Collection: plates

Plate carriers themselves do not offer any protection until protective plates are inserted into the corresponding compartments. The protection class depends on the plates used, which usually correspond to the NIJ III or IV standards and offer varying degrees of protection against bullets.

The protection classes of protective plates are based on the standards of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Here is an overview:

-Level IIIA: Protects against common handgun bullets such as 9mm and .44 Magnum bullets. These plates are often made of Kevlar and are flexible, but are not suitable for rifle fire.
-Level III: Offers protection against rifle fire with calibers such as 7.62x51mm NATO (standard for AK-47). These plates are often made of materials such as polyethylene or steel and are more robust, but slightly heavier.
-Level IV: The highest level of protection for plates. It resists armor-piercing bullets (eg .30-06 AP) and is made of ceramic or composite materials. Level IV plates are heavier and less flexible, but offer the highest level of protection against rifle fire.

Not all plates fit into every plate carrier. Check the size specifications and the shape of the plates (eg SAPI, ESAPI) to make sure they are compatible with the desired plate carrier.