Concealable soft body armor and ballistic battle belts

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
So I know the new hotness today is rifle plates. But let's face it, Im a regular guy and unless we are fighting state or paramilitary actors I'm an order of magnitude or more likely to face pistol caliber stuff in my everyday life then rifles. And also unless we have the 2nd american civil war kick off, im not going to be walking around in a plate carrier with spare mags and stuff hanging off it with a AR.

Instead what im looking for is some kind of concealable soft body armor, thinner is better. Something I can wear under a zip up hoodie or light jacket or button and have it be concealed with my CCW, very much in line with what Varg talks about with concealment and counter ambush in the civilian setting.

So im interested what kind of stuff would you guys recommend and what things to avoid? Im pretty much totally new to the whole body armor world.

Also, I know it was a thing in the 90s, does there exist the ability to put rifle trauma/fullsize plates behind modern soft concealable vests? If things ever were to kick off to a higher level maybe having the ability to throw some steel in, and a ballistic battle belt to have more ballistic protection as well as to be able to quickly add on all the tactical stuff like rifle reloads/IFAKs etc and I just prefer running things off the belt anyways
 

Grizzly

Regular Member
What kind of body coverage are you looking for?

Lvl II soft armor that wraps around can get pretty thin and light: Atarmor has a good example: https://store.atarmor.com/product_p/at-concealment-male-at11.htm.

If you are open to less coverage the hesco P210 series plates are stupid light: https://www.hesco.com/products/armor/200-series/. As in when you pick it up you think it is cardboard light. And hide very well in a good lowpro carrier you can almost pull them off under a t-shirt depending on your build.

And for another option look at some hesco U210 (rifle rated) or at-armor stop plates. They both stop rifle rounds, would hide under a hoodie with ease and are fairly affordable.
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
What kind of body coverage are you looking for?

Lvl II soft armor that wraps around can get pretty thin and light: Atarmor has a good example: https://store.atarmor.com/product_p/at-concealment-male-at11.htm.

If you are open to less coverage the hesco P210 series plates are stupid light: https://www.hesco.com/products/armor/200-series/. As in when you pick it up you think it is cardboard light. And hide very well in a good lowpro carrier you can almost pull them off under a t-shirt depending on your build.

And for another option look at some hesco U210 (rifle rated) or at-armor stop plates. They both stop rifle rounds, would hide under a hoodie with ease and are fairly affordable.
If im going for a light and thin concealable deal, then I figure I would want more body coverage, like a wrap around vest versus a plate carrier.
 

Boy Scout

Regular Member
I wear a Rogue Gunfighter MOAB with Velocity IIIA panels for dignitary protection and UC work. When I wear this rig, I carry a radio, TQ, mini IFAK, and depending on the job, AR mags. (I’m jump out/tac overwatch/warrants...not “real” UC) While this is not the lowest-profile rig, it hides decently under a button up shirt or jacket and hides my gear well in my upper body contours. I ended up going with this rig just because I found a baller deal on it.

While I was researching to set this up, my go-to was going to be a Ferro Concepts Slickster. I think it would be even slicker (more slick?) than the RG MOAB. Both are plate carriers and can accept soft armor, plates and chest rigs to go all out.

I ended up going the PC route for low-pro due to the amount of gear worn on the belt. I’ve worn regular NIJ-style armor in a UC capacity and it’s not as comfortable as in a uniform due to the closer proximity of those belt-worn items to the body. In uniform the duty belt provides a little stand off from the body and gives room for that armor to move on your sides as you move.

If I were to go lo-pro with a contour-cut armor, it would be a Velocity Low Profle Armor Carrier (not the Assault version with the MOLLE). Good kit and a good fit and can accept rifle plates and chest rigs for Civil War 2.0, er training.
 

Grizzly

Regular Member
If I were to go lo-pro with a contour-cut armor, it would be a Velocity Low Profle Armor Carrier (not the Assault version with the MOLLE). Good kit and a good fit and can accept rifle plates and chest rigs for Civil War 2.0, er training.

