Bulletproof vests are very useful safety equipment that can be divided into two varieties, soft and hard armor. Both kinds perform the same function but are used depending on the situation. Read on to know more about the different types of bulletproof vests.

Soft armor bulletproof vest
These are comfortable bulletproof vests that are usually worn by police officers. However, the vest is less protective compared to hard armor. The material used to make soft armor is an incredibly tough net fabric, similar to Kevlar. The material efficiently stops any projectile and spreads the effects of its force across the entire vest. Soft armor bulletproof vests are helpful in deflecting knives and pistol calibers. They are also normally placed in inserts, which are later added to carriers, bags, or stronger plates.

Hard armor bulletproof vests
Generally, hard armor plates are worn in a plate carrier. A plate carrier is a vest that can fit over your clothing. These bulletproof vests are made using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (plastic), steel plates, or ceramic composite. This form of armor is harder to conceal, but it also gives more protection. They are also available in different ratings and can shield a person against serious damage.

Best bulletproof vests you can buy
Body armor threat levels and the material of the vest need to be checked before purchasing a new bulletproof vest. Some of the top ones you can consider buying are as follows.

• Ceramic armor
  If you are ready to spend some money, ceramic armor can stop some pretty extreme bullets, like the fast M193 and M2AP (30.06 armor-piercing). This is the most expensive vest, costing more than USD 200, and is the bulkiest option in terms of thickness. But, it is lighter and normally Level IV. Ceramic armor is not the most durable; so, you will likely have to replace it if you drop it or fall on something while wearing it.
• AR500 Steel Plate Armor
  A bulletproof vest made using AR500 steel is the most economical hard armor in the market. It costs between USD 140 and USD 200 for both front and back plates. But this new bulletproof vest is also the heaviest, generally weighing more than eight pounds on each plate. It is very durable since most range targets are constructed out of AR500. It can maintain its integrity for years if properly stored. The vest can stop most rounds of a handgun. However, very high-velocity rounds such as the 5.56 M193 can still zip through Level 3 armor.