. The shoulders of the condor vest come already padded and the feature that makes it stand out is that it is shockproof so, even if you get hit, you won’t feel the aftershock of the hit.
It comes with extra elts for you to put your pistols in it. It not only has magazine pouches but also a place for your pistol rendering you free of worry and perform with confidence.
This heavy weighted vest comes with straps that make it highly adjustable, you can easily adjust it according to your body’s shape and size, so it would fit snugly providing you with maximum protection from every side and maximum protection.
Also comes with a quick-release back belt. Enhancing your performance on the battlefield. It can easily fit most sizes. Also comes with a zipper
Final Verdict:
If you are in a security field such as law enforcement or deployment, this should be your first choice as it comes with all the features that you would need on the battlefield. This vest is highly adjustable even for larger sizes.
Specifications:
- Brand: Condor
- Color: Black
- Padded shoulder
- Zipper for quick release
- Size: S-M
Features:
- Adjustable
- Color: Black
- Padded shoulders
- Heavily weighted
- Shoulder straps
- Zipper for quick release
- Pistol belts
- Available in S-M sizes
- Highly adjustable
- Comes with shoulder pads
- The pistol can be placed in the pistol belt
- Heavy Weighted to enhance performance
- Adjustable
- Prevents aftershock
- Does not fit all sizes
- A bit uncomfortable in the shoulder areas.
FAQs
Are bulletproof vests illegal?
Technically, they are not illegal but it is not okay to carry weapons in it and roam around freely, which would jeopardize both your life and other people around you. So it is preferable to not wear it in public. Unless you are a low officer and it is absolutely necessary for you to wear a bulletproof vest.
Do bulletproof vests actually work?
Of course, a bulletproof vest is bulletproof, it provides minimal penetration of the bullet and protects the person who is wearing it. It provides maximal protection. Although, the person might suffer some minor injuries because of the pressure that the bullet hits with and a concussion that occurs because of the hit.
Can a bulletproof vest stop a knife?
Not necessarily, it depends on the features and the manufacturer of the vest. Depending on the kind of purpose it is made for. Some bulletproof vests are stab-proof as we have already mentioned one in our description but not all are stab-proof, exactly like that some are stab-proof yet they are not bulletproof.
Do bulletproof vests hurt?
Wearing a bulletproof does not usually hurt, although if you are wearing it frequently you might end up getting some rashes that are about it and they are minor and treatable. The second scenario would be you getting hit while wearing the bulletproof vest in that case, even if it would protect you from the bullet you might be left with some injuries because of the force it hits you with.
Can a bulletproof vest stop an arrow?
No, a bulletproof vest is not designed for that. Because arrows are usually made of sharp metal that can easily cut through the cloth and if you want to make it arrow proof, you need to simply add some extra metal plates which would help as the arrow would hit the metal plate and not come in contact with the cloth for it to break in the first place.
Conclusion:
If you are a law enforcement officer or work in deployment or simply are someone who works in critical conditions and needs protection, a bulletproof plate carrier vest for deployment can prove to be a really good companion for you. It doesn’t just provide protection, it also provides you with confidence to go ahead and perform your task with confidence.
If you think that a bulletproof vest is necessary for you, then all you need to do is look at the buying guide that we have formulated for you with a lot of research and look at the vest options we have provided you with.
The ones we have mentioned are multipurpose and can also be used for other purposes, such as carrying your equipment around and exercises. So you can buy them for any other purpose as well such as hunting and daily use
here is in detail video for your ease to choose the best among of them