What are the different NIJ Protection Levels?

The 5 main categories set forth by the NIJ are as follows, Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, and Level IV. There are also special type categories which allow manufacturers to fit special threat specific vests in their own category.

Level IIA and II armor are soft body armor that are used to create lighter and thinner armor panels, offering handgun ammunition protection and No rifle ammunition protection. There are some in the ballistics industry who may claim that Level IIA and Level II armor is outdated, but this is inconsistent with data. Studies show that roughly 90% of all shootings with a handgun are done with a 9MM or a .40 CAL. This would make Level II and IIA armor a good solution for law enforcement and security professionals who want a more comfortable option and are required to wear body armor 24/7 on the job.

NIJ Level IIA  armor is tested to stop 9 mm FMJ RN bullets with a specified mass of 8.0g and a velocity of 398 m/s (1305 ft/s) and .40 S&W FMJ bullets with a specified mass of 8.0g traveling a velocity of 355 m/s (1155 ft/s) fired from short barrel handguns. 

NIJ Level II armor is tested to stop 9 mm FMJ RN (Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose) bullets with a specified mass of 8.0g traveling at a velocity of 398 m/s and a  .357 Magnum JSP (Jacketed Soft Point) bullet traveling at a velocity of roughly 436m/s (1430ft/s) fired from short barrel handguns.

NIJ Levels IIIA, III, (III+) and IV

NIJ Level IIIA armor is tested to stop .357 Sig FMG FN (Flat Nose) bullets traveling at a velocity of ~1470 ft/s with a specified mass of 8.1g (125 gr) and .44 Magnum SJHP (Semi Jacketed Hollow Point) bullets at a velocity of ~1430 ft/s. The updates for 0101.07 HG2 include testing requirements for 9mm FMJ with a velocity of ~1470 ft/s and changed the .44 MAG test to a JHP (jacketed hollow point) with the same velocity requirements.

‍NIJ Level III is tested to stop six spaced impacts of 7.62mm NATO FMJ lead core rifle bullets with a specified mass 9.6 g traveling at a velocity of roughly 847 m/s (2780 ft/s).

What is Level III+ Armor?
The body armor industry utilizes the term "Level III+" informally to denote armor that offers capabilities beyond the scope of NIJ Level III testing. This may be the addition of stab-proof and slash-proof capabilities and/or higher velocity rifle rounds plus additional threats such as M855 and M193.

How much better is Level III+ than Level III?
This depends on what other rounds that the armor is designed to stop, and varies case to case.

NIJ Level IV armor is tested to stop .30-06 steel core armor piercing rifle bullets with a specified mass of 10.8 g and a velocity of roughly 878 m/s. Our armor plates are not currently online, but you contact our sales department if you would like to inquire.