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When shopping for bulletproof vests, you’ll notice that many brands claim their products meet the strict standards set by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for ballistic body armor. But just because a product has the NIJ logo slapped on it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s truly compliant with those standards. Unfortunately, some less-than-honest companies may use the NIJ logo on their armor labels, hoping customers will take it at face value.

So, how can you be sure that a company’s NIJ certification is the real deal? The good news is that the NIJ makes it easy for the public to verify these claims. The NIJ’s Compliant Product List is your go-to resource for checking if a manufacturer’s bulletproof vest is genuinely accredited.

This list provides detailed information, including threat levels, model designations, armor types, opening styles, size ranges, warranties, and the certification status (active or inactive) for every NIJ-certified vest available worldwide.

The Model Designation is an alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a specific model. Sometimes, manufacturers will also use a more familiar product or marketing name to sell the vest after testing. The NIJ Model Designation should be listed on the label of whatever body armor you purchase, so you can cross-reference it with the Compliant Product List to confirm its legitimacy.

While there is a “gender” category in the Compliant Product List, the NIJ standard doesn’t directly address male, female, or gender-neutral armor as they relate to the wearer; instead, it focuses on planar vs. nonplanar panels. Typically, male armor panels are planar, while female panels are nonplanar, shaped to fit the female body. Gender-neutral armor panels are usually tested as planar armor, and hard armor plates are generally considered gender-neutral. For female users, the NIJ recommends being fitted for soft body armor specifically designed for women to ensure a proper fit.

Another factor to consider is how the armor is designed to be worn—whether it’s front-opening or attaches at the sides. The NIJ tests these designs separately, and the Compliant Product List will indicate how the armor was tested and how it’s meant to be worn.

The Model Status column on the list shows where the model currently stands:

• Active: The model is currently in production and compliant with the surveillance program.
• Suspended: The model’s compliance has been temporarily suspended, often in connection with an NIJ Advisory Notice.
• Inactive: The model is no longer in production. While existing models are still considered compliant, they aren’t part of the Follow-up Inspection and Testing (FIT) program.

For example, BulletSafe’s certification details, along with the company’s headquarters address and customer service information, can be found in the NIJ database here.

To shop BulletSafe body armor, click here.

All bulletproof vests are body armor, but not all body armor is bulletproof vests. Body armor is a broad term that refers to any protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks. This can include everything from the chainmail of a medieval knight to a modern plate carrier. In contrast, bulletproof vests are a specific type of body armor designed to protect against firearm projectiles.

Body Armor refers to all protective equipment that shields the body from harm, which can include anything from ballistic and motorcycle armor to riot gear and EOD suits.  Body armor is purpose built to defend against a specific threat. For example, ballistic fibers stop bullets, the hard ABS plastic in motorcycle armor is used to prevent abrasions at high speed, and the blend of ballistic plating and foam in a bomb suit is meant to protect against shrapnel from explosives.

A Bulletproof Vest typically refers to any armor rated to stop small arms fire. While the term "bulletproof vest" usually conjures images of the soft Level IIIA vest, which is rated to protect against pistol fire, there are other types of body armor designed for more substantial threats. For instance, plate carriers, which incorporate hard armor plates rated to withstand rifle fire, are often categorized as bulletproof vests as well. However, it’s important to note that while plate carriers offer higher levels of protection, they differ significantly from soft armor vests in terms of weight, rigidity, and overall design. Thus, while all these types of gear can fall under the umbrella of bulletproof vests, they serve distinct roles based on the level of threat they are designed to counter.

Understanding these distinctions allows for informed decisions about the protective gear best suited to individual needs, whether for law enforcement, military, or civilian use. Using the term "body armor" effectively in search queries and content ensures a wide range of protective gear is captured, including but not limited to bulletproof vests.

When it comes to the protective capabilities of bulletproof vests, one of the most common questions is: Are they also stab-proof? The answer, quite simply, is that it depends. Just as bulletproof vests are rated by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for their ability to stop various calibers of bullets, they are also rated for their resistance to stabs and punctures.

