How To
Ballistic Shield Ratings
Mar
Choosing the correct ballistic shield for your specific purposes is essential – this protective item of equipment might even save your life! However, for a ballistic shield to be effective, it must be able to withstand the severity of attacks you face.
For example, some shields are designed to be lightweight and mobile for user speed, but they may only be able to withstand light handgun rounds. Other shields are designed to absorb and deflect even armour-piercing rounds, but their size and weight can seriously hamper your ability to move quickly.
To help you choose the most suitable solution, most reputable ballistic shields come with a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) rating. A shield’s NIJ rating details its ballistic protection capabilities.
At The Survival Island, we supply law enforcement and security personnel as well as ordinary concerned citizens with the most advanced and innovative ballistic shields on the market. In this guide, we’ll tell you about shield NIJ ratings and what they mean. If you have specific questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Introduction to Ballistic Shields
Also known as ballistic blankets and bunker shields, ballistic shields are purpose-designed to protect the user from dangerous projectiles and bullets. They’re often used by heavily armed law enforcement officers and emergency response teams in situations when armed resistance is anticipated, such as raids, active shooter scenarios and high-risk search warrants.
Ballistic shields come in various shapes and sizes; some can be carried by hand for situations that require maximum mobility, while larger shields that offer full-body protection often come with wheels. Unlike riot shields that are usually clear, ballistic alternatives tend to have a black exterior and often feature a viewing port.
A Brief Look at the NIJ
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is a research body for the U.S. Department of Justice, and one of the NIJ’s tasks is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of personal protective equipment such as ballistic shields.
The NIJ conducts large-scale commercial tests on ballistic shields to ensure they comply with their strict requirements and standards. In addition to testing a shield’s ballistic capabilities, the NIJ performs tests that include knife attacks and blunt-force traumas.
All testing takes place at approved laboratories and facilities that operate independently of the US government. Moreover, the NIJ subjects ballistic shields to extreme temperature fluctuations to evaluate their ballistic capabilities in both new and worn conditions.
If a ballistic shield comes with a certified NIJ rating, you can rest assured it will perform as expected.
NIJ Ratings for Ballistic Shields
The five NIJ ratings are currently represented as Roman numerals, starting with Level IIA and increasing to Level IV at the highest. However, during the second half of 2025, these Roman numerals will be replaced by a more intuitive and modern naming convention.
Here’s what each NIJ rating means when it comes to ballistic shields:
Level IIA
Level IIA-rated ballistic shields can protect you from low-velocity handgun rounds such as .40 Smith & Wesson and 9mm bullets. While Level IIA shields are lightweight and often undetectable, their low level of ballistic protection makes them relatively uncommon in modern military and law enforcement units.
Level II (HG1)
Ballistic shields with a level II NIJ rating can withstand high-velocity handgun rounds such as .357 Magnum ammunition and NATO-issued 9mm rounds. These shields are commonly used by security teams and police officers in low-to-medium risk scenarios.
Later this year when the new naming convention comes into effect, Level IIA will become HG1, with HG reflecting the shield’s ability to withstand handgun rounds.
Level IIIA (HG2)
If you need a relatively light shield that can protect you from just about any handgun round, you might want to browse our Level IIIA shields that can absorb and deflect bullets including .44 Magnum and .357 Sig.
The updates to the NIJ naming conventions will see Level IIIA become HG2, which reflects their increased handgun round protection capabilities compared to HG1 (Level II).
Level III (RF1)
Manufactured with extremely tough composite materials and metal plates, Level III ballistic shields offer protection against rifle bullets such as NATO .308 battle rifle and .223 Remington rounds. When the new naming convention comes into effect, Level III will become RF1 (with RF referring to ‘rifle’).
Level III+ (RF2)
You may find some ballistic shields with a Level III+ rating, though it’s worth noting that the ‘+’ isn’t an official NIJ designation. The ‘+’ generally indicates that a shield surpasses the minimum testing requirements for a Level III rating, but the ‘+’ can mean different things depending on the manufacturer.
Later this year, the NIJ will introduce a new rating, RF2, that will come in between the current Level III (RF1) and Level IV (RF3).
Level IV (RF3)
Level IV is the highest NIJ rating for a ballistic shield. These extremely hard-wearing shields can withstand armour-piercing bullets including .30-06 AP and .338 Lapua Magnum. Consequently, they’re commonly used by tactical units facing high-calibre ballistic threats.
Later this year, Level IV will be renamed RF3.
Other Factors to Consider When Choosing Ballistic Shields
The NIJ rating is one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing ballistic shields. However, there are many other factors that you need to consider, such as:
Threat Level
Your ballistic shield should provide you with adequate protection against common threats without impeding your ability to react to them quickly.
Weight
You might assume that the higher the NIJ rating, the better the shield must be. However, heavy and bulky shields can seriously limit your mobility and comfort.
Concealability
Sometimes, protecting yourself means not standing out. If you need to blend in, you might want to browse our ballistic plates and concealable armour.
Durability
It’s important to balance practicality with durability when choosing a shield. For example, Kevlar is lighter and more flexible than polyethylene, but it’s less effective against high-velocity rounds. Ceramic and steel shields offer excellent protection against a variety of rounds, but they can be very heavy and limit your mobility.
Learn More about Ballistic Shield Protection Levels
As you can see, you need to consider a variety of factors when choosing ballistic shields, but the NIJ rating is arguably the most crucial. A shield’s NIJ rating provides you with detailed insights into the shield’s protective capabilities, enabling you to invest in the safest solutions for the threats you face.
At The Survival Island, we’re a team of highly experienced survival experts that sources the most technologically advanced ballistic shields from the world’s most esteemed manufacturers. Whether you’re a member of the military, force or just a concerned citizen, we have the perfect ballistic shields for you. If you need advice and recommendations, don’t hesitate to call us.