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If you’ve ever worn a bulletproof vest, you may find yourself praying for the end of your shift or patrol when you can head back home and just take the damn thing off. There are few feelings that can compare to the feeling of taking off a heavy, gear-laden ballistic vest. It’s almost like comfort and mobility were nothing but an afterthought to your vest’s manufacturers. With the new VP4 from BulletSafe, however, things are changing for the better.

Slimmer Cut, Better Movement

One of the first things you’ll notice about the VP4 is its new, slimmer cut. You wouldn’t think trimming a bit off the armor could make a big difference, but it does. This new cut increases your mobility, making it easier to maneuver whether you’re in a tactical situation or just on a long patrol. The slim design gives you better range of movement without compromising your safety.

Science of the RLA (Reinforced Lightweight Armor)

Here’s where things get a bit more technical. Both the VP3 and VP4 use a combination of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and aramid fibers, but the VP4 brings a twist. The new RLA armor in the VP4 has a higher ratio of aramid fibers compared to polyethylene.

Aramid fibers are famous for their fire resistance and strength, commonly found in products like Kevlar. By incorporating more aramid, the VP4 improves its ballistic resistance while also shedding some weight. Think of it as getting more protection for less bulk – a win-win situation.

How Does This Impact You?

Let’s say you’re in an profession or environment where fire hazards are as likely as ballistic threats – perhaps in law enforcement or security. The increased aramid content gives you more protection against both. And if you’re on the move a lot, the lighter weight of the VP4 can make a world of difference. You’re not going to feel like you’re wearing a medieval suit of armor, which means less fatigue over time. As a matter of fact, an extra-large VP4 vest, even with its ballistic inserts, only weighs 5lbs, which is about the same as a 2 liter bottle of soda.

Double Layer Protection with Plate Pockets

Another significant advantage the VP4 has over the VP3 is its ability to hold ballistic plates. These plates, measuring 10x12 inches, allow you to reinforce your vest with hard armor capable of stopping rifle rounds. They don’t even have to be BulletSafe plates – the VP4 is compatible with plates from any manufacturer, giving you flexibility in customizing your protection.

In practical terms, this means your vest can be set up to handle everything from a .44 Magnum to a 5.56 NATO rifle round. The VP4’s RLA stops handgun threats, while the hard plates stop rifle rounds. Whether you’re in the field or just preparing for worst-case scenarios, this dual-layer protection is a significant upgrade.

Real-World Example

If you happen to work in private security, you’ll most likely find yourself patrolling a site where risks range from armed confrontation to accidental fire hazards. The VP4, with its fire-resistant aramid blend and slim cut, allows you to move swiftly without getting bogged down by a bulky vest. Now imagine a situation escalating where rifle threats come into play. With the VP4’s plate pockets, you can easily add rifle-rated plates to your vest and double up your protection.

The VP4 is an upgrade of the VP3 that combines mobility, improved ballistic protection, and fire resistance with practical enhancements like plate pockets. For those looking to up their game in personal defense, whether in law enforcement, security, or prepping, the VP4 has the edge you need to stay protected in the face of evolving threats.

To shop BulletSafe bulletproof vests, click here.

When it comes to body armor, it’s important to note that while all bulletproof vests are body armor, not all armor is bulletproof. The term "bulletproof vest" refers to a specific type of body armor, but there’s a broader spectrum of protective gear, each designed for different threats, mobility needs, and applications. While some armor is made to stop bullets, others might only protect against shrapnel or low velocity ballistic threats.

Flak Jackets

The flak jacket is one of the earliest forms of modern body armor. Flak jackets were first used during World War II, and while they look like bulletproof vests, these jackets were actually designed to protect pilots against shrapnel from anti-aircraft flak shells (hence the name) and were widely used in the Vietnam War before being phased out in the 1980s.

A flak jacket’s protection comes from Doron plates—a fiberglass-based laminate—combined with ballistic nylon. The idea was to offer some defense against low-velocity threats, but it was never built to withstand bullets and would not protect the user from rifle rounds. While later PASGT-style flak vests were able to stop small pistol caliber ammo from short range, flak jackets stood no chance against high-velocity rounds, such as those fired from a 7.62x39mm AK-47. The flak jacket's limited protection made it somewhat impractical for civilian use and got phased out as better materials emerged.

Bulletproof Vests

It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the general public got something closer to the bulletproof vests we see today. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) introduced a rating system that classified armor based on its protective capabilities. The system ranges from Levels I to IV, with Levels I through IIIA covering soft armor (which is flexible), and Levels III and IV being rigid plate armor.

