Level IIIA vs Level III+ Armor: What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?

When it comes to body armor, not all protection levels are created equal. Whether you're a law enforcement officer, first responder, or a preparedness-minded civilian, understanding the difference between Level IIIA and Level III+ armor is critical to making the right choice for your mission. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences and help you decide which protection level is right for you, with real examples from the RTS Tactical lineup.

What Does Level IIIA Mean?

Level IIIA armor is handgun-rated soft armor, meaning it's designed to stop all common handgun rounds including 9mm FMJ, .357 Mag, and .44 Mag. It's famously known as NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA and now more recently known as NIJ 0101.07 HG2, which is the NIJ designation for higher-grade soft armor. This level does not stop rifle rounds, which allows these armor solutions to be more lightweight, flexible, and easy to conceal - ideal for low-profile missions or rapid-response scenarios.

RTS Tactical Products Rated Level IIIA (AKA HG2):

• RTS Tactical Commander Soft Armor
  NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA Certified - NIJ 0101.07 HG2
  Meticulously designed for low-vis operations and under-uniform wear.
• RTS Tactical Relentless Soft Armor
  NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA Certified - NIJ 0101.07 HG2
  Engineered to redefine the balance between robust defense and agile movement, offering unparalleled flexibility and maximum protection. 
• RTS Tactical Gladiatore Ballistic Shield
  NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA Certified - NIJ 0101.07 HG2
  Offers compact ultra-mobile protection and rapid deployment in high-threat environments.
• RTS Tactical Active Shooter SWAT Ballistic Shield
  Designed for superior head coverage, swift and agile movements, and for first responders to securely present their weapons and effectively counter single or multiple threats.
• RTS Tactical SWAT Ballistic Shield NIJ with Viewport
  Designed for comprehensive protection in scenarios like forced entry, hostage rescue, and crowd control.

What About Level III+?

Level III+ is not an official NIJ designation, but it's widely used in the industry to refer to armor that exceeds the rifle protection of NIJ 0101.06 Level III, but isn’t quite Level IV. Many manufacturers, including RTS Tactical, use “Level III+” to indicate armor capable of stopping certain special threats not required under the older Level III test, such as 5.56mm M855 (Green Tip) in addition to standard M80 Ball. Unofficial NIJ 06 Level IIII+ can stop special threats and common handgun threats such as 5.56mm M855 (Green Tip), 7.62x51mm M80 Ball, 7.62x39 MSC, 5.56mm M193, .44 Mag, 9mm FMJ, and .357 Mag.

Under the updated NIJ 0101.07 standard, the closest official rating is RF2, which adds the M855 threat to the test protocol. RF2 testing focuses on rifle rounds only, but some RF2-rated plates (like those from RTS Tactical) are also engineered to stop common handgun rounds, providing broader protection than the NIJ rifle test requires.

RTS Tactical Products Rated NIJ 0101.06 Level III+ (AKA NIJ 07 RF2):

• RTS Tactical NIJ 07 RF2 ICW 7200 Series
  10x12 Multi-Curve
  Designed to work seamlessly with our soft armor, delivering unmatched protection when used in conjunction with soft armor. Provides the most advanced ceramic armor technology with the latest high-performance polyethylene.
• RTS Tactical NIJ 07 RF2 Stand Alone 7800 Series
  10x12 Multi-Curve
  Utilizing cutting-edge RF2 Ceramic technology, this plate features a multi-curve design that provides superior multi-hit protection and increased stopping power against high-velocity rifle rounds.
• RTS Tactical Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shield
  Unmatched maneuverability without compromising strength. The Mini Shield stands ready for rapid deployment. The Level III+ Mini Shield ensures defense against specialized threats, setting a new standard for ballistic shield protection.

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IIIA vs III+: Which One Do You Need?

Here’s a quick breakdown of which level might be right for you:

 

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NIJ 0101.06 vs NIJ 0101.07: What's New?

The NIJ 0101.07 standard introduces new testing levels like HG2 (for handguns) and RF2 (for rifles). These are intended to replace the older IIIA and unofficial III+ classifications. All new RTS Tactical armor moving forward is tested under these stricter, more modern NIJ 0101.07 protocols.

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Final Thoughts: Choose the Armor That Meets Your Mission

The biggest takeaway? Level IIIA is handgun-rated and perfect for low-profile applications. Level III+ (or RF2) is rifle-rated, designed for heavier threats and frontline use. 

If you're unsure which one you need, our team of specialists are here to help!