Guardian Gear Level III UHMWPE Side Coverage Body Armor Plate

***Fast Delivery: 1 - 2 weeks!

The Guardian Gear Level III Side Coverage Plate is a 6" x 6" UHMWPE hard armor insert rated to NIJ Threat Level III, purpose-built for the lateral torso zones left exposed by a standard front-and-back plate setup. Constructed from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, it weighs 1.1 lbs at 0.80" thickness and carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty. The curved profile conforms to the body for continuous side-wear comfort in a plate carrier side-plate pocket.

Who this is for

  • Plate carrier users seeking lateral protection: designed to drop into standard side-plate pockets and extend rifle-rated coverage to the flanks without a heavy penalty in weight or bulk.
  • Personnel operating near or on water: the fully sealed construction and inherently buoyant UHMWPE material mean the plate floats rather than sinks if immersed.
  • Anyone in chemically or environmentally demanding conditions: the sealed outer shell resists liquids, chemicals, and harsh environmental exposure that would degrade unsealed soft or porous armor.

Compatibility with parent armor

The 6" x 6" footprint fits standard side-plate pockets found on most plate carriers that accept 6" x 6" inserts. The curved geometry sits flush against the ribcage, which also helps it seat correctly in curved side-pocket designs. Custom sizing is available for carriers with non-standard side pockets — contact us if your setup requires a different footprint.

Function

This plate extends rifle-rated ballistic coverage to the sides of the torso. It stops all handgun and rifle rounds up to and including .308 Winchester / 7.62x51 NATO and is multi-hit rated on selected threats. The UHMWPE construction distributes blunt-force energy across the panel face, reducing behind-armor deformation relative to the plate's coverage zone. Because UHMWPE is inherently lighter than steel or ceramic at comparable NIJ Level III ratings, the side plates add meaningful protection without the weight that typically discourages consistent wear of side armor.

The fully sealed perimeter blocks liquid and chemical ingress that would otherwise compromise laminate integrity over time. Buoyancy is retained even after submersion, making these plates suitable for maritime, waterborne, or flood-response environments where standard steel side plates would become a liability.

Specifications

  • Brand: Guardian Gear
  • NIJ rating: Level III (meets NIJ Threat Level III specifications)
  • Material: Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
  • Dimensions: 6" x 6" (standard); custom sizes available
  • Weight: 1.1 lbs
  • Thickness: 0.80"
  • Profile: curved
  • Multi-hit rated: yes, on selected threats
  • Sealed construction: yes — liquid, chemical, and harsh-element resistant
  • Buoyancy: yes
  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Ideal use: side-plate pocket in a plate carrier

Frequently asked questions

What does this plate work with?

It fits any plate carrier with a standard 6" x 6" side-plate pocket. Custom dimensions are available for non-standard pockets — contact us with your pocket measurements before ordering.

Is this plate NIJ-rated on its own?

Yes. This plate meets NIJ Threat Level III specifications independently, covering rounds up to .308 Winchester. It does not require a front or back plate present to achieve its rated performance; it functions as a standalone ballistic insert within its coverage area.

Does this add meaningful coverage, or is a 6" x 6" panel too small?

It depends on the threat scenario. A 6" x 6" panel covers the lateral floating-rib and lower-lung zone on most adult torsos. It will not cover the full side from hip to armpit, but it significantly improves protection against flanking shots compared to no side armor at all.

Can I use this without a primary front or back armor plate?

Yes, it functions ballistically on its own, but it only covers the small area its dimensions span. For complete torso protection, pair it with a front and rear plate in a full plate carrier system.

Does the sealed construction affect weight or stiffness?

The sealing adds no measurable weight — the plate is listed at 1.1 lbs regardless. The sealed shell does contribute slightly to the panel's rigidity, which also helps it retain its curved shape and seat properly in side pockets over time.

Can this plate be shipped to my state?

This plate cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. It is subject to US export regulations. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, anyone with a federal felony conviction for a crime of violence is prohibited from purchasing or possessing body armor.

 

Bulletproof Zone will ship orders as soon as possible. For example, if you purchase three items, they will be shipped to you based on lead time and availability. This way you get as much of your order as soon as possible, which means that your order may come in separate packages, especially if you order products from different manufacturers.

We will bear the shipping cost for products returned because of product defect, misrepresentation, or false description. Afterward, we will initiate a full reimbursement should you decline an offer to replace the item with the same item of equal value and assured quality.

Order Confirmation:

As soon as you place your order with Bulletproof Zone, you will receive an order confirmation e-mail. This means that your order has been logged in our system and your credit card has been pre-authorized for the purchase. Afterward, we contact our suppliers to confirm the availability of the product you are ordering for immediate shipment. If your item is on backorder or unavailable, we will cancel the pre-authorization and duly inform you via e-mail.

Order Shipment:

Orders are shipped within five business days from the date of your order unless specified otherwise on the product page. The product page will contain the most accurate estimate on shipping and lead times. Shipping and lead times provided on the product page are our best estimates based various factors including order volume, information from our manufacturer, raw material fluctuations, etc., and may vary due to these factors. 

You will receive an email containing the tracking information of your order after the order has been shipped to your location. If you do not receive tracking information from us within seven business days of the lead time specified on the product page, feel free to follow up with us at orders@bulletproofzone.com.

 

Bulletproof Zone is not responsible for lost or stolen packages. A tracking number will be provided when the package is shipped. It is the buyer’s responsibility to provide a safe place to receive mail. Once an item has been marked as delivered by the carrier, the seller is not responsible should that item go missing. 

