Body Armor Guides — nij standards
NIJ 0123.00 rates helmets HG1, HG2, and RF1 — not Level IV. Learn which ballistic helmet rating matches your threat, material, and weight budget in 2026.
7 Body Armor Buying Mistakes to Avoid in 2026
These 7 body armor buying mistakes can be fatal: wrong NIJ certification, expired soft armor, mismatched threat levels, steel spall risk, and more. Full 2026 guide.
Standalone vs ICW Body Armor: Best Plate Choice 2026
Standalone plates work alone. ICW plates require a IIIA backer — skip it and backface deformation exceeds 44mm. 2026 guide: 7 FAQs, weight tables, expert picks.
AR550 Steel Body Armor: Multi-Hit Plates Explained 2026
AR550 steel plates rate at 545-560 BHN and defeat 5.56 M855 up to 3,100 FPS. How AR550 differs from AR500, spall coatings, weight tradeoffs, and who should buy it.
Level IIIA Soft Body Armor: Stopping Power & HG2 Guide (2026)
Level IIIA soft body armor stops .44 Magnum and .357 SIG at NIJ-certified velocities. Learn what it does and doesn't stop, how HG2 changes the standard, and how to choose the right vest.
Level 4 Plates: What They Stop, Weight & Who Needs Them
NIJ Level IV plates stop .30 cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps — the only hard-armor rating that defeats armor-piercing rounds. Weight, ceramic construction, lifespan, and who actually needs them.