Body Armor Buyer's Guide - Safe Life Defense (2024)

Essential Body Armor Warranties and Guarantees

What guarantees should I look for when purchasing armor?

Almost all body armor companies provide some type of guarantee along with a manufacturer’s warranty, but not all of these safeguards are created equally. Be sure you review and fully understand the scenarios in which each vest will be covered before you buy. If a business isn’t willing to back their products, that should tip you off to a potential safety hazard, fraudulent product marketing, or just a bad customer service experience you’re likely to run into down the road. Safe Life Defense proudly stands behind all of our armor and the people who wear it by offering three types of guarantees on top of a traditional warranty. Check out our offerings below:

• The Fit Guarantee
  Safe Life Defense guarantees the proper fit of your body armor because we understand that it’s crucial to saving lives. If you feel your vest does not fit correctly, we’re more than happy to help you exchange it. All exchanges must be made within 30 days of delivery and be in their original condition.
• The Satisfaction Guarantee
  Your happiness is our priority. If you are dissatisfied with your Safe Life Defense body armor for any legitimate reason, simply send it back to us in its original condition and we will issue you a full refund for the cost of your product(s).
• The Incident Guarantee
  We stand behind our products and our customers. Should your Safe Life Defense body armor save your life, we promise to replace your armor at no cost to you. All you have to do is send us your compromised gear with an official incident or police report.
• The Manufacturer Warranty
  Safe Life Defense provides a 5-year manufacturer warranty on all of our ballistic panels and plates. We also offer a 2-year warranty on all of our carriers and our belts come with a lifetime warranty. In the rare instance that you encounter any defects, we’ll have your back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you travel with body armor?

Body armor is legal in 49 states, allowing you to wear and transport it across state lines without any hassle. However, it’s important to know that New York has some specific rules when it comes to body armor. In the Empire State, owning body armor is illegal unless you belong to certain specified professions. Check out this information from the New York Department of State for more details. Additionally, if you’re not part of those professions, it’s also against the law to travel into or through New York with body armor. But don’t worry, in the other 49 states, as long as you’re following the local, state, and federal laws, you’re free to wear your body armor without fear of arrest or confiscation. Traveling by air with your body armor is just as easy as packing a regular vest. You can either take it in your carry-on luggage or check it in with your checked bag at the nearest baggage location. With this in mind, Safe Life Defense has created a specialized Body Armor Carry and Storage Bag to make transporting your gear a breeze.

Does body armor have a lifespan?

All body armor has a lifespan because even the world’s strongest ballistic materials degrade over time. It’s important that you’re aware of this information and confirm an expiration date with the manufacturer. The typical lifespan of soft armor is 5 years. Hard armor, like steel, can last 15-20 years. No matter the type you choose, it should come with a full manufacturer’s warranty that guarantees the ballistic panels from defects for your vests’ entire lifespan.

Can I wear expired body armor?

If your vest begins to show signs of wear and tear, is fitting differently or is near the 5-year mark, then it may be time to replace it. Although it has been proven that body armor does maintain some of its ballistic properties after the standard 5-year lifespan, vests past their intended shelf-life are not tested or rated for protection (and that’s on purpose). Expired vests have a higher likelihood of being penetrated and failing to protect the wearer.

Another risk to consider here is that the internal components could lead to additional harm if they develop cracks or tears. You should expect to wear expired armor at your own risk, but if your vest is past its best-by date and you can’t afford something new, keep wearing it. Although not recommended, it is better to have some protection than none. Even expired armor has the potential to save your life.

Can civilians own Level 4 body armor?

The quick answer is yes, it is legal for a law-abiding civilian to buy Level IV body armor. However, those with a felony record are prohibited from purchasing or using body armor like bulletproof vests and plate carriers. Level IV body armor will stop pistol rounds, rifle rounds, even 30-06 steel-core armor penetrating rounds!

What is the highest-rated body armor?

Level IV is the highest rating of personal body armor. There is no such thing as Level V (5) body armor at this time. Be mindful of dangerous and expensive online scams that say otherwise. These parties are claiming to have something that simply doesn’t exist and you don’t want to be deceived by a falsely advertised product. Any armor you purchase should have compliance testing results and be National Institute of Justice (NIJ) approved.

How do I buy body armor?

Body armor is an unregulated product, which means it does not require any special identification, paperwork or a background check. Many companies choose to restrict their sales to law enforcement and similar agencies, but at Safe Life Defense, we believe all law-abiding citizens have the right to purchase personal protection equipment. Body armor is a preventative safety product incapable of causing harm and you can purchase your own in-person or online.

Can I purchase body armor online?

Civilians and professionals can purchase body armor online in most areas of the U.S., but due to local legislation, residents of Connecticut must make the purchase at one of our dealer locations. You can order via our Body Armor Shop just as you would with any other website! If you choose to make an online purchase, make sure the manufacturer has a fit guarantee like Safe Life Defense because the fit of your vest is crucial to your safety while wearing it. We do our best to keep all items in stock and provide same-day shipping on all orders placed before 5:00 p.m. PT (unless they are customized). You may also contact us by phone at 702-829-4029 to place an order.

