- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The PPSS Group Covert Stab Vest in Black delivers CAST-certified KR1 knife protection and SP1 spike protection in a Fortiply carbon fibre composite panel approximately 3.6 mm thin and weighing 1.5 kg (size Large). Manufactured in the UK, this concealable vest is designed to be worn beneath standard clothing across an extended shift without compromising mobility. It also carries VPAM W5 certification, meaning the protective panel withstands 100 joules of blunt-force impact from objects such as metal pipes, baseball bats, and crowbars. Available in sizes S through 3XL, including a no-cost Wide fitting.
Who this is for
- Front-line security professionals: door supervisors, court security officers, shopping centre and airport security teams who need covert, shift-long protection without a visible vest profile.
- Healthcare and institutional security: hospital security staff, university security, and corrections officers who face elevated risks of edged-weapon and blunt-force assault in civilian environments.
- Enforcement and government personnel: parking enforcement officers, local government enforcement, revenue collection officers, and eviction officers who require a discreet armour profile appropriate to a public-facing role.
Threat coverage
The vest holds CAST certification at KR1 (knife) and SP1 (spike). KR1 covers single-edged weapons ranging from kitchen knives through to machetes. SP1 extends coverage to double-edged weapons such as flip knives and makeshift spike weapons including sharpened screwdrivers — threats that KR1-only armour does not address. Together, KR1 and SP1 represent the full spectrum of edged and pointed threats most likely to be encountered in civilian security roles.
The vest also holds VPAM W5 certification for blunt-force trauma, protecting against 100 joules of impact energy. Blunt-force injury is the most common injury type faced by security professionals, and VPAM W5 is the only current certification standard for this threat class. This vest is not rated for ballistic (bullet) threats and does not carry NIJ ballistic certification.
Concealability and comfort
The Fortiply panel measures approximately 3.6 mm in profile. Edges are feathered to eliminate pressure points at the panel perimeter, and the high-grade nylon outer cover incorporates a spacer fabric that allows cool air to circulate against the body during extended wear. Fully adjustable hook-and-loop side and shoulder fastenings allow the fit to be dialled in without tools. The minimalistic, protrusion-free silhouette sits flat beneath a standard work shirt or uniform jacket with no visible outline.
Care and maintenance
The protective panel removes from the outer cover for machine washing. The Fortiply composite does not degrade in the way that traditional aramid panels do, maintaining its protective properties across the service life of the vest. Hand-wash or spot-clean the panel if needed; machine-wash the outer cover separately.
Specifications
- Brand: PPSS Group
- Product code: 700130/BLK
- Knife protection: CAST KR1 certified
- Spike protection: CAST SP1 certified
- Blunt-force protection: VPAM W5 certified (100 joules)
- Panel material: Fortiply carbon fibre composite
- Panel thickness: approx. 3.6 mm
- Outer cover material: high-grade nylon with spacer fabric lining
- Fastenings: hook-and-loop side and shoulder (fully adjustable)
- Weight (size Large, panel set): 1.5 kg
- Available sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL; Wide fitting available at no additional cost
- Colour: Black (White variant also available)
- Place of manufacture: UK
- Wear style: Covert (under-clothing)
Fit and carrier compatibility
The vest runs from size Small through 3XL with a Wide fitting option available at no added cost. Hook-and-loop side panels and shoulder straps allow the fit to be adjusted across a range of torso widths and lengths without requiring a bespoke order. PPSS also offers alternative colours and fully bespoke designs for organisations with specific uniform requirements — contact us for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between KR1 and SP1 protection?
KR1 covers single-edged knife threats from kitchen knives through to machetes. SP1 adds protection against double-edged weapons such as flip knives and spike-type implements including sharpened screwdrivers. A vest rated KR1 only does not protect against spike threats, which is why this vest carries both certifications.
What does VPAM W5 mean and why does it matter?
VPAM W5 is a European certification standard for blunt-force impact resistance. W5 certification means the panel withstands 100 joules of impact energy from blunt objects such as metal pipes, baseball bats, and crowbars. Blunt-force trauma is the leading injury type for security personnel, and most stab vests do not carry a blunt-force certification at all.
Will this vest stop a bullet?
No. This vest is rated for edged-blade, spike, and blunt-force threats only. It does not carry any NIJ ballistic certification and is not designed to stop firearm projectiles. If ballistic protection is a requirement, a separate NIJ-rated ballistic panel or plate is needed.
How covert is this vest under regular clothing?
The Fortiply panel sits at approximately 3.6 mm thick and the outer cover is protrusion-free by design. With hook-and-loop adjustment set correctly to the wearer's torso, the vest profile remains flat beneath a standard work shirt, polo, or uniform jacket with no visible outline or bulk.
Can I machine-wash this vest?
Yes, the outer cover is machine-washable once the Fortiply panel is removed. The panel itself should be spot-cleaned or hand-washed separately. Removing the panel before washing also prevents the panel edges from stressing the cover stitching during a machine cycle.
Can this be shipped to my state?
This vest is a stab-resistant product, not a bullet-resistant ballistic vest, and does not fall under the US state body-armor statutes that restrict ballistic armor (such as those in New York and Connecticut). It is subject to standard US import 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 — consult the statute for the precise definition of covered products. Contact us with any jurisdiction-specific questions before ordering.
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.
