When you choose to protect others, you step into a role that demands courage, clarity, and readiness. Body armor is one of the most important tools a modern defender can rely on, and understanding the different body armor types helps you choose equipment that matches your mission. Whether you’re law enforcement, security, a first responder, or a prepared civilian safeguarding your family, the right gear gives you the confidence to move with strength and purpose.
RTS Tactical designs and manufactures advanced ballistic protection in the USA, engineered for the unpredictable situations today’s protectors face. This guide breaks down the fundamentals so you can build a strong foundation using modern body armor designed for real-world threats.
What Is Body Armor?
Body armor is protective equipment built to stop or reduce damage from ballistic, blast, or edged-weapon threats. At its core, having protective armor means using engineered materials to catch, slow, or deflect incoming energy before it reaches vital organs.
Most systems fall into two main types of body armor:
- Soft body armor, made from flexible ballistic fabrics designed to stop handgun rounds and fragmentation.
- Hard body armor, made from rigid ballistic materials designed to stop rifle rounds.
Armor becomes wearable through platforms such as plate carriers, compression shirts, backpacks, and shield systems. Together, the ballistic elements and carrier form a strong armor system.
How Body Armor Stops Threats
When a bullet strikes armor, the gear quickly spreads that energy over a wider area.
- Soft armor bends and absorbs impact.
- Hard armor resists penetration using rigid armor materials.
- Trauma is reduced through broad energy distribution.
- Proper plate coatings can help control fragmentation.
The right armor type depends on the weapon you expect to face and how you plan to wear your gear.
Different Body Armor Protection Levels
Body armor is categorized by protection “levels,” and these levels are created by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Here’s an easy way to understand the basics:
- Some armor is designed to stop handgun threats, which are the most common in everyday situations.
- Higher-rated armor is built to stop rifle rounds, which travel faster and hit harder.
- The higher the level, the stronger the protection.
- No armor protects against everything, so choosing the right level is about matching the gear to the threat.
The NIJ body armor levels give you a simple way to compare armor and understand what it’s meant to defend against.
Soft Body Armor
Soft body armor protects against common handgun threats and fragmentation, staying flexible and lightweight for long durations of wear. It’s a dependable everyday option for law enforcement, executive protection, concealed carry environments, prepared civilian defense, and workplace guardians.
RTS Tactical Soft Armor Options:
- Soft Armor Panels - Available in standard sizes such as 10”x12", 11”x14", and 6”x8" for optimal torso coverage.
- Cummerbund Inserts - Add side protection to plate carriers without compromising mobility. Available in 4”x13” and in HG2 or HG1 depending on the model.
- Backpack Armor Inserts - Discreet ballistic protection that slides into everyday bags. Available in Soft Armor.
Hard Armor Plates
Hard armor plates stop rifle rounds that soft armor cannot manage, making them essential for high-threat encounters. These plates sit inside a carrier and cover critical organs during dangerous operations. They are ideal for tactical teams responding to rifle threats, active-shooter response, high-risk warrant service, or staged home and vehicle defense.
Because choosing the best armor plates depends on both threat level and weight tolerance, RTS Tactical offers multiple armor materials to support different missions.
RTS Tactical Hard Armor Plate Options:
- Steel Plates - Affordable and durability, ideal for range training, vehicle kits, or budget-friendly preparedness.
- Ceramic Plates - Lightweight, multi-hit rated, and designed to stop advanced rifle threats.
- Nylon Coated Plates - Coated with nylon for increased resistance and lasting dependability.
- Polyurea Coated Plates - Coated for added durability, impact resistance, and edge protection.
- Plates & Side Plates & Inserts - Available in standard armor plate sizing such as 6”x8", 8”x10", 10”x12", and 11”x14".
Other Types of Body Armor and Protection Tools
Once you understand the basics of soft armor and hard plates, it’s helpful to know that body armor isn’t limited to vests and carriers. RTS Tactical also builds specialized protective tools designed for real-world situations where plates alone aren’t enough. These options expand your protection beyond your torso, giving you ways to shield teams, reinforce spaces, and stay protected in low-profile environments.
Ballistic Shields
Ballistic shields create a mobile wall of protection for officers and defenders advancing toward a threat. RTS Tactical offers compact shields for rapid response, full-size rifle-rated shields, and viewport models built for dynamic entries and rescue operations.
Armored Panels and Bunker Systems
Armored panels extend ballistic protection to vehicles, schools, offices, and public spaces. Our tactical partitions, armored whiteboards, glass armor barriers, and solid panel dividers reinforce fixed positions or create temporary protected zones during emergencies.
Ballistic Blankets
Ballistic blankets provide rapid-deployment protection against handgun, shotgun, and fragmentation threats depending on model rating.
Ballistic Compression Shirts
Ballistic compression shirts integrate soft armor into a breathable, athletic-fit base layer. These shirts provide discreet protection for undercover work, executive security, or everyday civilian defense without the bulk of a traditional vest or carrier.
Fit, Sizing, and Comfort Basics
Armor only protects what it covers, so sizing matters.
- A front plate should rest just below the collar notch and end a few fingers above the navel.
- The back plate should mirror the front in height and coverage.
- Side protection should cover the flanks without restricting movement.
- Curved plates and proper carrier adjustment improve comfort and stability.
Choosing the right size isn’t about shirt measurements but about torso length, chest width, and mobility needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need body armor with rifle protection?
You only need rifle protection if you expect threats that go beyond common handgun ammunition. Many protectors rely on soft armor for everyday defense and add rifle-rated plates when preparing for high-risk or uncertain situations.
How heavy is body armor?
Soft armor is light and easy to wear for long periods. Hard plate weight depends on the material and protection level, ranging from very manageable to noticeably heavy.
What body armor size plates do I need?
Most adults run 10x12 plates, but your torso length and chest shape determine the best coverage. A proper fit should protect vital organs without restricting movement.
Your Path to Stronger Personal Protection
RTS Tactical is a premium USA manufacturer of advanced ballistic gear built for protectors who refuse to stand down. Our manufacturing processes meet ISO 9001 and BA 9000 standards, our new armor platforms align with NIJ 0101.07 compliance, and our ballistic shields are engineered to meet ASTM E3347-25 where applicable.
From concealable soft armor and rifle-rated hard plates to plate carriers and mission-driven shields like the Legion, Centaurian, Gladiatore, and Lead Entry models, every solution is built to support confidence under pressure. We also engineer ballistic blankets, armored panels, and low-profile compression shirts to deliver protection that scales with your mission.
Explore the full RTS Tactical body armor collection and equip yourself with protection built for readiness, mobility, and fearless action.