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Are you on the hunt for the cheapest body armor? Cheap in price doesn't always mean cheap in quality. With body armor, regardless of the price, you want something that works since your life depends on it. In this article, we'll break down the top 5 options for the cheapest body armor available. Before we begin, it's important to note that there are different kinds of body armor. Specifically, soft body armor is what you probably think of when you hear "bulletproof vest" and is commonly worn under your shirt, whereas plate carrier body armor is a bulletproof plate that is placed inside a vest typically put on top of your clothing. Think SWAT team style body armor where you can see it on the outside of their clothing. The cheapest option for getting into body armor is by far the pate with plate carrier type which is what we get into in the below article. The plates specifically are what we will break down, but plate carriers can be purchased extremely cheap if needed, so the overall cheapest price will still be the plate/plate carrier style armor. Not all body armor is made the same, and even when buying cheaper options, you need to make sure they actually provide the needed protection. In the below video, you can see a demonstration of some cheaper options that are actually scams and do not provide the protection promised. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN_M1ik1G34 1. Battle Steel Level IIIA Body Armor - Cost: $45 The Battle Steel Level IIIA brings up the front of the pack as one of the cheapest body armors available. Stopping Power While this armor is theoretically rated to the level IIIA, it has not been certified by the NIJ Ballistic Resistance Standard. This is not uncommon in cheaper body armor since the cost to have a plate certified can exceed $30,000 for the manufacturer. While this plate has been independently certified, it's important to note you will not be buying an NIJ compliant armor. With that said, the Level IIIA can stop nearly all major handgun ammunition all the way up to the .357 SIG and the .44 MAG. Given the flexible nature of this armor, it is not the best when talking about taking multiple shots, unlike the armor mentioned next. Quality This plate is not going to be winning any good looks prizes given its almost "unfished" appearance. This is not much of an issue though since plates are almost always enclosed in something and the looks of an item do not define its stopping capabilities. The shelf life on this unit is not specifically mentioned, but in most cases, soft body armor is rated for a shelf life of 5 years. Comfort Comfort is where flexible body armor like the Battle Steel Level IIIA Body Armor excels. While it might not offer the same multi-shot protection as a solid steel plate, it compensates for being extremely lightweight and comfortable. This armor weighs only 16 ounces making it nearly unnoticeable while wearing or carrying. The flexible and soft nature of the plate ensures comfort while moving and shooting. It is important to note that this armor has a square face as opposed to many other plates that have shoulder cutouts. While being soft and flexible can help, you will notice the armor rubbing into your shoulders or up against your rifle stock while shooting if the plate is placed high enough. Summary: The Battle Steel Level IIIA Body Armor is an excellent choice for someone just getting into body armor with a limited budget that still wants the protection of a level 3A armor. The flexible, soft, and light nature of this plate makes it an amazing option for users wanting to place it in a messenger bag, backpack, laptop case, etc... If you are looking for something to keep long term with high multi-shot stopping power, this plate might not be the best option for you. However, with just basic day-to-day use, it's tough to beat this price. 2. The Level III Body Armor by AR500 - Cost: $65 The Level 3 Body Armor by AR500 is our pick for the body armor with the most reasonable price while not skimping on quality. Stopping Power Stopping power is not something you'll need to worry about with this particular plate. Since this armor is a level III, it will have no trouble stopping typical handgun ammunition such as .380, 9mm, .45 ACP, .40, and even .357 MAG. In addition, level III body armor is also rated to stop some rifle rounds such as the widely used 5.56 M855. The exception to this is that level III is not rated for 5.56 M193, or .223 Quality The material for this armor is Steel. While there are lighter options on the market, in the "cheapest available" category, we won't be seeing any of them. The benefit of steel, however, is its increased capacity for taking multi-round hits as opposed to polyethylene or ceramic body armor. This plate has the ar500's proprietary FragLock coating that will protect the integrity of the plate for years to come. The manufacturer claims a 20-year shelf life. Given this is the cheapest option, it is amazing that it comes with a FragLock coating given even higher-end armors can come with lesser quality ceramic coatings. Comfort On the cheaper end of body armor. comfort is going to be a spot where you'll really begin to notice a difference as compared to higher-end plates. The Level III Body Armor comes in at a whopping 8lbs in the 10"x12" variation. Spend $25 to upgrade to the 11"x14" and you are looking at over 10lbs. While that amount of weight is definitely noticeable, it can be compensated for with a well-fitted plate carrier. While weight is higher, the profile of this plate is surprisingly small coming in at only 0.26" thick. The plate can be used on the chest or back. This plate does come with shoulder cutouts with an elongated cutout on your dominant side to make shooting with a rifle stock more comfortable without sacrificing too much surface area on the plate itself. Summary: The Level III Body Armor by AR500 is the choice for those that want the best in stopping power. Period. This is not the lightest plate or the most comfortable, but when SHTF, this is the plate you want. A potential use case for this plate is an "in case of an emergency" vest. Something that can be thrown on for a short period to serve one purpose; protect your life at all costs. If you are looking for something to wear daily, or to throw in a briefcase/backpack, this armor is probably not the best fit on the list. 3. Level IIIA Body Armor by AR500 - Cost $75 The third cheapest body armor on the list comes in at $10 more but serves a different purpose. It is likely that users wanting to wear armor more regularly would prefer this plate as opposed to the first one. Stopping Power This plate is rated at 3A (IIIA) meaning it has slightly less stopping power than a typical level III plate. This plate can stop nearly all handgun ammunitions and is also rated higher caliber handgun ammunition such as the .357 SIG and the .44 MAG. As for rifle rounds, this plate is not rated for any. This plate has a steel core, in addition, to being rated for stabbing and slashing. Quality The quality of the Level IIIA Body Armor is on par with the Levell III. It has the FragLock coating giving it an extra-long shelf life that will keep it looking and functioning as expected for years to come. Comfort Comfort is the area this plate really stands above the others on this page. Body armor has a tendency to be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and at times, just a nuisance. So, any way to limit those problems is a win. This body armor wins by coming in a curved shape to fit better with the wearer and having a slim profile of only 0.20" thickness. In addition, we are looking at 3lbs lighter in weight as compared to the previous plate. The Level IIIA Body Armor by AR500 weighs only 5lbs. The dual shoulder cutouts with the extended cutout on the dominant side is also a feature of this armor making it even more comfortable to move and shoot with. Summary: The Level IIIA Body Armor by AR500 is an excellent choice for those that intend to wear regularly and want a long-lasting armor that can stand up to multi-shot scenarios without skimping on comfort and daily wearability. My Recommended Plate Carriers OneTigris Multicam Tactical Vest The vests in this line are designed with an ergonomic pocket system that makes it comfortable to carry a heavy load. The vest is constructed of lightweight materials and can be worn during hot temperatures without compromising on comfort or agility, allowing you to breathe easily while wearing the tactical pouches filled with your equipment. See Vest On Amazon GFIRE Tactical Vest Modular Vest Breathable Combat Training Vest The MOLLE vest is made of high-grade, high strength materials that are lightweight and sturdy. The stitches on the straps were reinforced to make them more solid so you can comfortably wear it for a long time without feeling weighed down or uncomfortable from shifting material around in your pack. There's ample room for all accessories because there are large loops with webbing attached to this design which makes it easy pick up items off the ground such as weapons when needed in battle situations. With adjustable shoulder straps, users will be able to adjust their fit depending on if they're carrying heavy gear or not - perfect for use during tactical operations where one needs quick access to certain tools but may have less weight than usual due other missions requiring only smaller packs! See Vest On Amazon

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