I wear LPAC in my outer carrier with soft panels it and it is great. The shoulder straps will "print" more than a single velcro attachment you see in a lot of soft panel carriers. But with the LPAC's ability to plus up with plates and/or chest rig as needed it is spot for duty uniforms and more discreet stuff when there needs to be body armor with out yelling "I've got armor on". You'd be good in a hoody or jacket most likely though with out the shoulder straps showing.

The most concealable wrap armor is likely to be normal LE style body armor. The carriers for the panels are essentially thin fabric with elastic vecro connectors. You give up the flexibility of something like the LPAC to gain less fabric that might print.
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
I wear LPAC in my outer carrier with soft panels it and it is great. The shoulder straps will "print" more than a single velcro attachment you see in a lot of soft panel carriers. But with the LPAC's ability to plus up with plates and/or chest rig as needed it is spot for duty uniforms and more discreet stuff when there needs to be body armor with out yelling "I've got armor on". You'd be good in a hoody or jacket most likely though with out the shoulder straps showing.

The most concealable wrap armor is likely to be normal LE style body armor. The carriers for the panels are essentially thin fabric with elastic vecro connectors. You give up the flexibility of something like the LPAC to gain less fabric that might print.

So the normal LE body armor, that is just the plain "bulletproof vests" like you would of seen in the 1990s? Whatever happened to that carbon nano-tube type stuff I saw that was being put into shirts or anything? Is there anything like that in a stand alone vest?

And reminder that I will not really be running any magazines or stuff on the carrier, conceal-ability is paramount and I am not a part of any "Duty" type organization. If im running just the vest stand-alone I will just have a concealed carry pistol IWB and EDC stuff(a folding knife, light, phone etc..) as I would run anything like AR mags on a separate battle belt

It seems like it would almost work better to have a soft concealable vest and then just throw on a slick plate carrier over the top
 

Boy Scout

Regular Member
So the normal LE body armor, that is just the plain "bulletproof vests" like you would of seen in the 1990s? Whatever happened to that carbon nano-tube type stuff I saw that was being put into shirts or anything? Is there anything like that in a stand alone vest?

And reminder that I will not really be running any magazines or stuff on the carrier, conceal-ability is paramount and I am not a part of any "Duty" type organization. If im running just the vest stand-alone I will just have a concealed carry pistol IWB and EDC stuff(a folding knife, light, phone etc..) as I would run anything like AR mags on a separate battle belt

It seems like it would almost work better to have a soft concealable vest and then just throw on a slick plate carrier over the top

Yeah, pretty much. The shapes and material for both the armor and and vest carriers for NIJ/police soft armor have changed with the times, but the general function has not, aside from more agencies approving the use of soft armor (and plates) in external armor carriers Vs. being worn under the uniform shirt. Science has made ballistic material lighter and more effective, but unfortunately we are nowhere near the cool nano/carbon/space-age polymer coolness that someone in the 80s thought we'd have in the 2000s.

Any body armor, soft or hard, is unnatural to the body and takes some getting used to, hence the reason that after almost 20 years of copping, my wife makes fun of me because I walk with my arms stuck out a little, since I've had to clear armor and a gunbelt for so long. When it comes to selecting armor (IMHO), it comes down to a few factors:

1. The level of protection needed/desired;
2. Application;
3. Budget.

The absolute smallest, most concealable and most comfortable package that I can think of would be something like a Tru-Spec Concealed Armor T-shirt with 10" x 12"soft armor panels/plate backers: https://www.truspec.com/24-7-series/shirts/men-s-concealed-armor-shirt

This comes with it's own concerns, i.e., no side protection, poor heat management, etc., but I think it could be a viable solution for the right application.

