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BODY ARMOR

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BODY ARMOR | BALLISTIC BODY ARMOR PRODUCTS

Hard Shell is a trusted and reliable manufacturer of Ballistic Products with exceptional expertise in dealing with complex challenges. At Hard Shell, we adhere to well-established quality management and product design principles. 

We offer a range of body armours depending on their intended application and area of coverage. The Hard Shell full-body Armor protects the neck, shoulder, arms, and groin etc, while our concealable armors are designed for VIPs and executives who need discreet protection. Our Soft armors are made with modern, high-strength and flexible ballistic materials and can be used in conjunction with plate carriers, tactical vests, military vests, multi-purpose vests or special vest worn by law enforcement personal, security personnel, police, swat forces, special operation officers etc. We offer male and female vests as well as bespoke vests in a wide range of colours and designs.

Triumph Range

Trailblazer Range

Gallant Range

Plate Carriers

Neptune Range

 

Hard Shell products offer the best defence against tough situations owing to its suitable and high-performance products. Our body armours are made from high-quality materials and are designed to be a comfortable fit to the wearer ensuring adequate protection from different threat levels even at a close range. This increases the wearer’s chances of survival in any combat situations or armed confrontations.

Our bullet-resistant and stab-protection vests offer protection against threat levels meeting the latest US body armor standards and are regularly tested in NIJ accredited international ballistic laboratories. We supply our custom-made ballistic solutions to customers all over the world from police services and defence departments to private security companies.

 

What is Body Armour ?

An article of protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks is known as body armour, and it is used with bulletproof and ballistic vests and plate carriers. It covers a wide range of personal safety equipment.

 

Is Body Armour legal ?

It is legal for one to own and wear body armour. However, it is highly recommended to always check with one’s national and local regulatory departments for specific laws before procuring or wearing body armour.  It is also legal for civilians to own and wear body armour and bulletproof vests and is now extremely prominent amongst enthusiasts, preppers and survivalists.

 

What are the Types of Body Armour ?

The main types of body armour include non-plated armour, also known as soft armour, and plate-reinforced armour, also known as hard armour. Hard armour is generally available in bulletproof vests. On the other hand, soft armour is used in integrated armour solutions, including many concealed vests. Also, it is vital to consider the vest’s design and ensure that it suits your demand. There are many styles available in the market, and each type has its benefits and drawbacks. It depends on various factors such as the threat that armour is going to be used to protect against. The higher the protection is likely to be required; the heavier the body armour is expected to be.

 

Which body armour should you choose?

The best body armour largely depends on the situation one is likely to face, and Level III ballistic protection or above is considered the standard for most police officers and military organizations with their plate carriers. 

A lightweight vest with Level IIIA protection level and curved plates may be a good option if one needs something more comfortable to wear.

Bulletproof, stab-proof, and spike-proof vests are lightweight and easy to wear and provide ballistic protection by absorbing the impact of bullets or projectiles to protect one’s body. 

 

Who can use the bulletproof vest ?

  • Active military

  • Law enforcement officers / Police Officers

  • Private Security

  • Security Guards

  • VIPs

  • Enthusiasts

 

Is a bulletproof vest worth buying?

A bulletproof vest is ideally bullet-resistant which means that it will prevent the West from being penetrated by certain types and size of bullets travelling up to some speeds. You should consider buying a bulletproof vest if you feel that you are going to visit such areas that need protection. The best part about the bulletproof vest is that they use a specific material which is crafted to resist attacks at different levels.

What Threats, bulletproof vest can protect one from ?

Bulletproof vests are especially designed to disperse the rounds energy and deform the slug that reduces the blunt force trauma. It has strengthened steel plates which are effective and strong and also heavy at the same time. They can help you stay safe from the bullets.

It can also be used for:

  • Protection from projectiles and knives

  • Safety in sports shooting/hunting

  • As a weight vest for fitness

  • Live-Action Role-Playing (LARPing)

What is a plate carrier?

A plate carriers ideally a type of bulletproof vest which is used as a piece of body armor and they are generally used by military and law enforcement but it is also an ideal addition to any civilians tactical load out due to multiple uses. A plate carrier is firstly for protection as it can resist penetration from ammunition. Military service people use these carriers in battle and police officers use them daily on the street. These carriers go with conventional bulletproof vest carriers so you can interchange them with their ballistic panels. Some companies also provide different plate carriers for active shooter circumstances to ensure that your ceramic plates are always loaded.

