Frequently Asked Questions

When were the first effective bullet resistant vests made?
The first effective bullet resistant vests made an appearance in World War II and were known as Flak Jackets.  These first vests only provided protection against small arms munitions fragments.  The big change came in the 1960’s when Kevlar was discovered and became the first lightweight body armor fiber, which opened the door for today’s lightweight concealable body armor.

What is “blunt trauma”?
Blunt trauma is the damage to internal organs caused by the transfer of kinetic energy to the body from the vest, or the degree of deformation of the armor that occurs when body armor is struck by a projectile, such as a bullet.  The highest acceptable level of deformation by the body armor industry and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is currently 1.73" and this deformation is measured in the backing material used to simulate flesh or tissue during a ballistic testing procedure.

What is backforce deformation?
Deformation is a measure of how far into the body the projectile penetrates before it is stopped.  There is a degree of trauma but the vest does not fail entirely

What is the difference between hard armor and soft armor?
Hard armor is made out of ceramic, fiberglass or metal plates designed to prevent bullet penetration, which acts like an iron suite that traps the round to prevent spalling (cracking and flaking of particles out of a surface) or fragmentation (breaking of the projectile into smaller pieces).  Soft armor acts like a high performance “web” of fibers that absorbs the projectile and disperses the energy from impact over a wide area.

Is body armor actually bullet-proof?
No, there is no body armor that is truly 100% bullet-proof.  Both soft and hard armor, used separately or together, defeat the vast majority of ballistic threats; however, there is always the chance of bullet penetration.  Furthermore, most projectiles stopped by body armor will produce some level of injury, possibly in the form of broken bones or bruises.

What is V-50?
V-50 is the theoretical velocity at which a bullet is going to penetrate the ballistic material 50% of the time and be defeated by the armor material 50% of the time.  The higher the V-50 rating, the greater the ballistic protection is at that level.

How long is the PROTECH® vest warranty and how often should a vest be replaced?
Each unit of body armor is made up of two parts: the ballistic panels and the carrier.  The panels are warranted for five years, and a replacement is recommended at the end of that period.  The carriers are warranted for 12 months and should be replaced as needed.  The warranty is null and void if improper care, misuse or neglect occurs.

How do I make sure my vest fits properly?
Determining the proper fit is crucial to ensure your vest offers maximum protection and optimum mobility.  There are two ways to be fitted for a vest.  You can measure yourself by following the instructions on our sizing sheets and submitting the forms to our production facility, where your vest size will then be determined.  You may also go to one of our many distributors to be fitted.  The advantage of a dealer sizing is that he or she should be able to put a vest on you to determine the best fit for your armor.

What if my vest doesn’t fit properly?
PROTECH guarantees the custom fit of each vest for 30 days following the date of purchase.  We will gladly exchange or alter your vest until a satisfactory fit is achieved.  Your vest must be comfortable and fit properly, our customer-service team will be notified by the distributor to help ensure that your vest is altered for maximum fit and comfort

To what standards are PROTECH armor panels certified?
Please refer to the product details on this website, each of which include NIJ threat types.  All  PROTECH armor panels are currently compliant with the new NIJ-0101.06 (NIJ-06) standard, which was released in July of 2008.  All test reports, including special threat testing, are on file at PROTECH, and you may contact us at 1-800-347-1200 for additional information.

What level of ballistic protection should I choose?
Each officer faces different situations and our tactical vests are made to be easily adjusted for various tactical circumstances.  We recommend that your vest be rated to stop both your personal service weapon and that of your partner.  The threat you are most likely to face is that of your own weapon, seized by an assailant.  When choosing the level of protection for your body armor, we recommend that you refer to the explanation of NIJ threat types in the “Learning Center” on this website.  For optimal protection and flexibility, select only the product and extra armor plates that you will wear routinely.  Remember – extra protection will not help you if it is in the trunk of your car!

Can I buy PROTECH armor factory direct?
PROTECH vests are only sold by authorized distributors.  To locate a dealer near you, please use our dealer locator or contact us. PROTECH is committed to delivering professional, personal and complete customer service.  If you have any additional questions, please contact at us 1-800-347-1200.