Besides that, it starts moving up to separate vests/plate carrier combos with different levels of armor and features:

A. Slick vest (no attachment points for extra gear/accessories) - NIJ-style soft armor, completely slick plate carriers:

http://www.safariland.com/products/...er-E1_C.html#sm.00013gluah153hdyryvv3rbobzo2v

https://www.first-spear.com/the-slick-ultra-lightweight-plate-carrier


B. Semi-Slick vest/plate carrier (considered a "Slick" with no extra gear attached, but the ability to add accessories):

https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster

http://www.perrozdesigns.com/shop/equipment/low-profile-slick-plate-carrier/

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-armor-carrier.html

http://lbtinc.com/6094sc


C. Plate carriers (worn overtly, ranging from trim, "no-frills" designs to assaulting terrorist compounds. These usually have more MOLLE and velcro and are intended to carry thicker rifle plates):

https://www.cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/blc04202lg0_jumpable-plate-carrier-jpc

https://www.skdtac.com/Shellback-Banshee-Plate-Carrier-p/shb.125.htm

http://lbtinc.com/vest-h-gear-carriers/plate-carriers/modular-plate-carrier-c.html

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-assault-armor-carrier.html


I am by no means an expert, and even worse when it comes to rifle plates, but I'm a gear nerd and have done a lot of research for my needs/budget. Based on your desires, I'd probably recommend something that you can wear that is fairly concealable, would be decently comfortable for an occasional armor wearer, something that you could wear to the range, and something that you could re-sell if you decided it wasn't for you. I'd probably go with something like a Slickster and IIIa armor panels from our friends at SKDtac...

https://www.skdtac.com/Ferro-Concepts-The-Slickster-p/fer.121.htm
https://www.skdtac.com/SKD-Armor-Soft-Armor-Plate-Backer-IIIA-10-x-12-p/amr.358.htm

For roughly $350.00, this package would probably take care of your needs, have good resale value, allow you to up-armor/up-equip as you train, and cost much less than a new NIJ-style vest, and work better with a battle belt (from experience).
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
Yeah, pretty much. The shapes and material for both the armor and and vest carriers for NIJ/police soft armor have changed with the times, but the general function has not, aside from more agencies approving the use of soft armor (and plates) in external armor carriers Vs. being worn under the uniform shirt. Science has made ballistic material lighter and more effective, but unfortunately we are nowhere near the cool nano/carbon/space-age polymer coolness that someone in the 80s thought we'd have in the 2000s.

Any body armor, soft or hard, is unnatural to the body and takes some getting used to, hence the reason that after almost 20 years of copping, my wife makes fun of me because I walk with my arms stuck out a little, since I've had to clear armor and a gunbelt for so long. When it comes to selecting armor (IMHO), it comes down to a few factors:

1. The level of protection needed/desired;
2. Application;
3. Budget.

The absolute smallest, most concealable and most comfortable package that I can think of would be something like a Tru-Spec Concealed Armor T-shirt with 10" x 12"soft armor panels/plate backers: https://www.truspec.com/24-7-series/shirts/men-s-concealed-armor-shirt

This comes with it's own concerns, i.e., no side protection, poor heat management, etc., but I think it could be a viable solution for the right application.

Besides that, it starts moving up to separate vests/plate carrier combos with different levels of armor and features:

A. Slick vest (no attachment points for extra gear/accessories) - NIJ-style soft armor, completely slick plate carriers:

http://www.safariland.com/products/...er-E1_C.html#sm.00013gluah153hdyryvv3rbobzo2v

https://www.first-spear.com/the-slick-ultra-lightweight-plate-carrier


B. Semi-Slick vest/plate carrier (considered a "Slick" with no extra gear attached, but the ability to add accessories):

https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster

http://www.perrozdesigns.com/shop/equipment/low-profile-slick-plate-carrier/

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-armor-carrier.html

http://lbtinc.com/6094sc


C. Plate carriers (worn overtly, ranging from trim, "no-frills" designs to assaulting terrorist compounds. These usually have more MOLLE and velcro and are intended to carry thicker rifle plates):

https://www.cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/blc04202lg0_jumpable-plate-carrier-jpc

https://www.skdtac.com/Shellback-Banshee-Plate-Carrier-p/shb.125.htm

http://lbtinc.com/vest-h-gear-carriers/plate-carriers/modular-plate-carrier-c.html