Understanding NIJ Ratings

In accordance with NIJ Standard 0115.01, to test stab resistance, a “guided drop assembly” must be used against the vest. This involves dropping a sharp, spike-like implement onto the vest from a height of 14 feet. The testing energy levels vary: 24 Joules and 36 Joules for commercial threats like kitchen knives, pocketknives, ice picks, and awls, and 43 Joules and 65 Joules for more improvised threats, such as blades and spikes that could be fashioned by inmates.

While many brands claim their vests are fully "stab-proof," not all have the NIJ certification to back it up. This distinction is crucial for those seeking maximum protection.

 BulletSafe's Stab Resistance

At BulletSafe, we value honesty and integrity. While have independently tested our vests to ensure that they are stab-resistant, though they have not undergone the NIJ's rigorous stab-proof testing. Our independent tests ensure that our vests can save lives in real-world scenarios involving blades or screwdrivers. This applies to our soft armor, such as the VP3 vest.

The Rigid Armor Difference

When considering rigid armor, like bulletproof plates made of ceramics or steel, these materials are inherently stab-proof due to their hardness. The physics behind it is simple: it's nearly impossible for even the strongest person with the sharpest blade to pierce through rigid armor. The ceramics used in our Level IV armor are exceptionally hard, and sharp knives, which are typically brittle, stand no chance.

The reason a knife can't penetrate hard plates is the same reason a strong swordsman can't cut through even mediocre steel armor. When a high-velocity projectile strikes a ceramic plate, the energy causes the ceramic to fracture and absorb the impact through a pattern of cracks. However, the average human simply cannot deliver a blow with the speed and force of a bullet.

When a knife is used to stab, the contact area is much larger compared to that of a bullet. This means the force exerted is spread over a larger area, reducing the pressure and making it insufficient to penetrate the ceramic. This, combined with the limitations of human muscle, makes most modern hard armor impervious to stabbing or slashing.

In summary, while soft armor may offer significant protection against stabs, only rigid plates can truly be considered stab-proof. Understanding these differences and NIJ ratings is essential for anyone seeking comprehensive protection. Whether facing bullets or blades, knowing your vest's capabilities can make all the difference.

To shop BulletSafe bulletproof vests, click here.

A bulletproof vest isn’t a magic invulnerable shield. If someone shoots you and the round hits your vest – you will live provided that you were shot with a round your vest was rated for. However, even though the bullet didn't get through, you'll still be left winded and in pain. That's because of something called backface deformation (BFD).

BFD Explained: The Armor Bends, You Don't (Ideally)

In the simplest terms, backface deformation is simply how much a bulletproof vest bulges inward when it's hit by a bullet. Imagine someone hitting a really tough piece of playdough – it won't break, but it will definitely deform (hence the term backface deformation). While the bullet will not penetrate the vest, the bullet's energy is still transferred to the person wearing the vest.

How BFD Affects Soft vs. Hard Armor

There are two main types of bulletproof vests: soft armor and hard armor.

The soft armor made by BulletSafe is typically made of a material called ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), an extremely resilient, flexible and lightweight fabric with a higher tensile strength than steel. NIJ Certified to withstand rounds up to .44 magnum, soft armor vests are bendable and are generally more comfortable to wear than their hard plate counterparts. The backface deformation in soft armor is much more violent than it is in hard plates because UHMWPE lacks the rigidity of a hard plate.

9-pellet 00 buckshot on a VP3. Credit: 1ShotTV

Hard armor uses ballistic plates made of materials like UHMWPE or ceramic. These plates are much stiffer and can stop higher-powered bullets. However, ceramic plates are heavy and bulky, and UHMWPE typically have less backface deformation than soft armor because of their rigidity. For a plate to pass NIJ standards, its backface deformation cannot exceed 44mm.

BFD and Injuries

Even though the vest stops the bullet, backface deformation can cause blunt force trauma. This is basically a fancy way of saying your body gets bruised or even cracked from the impact. Depending on the bullet's power and the vest's quality, BFD can range from a nasty bruise to serious injuries. According to the FBI, no one has ever been killed by excess backface deformation, however this does not mean death from BFD is impossible.

