- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Spartan Armor Systems Flex Fused Core HG2 Level IIIA Soft Body Armor is an aramid-fiber concealable panel built to stop handgun threats while staying thin enough to wear discreetly under everyday clothing. Manufactured in Tucson, Arizona from American-made materials, the Flex Fused Core rates to HG2 (Level IIIA) — the highest handgun protection level in the NIJ threat hierarchy. The 10"x12" panel weighs 0.95 lb at 0.35" thick. Available in three sizes: 8"x10", 10"x12", and 11"x14".
Who this is for
- Plainclothes professionals: law enforcement officers, investigators, and security personnel who need ballistic coverage without the profile of a plate carrier
- Everyday carriers: civilians seeking discreet, all-day protection against handgun threats under a jacket, vest, or loose shirt
- Budget-conscious buyers: anyone who wants domestic manufacturing, a 5-year warranty, and IIIA-level coverage without a four-figure price tag
Threat coverage
The Flex Fused Core is rated HG2 (equivalent to legacy Level IIIA) — the top handgun-rated tier in the NIJ body armor standard. At HG2, panels are tested against .357 SIG FMJ flat-nose and .44 Magnum SJHP rounds, which together represent the most energetic common handgun threats. This rating also covers the full range of lower-energy pistol rounds: 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .357 Magnum.
Soft armor at the IIIA/HG2 level does not stop rifle rounds. A rifle-rated hard plate — Level III, Level III+, or Level IV — is required for any rifle-caliber threat. The Flex Fused Core is designed to function as a standalone handgun-rated panel or as a soft backer behind a hard armor plate in a plate carrier.
Concealability and comfort
The aramid-fiber construction keeps the 10"x12" panel at 0.35 inches thick and under one pound, which allows it to sit flat against the torso inside a concealable carrier or purpose-built vest. The 8"x10" option drops to 0.70 lb for applications where a smaller coverage footprint is acceptable — backpack panel use, secondary coverage, or smaller-framed wearers. The 11"x14" size at 1.35 lb provides expanded coverage for larger frames or higher-risk environments where a fuller front panel is preferred.
Care and maintenance
Soft aramid panels should not be machine washed or submerged. Wipe the outer carrier with a damp cloth; keep the panel dry. Store flat or loosely rolled in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and chemical exposure. The Flex Fused Core carries a 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Inspect the panel for deformation, moisture damage, or compromised stitching at regular intervals and replace if any degradation is detected.
Specifications
- Brand: Spartan Armor Systems
- Model: Flex Fused Core
- NIJ Designation: HG2 / Level IIIA
- Material: Aramid fibers
- Origin: Made in USA (Tucson, Arizona)
- Available sizes: 8"x10", 10"x12", 11"x14"
- Weight — 8"x10": 0.70 lb (0.32 kg)
- Weight — 10"x12": 0.95 lb (0.43 kg)
- Weight — 11"x14": 1.35 lb (0.61 kg)
- Thickness: 0.35" (8.89 mm)
- SKU: SAS-PLYIIIA
- Warranty: 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects
Fit and carrier compatibility
The Flex Fused Core is a bare panel without an integrated carrier. The 10"x12" size fits the plate pocket of most standard plate carriers and concealable vest systems designed for 10"x12" soft inserts. The 8"x10" panel suits smaller concealable carriers and backpack armor sleeves. The 11"x14" size fits full-coverage front and rear pockets on larger plate carriers. For fit confirmation across specific carrier models, contact us before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is HG2 / Level IIIA and what does it stop?
HG2 is the NIJ designation for the highest handgun protection tier. It covers .357 SIG FMJ flat-nose, .44 Magnum SJHP, and all lower-energy pistol calibers including 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and .357 Magnum. It does not stop rifle rounds — for rifle-caliber threats, a hard armor plate rated Level III or higher is required.
Will this panel stop rifle rounds?
No. Soft aramid panels at the IIIA/HG2 level are not designed to stop rifle-caliber projectiles. Rounds like 5.56x45 M193 and 7.62x39 will defeat soft armor. If rifle-rated protection is required, pair this panel as a soft backer with a Level III, Level III+, or Level IV hard plate in a plate carrier.
Can I conceal this under everyday clothing?
Yes. At 0.35" thick and 0.95 lb in the 10"x12" size, the Flex Fused Core sits flat under a button-down shirt, jacket, or loose outerwear when placed inside a properly fitted concealable carrier. The 8"x10" version is even easier to conceal for smaller frames or under tighter garments.
How long is the shelf life and when should I replace it?
The Flex Fused Core carries a 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Inspect the panel regularly for moisture damage, deformation, or compromised stitching. Replace the panel immediately after any ballistic impact event — a panel that has stopped a round is no longer serviceable, regardless of visible damage.
Can I wash this panel?
No. Do not machine wash or submerge the aramid panel. Clean the outer carrier separately per its care label. Wipe the panel surface with a lightly damp cloth if needed and allow it to air dry fully before reinstalling. Exposure to prolonged moisture or harsh chemicals degrades aramid fibers over time.
Can this be shipped to my state?
This panel cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. It is subject to US export regulations for international orders. 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.