COMPARING BODY ARMOR TYPES: STEEL VS. CERAMIC VS. POLYETHYLENE PLATES

Whether you serve on a police squad, sheriff’s office, or SWAT team in a large city where violence and active threats arise daily or you’re in a smaller community that rarely sees such action, you’ve likely considered the question: What’s the best body armor for my needs?To get more news about bulletproof zone, you can visit bulletproofboxs.com official website.

We conducted extensive, in-depth conversations with a number of law enforcement officers who are constantly investigating how to best protect themselves in gun related active threat scenarios. There are many distinct differences within the body armor industry: Exactly how do armor options compare to each other? What armor materials make the most sense for a specific situation? What materials are strongest? Which ones are lightest? The list goes on and on.
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Venture Tactical focuses mostly on polyethylene and alloy/composite armor and completely understands that we're not the right fit for every armor need. To determine which solution is best for you, we believe breaking down the best body armor for law enforcement options will help in your decision. Before we identify each specific armor type and weigh the pros and cons, it's important to note the factors we consider essential when evaluating ballistic armor solutions.
1. HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED/WANT TO HAVE RIFLE PROTECTION?
Different positions or roles will offer different answers to this question. As a SWAT team officer or K9 Handler, for example, you may be wearing body armor frequently or possibly even every day. In this case, weight and comfort are critical. You have soft body armor that you wear every day and need hard plates when in an active shooter situation. Wearing armor every day over the course of a career can ultimately add thousands of pounds of wear and tear over the days, weeks, months, and years, impacting your back, knees, hips, ankles, neck, and joints over a long period. Plus, the lighter the weight, the greater your stamina and maneuverability during intense active threat scenarios.

On the other side of the equation, for a police officer or private security individual who doesn’t face active shooter scenarios and life-threatening situations frequently, comfort and weight might take a backseat to stopping power, budget, and product lifetime value.

2. WHAT SPECIFIC THREATS DO YOU NEED/WANT TO BE PROTECTED FROM?
If you’re a police officer, sheriff, or commissioner looking for the best body armor solutions for your department, it’s important to consider the increasing likelihood of facing “green tip” (and M855 A1) rounds, which only special-threat NIJ Level III+ armor can stop.

 

3. HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED/WANT TO REPLACE OR UPDATE YOUR BODY ARMOR SOLUTION?
Warranties should be considered “product life expectations” for body armor. In our research, the average warranty for body armor is around five years. The warranty (or how long the product is designed to keep you safe) is of utmost importance. We strongly suggest looking closely at the warranty, as it may not only address the effectiveness of the body armor plate, but it can also affect your overall investment by 20, 30 or even 50 percent when there is a longer warranty.