IndianaResident
Expert
- Sep 3, 2010
- 1,439
- 48
I did a pretty extensive research project on armor for a grant purchase. Botach BattleSteel Level IV are incredibly lightweight and dirt cheap ($99 per plate). They are not NIJ rated but are supposedly tested by White Oaks lab for Level IV equivalent. I haven't seen their results but its supposed to exceed NIJ standard. We ended up going with Officer Survival Solutions for Level 4 plates. They're also not NIJ but exceed the NIJ standard in their 3rd party lab test and are about $220 per for a comparable weight to $500+ alternatives.
Soft armor wise we did a test fire with HardWire soft armor and it was impressive. A few rounds (.44 mag and .50 AE) deformed the vest enough that blunt force penetration would be a concern but it caught everything, including 5.7. Much MUCH lighter than traditional aramid. It very expensive though, and proprietary cut.
For hard plate only there are a million carriers, and most will do the job of holding a piece of hard plate in place, but keep in mind the shift to plates was due to the need of SOF to jump/swim in with them worn or packed, and for infantry units to patrol for weeks in 100+ degrees. For limited movement in conceivable scenarios of Midwest temperatures I would go with plates on top of soft armor. Level 4 stand alone is best, but you can get thinner Level 4 plates that may be thinner but require IIIA soft armor underneath them.
If I were paying out of pocket I would probably get the Botach Battle Steel Level IV plates (after I saw the ballistic report) and layer that over a BALCS cut soft armor a size smaller than I wear in clothing. Beez Combat systems is still selling some nice, lightweight (laser cut grid instead of traditional molle) that are cheaper than other brands but have a good reputation. BACLS cut capable, or or plate carrier only.
Soft armor wise we did a test fire with HardWire soft armor and it was impressive. A few rounds (.44 mag and .50 AE) deformed the vest enough that blunt force penetration would be a concern but it caught everything, including 5.7. Much MUCH lighter than traditional aramid. It very expensive though, and proprietary cut.
For hard plate only there are a million carriers, and most will do the job of holding a piece of hard plate in place, but keep in mind the shift to plates was due to the need of SOF to jump/swim in with them worn or packed, and for infantry units to patrol for weeks in 100+ degrees. For limited movement in conceivable scenarios of Midwest temperatures I would go with plates on top of soft armor. Level 4 stand alone is best, but you can get thinner Level 4 plates that may be thinner but require IIIA soft armor underneath them.
If I were paying out of pocket I would probably get the Botach Battle Steel Level IV plates (after I saw the ballistic report) and layer that over a BALCS cut soft armor a size smaller than I wear in clothing. Beez Combat systems is still selling some nice, lightweight (laser cut grid instead of traditional molle) that are cheaper than other brands but have a good reputation. BACLS cut capable, or or plate carrier only.
