SOFT ARMOR

In today’s high-risk environments, operators need to be confident and fearless in every movement. RTS Tactical soft armor delivers the ideal blend of ballistic protection, mobility, and concealability for police officers, military personnel, security professionals, and undercover agents.

17 products

SOFT ARMOR

Proudly constructed in the USA and engineered to meet NIJ standards for Level IIIA soft body armor, these solutions are trusted by more than 2,000 departments nationwide. Shop NIJ-Level IIIA armor inserts and more at RTS Tactical below.

THE STANDARD IN CONCEALABLE BODY PROTECTION

Unlike rigid rifle-rated plates, soft body armor is purpose-built to defeat handgun rounds and mitigate blunt-force trauma in close-quarters or concealed environments.

Constructed from advanced aramid fibers and polyethylene blends, soft armor panels provide multi-hit performance against common handgun threats such as 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. With areal densities engineered for both protection and comfort, RTS Tactical soft armor ensures you stay agile without compromising your safety.

Manufactured in the USA under strict quality controls, our NIJ-certified panels are rated NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA and the updated NIJ 0101.07 HG2 requirements mean operators can count on true, lab-verified stopping power against the most common handgun threats faced in the field.

VERSATILE CONFIGURATIONS FOR EVERY MISSION

RTS Tactical offers a full spectrum of high-quality soft armor solutions, each designed to fit specific mission profiles and operator needs:

  • Soft Armor Inserts: Standalone armor inserts sized for 10×12 or 11×14 plate bags, as well as 6×8 side panels and cummerbund inserts, extend coverage in plate carriers or tactical vests. These ballistic armor inserts integrate easily with your existing gear, providing lightweight handgun defense inside a hard-armor setup.
  • Soft Armor Vests: Full-coverage vests offer discreet, professional-grade concealable body armor options ideal for uniformed patrol or covert wear. Moisture-wicking liners and low-profile cuts maximize concealability underneath clothing.
  • Compression Shirt Soft Armor: Ultra-low-profile compression garments with soft panels allow true covert deployment. Designed for undercover work, plainclothes assignments, or off-duty carry, these shirts keep ballistic inserts secured in ergonomic, breathable pockets with zero-print designs.
  • Special Operations Outer Carriers: For tactical teams requiring scalability, our vests accept soft armor inserts as a base layer with the ability to upgrade into rifle-rated hard armor plates when needed.

Innovative Soft Armor Products: RTS Tactical even extends handgun-rated protection into non-traditional platforms, such as our bullet-resistant pillow, delivering discreet security solutions for executive protection and home defense.

PROTECTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Soft armor carriers are engineered for the realities of long shifts and dynamic movement. Operators benefit from:

Lightweight comfort: Advanced IIIA armor materials weigh less than 1.25 lb/ft², balancing effective protection with all-day wearability.

Breathability: Mesh linings and moisture-wicking fabrics reduce heat buildup and keep operators cool under pressure.

Ergonomic fit: Precision cuts and compression fabrics ensure natural mobility for close-quarters environments.

Blunt-force protection: Beyond stopping bullets, these inserts disperse energy, reducing backface deformation and trauma transfer to the body.

Made in the USA: Made in America with rigorous quality standards, our soft armor balances lightweight comfort and long-lasting durability for mission-critical reliability.

When agility is as critical as survivability, RTS Tactical concealable armor provides the confidence to stay fast, focused, and mission-ready.

WHO RELIES ON RTS TACTICAL SOFT ARMOR?

  • Patrol officers: Dependable vests for uniform wear and long shifts.
  • Undercover and plainclothes agents: Concealable armor and compression shirts for zero-print discretion.
  • Security teams: Soft armor carriers for executive protection, event security, and private assignments.
  • Government Agencies: Tactical body armor base layers that integrate with hard armor plates for scalable defense.
  • First responders and bodyguards: Lightweight soft body armor that can be worn covertly during rapid deployments.
  • Correctional officers: SPK1 and SPK2 armor solutions designed for close-quarters, high-risk correctional environments.

From covert operations to overt tactical roles, RTS Tactical has engineered soft armor plates and carriers that empower the wearer and adapt to every professional mission set.

THE RTS TACTICAL DIFFERENCE

RTS Tactical soft armor solution is backed by:

  • 100% NIJ certification at Level IIIA (Level 3A) / HG2
  • Multi-hit handgun protection against today’s most common threats
  • ISO 9001 & BA 9000 quality standards
  • Department Testing Program validation by thousands of officers nationwide
  • 5-year ballistic panel warranty for dependable, long-term performance
  • Proudly designed and made in the USA

RTS Tactical sets the standard for bullet-resistant, concealable body armor trusted by professionals who face danger every day.

FAQs

What threats does RTS Tactical soft armor protect against?

All RTS Tactical soft armor panels are made in the USA, providing trusted, consistent protection to operators nationwide.

RTS Tactical NIJ Level IIIA soft armor stops nearly all standard handgun rounds, including 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .44 Magnum SJHP. In addition to ballistic protection, it helps reduce blunt-force trauma from impacts. While rated for handguns, it is not designed for rifle fire, but you can pair it with Level III or Level IV hard body armor for rifle-rated threats.

Can softarmor be worn by itself?

Yes. Soft armor vests and compression shirts are designed as standalone concealable body armor. For tactical operations, soft panels can also be used as plate carrier inserts.

Is softarmor more comfortable than hard plates?

Absolutely. Soft armor inserts are thinner, lighter, and more flexible than ceramic or steel hard armor plates. This makes them ideal for all-day wear, when mobility and comfort are just as important as protection.

How long does soft armor last?

RTS Tactical soft armor panels have a 5-year limited warranty and a shelf life validated through rigorous quality testing. Properly cared for, they provide reliable ballistic protection throughout their service life. If a vest or insert is ever compromised in the line of duty, RTS Tactical offers no-cost replacement.

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