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-assault-armor-carrier.html


I am by no means an expert, and even worse when it comes to rifle plates, but I'm a gear nerd and have done a lot of research for my needs/budget. Based on your desires, I'd probably recommend something that you can wear that is fairly concealable, would be decently comfortable for an occasional armor wearer, something that you could wear to the range, and something that you could re-sell if you decided it wasn't for you. I'd probably go with something like a Slickster and IIIa armor panels from our friends at SKDtac...

https://www.skdtac.com/Ferro-Concepts-The-Slickster-p/fer.121.htm
https://www.skdtac.com/SKD-Armor-Soft-Armor-Plate-Backer-IIIA-10-x-12-p/amr.358.htm

For roughly $350.00, this package would probably take care of your needs, have good resale value, allow you to up-armor/up-equip as you train, and cost much less than a new NIJ-style vest, and work better with a battle belt (from experience).
Yeah, pretty much. The shapes and material for both the armor and and vest carriers for NIJ/police soft armor have changed with the times, but the general function has not, aside from more agencies approving the use of soft armor (and plates) in external armor carriers Vs. being worn under the uniform shirt. Science has made ballistic material lighter and more effective, but unfortunately we are nowhere near the cool nano/carbon/space-age polymer coolness that someone in the 80s thought we'd have in the 2000s.

Any body armor, soft or hard, is unnatural to the body and takes some getting used to, hence the reason that after almost 20 years of copping, my wife makes fun of me because I walk with my arms stuck out a little, since I've had to clear armor and a gunbelt for so long. When it comes to selecting armor (IMHO), it comes down to a few factors:

1. The level of protection needed/desired;
2. Application;
3. Budget.

The absolute smallest, most concealable and most comfortable package that I can think of would be something like a Tru-Spec Concealed Armor T-shirt with 10" x 12"soft armor panels/plate backers: https://www.truspec.com/24-7-series/shirts/men-s-concealed-armor-shirt

This comes with it's own concerns, i.e., no side protection, poor heat management, etc., but I think it could be a viable solution for the right application.

Besides that, it starts moving up to separate vests/plate carrier combos with different levels of armor and features:

A. Slick vest (no attachment points for extra gear/accessories) - NIJ-style soft armor, completely slick plate carriers:

http://www.safariland.com/products/...er-E1_C.html#sm.00013gluah153hdyryvv3rbobzo2v

https://www.first-spear.com/the-slick-ultra-lightweight-plate-carrier


B. Semi-Slick vest/plate carrier (considered a "Slick" with no extra gear attached, but the ability to add accessories):

https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster

http://www.perrozdesigns.com/shop/equipment/low-profile-slick-plate-carrier/

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-armor-carrier.html

http://lbtinc.com/6094sc


C. Plate carriers (worn overtly, ranging from trim, "no-frills" designs to assaulting terrorist compounds. These usually have more MOLLE and velcro and are intended to carry thicker rifle plates):

https://www.cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/blc04202lg0_jumpable-plate-carrier-jpc

https://www.skdtac.com/Shellback-Banshee-Plate-Carrier-p/shb.125.htm

http://lbtinc.com/vest-h-gear-carriers/plate-carriers/modular-plate-carrier-c.html

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-assault-armor-carrier.html


I am by no means an expert, and even worse when it comes to rifle plates, but I'm a gear nerd and have done a lot of research for my needs/budget. Based on your desires, I'd probably recommend something that you can wear that is fairly concealable, would be decently comfortable for an occasional armor wearer, something that you could wear to the range, and something that you could re-sell if you decided it wasn't for you. I'd probably go with something like a Slickster and IIIa armor panels from our friends at SKDtac...

https://www.skdtac.com/Ferro-Concepts-The-Slickster-p/fer.121.htm
https://www.skdtac.com/SKD-Armor-Soft-Armor-Plate-Backer-IIIA-10-x-12-p/amr.358.htm

For roughly $350.00, this package would probably take care of your needs, have good resale value, allow you to up-armor/up-equip as you train, and cost much less than a new NIJ-style vest, and work better with a battle belt (from experience).
Yeah, pretty much. The shapes and material for both the armor and and vest carriers for NIJ/police soft armor have changed with the times, but the general function has not, aside from more agencies approving the use of soft armor (and plates) in external armor carriers Vs. being worn under the uniform shirt. Science has made ballistic material lighter and more effective, but unfortunately we are nowhere near the cool nano/carbon/space-age polymer coolness that someone in the 80s thought we'd have in the 2000s.

