User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
TX, USA
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Posted: 7/20/2024 2:30:24 AM EDT
I am looking to pick up a generic 'full size' soft body armor panel, at least IIIA level. I will run it in a backpack hydration bladder pocket or in a messenger bag. A hard panel won't work, and rifle threats are unlikely where I would use it. Plus, I don't want something overly thick (cheap) or overly heavy (cheap). This panel also needs to work in real life so, it needs to be somewhat flexible and compliant so it doesn't break a laptop or drive something from a backpack into my body.
I have looked at Aglite and RMADefense. I am sure there are others. While I like cheap, I don't know what more expensive soft body armor plates would give me in terms of 'better' compared to a common ~$130 soft plate. So, what are my better soft plate options, at what price, and what does it have over other similar plate options? TIA, Sid |
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Posted: 7/20/2024 5:06:05 AM EDT
[#1]
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Posted: 7/20/2024 6:05:56 AM EDT
[#2]
Premier has soft armor made for the back of many backpacks. I have had one in my edc work bag for ~3 years now maybe? Flown with it and no problems.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/21/2024 10:14:32 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryAre they reasonable quality or are they cheap crap?
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/21/2024 10:27:08 AM EDT
[Last Edit: sidpost]
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By steviesterno16: Premier has soft armor made for the back of many backpacks. I have had one in my edc work bag for ~3 years now maybe? Flown with it and no problems. https://premierbodyarmor.com/collections/universal-fit-level-iiia-insert Looks pretty high quality at a moderate cost! |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/21/2024 10:38:24 AM EDT
[#5]
https://agilitegear.com/products/amap-iii-level-iiia-soft-armor-insert
Looks like this one is made by Premier and is sold by Agilite to match one of their backpacks and their satchel. And it appears to slightly cheaper as well. |
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Posted: 7/21/2024 1:23:03 PM EDT
[#6]
Midwest Armor has some offerings.
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Posted: 7/22/2024 12:02:25 AM EDT
[#7]
OmniProtex has some CPL listed IIIA panels of various cuts and sizes
https://omniprotex.com/collections/backpack/products/opx-elite-backpack-armor-iiia-nij-06 |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/22/2024 10:55:37 AM EDT
[#8]
Note there's no real standard for cuts on soft armor. There's a wide variety, mostly proprietary, to fit various applications. Some places do sell flat panels and SAPI "cut" panels as well. That can make it difficult to give recommendations as it depends upon what you're putting it into and what dimensions it takes. It might be some weird shape that only they make armor for.
Also it's critical to get something that's been NIJ certified. The margin for failure on soft armor is so much smaller than it is on hard armor. Don't trust yourself to the Chinese or Venezuelan made crap. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/24/2024 9:33:58 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Buffman_LT1: OmniProtex has some CPL listed IIIA panels of various cuts and sizes https://omniprotex.com/collections/backpack/products/opx-elite-backpack-armor-iiia-nij-06 |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/24/2024 9:41:08 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Hayashi_Killian: Also it's critical to get something that's been NIJ certified. The margin for failure on soft armor is so much smaller than it is on hard armor. Don't trust yourself to the Chinese or Venezuelan made crap. Then there are the companies and personalities that have outsourced their ballistic panels to the third-world and do a great job marketing SNAKE OIL at premium prices too! I learned a long time ago that spending more money sometimes gets you an inferior product. Often the best product is not the most expensive or most widely distributed product. Talking to people that really know what they are talking about is always best. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 7/24/2024 1:08:31 PM EDT
[#11]
There are also semi rigid polyethylene panels that are rated a bit higher than 3a and can stop 5.7 and such. Depending on the bag and use it may be nice to have something slightly rigid.
Botach base some that are cheap enough to try and see if you like the concept. I’m sure other places make something similar too. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/24/2024 2:25:21 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By hodgescl: There are also semi rigid polyethylene panels that are rated a bit higher than 3a and can stop 5.7 and such. IIIA will readily stop 5.7x28. The only kind of 5.7x28 that will defeat IIIA is the SS190 armor piercing round which is going to be exceptionally rare to find, even in .gov hands. The only way regular FMJ ammunition will defeat IIIA will be if it's fired out of a rifle-length (>=16") barrel and thus gaining enough extra velocity to defeat it. |
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Posted: 7/29/2024 12:32:31 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Hayashi_Killian: IIIA will readily stop 5.7x28. The only kind of 5.7x28 that will defeat IIIA is the SS190 armor piercing round which is going to be exceptionally rare to find, even in .gov hands. The only way regular FMJ ammunition will defeat IIIA will be if it's fired out of a rifle-length (>=16") barrel and thus gaining enough extra velocity to defeat it. |
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Posted: 7/29/2024 3:49:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Originally Posted By sidpost: ... I will run it in a backpack hydration bladder pocket or in a messenger bag. A hard panel won't work, and rifle threats are unlikely where I would use it. Plus, I don't want something overly thick (cheap) or overly heavy (cheap). This panel also needs to work in real life so, it needs to be somewhat flexible and compliant so it doesn't break a laptop or drive something from a backpack into my body... Knowing that might really help to know what off-the-shelf choices might already exist to solve your query? |
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