Guardian Gear Level IIIA UHMWPE Soft Body Armor Panel

***Fast Delivery: 1 - 2 weeks!

The Guardian Gear Level IIIA Soft Body Armor Panel is a UHMWPE-based ballistic insert tested under NIJ-0101.06 Level IIIA standards by H.P. White and Chesapeake Testing Labs. At 0.35 inches thick and weighing as little as 1 lb in the 10" x 12" size, it delivers handgun-rated protection across a broad range of everyday carry applications. Available in 10" x 12" and 11" x 14" sizes with Shooters Cut or Rectangle Corner shapes, and custom sizes available on request.

Who this is for

  • Everyday carriers: anyone who needs discreet handgun-rated protection built into a backpack, computer case, or sports bag without adding noticeable bulk
  • Plate carrier users: those looking to add soft armor coverage behind or alongside hard plates in a tactical carrier setup
  • Personal protection planners: students, commuters, and professionals who want a low-profile Level IIIA panel that fits standard bag sizes and holds up in wet or harsh conditions

Threat coverage

This panel is rated to NIJ-0101.06 Level IIIA, the highest handgun protection level in the NIJ 0101.06 standard. It stops all rounds .44 Magnum and below, including common 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 Magnum threats. The panel is multi-shot rated on selected threats, meaning it maintains ballistic integrity across multiple rounds at the rated threat levels without panel failure.

Level IIIA does not protect against rifle-caliber rounds. Anyone facing rifle-level threats requires a hard armor plate rated Level III or Level IV.

Concealability and comfort

UHMWPE construction keeps the 10" x 12" panel at 1 lb and the 11" x 14" at 1.25 lbs. The 0.35-inch profile sits flat inside a plate carrier pocket, backpack sleeve, or bag insert without creating visible printing. The flexible structure conforms to a range of carry environments, from slimline laptop bags to plate carrier soft armor pockets, without stiffening the host item significantly. The panel is fully sealed in a flexible fabric shell that resists liquids, chemicals, and harsh environmental exposure, protecting the ballistic material from degradation during daily use.

Care and maintenance

The sealed fabric exterior protects the UHMWPE core against moisture and chemical contact, which means the panel does not require frequent cleaning beyond wiping the outer shell. Do not machine wash or submerge the panel. The manufacturer warranty covers this panel for five years from purchase.

Specifications

  • Brand: Guardian Gear
  • NIJ Standard: Tested under NIJ-0101.06 Level IIIA by H.P. White and Chesapeake Testing Labs
  • Threat rating: All rounds .44 Magnum and below; multi-shot rated on selected threats
  • Material: UHMWPE fabric
  • Thickness: 0.35 inches
  • Weight — 10" x 12": 1 lb
  • Weight — 11" x 14": 1.25 lbs
  • Available sizes: 10" x 12", 11" x 14"; custom sizes available
  • Shape options: Shooters Cut, Rectangle Corners
  • Exterior: Fully sealed flexible fabric; liquid, chemical, and element resistant
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Stab resistance: Stab proof

Fit and carrier compatibility

The 10" x 12" size fits the soft armor pockets of most standard plate carriers. The 11" x 14" size works in larger carriers and full-size backpack sleeves. Both sizes also insert directly into backpacks, school bags, computer cases, and sports bags for everyday personal protection. Custom sizes are available for non-standard applications — contact us to discuss options.

Frequently asked questions

Can this be shipped to my state?

This panel cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. 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. Check your local laws before ordering.

What is NIJ Level IIIA and what does it stop?

NIJ Level IIIA is the highest handgun protection level in the NIJ 0101.06 standard. This panel stops all rounds .44 Magnum and below, covering the vast majority of common handgun calibers including 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. It is not rated for rifle-caliber threats.

Will this stop rifle rounds?

No. Level IIIA soft armor is handgun-rated only. Stopping rifle rounds requires a hard armor plate rated at Level III or Level IV. This panel can be layered behind a hard plate in a carrier, but the soft panel itself provides no rifle-threat protection.

How does this panel compare to NIJ 0101.07 HG2?

It depends on the specific test protocol. This panel is tested under the legacy NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA standard. The newer NIJ 0101.07 HG2 designation uses updated test parameters. The two standards are related but not directly interchangeable — if 0101.07 HG2 compliance is a hard requirement for your application, contact us for clarification.

Can I wash this panel?

Do not machine wash or submerge the panel. The sealed flexible fabric exterior can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Immersing the panel or running it through a washing machine risks damaging the UHMWPE ballistic layers and voiding the warranty.

Does this panel fit in a backpack or bag?

Yes. The panel is designed for use in plate carriers and everyday personal items including backpacks, school bags, computer cases, and sports bags. The 10" x 12" size suits most standard bags; the 11" x 14" fits larger carry items. Custom dimensions are available if neither standard size suits your application.

 

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.

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