Any body armor, soft or hard, is unnatural to the body and takes some getting used to, hence the reason that after almost 20 years of copping, my wife makes fun of me because I walk with my arms stuck out a little, since I've had to clear armor and a gunbelt for so long. When it comes to selecting armor (IMHO), it comes down to a few factors:

1. The level of protection needed/desired;
2. Application;
3. Budget.

The absolute smallest, most concealable and most comfortable package that I can think of would be something like a Tru-Spec Concealed Armor T-shirt with 10" x 12"soft armor panels/plate backers: https://www.truspec.com/24-7-series/shirts/men-s-concealed-armor-shirt

This comes with it's own concerns, i.e., no side protection, poor heat management, etc., but I think it could be a viable solution for the right application.

Besides that, it starts moving up to separate vests/plate carrier combos with different levels of armor and features:

A. Slick vest (no attachment points for extra gear/accessories) - NIJ-style soft armor, completely slick plate carriers:

http://www.safariland.com/products/...er-E1_C.html#sm.00013gluah153hdyryvv3rbobzo2v

https://www.first-spear.com/the-slick-ultra-lightweight-plate-carrier


B. Semi-Slick vest/plate carrier (considered a "Slick" with no extra gear attached, but the ability to add accessories):

https://ferroconcepts.com/products/the-slickster

http://www.perrozdesigns.com/shop/equipment/low-profile-slick-plate-carrier/

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-armor-carrier.html

http://lbtinc.com/6094sc


C. Plate carriers (worn overtly, ranging from trim, "no-frills" designs to assaulting terrorist compounds. These usually have more MOLLE and velcro and are intended to carry thicker rifle plates):

https://www.cryeprecision.com/ProductDetail/blc04202lg0_jumpable-plate-carrier-jpc

https://www.skdtac.com/Shellback-Banshee-Plate-Carrier-p/shb.125.htm

http://lbtinc.com/vest-h-gear-carriers/plate-carriers/modular-plate-carrier-c.html

https://www.velsyst.com/low-profile-assault-armor-carrier.html


I am by no means an expert, and even worse when it comes to rifle plates, but I'm a gear nerd and have done a lot of research for my needs/budget. Based on your desires, I'd probably recommend something that you can wear that is fairly concealable, would be decently comfortable for an occasional armor wearer, something that you could wear to the range, and something that you could re-sell if you decided it wasn't for you. I'd probably go with something like a Slickster and IIIa armor panels from our friends at SKDtac...

https://www.skdtac.com/Ferro-Concepts-The-Slickster-p/fer.121.htm
https://www.skdtac.com/SKD-Armor-Soft-Armor-Plate-Backer-IIIA-10-x-12-p/amr.358.htm

For roughly $350.00, this package would probably take care of your needs, have good resale value, allow you to up-armor/up-equip as you train, and cost much less than a new NIJ-style vest, and work better with a battle belt (from experience).

Lots of good info, will look over these options and digest things after work.

For the ultra concealable stuff that T-shirt deal actually might look like a decent deal. Will also look into low profile plate carriers, something like a low profile plate carrier. That slickster looks interesting using soft armor for most uses. Could you run IIIA armor panels and then also stuff a level III plate in their? And how will a level III plate combined with soft armor fair against 556
 

Boy Scout

Regular Member
I don't have any hands-on experience with the Slickster, but there is a lot of info out there and quite a few reviews. I can't advise as to soft armor AND rifle plates, but I'm sure the info is out there somewhere. And as to protection levels of various soft armor/rifle plate combos, I'm definitely not the person for that, I'm still rocking old SAPI's until I can afford something better.

