Vest Construction

[TonyMac]

I have always worn an all kevlar vest. It's getting time to replace my vest and am considering going with one of the hybrids (getting tired of the weight). What is the lightest vest material currently in use? Best I've seen is .69 pounds per square foot. THANKS

Mac

[The Tengu]

Originally Posted by TonyMac

I have always worn an all kevlar vest. It's getting time to replace my vest and am considering going with one of the hybrids (getting tired of the weight). What is the lightest vest material currently in use? Best I've seen is .69 pounds per square foot. THANKS

Mac

Mac,

Stick with 100% woven Kevlar. It works. The new hybrids do not work as well, and have many problems which I would not risk my life to. Even Kevlar vests over 10 years old work better than a new hybrid laminate vest in many circumstances.

Laminate materials like Goldflex have shown that they do not handle contact shots very well because the plastic content melts. The ballistic fibers also move around in the material, which reduces their effectiveness.

Also the plastics like SpectraShield and Dyneema (polyethylene) also melt on contact shots like this:

From DocGKR: (Wound Ballistic Photos)

I have seen a SpectraShield panel fail to stop a 180 grain .40 bullet during a test at about 15 yards.

Several vests made from Dyneema have been removed from the NIJ approved list (not that NIJ approval means anything; I think their testing methods are bogus).

I think the primary concern in body armor should be whether or not it protects you adequately. Being comfortable to wear should come afterwards.