Will AK-47 penetrate body armor?

This answer depends on the type and level of body armor, as well as the kind of round being fired. You need sufficient armor to defeat threats up to 7.62x54R that is frequently used in large caliber rifles. A FRAS® plate on its own can stop up to 7.62×39 lead core ammo and a Level IV ICW hard armor plate on its own can stop up to 30-06 steel-core armor penetrating rounds. A NIJ Level IIIA or IIIA+ plate in combination with either of the above options is also able to stop AK-47 rounds. Backface deformation is also important to consider. This signature is the amount of damage created on the backside of a piece of armor after impact.

Will body armor stop a 12 gauge slug?

The ability to stop a 12 ga. depends solely on the type of body armor you choose. With a good armor setup, you can stop this type of threat. A slug will not penetrate Level IIIA, IIIA+, IV and FRAS® plates. Nevertheless, trauma can still be significant.

Will body armor stop 00 buckshot?

This type of shotgun pellet has poor penetration through plates and can be easily stopped with the right kind of body armor. Any vest rated to halt a 32 ACP pistol shot (usually level II and above) will stop 00 buckshot. You’ll want to look for Level II, III, IIIA, IIIA+, IV and FRAS® plates.

How effective are bulletproof vests?

Technically speaking, bulletproof vests don’t exist (body armor does). Body armor is a life-saving tool capable of preventing fatal injury to the wearer. It’s specifically engineered to withstand being penetrated by certain types of bullets and distributes the impact energy more evenly across the surface. This decreases the chances of blunt force trauma through the deformation of the slug upon impact.

Does body armor work?

Whether for personal or professional use, it’s safe to say tens of thousands of lives have been saved worldwide because of body armor. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) has conducted studies on the effectiveness of body armor in saving lives, and results have shown that by not wearing ballistic armor, police officers are 14 times more likely to die from an injury on the job. So, yes, this is a critical piece of equipment that truly saves lives. Body armor works.

Can you wear body armor in public?

There is no law against you wearing protective gear in public and it is not illegal. Nonetheless, we suggest you do so discreetly. Should you choose to openly display your body armor, you can expect to draw extra attention from both the public and local law enforcement. A friendly and nearly unavoidable conversation with your local police department is likely to happen, as such open displays can strike fear into those around you and signal imminent danger. Be sure to check your local laws for caveats, like Louisiana’s, that prohibit wearing armor on school property or at school-sponsored functions.

How much does body armor cost?

The cost of body armor can range anywhere from around $300 to well over $3,000. At first glance, this may seem expensive, but you have to take into account what you need and what you’re actually getting. In our opinion, a beating heart is priceless. This doesn’t mean you should choose the option with the highest price tag. It means that you should get exactly what you need at the investment price you can afford. While some individuals may only be purchasing basic plates, others may go for a vest upfit or a full ballistic uniform.

In either case, you must consider how trustworthy the brand, technology and testing is, along with your own expectations for performance. What matters more to you; comfort, weight, mobility, durability, concealability, protection level, warranties, funding assistance, donations or payment plan options? Do your research and heavily consider your options. Afterall, you can never put a value on the ability to live to see another day.

How much does body armor weigh?

Without carriers, most plates range from .51 lbs. – 13.7 lbs. Of course, this depends on the type of plate you’re choosing and what you need to protect yourself against. Weight can range widely based on the thickness, material makeup and coverage area. You may only choose front and back panels or you may want to add side armor (read more about installation here), other accessories and layer certain ICW plates for added protection.

A soldier’s plate carrier system typically weighs 22lbs. Generally speaking, you can expect your entire setup (with two plates) to weigh anywhere from 15 – 35 lbs. Of course, this all depends on the factors mentioned above, along with your size and any extra gear you need to attach to the vest.

How do I tell which plate is the front plate and which is the back plate?

In nearly all cases, you should order the same type of plate for the front and the back of your carrier. And believe it or not, it does matter which side of the plate is facing the threat. This is crucial for both comfort and safety. Most hard plates have a side that will be labeled front. This is the strike face, which is intended to take the initial hit from a bullet.

The strike face should be positioned away from your body, and if your plate has a curve to it, that curve should follow the natural contour of your body (both in regards to the chest and the upper back). Be warned, if you wear a back plate with the concave side facing out and have it aligned more with the lower back, you may compromise your safety and cause significant back issues from carrying extra weight so low for an extended period.

Is body armor stab-proof?

Ballistic armor, also known as bullet-resistant or bulletproof, is the most common type of body armor. However, that doesn’t mean that it will protect you against weapons that are capable of stabs or slashes. If a vest is stab or spike resistant, it is meant to protect against threats like needles, screwdrivers and ice picks that can pierce between fabric threads. If a vest is slash-resistant, it is meant to protect against attacks utilizing bladed tools.

As always, ensure you’re selecting the body armor that suits your particular needs best but do so knowing that a significant number of attacks involve these types of weapons. We recommend protecting yourself from as many threats as possible with body armor that covers all of your bases, like Safe Life Defense’s products.

