NIJ Tested Body Armor

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BULLETPROOF LEVEL

The National Institute of Justice tests and categorizes body armor by different protection levels. It's essential to know which level your vest, mask, helmet or other accessory meets before you buy, but the truth is, a lot of companies are going to lie to you.

Some sellers will take advantage of the NIJ's exhaustive categories list to sell you equipment that fails to meet your needed protection level. So, what should you look for when getting a bulletproof product? There are only three "levels" of body armor that we recommend. Our NIJ-tested body armor undergoes testing at our in-house NIJ testing and certification lab to confirm that it falls into one of these categories:

Level IIIA (3A)

3A (IIIA) level is the least amount of protection you should consider. Our IIIA bulletproof vests and inserts will stop shotgun slugs, 9mm, .44 mag, .40 cal, 45 ACP/Auto, .357 Sig, .357 Magnum, shrapnel, knives, various hollow-points and other lesser ammunition. NIJ labs test IIIA equipment with .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose rounds to ensure a maximum depth of 44mm upon impact at a straight angle.

Shotguns and handguns are some of the most common firearms, therefore IIIA armor gives the wearer the broadest level of protection. IIIA is the lightest and cheapest of the three, and it can come in hard or soft body armor.

Level III (3)

3 (III) is a step above IIIA and can stop more types of bullets from assault rifles, i.e. AR-15, AK-47 and sniper rifles. Level III bulletproof inserts and panels come in hard body armor and can stop all the bullets that IIIA can, plus 5.56 NATO, .308, 30-30, 7.62 and more. The NIJ's tests ensure these higher-level products stop four straight-on rifle rounds at a depth no deeper than 44mm. Our level III armor offers any customer the protection that law enforcement and military operatives depend on in dangerous active shooter situations.

Level IV (4)

4 (IV) body armor is the highest and most capable armor panel available anywhere in the world. It will stop all the ammunition that III can, and it will also stop armor piercing "(AP)" and armor piercing incendiary "(API)" rounds from many weapons, including 5.56 NATO, .308, 30-30, 7.62 and greater.

Body armor that falls under level IV offers civilian, police and military customers military-grade protection, holding one hit or more from an AP or API round at a depth no greater than 44mm. Better than the industry standard of just one hit.

Understanding NIJ Levels

The NIJ holds unique standards for face masks, vests, helmets, face guards and all other bulletproof equipment. Each level describes the equipment's performance through impact from various types of ammunition. Atomic Defense is familiar with the most intricate NIJ specifications for every product category. We test every piece of equipment in our inventory at our NIJ-testing lab to ensure a high level of performance.

Atomic Defense only recommends levels IIIA, III and IV. Levels II and IIA do not provide sufficient protection against common ballistics. You can trust the equipment we supply for comprehensive protection based on realistic threats.