Some of our products are carried by manufacturers in various countries. Due to the nature and cost of the products that Bulletproof Zone sells, you may be charged additional import duties upon delivery. Our support team can help in investigating abnormally high import duty charges but we are unable to cover the cost of any import duties.

Damages:

We take full responsibility for any obvious damage to your product caused by wrong packaging or delivering an already defective product. Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) when they arrive, if you notice any damage, you should document it when signing for delivery. If the item(s) contained in the package arrives damaged, please send photos to support@bulletproofzone.com, and we will process an insurance claim on your behalf. 

Returns and Cancellation Policy:

We back all our products with a customer satisfaction guarantee, so we created a fair return and cancellation policy.

All sales are final. No Refunds, No Cancellations. In most cases, once the order is processed, it is final and not cancellable. We may allow exceptions due to an order error or wish to return your order after delivery for any reason other than a product defect or misrepresentation. Any cancellation request is subject to an administration and cancellation fee equal to 10% of your order with a minimum of $35, whether order shipment is successful or not. 

 

All sales are final on all closeout items and for custom manufactured bulletproof clothing once the manufacturing process has begun or not returnable unless there is a product defect or misrepresentation. Applicable to brands such as MC Armor, Israel Catalog, BulletBlocker, Tacticon Armament, Wonder Hoodie, and others. 

Before returning any product, you MUST obtain a return authorization from our customer service representative. We can only process AUTHORIZED returns for items.

To make a Return or Exchange: 

  • Obtain authorization for return or exchange by emailing us at support@bulletproofzone.com explaining the reason for the return or exchange.
  • Please use or indicate your order number as attention

Return or exchanges request submission must be within 14 calendar days upon receipt of shipment unless noted otherwise on the product description page.  Your return must be in original packaging and unused.

We encourage using USPS flat-rate shipping in returning products to receive a shipping expense refund. Buyers must ensure all returned parcels delivery receipt AND signature confirmation. We highly recommend insuring your parcel as we cannot issue a refund for an item that we do not receive back should it get lost/damaged during transit.

Refunds:

Should an item be returned because it was defective, misrepresented, not as described, etc., Bulletproof Zone will issue a full refund and will reimburse the customer for all shipping expenses associated with the return.

Please allow 5-10 business days from the time the item is received to process a refund. Refunds will only be issued to the original credit card that you use when placing your order.

We stand behind our products 100%!

By purchasing any of our items, the buyer certifies they have read and agree to our shipping, return, and privacy policies.

The Bulletproof Zone Promise

When you buy body armor, you're buying your safety. We don't take that lightly. Here's what every order from Bulletproof Zone includes.

1. Authorized dealer of every brand we carry

Every plate, vest, and carrier we ship comes from the manufacturer directly to our warehouse. We don't sell gray-market product, surplus, or returns. That means factory-fresh stock, the full manufacturer warranty, and real after-sale support — the kind only an authorized dealer can offer.

We maintain authorized-dealer relationships with America's leading body armor brands, including Spartan Armor Systems, AR500 Armor, RMA Defense, Shellback Tactical, Caliber Armor, DFNDR Armor, Protection Group Denmark, BulletSafe, BulletBlocker, and over 40 more.

2. Best price, guaranteed

If you find a lower price at another authorized dealer of the same product within six months of your purchase, we'll refund the difference.

Why the "authorized dealer" requirement? Because gray-market and surplus armor may not be genuine, may have a compromised supply chain, and almost never comes with a manufacturer warranty. We won't price-match against products that may not actually protect you.

3. Free fitment consultation

Body armor only protects you if it fits. Email us a photo and your measurements before you order, and one of our specialists will help you size your carrier and plates correctly — at no charge, no obligation.

4. Trusted by thousands of customers

Bulletproof Zone has been a trusted authorized dealer of America's leading body armor manufacturers for over five years. We have over 4,000 verified Trustpilot reviews from real customers across all 50 states.

Price Match Guarantee — Terms

  • You must have purchased the item from our website before requesting the price match.
  • Discounted items and "free with purchase" items are not eligible.
  • The item must be in stock on the competitor's website at the time of your request.
  • The price match is valid for six months from the date of your purchase.
  • The competitor must be an authorized dealer of the product. Auction sites (eBay, Overstock), discounters, and gray-market resellers do not qualify.
  • The competitor must operate an online store. Brick-and-mortar-only retailers do not qualify.
  • Price match applies to the item price plus shipping. Sales tax is excluded.

To request a price match, email us a link to the product on our site and the same product on the competitor's site within six months of purchase. We'll process the refund.

Why Bulletproof Zone?

At Bulletproof Zone, we are passionate about protecting lives. Every piece from our catalog is designed and rigorously tested to provide the highest quality of protection you need from firearms, explosives or even close quarters combat.

We’ve partnered with various manufacturers that operate within the United States under a strict set of guidelines both on a national and corporate level so that when you shop with us, you will be able to select from the highest quality body armor, ballistic plates and tactical gear available on the market.

Whether you are a military service member looking to find your own gear, a professional that operates in the security field, or an avid firearms enthusiast that capitalizes the importance of safety when shooting, our tactical gear will provide you the level of protection you need.

Any questions or concerns? Please call us at (408)-909-4938 or email us at support@bulletproofzone.com and a member of our professional support team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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R
Ronald S.
Side plates

I hope I never have to use them. But I am confident that they will serve me well when needed. These are great plates.

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