Whether you’re a law enforcement officer or an ordinary civilian, body armor is an important piece of protection in high-risk situations. There are a variety of types, designs and features available to suit your needs and preferences.
Lightweight Armor Plates offer a number of benefits, from reduced weight to increased mobility and comfort. These are a great option for military, law enforcement and tactical professionals looking to increase their mobility while still keeping their safety and security top of mind.
1. Reduced Weight
Lighter armor plates can be crucial in combat, especially as the bad guys use more firepower than ever before. With a lighter body armor plate, operators can carry less gear and remain more mobile, increasing the ability to stay agile and respond quickly when the need arises.
As military and law enforcement leaders have long recognized, reducing the weight of armor and equipment can help to reduce fatigue and allow for greater mobility. It’s also important to note that heavy armor can lead to long-term medical issues as it adds stress to the joints and increases wear and tear.
In my experience, The Marine Corps has been in the hunt for lighter armor for years. They want to reduce the combat load and body armor burden carried by Marines and grunts, which a government watchdog report has estimated can be as high as 119 pounds.
2. Increased Mobility
Unlike side plates, which are a great way to provide lateral protection, but also add a lot of weight and bulk that hamper mobility, plate carriers offer an excellent balance between ballistic protection and the ability to move.
That means you can get NIJ III+ plates with soft armor backing without sacrificing your ability to perform the tactical mission at hand. Additionally, the flexibility of modularity allows you to replace or adapt your gear with new levels of armor as needed.
For example, you could switch out your Level III primary plates for a Level IV if you are defending against a higher threat like green tips or M855. You can also use NIJ Level III+ side plates in conjunction with a carrier vest that is designed to accept both hard and soft armor panels.
3. Reduced Fatigue
The ability to resist penetration from bullets and fragments is a big plus in combat. However, it can be a burden to wear in and around the body – limiting mobility and decreasing endurance.
In order to reduce fatigue and increase mobility, Marine Corps personnel have been testing a new plate carrier that is more lightweight than the traditional plate carrier that was fielded in 2011. This lighter version has increased Marines’ endurance and speed.
The new plate carrier has less material than the previous model, eliminating excess bulk and reducing the weight by 8 percent. This lightening of the load will allow Marines to maneuver in tighter areas and reach their destinations quicker.
4. Increased Comfort
I offer a variety of lightweight plates that provide impressive protection. Some of them are NIJ Threat Level III and offer an excellent protection-to-weight ratio.
They also help reduce the weight of your vest and plate carrier by putting less strain on your body. That means you can wear them for hours on end multiple days in a row without feeling the pain and fatigue.
The best way to choose a plate is to find the one that fits you well and offers protection you can count on. This can be accomplished by measuring your chest and choosing a plate that covers your vital organs – heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Lightweight armor is typically made from materials like Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) or XenomorphTM. These are a great choice for those who want to protect themselves while still being able to run, move and work in tactical situations. It’s a little more expensive than its heavier counterparts, but the savings in weight make it a worthwhile investment.
Steven Barron is an expert in many fields like tech, education, travel, finance, games, cars, and sports. He started his career in the tech industry, where he learned a lot and got good at spotting tech trends. Steven then moved into writing. He loves technology and is great at telling stories. His articles cover topics like new gadgets, education, and finance. They are full of detail but easy to read. Steven loves to travel and is a big sports fan. This shows in his travel and sports writing, where he draws in readers with clear descriptions and smart insights.