The levels of soft armor are as follows:

- Level I: Now considered obsolete, this early level was designed to stop small-caliber rounds such as .22LR and .380 ACP but is rarely used today.

- Level IIA: Comparatively rarer than its higher rated counterparts, this type of vest protects against 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP rounds. Since this vest tends to be made of relatively thin material, it was frequently favored for concealed wear. However, in the rapidly changing world of body armor technology, lighter and newer variants with better protection are pushing the Level IIA armor category into obsolescence.

- II: Similar to Level IIA, this armor is rated to stop 9mm +P and .357 Magnum.

- IIIA: Built with flexible materials to withstand most types of pistol ammunition up to .44 magnum. Companies like BulletSafe manufacture Level IIIA vests from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and aramid fibers (like Kevlar), layered to create vests with high tensile strength fibers and flexibility that does not hinder a user’s range of movement.

Soft armor is popular among law enforcement and civilians who need protection from pistols but don’t want to sacrifice comfort or mobility. Because it’s flexible, this type of armor wraps around the body, offering a larger protection area compared to rigid plate carriers, which we’ll get into next.

Plates and Plate Carriers

While soft armor is used by bodyguards and patrol officers, hard plates is tough, no-nonsense anti-rifle armor used by the military. Designed to withstand rifle fire, these ballistic plates are rated at Levels III and IV. They’re made from rigid materials like ceramic or steel and backed with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, which allow them to absorb high-velocity impacts, including rounds from large caliber weapons.

Plates are primarily designed to protect the torso—your vitals—by covering a smaller area than soft vests. Typically, they extend from the collarbone to the belly button, leaving the ribs more exposed than a soft vest. Why? Because full-body coverage with rigid plates would severely limit mobility, making it hard to move, run, or even sit comfortably.

- Level III: Designed to stop rifle rounds like the 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39, and 7.62x51mm NATO (the same round used in the M14 rifle).

- Level IV: Can withstand a single shot from an armor-piercing.30-06 round, a serious threat on the battlefield.

The trade-off with plates is coverage versus protection. While a plate carrier covers less surface area than a bulletproof vest, it’s built to stop rounds that soft armor simply can’t handle. Most military personnel and SWAT teams use plate carriers because they provide better defense against rifles, which are far more lethal than handguns.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a civilian or security officer looking for basic protection or a contractor heading into a combat zone, the type of body armor you choose matters. Flak jackets might hold a place in military history, but they’re no match for modern firearms. Soft bulletproof vests offer solid protection against pistols and mobility for everyday use, making them a favorite for police officers and security personnel. And when the big guns come out, plate carriers with rigid armor offer the best defense against rifles and armor-piercing rounds, albeit with some loss in coverage.

So, next time you’re thinking about body armor, ask yourself: what threats am I most likely to face? Once you answer that, you can find the armor that fits your needs—literally and figuratively.

To shop BulletSafe bulletproof vests, click here.

When we think about modern body armor, our minds often jump to the tough, rigid plates that stop bullets in their tracks. But there's more to armor than just being tough. Modern armor’s ability to stop bullets comes from a blend of tensile strength and material flexibility, influenced by the material of the armor. Whether you’re a professional in the line of duty or a civilian looking for personal protection, understanding these properties can help you make an informed choice when it comes to armor selection.

The Importance of Tensile Strength and Flexibility

Tensile strength refers to a material's ability to resist being pulled apart. In the context of body armor, it's a critical property because it helps prevent a bullet from penetrating through the armor. Materials with high tensile strength are less likely to tear or rip under the stress of impact, making them essential for stopping projectiles.

Material flexibility, on the other hand, allows armor to absorb and dissipate the energy of a bullet. Flexible materials can deform slightly upon impact, spreading the force over a larger area and reducing the chance of injury from blunt force trauma. Flexibility also contributes to the wearer's comfort, allowing for greater mobility and less fatigue during extended wear.

While flexible materials are excellent for stopping lower-caliber rounds, there's still a need for rigidity in certain scenarios. Steel and ceramic plates, for example, are critical for higher-level protection (Level IV plates). These materials are designed to break apart or significantly deform the bullet, thus neutralizing the threat. However, their lack of flexibility can lead to reduced mobility and comfort. This is why many armor systems today combine rigid plates with flexible materials to offer a balance between protection and wearability.

Kevlar vs UHMWPE

When it comes to flexible armor materials, the two most recognizable names in the body armor world are Kevlar and UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene). Both have been game-changers in the world of personal protection, but they each bring different strengths to the table.