If I understand it right, Level IV is what is needed for most rifle protection, which can be accomplished through a standalone Level IV plate, or a Level III plate with the correct IIIA backer, known as "ICW-In Conjunction With".

Rifle plates are a whole 'nother mess that I have to leave to the experts.
 

Boy Scout

Regular Member
If memory serves right, member DocGKR is one of the best in the business and various threads can be found about the "Proper wear of hard armor" or something like that. Not sure if it's posted here, but I've seen it on TOS...
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
If memory serves right, member DocGKR is one of the best in the business and various threads can be found about the "Proper wear of hard armor" or something like that. Not sure if it's posted here, but I've seen it on TOS...

I don't have any hands-on experience with the Slickster, but there is a lot of info out there and quite a few reviews. I can't advise as to soft armor AND rifle plates, but I'm sure the info is out there somewhere. And as to protection levels of various soft armor/rifle plate combos, I'm definitely not the person for that, I'm still rocking old SAPI's until I can afford something better.

If I understand it right, Level IV is what is needed for most rifle protection, which can be accomplished through a standalone Level IV plate, or a Level III plate with the correct IIIA backer, known as "ICW-In Conjunction With".

Rifle plates are a whole 'nother mess that I have to leave to the experts.

Very good, will look into it more.

So will the ICW level IIIA backers, those are stand alone just as good as soft armor like buying a regular IIIA vest?
 

Grizzly

Regular Member
I don't have any hands-on experience with the Slickster, but there is a lot of info out there and quite a few reviews. I can't advise as to soft armor AND rifle plates, but I'm sure the info is out there somewhere. And as to protection levels of various soft armor/rifle plate combos, I'm definitely not the person for that, I'm still rocking old SAPI's until I can afford something better.

If I understand it right, Level IV is what is needed for most rifle protection, which can be accomplished through a standalone Level IV plate, or a Level III plate with the correct IIIA backer, known as "ICW-In Conjunction With".

Rifle plates are a whole 'nother mess that I have to leave to the experts.

Very good, will look into it more.

So will the ICW level IIIA backers, those are stand alone just as good as soft armor like buying a regular IIIA vest?

Take a look at the III+ special threat plates from reputable companies. Many of them are rated to stop most 5.56 rounds (aside form maybe M995 or M855A1). Most of them are rated as stand alone and don't need soft armor under them.

Examples include:
At Armor stop (also have a bz version to stop api) https://store.atarmor.com/product_p/at-stop-sa.htm and
API version: https://store.atarmor.com/product_p/at-stop-bz.htm
Velocity API-bz https://www.velsyst.com/7-62x39-api-bz-multi-hit-stand-alone-rifle-plate-529.html
Hesco U210s: https://www.hesco.com/products/armor/200-series/ (be sure and look at the U series, l and p are pistol only)

Backers rated as IIIA are manufacturer specific on if they are rated to be used as stand alone armor.
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
My understanding, yes. Just cut down to rifle plate shape and size, rather than the contoured NIJ-style vest. Less coverage on the sides, but IIIA protection over the vitals.

Interesting, though if your rocking a PC, can't you add on side plates/armor? Would seem like the PC is very scalable, from being worn under a shirt with soft armor to adding on stuff like neck and shoulder and groin protectors for a LA riot deal so you look like a space marine
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
Though here is something, a friend of mine mentioned that soft armor in a plate carrier has problems with edge hits, like rounds can fold the armor and go into you. Is that something that can be shown to happen or something I should not worry about
 

Boy Scout

Regular Member
Hahahaha yup. Some of the lower profile PC's don't have a way to attach side plates as they use nylon straps or elastic cumberbuns, but PC's with MOLLE c-buns have ways of attaching side plates.
 

Fatboy

Established
Hits near the edge of the vest are always problematic. It's a matter of how much risk you are willing to accept. As far as making regular soft armor disappear, best way I've found is put it on, strap it tight and then put a tight under armor type shirt over it to smooth out the edges followed by a baggier shirt over that. Patterns work well on the outer layer too.
 
Top