Soft armor, also known as flexible or concealable body armor, covers the entire torso and includes parts of the arms and legs. Because it’s flexible, it can conform to the wearer’s body, providing better protection in many situations and safer wear overall. Here are 10 features of soft armor you should know about before deciding on which piece to purchase.
1) Side plates
Because soft armor doesn’t have hard plates, it’s able to have additional protection in other areas. These side plates can offer extra protection against blows to your ribs and stomach. In some cases, they also offer increased coverage under your arms and back. Soft body armor with side plates is typically used by security guards and private citizens more than law enforcement officers because it’s not as durable, but that could change in a few years if side plates become an industry standard for all agencies.
2) Back plate
The back plate (or spine protector) is designed to protect your spine from injury. It’s a thick piece of plastic that hangs around your lower back, usually extending up over your shoulder blades. Many people don’t realize that an accident could actually cause damage to their spine, but if you picture what would happen in a bad car accident or any other fall, it makes sense that we need protection in those areas. The benefits of soft armor don’t stop at protecting you from injury—the protection against blunt force trauma also applies to smaller blows like punches and kicks.
3) Rib protectors
Rib protectors, also known as thoracic protectors, are pieces of soft body armor that can provide some basic protection against stabs and slashes to your chest area. Usually, they are made out of plastic or a flexible material designed to absorb impact while protecting your rib cage. The design is pretty simple—flexible plastic protects you from incoming strikes. To get the most out of a rib protector, wear it under another piece of hard body armor for increased protection. That will help stop threats before they reach your soft tissue underneath—and it may even save your life if an adversary gets through all other defenses.
4) Thigh protectors
Soft armor thigh protectors are designed to shield your thighs from debris and impact. While both soft armor and hard plates can provide some measure of protection, soft or flexible armors generally distribute force over a wider area, resulting in less concentrated impact. They’re lightweight and easier to wear than rigid body armors like hard plates, making them a good choice for police officers on foot patrol who may have to run and dash as part of their job description. And they’re just as durable as other types of body armor materials — steel or ceramic – while also being more comfortable and able to absorb shocks from blunt impacts better than rigid materials can. Which is why many law enforcement agencies prefer soft or flexible body armors such as vests. You can more information at https://acelinkarmor.com/soft-armor/
5) Elbow protectors
Soft elbow protectors can be worn under your uniform sleeve or inside a tactical vest and are one of many different types of soft armor. As a person wearing soft body armor, it’s important to wear both hard and soft protection. Hard body armor protects against direct impact from a bullet. Soft protectors provide additional protection from blunt force trauma caused by debris, broken glass, and other weapons that aren’t as immediately deadly as bullets but can cause potentially life-threatening injuries if not properly protected against. Bulletproof vests worn by law enforcement officers often include chest, shoulder, and back protections—all standard hard-armor components that help shield against gunfire—in addition to padded torso panels that deflect shrapnel and bullets fired at an angle or lodged in clothing.
Whether it’s for law enforcement officers, security personnel, or civilians seeking personal protection, soft armor is a popular choice due to its comfort and versatility. However, in situations where a higher level of protection is required, such as in combat or tactical operations, level iii body armor comes into play. It offers enhanced ballistic resistance against high-velocity rifle rounds, providing a crucial safeguard in high-risk scenarios.
6) Knee protectors
Knee protectors are meant to disperse impact energy over a large area of your lower leg, which minimizes injury. They’re important for football players and for those who play on uneven surfaces. Knee pads have hard caps with foam padding underneath to absorb shock and help prevent concussions, as well as keep knees warm during cold weather games. You can choose a knee pad that attaches to your socks or one that is built into your pants or kneepads. Football knee pads also come in different sizes; make sure you measure accurately before purchasing so they fit snugly without restricting mobility or causing discomfort while playing sports.
7) Shoulder protectors
If you want to increase your level of protection, consider shoulder protectors or some other kind. These small pads are positioned underneath each shoulder and fit comfortably over top. Shoulder protectors allow for extra protection and flexibility in certain joints, helping to ensure that no part of your body is left vulnerable during training. For some people, these extras are nice bonuses but not necessary; if you’re on a budget or just prefer bare bones protection, however, shoulder protectors could be what gives you an edge. The best part? You can easily order these online and they’ll ship right to your front door! Keep an eye out for special deals on bulk orders; one site offers free shipping when your order reaches $200 or more!
8) Wrist guards
Good for basketball, volleyball, and martial arts, wrist guards are meant to protect your wrists from injury. They’re usually made out of leather or a hard plastic. This kind of armor is an effective way to help prevent common injuries like sprains and fractures—especially during contact sports when players tend to clash against each other at high speeds. If you play tennis or racquetball, it might be worth investing in one.
9) Boots & gloves combination kit
Because during hot weather, your body will sweat more than usual, it is really important to be sure that your skin is dry and not too wet or full of sweat. These combinations offer an extra layer for protection against broken glass or other sharp objects on floor. You can order these kits from different companies. One example is Kukri .
10) Chest protector & groin guard combo
This seems like a bit of an obvious one. Some level I, II and III hockey players feel more comfortable when their groin and chest are both protected, because it is just another step in protecting them from any injuries. While there is no doubt that injury to either area can lead to serious complications, it’s up to each individual player whether or not they choose to protect both areas. However, by choosing a chest protector & groin guard combo, players get both guards for better protection as opposed to getting two separate pieces separately. Also keep in mind that these pieces do not have to be purchased together at all; there are other models that include these pieces individually if needed.