Kevlar is one of the most well-known materials in the body armor industry. It's a synthetic fiber originally used for racing tires that boasts an impressive tensile strength-to-weight ratio, making it extremely effective at stopping bullets. Kevlar's flexibility allows it to conform to the body, offering comfort alongside protection. However, Kevlar does have its downsides—it can degrade over time when exposed to UV light, moisture, or extreme temperatures, which can compromise its protective capabilities.

UHMWPE, on the other hand, is a newer material that has been gaining popularity due to its lightweight and high-strength properties. It's about 15 times stronger than steel by weight and doesn’t degrade in harsh environmental conditions, making it highly durable and reliable. UHMWPE fibers can be woven into flexible sheets or combined into rigid plates, providing versatile protection options. One of the biggest advantages of UHMWPE over Kevlar is its resistance to water and UV light, which means it maintains its integrity even in challenging conditions. It’s also less dense than Kevlar, resulting in lighter armor that doesn’t sacrifice protection.

While both materials offer excellent ballistic protection, UHMWPE tends to outperform Kevlar in terms of weight and environmental resistance, making it a preferred choice for many modern armor systems. UHMWPE also has a higher flex life than Kevlar, being able to withstand repeated bending over a longer period. However, Kevlar remains a strong contender due to its long track record and slightly better performance against certain types of threats, such as stab attacks, where its tightly woven fibers can offer superior resistance.

The BulletSafe VP4 Vest with Integrated RLA Armor

For those seeking reliable protection without sacrificing mobility, the BulletSafe VP4 Vest with Integrated RLA Armor is an excellent option. This vest is crafted from UHMWPE, which offers all the advantages discussed above due to its light weight, high tensile strength, and excellent resistance to environmental factors.

The RLA Armor inside the VP4 Vest is specifically designed to protect against pistol calibers up to .44 magnum. It features a waterproof soft shell that not only keeps the armor in top condition but also enhances comfort in various weather conditions. The strategic design of the RLA Armor ensures that the vest remains comfortable during active use, with a focus on enhancing shoulder movement for maximum mobility—a crucial factor for both armed professionals and safety-conscious individuals.

The BulletSafe VP4 Vest also incorporates a superior cut and low-profile Velcro fastening system, which offers optimal freedom of movement and a discreet profile under clothing. This vest includes plate pockets on both the front and rear, allowing for the integration of RLA Armor as well as Level IV plates for those situations where additional protection against rifle rounds is needed.

Whether you're a law enforcement officer, security professional, or simply someone who prioritizes personal safety, the BulletSafe VP4 Vest with Integrated RLA Armor provides a balanced blend of protection, comfort, and mobility. Its high-performance materials and thoughtful design ensure that it can withstand active use, making it a versatile choice for any mission or daily wear scenario.

To shop BulletSafe's RLA armor, click here.

Humans have always been skeptical of new ideas, no matter how groundbreaking they might turn out to be. Take, for instance, Benjamin Rush, the American physician and founding father, who believed that drinking cold water on a hot summer day could kill a man. Or consider the early American car manufacturers who were mocked for “fiddling with buggies that would run without horses.”

So, it’s no surprise that when the first lightweight bulletproof vests hit the scene, police departments didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. Richard Davis, the man who turned Dupont’s Kevlar tire fabric into bulletproof armor, had to go to some wild lengths to make his first few sales. He shot himself with a .44 Magnum almost 200 times in front of potential buyers just to prove his vests worked. In the 1970s, the idea of a light vest stopping a bullet sounded like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Before the invention of ballistic fiber, people assumed that the eternal arms race between the killing power of weapons and the defensive ability of armor had been thoroughly won by the gun, since any armor capable of stopping high-velocity ammunition would have to be so large, thick, and heavy that it would immobilize or suffocate the user. So, when Davis rolled out a vest that felt like a heavy backpack wrapped around your chest and said it could stop the most powerful handgun in the world, folks were understandably skeptical.

Even after Davis proved the vests worked—over and over—only about 30% of the officers in departments that purchased the vests actually wore them, despite departments making them mandatory. The big issue? There weren’t any solid standards to prove whether these vests were really up to the task. Since this was literally a matter of life and death, police departments turned to Congress for help. The great minds in Washington DC got together and mandated that all future body armor should conform to a standard, which was when the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) stepped in with some serious testing to see if these vests would work as advertised.

At first, things didn’t look so great. About half of the commercially available body armor failed the NIJ’s tests, and manufacturers weren’t too happy about it. They complained that the standards were too strict. Davis’s company even said that to pass, his vests would need to be so thick and bulky that no cop would want to wear them. But the NIJ held firm, saying that any vest passing their tests would be reliable on the street.