What does the + stand for on Level IIIA+, and why isn’t it on the NIJ website?

Although the National Institute of Justice website does not list or officially recognize Level IIIA+, this is a legitimate classification. We pioneered this new label to take into account that our IIIA+ protects against more than a normal Level IIIA in their current testing procedures. This is reflective of ingenuity and increased safety capabilities, and in the eyes of the NIJ, a IIIA+ is in alignment with IIIA standards. In light of this, Safe Life Defense will be pushing to update the existing testing standards to include evaluation and testing of new technology.

Is there a difference between a carrier and vest or plate and panel?

There are significant differences between a body armor carrier, plate, panel and vest. Knowing why they’re different and how they’re intended to be used is vital to your safety.

A carrier is typically an outer shell made of fabric in which the ballistic panels (or plates) can be placed. This is what allows you to actually wear your armor panels. Body armor carriers can be worn both over clothing and under for concealed functionality. A carrier on its own offers zero protection from deadly-force weapons, but can be outfitted with gear such as magazine holsters and MOLLE attachments.

A body armor plate or panel, also known as a ballistic or bulletproof plate or panel, is the internal armor intended to fit into a carrier. Depending on the rating of the plate, this element is capable of protecting the wearer from life-threatening injuries due to contact with weapons or blunt-force impact. A panel is essentially the exact same concept as a plate, but it is soft instead of hard.

Body armor vests are an all-in-one option that typically come with everything you need to safeguard your center mass. They’re similar to a carrier and plate or panel combination, but don’t require you to purchase extra parts (unless you want to of course). Most vests are made from soft body armor that makes for superior coverage and a sleek fit, and they can be worn both externally or under clothing. The Enhanced Multi-Threat™ IIIA+ Vest is one of the level options offered by our team, and it’s the only soft body armor to achieve this advanced level of protection!

What is concealable body armor?

Concealable body armor is arguably one of the most versatile and practical types you can own. It is designed to be worn under day-to-day attire or a work uniform for discretion. The idea behind this style is that it is low-profile enough to remain as hidden as possible, while still maintaining its protective capabilities. Ideally, all carrier elements, vest selections, panel add-ons and accessories (like fasteners) will show minimally or not at all through your outer layers.

How can I find the best body armor manufacturer?

There are many things to consider when narrowing down which body armor manufacturer you’d like to purchase from. First, you’ll want to verify that the products you’d like to obtain are NIJ rated. You’ll need to look for proof of this in the form of a certification sheet or testing results. Without this evidence, you cannot be sure that any manufacturer’s claims are truthful.

You’ll also want to look into all of the warranties and guarantees offered by said company. All body armor should be backed by a manufacturer’s warranty that covers at least 2 years on your carrier and 5 years on your ballistic plates and panels. As far as guarantees go, make sure you consider things like your body armor not fitting correctly or what would happen if you were involved in an incident and your gear was compromised. You’ll want some type of an exchange and a replacement guarantee, along with a good customer service experience because when you buy armor, your needs don’t stop at the point of sale. Choose a manufacturer that will support you before, during and after you open your wallet.

How comfortable is it to wear body armor?

Believe it or not, body armor can be comfortable, but the level of comfort can vary depending on each person’s wants, needs and physical stature. Taking into account how long you’ll be wearing it on average, the conditions of your environment and the gear you need to carry on your person will all help you narrow down your search. From there, you can also consider various materials and their weight, the cut of your body armor, and thickness or flexibility. Safe Life Defense’s concealable body armor and FRAS® are two of the most comfortable options on the market, and have been rated #1 in comfort by our customers.

How do I know what size of body armor is right for me?

Finding your correct size in body armor can be tricky, but not if you have reliable support. New buyers are encouraged to connect with our expert team in house. You can also utilize the Safe Life Defense Fit Guide tool (located on each product page) to narrow down your options. Regardless of your results, we suggest your make a selection carefully and reference our unisex sizing chart as well. We want to make this decision as quick, easy and seamless as possible for you. That’s why we also offer free size exchanges for 30 days.

It’s key that you know that the standard sizing for body armor typically does not fall in line with the standard retail sizing you might find at your local stores. If you are a size large in street clothing, that does not mean you will be a size large in body armor. Fit will vary widely based on your body type, height, weight and structure. Due to anatomical differences between men and women, other considerations may need to be made when it comes to bust size or coverage gaps around the torso.

What does Berry Compliant mean?

The Berry Amendment Compliance is a federal regulation that requires Department of Defense funds to be spent on U.S. manufactured items in order to protect the United States industrial market during times of war. It is intended for companies that wish to acquire Department of Defense contracts, and applies to products such as food, clothing, tents, materials, and tools. Companies wishing to obtain compliance must guarantee that their products (including all components) are 100 percent domestic.

What is Berry Compliant body armor?

If armor (or any product) is Berry Compliant that means it adheres to the Berry Amendment, a piece of United States legislation for the Department of Defense that gives preferential treatment to product creators who produce, grow and manufacture their wares in the United States. The Berry Amendment Strengthens the American Economy and National Security.