VEST PARIS is committed to your safety by also protecting you from bullets.
Initially designed for law enforcement, the army and certain security bodies, the use of bulletproof protection is now being extended (and increasingly so) to civilians. Since VEST PARIS embarked on this adventure with its V007 ballistic model, the brand's teams have been faced with the same questions every day.
As the bulletproof sector is highly regulated and sometimes a little complex, we've decided to help you get to grips with the subject.
Personal protection is unfortunately a hot topic in France. Our country is plagued by endemic violence, with knife and gun attacks on the increase.
But first things first.
Definition and operation of body armor
Bulletproof vests, as the name suggests, are designed to protect the wearer from firearm bullets. Made from materials such as aramid or polyethylene, body armor absorbs and disperses the kinetic energy of a bullet, reducing potential injury.
Like the V007 vest, which has passed all tests, a bulletproof vest must meet very strict standards to be certified.
This reference standard is the NIJ standard (National Institute of Justice - don't forget this acronym, we'll expand on it below), which guarantees several gradations and categories of bulletproof protection.
Protected by kinetic energy
Bulletproof vests are based on their ability to absorb and dissipate the kinetic energy of a projectile.
In short, when a bullet strikes body armor, the projectile's kinetic energy is transferred to the material's fibers. These fibers, with their exceptional tensile strength, stretch and deform, distributing the impact energy over a wider surface.
This is precisely what happens when a bullet hits a V007 jacket. It's made up of 26 juxtaposed sheets that will absorb this energy and save your life.
This energy dissipation process takes place in 4 stages:
1- Initial absorption: The first layers of Kevlar absorb the initial impact, slowing the ball down.
2- Deformation and stretching: Kevlar fibers stretch and deform, converting kinetic energy into deformation energy.
3- Energy dissipation: Energy is distributed over a wide area of the material, reducing the concentrated impact force.
4- Stopping the projectile: The energy is finally dissipated, stopping the bullet's progress.
What is bullet-proof made of?
While the benchmark material is Kevlar - which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and which we wrote about on April 4 - bulletproof vests can also be made from polyethylene, ballistic nylon or ceramic.
Bulletproof vest manufacturers often use overlapping layers to maximize effectiveness against bullets and sometimes even stab wounds. Between 20 and 50 layers. The V007 bulletproof vest, for example, is composed of 26 layers of kevlar mixed with polyethylene from Honeywell and Dyneema. A hybrid bulletproof solution that makes this vest unique in the world.
Body armor categories
Bullet-proof vests come in several categories, from discreet wear to more robust models equipped with heavy ceramic plates for use with weapons of war.
Level IIIA, III and IV vests, for example, are designed to withstand the impact of large-caliber bullets, and are often used by security forces in high-risk situations. VEST PARIS' V007 bulletproof vest, for example, is rated IIIA, which puts it in an extremely high-performance category.
Here are the bulletproof vest categories. Please note that classes III and IV are not sold to civilians. To simplify this paragraph, we prefer to present you with a table that summarizes these famous categories very simply:
The V007 model has a special feature of its own: in addition to level IIIA, it offers an intermediate level we'll call "level IIIA+", which also stops 7.62 Tokarev and 12MM Brenneke bullets.
What is a "discreet" bulletproof vest?
Discreet wear is an essential feature for civilians or agents on covert missions.
Body armor designed for discreet wear can be worn under clothing, offering protection without attracting attention. These vests are often lighter and less bulky, although they offer a more limited level of protection than more robust models.
At VEST, we've further simplified this "discreet wear" by integrating bulletproof protection into a vest that's easier to wear than a conventional bulletproof vest. Above all, we've managed to maintain a high level of ballistic protection in the V007 model.
What body armor do elite units wear?
Elite units such as military special forces, police intervention teams and high-level security guards often wear level III and IV body armor. This is a far cry from discreet, comfortable wear, as these plates can weigh up to 25kg VS 1.8kg for the V007 model.
These level III or IV vests often incorporate rigid armor plates made of ceramic, polyethylene or another composite material to provide additional protection against fire from high-caliber firearms such as assault rifles or war weapons. They are reserved for military and intervention units.
Can a civilian wear a bullet-proof vest?
Civilians are allowed to wear one in most countries, but this depends on local regulations and firearms laws. In France and Europe, for example, a civilian can wear body armor up to level IIIA. They can take a plane and walk around with it without any problem. Above this category, i.e. III and IV, it's reserved for professionals.
However, some regions of the world may have specific requirements or rules concerning the purchase and possession of such equipment. You simply need to find out before you travel.
How to fit body armor
A bullet-proof vest must fit correctly to guarantee maximum protection. A vest that's too loose can leave vital areas exposed, while one that's too tight can be uncomfortable and restrict movement.
Make sure the vest covers the chest area properly, without impeding breathing or arm movements. Level III vests, fitted with ballistic plates, are generally stiffer, but also need to be properly fitted.
Is bulletproof protection waterproof?
Today's bullet-proof vests are generally designed to be water-resistant to some extent, but prolonged and repeated exposure to water can potentially compromise their effectiveness.
The materials used in bulletproof vests, such as Kevlar or Dyneema, can be altered by excessive humidity, which could weaken their ability to stop projectiles.
Occasional exposure to light rain should not cause major problems, but it is recommended to dry the body armor thoroughly after any exposure to water to avoid damage.
Maintaining a bullet-proof vest
Bulletproof vests have an expiration date. The ballistics of the V007 vest, for example, are guaranteed for 7 years.
Care of the V007 body armor and vest, on the other hand, is perfectly straightforward. For the former, you remove and wash the cover; for the latter, you remove the plates from the vest and put it in the washing machine.