Minimizing BFD

Trauma pads are soft inserts made of ballistic material worn behind hard armor plates. They help absorb some of the remaining energy and reduce BFD. Placed behind bulletproof plates, some trauma pads are not typically bulletproof, but they are good at absorbing high impact energies and deflecting them away from the user. They are usually shaped like a rectangle to protect the wearer’s vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Unlike most trauma pads, a BulletSafe backpack panel can fulfill the same function as a trauma pad while also providing added ballistic protection. The backpack panel has the same rectangular shape as a trauma pad and can just as effectively disperse the energy of a round, minimizing backface deformation in the process.

Remember: to ensure maximum protection against backface deformation, consider investing in a trauma pad or a BulletSafe backpack panel. While a bulletproof vest will save your life regardless, a trauma pad can serve to prevent further injury.

To shop BulletSafe bulletproof armor, click here.

Measuring Your Backpack Panel for your Bag

Before purchasing a bulletproof backpack panel, it is essential to ensure it will fit your bag properly. The BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel measures 10 inches by 14 inches, making it versatile enough to fit into various bags, from school backpacks to briefcases. To measure your bag:

1. Empty the Bag: Remove all contents from your backpack or bag to get accurate measurements.
2. Measure the Interior: Use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the largest compartment. Ensure the measurements exceed 10x14 inches to accommodate the panel.
3. Check for Flexibility: The panel is flexible and only 0.29 inches thick, allowing it to fit snugly against the back panel of most bags without taking up much space.

Determine Material Type

When choosing a bulletproof panel, the material type is crucial. While steel plates offer high protection levels, they are heavy and cumbersome, especially for children and daily commuters. Instead, opt for materials used in the BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel:

• Lightweight and Flexible: Weighing just 17 ounces, the BulletSafe panel is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with a blend of aramid fibers typically found in bulletproof vests. This makes it easy to carry and comfortable for everyday use.
• Non-Steel Composition: Unlike heavy steel plates, the materials in this panel allow for ease of movement and do not add significant weight to the bag, ensuring that children and adults can carry it effortlessly.

Determine NIJ threat level protection

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sets standards for ballistic resistance. The BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel provides NIJ Level IIIA protection. Understanding this level is crucial for your safety:

• Level IIIA Protection: This level means the panel can stop almost all handgun rounds, including powerful rounds like the .44 Magnum. It offers peace of mind against most common threats.
• Suitability: NIJ Level IIIA is ideal for school, work, and everyday carry scenarios where the most likely threats are from handguns.

Installation

Installing the bulletproof panel into your backpack is straightforward:

• Choose the Right Compartment: Select the compartment closest to your back. This positioning offers the most protection and keeps the panel secure.
• Insert the Panel: Slide the panel into the compartment, ensuring it lies flat against the back of the bag.
• Secure the Panel: If your bag has straps or pockets, use them to secure the panel in place to prevent shifting during movement.
• Test for Fit and Comfort: Wear the backpack to ensure the panel does not alter the comfort or fit of the bag. Make adjustments if necessary.

During a shooting:

In the unfortunate event of a shooting, having a bulletproof panel can provide a critical layer of protection. Here are steps to maximize your safety:

• Seek Cover: Immediately find a solid cover to protect yourself from gunfire.
• Position the Backpack: If you cannot find adequate cover, use your backpack with the panel as a shield. Or else, wear it over your chest so it acts as a front facing bulletproof vest.
• Stay Low and Move Strategically: Keep a low profile and move towards safety, using the backpack to cover your vital organs.
• Call for Help: As soon as it is safe to do so, call emergency services to report the situation and get assistance.

Investing in a bulletproof backpack panel like the BulletSafe Bulletproof Backpack Panel is a proactive step towards personal safety. Its lightweight, flexible, and durable design ensures it can be used daily without burdening the user. By measuring your bag correctly, understanding the material and protection level, and knowing how to install and use it effectively, you can enhance your safety and peace of mind in various scenarios.

To shop BulletSafe's line of bulletproof backpack panels and plates, click here.