Fast forward to today, and BulletSafe vests aren’t struggling with those early issues. Their products, like the VP3 and VP4, proudly wear the “NIJ certified” label. BulletSafe vests are trusted by cops, security professionals, and civilians worldwide because of their blend of lightweight but tough materials. Made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and aramid fibers, these vests are strong enough to stop most pistol rounds up to a .44 Magnum.

The story of bulletproof vests going from a gimmick to a must-have tool for safety took decades to get to where we are today. Thanks to strict standards and constant improvements, today’s body armor is reliable and comfortable enough that you’ll actually want to wear it. BulletSafe has become a go-to brand because they’ve figured out how to combine lightweight materials with serious protective power. With every advancement, we move further away from the skepticism of the past, showing just how far technology can go to keep us safe without weighing us down.

To shop BulletSafe vests, click here.

Despite all the media’s hatred for the AR-15 in their crusade to paint it as the most violent, civilization destroying weapon since the atomic bomb, it is in fact the humble handgun that has been the cause of the most deaths in the United States. According to the FBI, the number of people murdered annually by rifles of any type since 2015 has never exceeded 500, meanwhile, the number of people killed by handguns averages over 6,000 per year.

Therefore, statistically, if you are in some type of work that involves defense of persons, property, or otherwise upholding the law, it is statistically more probable for you to get shot by a 9mm than by a 5.56 from an AR15. That’s only one of the reasons why wearing a soft armor vest is more practical for civilians than a plate carrier.

Mobility and comfort also factor into what type of body armor you should wear. 99.9% of the time, you will be going about your everyday business – walking, sitting, standing, and going to the bathroom. Would you rather be doing that in a heavy, rigid Level IV plate or flexible IIIA armor? Unlike a plate carrier, a soft armor vest allows you to bend your torso, which is great for picking things up, sitting at a desk, or otherwise moving around. Here are a few examples where having soft armor would be more beneficial than a hard plate carrier:

Security Guards

Event Security at Concerts or Festivals:

A security guard working at a crowded concert or festival needs to be mobile, agile, and able to move quickly through large crowds. A Level IIIA vest allows for better movement and less fatigue during long shifts, enabling the guard to respond to incidents, escort attendees, or assist in evacuations without being weighed down.

Retail Security:

In a retail environment, security personnel often need to blend in with customers while remaining prepared for potential threats. A Level IIIA vest can be worn discreetly under clothing, providing protection without alarming customers or making the guard appear overly militarized, which a Level IV plate carrier might do.

Nightclub Bouncer:

A bouncer at a nightclub may face the threat of handguns or knives but is unlikely to encounter rifle fire. Wearing a Level IIIA vest provides sufficient protection while maintaining a low profile. The flexibility of the vest allows the bouncer to engage with patrons and move freely in tight spaces, such as crowded dance floors.

Patrolling Office Buildings:

Security guards patrolling office buildings or other commercial properties need to move through stairwells, elevators, and narrow corridors. A IIIA vest provides protection against common threats while allowing guards to maneuver easily and remain comfortable during long shifts.

Civilians

Personal Protection in High-Crime Areas:

A civilian living or working in a high-crime neighborhood might choose to wear a IIIA vest for added protection against handgun threats. The lightweight and flexible design of the vest makes it practical for daily wear, whether while commuting, running errands, or walking to and from a parked car.

Home Defense During Civil Unrest:

In situations of civil unrest, a civilian might choose to wear a IIIA vest while staying at home or protecting their property. The vest offers protection against the most likely threats, such as stray bullets from handguns, while allowing the wearer to remain mobile and comfortable, unlike the cumbersome and restrictive Level IV plate carrier.

Community Patrol or Volunteer Security:

Civilians participating in neighborhood watch programs or volunteering for community security during events might opt for a IIIA vest. The vest provides a balance of protection and wearability, enabling them to patrol their community or monitor events without the bulk and visibility of a Level IV plate carrier.

Journalists Covering Protests or Unstable Situations:

Journalists often find themselves in unpredictable environments where handguns or blunt force threats are possible. A Level IIIA vest provides necessary protection while allowing them to move quickly and unobtrusively, gather information, and interact with crowds without the encumbrance of a heavy plate carrier.

In all these scenarios, the lightweight, flexible, and discreet nature of a Level IIIA vest makes it a more practical choice than a rigid Level IV plate carrier, which is more suited for military or high-risk tactical operations.