Understanding the threats of modern war, soldiers look for gear that can protect them in conditions of heightened risk. However, deciding on a choice when the market is oversaturated with options of military equipment is quite difficult. 

First of all, to find quality equipment, you need to have at least basic information about it. One such aspect is the difference between a plate carrier and body armor, which are often confused. What the difference between them is and what to choose for yourself, we explain in the article.

What's the difference between a plate carrier and body armor?

In fact, the answer lies in the very names of the products. A plate carrier is a cover (or frame) that does not contain protective elements but only has pockets into which armor can be inserted (sometimes only plates, and sometimes also soft ballistic packages). 

Body armor, on the other hand, contains the "armor" part in its name for a reason: it provides protection on its own. Inside such products are soft ballistic packages that mostly protect against small-caliber firearms. These are so-called concealed-wear body armor, which can easily be hidden under clothing if needed. Such gear is mainly used by law-enforcement officers. 

The main difference of military body armor is that, in addition to having soft armor, it also has pockets for ballistic plates, the protection class of which can be chosen individually to suit your needs and working conditions.  

In other words, a plate carrier by itself provides no protection at all — it's just a cover. Whereas body armor contains ballistic packages (DSTU Level 1 or 2).

What are plate carriers and body armor made of?

Both plate carriers and military body armor are mostly made of Cordura nylon fabric, which can be produced in different colors — black, coyote, pixel, MultiCam. The special feature of this high-tech material lies in its tensile strength — it has one of the highest ratings. Accordingly, a product made of Cordura withstands difficult operating conditions well, remaining undamaged. Exactly what is needed for combat!

Cordura can be of different densities: for example 500 or 1000D (denier), and there are also variants consisting of a double layer of nylon — 500D+1000D or 1000D+1000D, which are called Squadron. The special feature of double-layer fabric lies not only in its increased density but also in the fact that it is suitable for using Laser-Cut technology to create MOLLE panels.

For making concealed-wear body armor we use Rip-Stop — a fabric that contains reinforced elements in its weave, which provide a high rating of strength and tear resistance, and therefore ideally meets the requirements for tactical gear.

At the same time, as we already said, body armor, in addition to the cover, also has soft ballistic panels. High-tech materials are used to make them — aramid fibers (Kevlar) or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). We give preference precisely to UHMWPE, since it is both light and has excellent ballistic and physical properties, such as heat and moisture resistance. 

The functionality of such gear

In addition to its protective properties, the body-armor cover also has functional features. For example, on its front and back panels there is MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying equipment) — a modular system for connecting and arranging gear together. It lets you use a strap to attach all sorts of add-ons to your kit — pouches, first-aid kits, etc. — so you have everything you need at hand during work. Such a system can also be on the cummerbunds, which at the same time provide side protection. 

Optionally, body armor or a plate carrier can have ROC fasteners on the shoulders and sides, which make it possible to quickly take off and put on the product during everyday use. Sometimes a quick-release cable is also integrated into the gear, which lets you instantly get rid of the vest in an emergency to save precious time (for example, while giving first aid to a wounded soldier). We use it in the "laser" body armor "Ruta Liuta" and "Burevii", as well as in the "Stolat" plate carrier. 

Body armor and plate carriers also have a drag handle — a loop at the top of the rear panel that lets you pull a wounded person out of the line of fire to a safe zone.

A functional feature of the plate carriers and body armor of our manufacture is their modularity: any of these products can easily be turned into a full armor suit by adding anti-fragmentation modules for the neck, shoulders, stomach, groin, thighs, and so on. This makes it possible to significantly increase the protected area without loss of mobility. 

How does this affect the price?

Since body armor contains soft ballistic protection, which a plate carrier does not have, it will be more expensive. At the same time, it will also be heavier than a cover for plates. That's exactly why you should choose between them based on your individual needs and working conditions. The main thing is to remember the key difference: a plate carrier by itself has no ballistic resistance, whereas body armor, even without plates, provides protection for the body's organs. 

When choosing armor, be sure to verify the products' compliance with quality standards. All our body armor undergoes testing in a certified ballistic laboratory at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and has test-firing protocols. 

You can buy Ukrainian Armor body armor or a plate carrier both online and in our network of offline stores in Kyiv, Dnipro, Bila Tserkva, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. Our specialists are always ready to advise on any questions and help you choose gear for your tasks.