Armor is an integral component of military equipment, on par with weapons. Its main purpose is to protect the body from various ballistic threats. Depending on the gear's ability to withstand various injuries, it is classified by protection levels in accordance with quality standards. The higher the class, the larger the caliber and fragments the armor can withstand.

You need to choose the protection level in accordance with your tasks and the terrain: for work at a checkpoint there's no need for Level 6 plates, whereas Level 2 ballistic protection will be extremely insufficient in a zone of active combat. It's also worth considering comfort during wear: along with protective properties, the weight of the gear also increases. So if your main need is maneuverability, it's worth paying attention to separate protective elements that increase the protected area but at the same time have low weight.

Types of body armor protection

According to which areas the gear covers, it can be divided into categories:

1. Helmets and visors;
2. Body armor and armor suits;
3. Rigid plates and soft ballistic panels;
4. Additional protection (armor blanket, armored sleeping mat).

The degree of protection indicates the ability of each of them to withstand various ballistic threats. It is determined during ballistic testing. Based on the results of the test firing, the gear receives a protocol confirming its ability to withstand injuries from bullets of various calibers and from fragments.

DSTU and NIJ protection levels

The classification of ballistic protection levels is carried out in accordance with quality standards such as the State Standard of Ukraine (DSTU) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), depending on the armor's ability to withstand hits from various types of firearms. However, different types and calibers of weapons are used for testing under these standards, so there is no exact correspondence between them. Servicemen in Ukraine should choose protection specifically in accordance with DSTU, since for testing such armor the rounds most common in the Russian-Ukrainian war are used.

• Level 1 provides protection against 9×18 mm and 9×19 mm caliber bullets. 
• Level 2 protects against 7.62×25 mm caliber bullets (at a speed of 430 ± 15 m/s). 
• Level 3 withstands injury from 5.45×39 mm (PS) bullets at 910 ± 15 m/s and 7.62×39 mm (PS) at 730 ± 15 m/s. 
• Level 4 is able to withstand injury from 5.45×39 mm (PP) caliber bullets at 910 ± 15 m/s. 
• Level 5 protects against 7.62×39 mm (BZ) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at 745 ± 15 m/s and 7.62×54 mm (LPS) bullets at 850 ± 15 m/s.
• Level 6 provides the highest level of protection, withstanding injury from a sniper weapon firing 7.62×54 mm (B-32) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at 850 ± 15 m/s. 

All our plates have levels in accordance with DSTU. To confirm the protection class, each newly made batch of our body armor undergoes test firing in a certified laboratory at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

There is also a standard that determines the armor's ability to withstand fragments — STANAG 2920 (NATO Standardization Agreement). Initially it was applied to body armor, but today anti-fragmentation resistance

Comfort during wear

The protection level is not the only factor to consider when choosing armor. Your comfort during its use directly depends on the correctly chosen size, weight and quality of the materials the gear is made of. For example, a plate carrier made of genuine Cordura is quite light and at the same time wear-resistant, so it's ideal for prolonged use even in harsh conditions.

As for sizes, armor, like clothing, must be chosen individually, since all people are different. Yes, a small armor plate won't provide proper protection, since it will leave "gaps" vulnerable to injury, and one that's too large will affect mobility and create an unnecessary burden, of which there's already enough with a full set of gear. For understanding, the weight of the gear set of, say, an assault soldier can reach 30–35 kg, which affects the soldier's combat effectiveness. Moreover, such loads often lead to health problems, in particular of the spine and joints. That's exactly why we make plates in different sizes (from three to five depending on the type of plates) to ensure optimal protection for people of different builds.

It's also important to have quick access to additional gear during work. For this, on the covers for body armor we make a MOLLE strap system for attaching tactical accessories and pouches.

Factors affecting the price of body armor

Depending on the characteristics mentioned above, the price of body armor will also vary:

1. Protection class. One of the key factors affecting the price of gear is the protection level. The higher the class, the more expensive the product will be, since more, and sometimes more expensive, materials must be used to make it.
2. Materials. High-quality raw materials, which ensure the strength, durability and effectiveness of the equipment, increase the cost of the products. Yes, armor plates of the same protection class but made of different materials (steel and ceramic, for example) will have different costs, since composites are more expensive already at the procurement stage.
3. Ergonomic design. Functionality and comfort can also affect the price of body armor. Body armor with an ergonomic and thoughtful design that provides reliable protection and at the same time freedom of movement and ventilation can be more expensive compared to analogues, since it requires greater effort to create.

Remember that the price of low-quality armor is your life. When choosing gear, consider the products' materials, their correspondence to your specific needs, and the presence of test certificates that confirm the gear's ability to withstand various ballistic threats.