People who can wear a plate carrier

There is always a correlation between plate carrier vests and bulletproof vests in the world of body armour. Thanks to their flexibility and versatility, tactical plate carriers have widespread use throughout the world, and the people who can wear them are:

  • Military Forces

  • Law Enforcement

  • Private Security

  • VIP’s

  • Survivalists / Preppers

  • LARPers

 

How does the stabproof vest work? 

To make a stab-resistant vest, Kevlar fibres are woven very tightly. On the contrary, vests designed for preventing bullet attacks are generally not stabproof. Like any armour, stab armour is separated into levels of resistance: I, II and III. The higher-level range corresponds to the upper resistance to the impact force generated throughout stabbing.

 

What are the tips for choosing the stabproof vest ?

Some of the vests available today additionally offers bullet, edged blade, and spike protection. Consequently, these particular types of vests can offer the wearer protection against an extensive range of threats.

Regardless of the kind of ballistic-resistant vest, one may choose to shop for, care should be taken to get the proper size and the colour of the vest should be taken into account.

 

Legal considerations to wear the stabproof vest

One would encounter different laws for the purchase and wearing of stab-resistant armour, just like any type of body armour, depending on their country of residence.

 

What is Ballistic Protection

Ballistic protection is all about protecting the body and eyes against projectiles of different sizes shapes and impact velocities . The protection is ideally required for soldiers policemen and general security. In addition, ballistic body armour is available in various tactical options.

 

Different levels of ballistic protection:

The resistance standard is divided into five levels as part of the classification. That is level II, II-A, III-A, III and IV. Levels II to III-A is considered part of the soft body armour, while levels 3 and 4 belong to the hard armour, which helps enhance the protection for the user as per the requirement.

The Level III body armour is used either In Conjunction With (ICW) other armours or as Stand Alone armour. To use it In Conjunction, a soft armour panel is also used, which will provide Level III-A protection, whereas, to use it as Stand Alone, it needs to be used in Plate Carriers.

Level IIA

Tested to stop 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition fired from short barrel handguns—no rifle ammunition protection.

Level II

Tested to stop 9mm and .357 Magnum ammunition fired from short barrel handguns. No rifle ammunition protection.

Level IIIA

Tested to stop .357 SIG and .44 Magnum ammunition fired from longer barrel handguns. No rifle ammunition protection.

Level III

It is tested to stop 7.62mm FMJ lead core rifle ammunition.

Level IV

Tested to stop .30cal steel core armour-piercing rifle ammunition

We have Explained Ballistic Protection Levels in this Post in Details –

WHAT DO THE NIJ PROTECTION LEVELS MEAN ?

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT

Bullet Resistant Vest

A bulletproof vest is designed to capture a projectile, and provides protection against Level III-A- 9mm and .44 mag and by default it’s NOT stab proof as it’s an additional and you need to mention it specifically if it’s required. Also, If the vest is bullet and stab proof it will be described on the label of the vest.
You must NEVER buy a used bulletproof vest, or stab proof vest. You never know what the vest has been exposed to, and there is also no guarantee that the vest works.
Generally bulletproof vest has a predetermined life expectancy of 5 years. But there are several factors that come into play. The NIJ has conducted a study which shows that factors such as: How much has the vest been used - How has it been maintained – If the vest has fit properly (most people lose/gain weight over the years) - and whether it is generally worn down, what the straps look like, who has worn it. So keep all the above factors in mind one can decide the condition of Vest.
It is not illegal to buy a bulletproof or stab proof, but one need to check with their own country if it is legal to wear or if there are any restrictions.
Hard Shell manufactures high quality bulletproof vest a as per NIJ standards. The vests offers not only comfort but safety and all of the features at an unbeatable price. Hard Shell Vest is one of the best value in bulletproof vests.
The Standard vest size available is: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL and 4XL. However it can be customised as per customer’s requirement.
Please refer to the sizing/measurement instructions for required item available on our website. For the best fit, please order your true size. Still, If you have any questions or concerns with sizing, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our vest is made with flexible, good quality fabric that is ideal for even the warmest weather. Please keep in mind that the concealability depends on body type, clothing material, and properly fitted body armor.
A bullet proof vest is as default designed to stop bullets, and not stab or spike instruments. For a bullet proof vest to be stab proof as well, it needs to be able to stop the lowest stab resistant level, which for both HOSDB and NIJ is 24 (E1)/36(E2) joules from a engineered blade.
Yes, as per your requirement and depending on Threat Perception oce can use the side plates as well, standard size of side plate offered by Hrad Shell is 6”x8”
Covert body armor means that the vest is designed to be concealable and vice versa overt body armor that the bullet proof vest is made to be worn above clothing.