Does Bulletproof Clothing Work?

In many nations, including the USA, there has been a significant increase in the use of body armour and bulletproof clothing in recent decades in response to growing threats to safety. Police and military personnel often rely on bulletproof attire for personal protection on a daily basis. However, increasingly concerned citizens are also looking for ways to bolster their safety.

Bulletproof clothing is manufactured using ballistic-resistant materials such as Kevlar® and Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Despite being versatile, lightweight and, in many cases, discreet enough as to be virtually unnoticeable, bulletproof vests, shirts, jackets, and more can withstand high-calibre handgun rounds in many situations.

However, while modern ballistic clothing is extremely effective and tested in line with rigorous standards, there are always risks – no item of bulletproof clothing is 100% effective in every situation. So, does bulletproof clothing work, and how much confidence can you place in it? We’ll answer those questions and more in this guide.

If you want to discuss your safety needs with an experienced survival and wilderness expert, don’t hesitate to contact our team here at The Survival Island.

Bulletproof Clothing: Materials

Bulletproof clothing started to become widespread during the 1960s, when chemist Stephanie Kwolek invented a high-strength synthetic fibre called Kevlar that was five times the strength of steel despite being far lighter. Kwolek invented Kevlar to replace steel belts in tyres, but this incredible material soon found a new use in the protective garment industry.

Thanks to the invention of Kevlar, professionals such as military and police personnel could protect themselves against projectiles including bullets without having to rely on bulky hard armour, which can be unfeasible due to its weight in many contexts.

Kevlar remains a popular material with which to manufacture bulletproof clothing, but UHMWPE is emerging as top contender, with some bulletproof garments being even stronger and lighter than their Kevlar counterparts. However, UHMWPE can be slightly pricier.

Types of Bulletproof Clothes

Lightweight materials like Kevlar and UHMWPE have allowed manufacturers to produce ballistic-resistant items of clothing in a diverse range of styles and for a broad array of purposes. Overt bulletproof clothing often comes with the highest levels of protection, but this comes at the expense of the discretion, comfort and light weight of covert garments that can be worn under your normal clothes or designed to appear indistinguishable from everyday attire.

If you need something more discreet than a bulletproof vest that is typically worn above your everyday attire, you might be interested in our range of bulletproof t-shirts that feature inserts that protect your vital organs. You can remove the inserts in order to wash your ballistic t-shirt just like you would your normal clothes.

Need some advice on choosing bulletproof clothes that combine comfort, style, price and protection for your specific needs? Our experts are just a message away.

How Effective Is Bulletproof Clothing?

Certified items of body armour and bulletproof clothing usually come with a rating from the NIJ (National Institute of Justice). All items with an NIJ rating have undergone rigorous testing in extreme conditions to prove their effectiveness.

There are five NIJ ratings that an item of body armour can receive. Each rating tells you the highest calibre bullet the armour can withstand:

• NIJ HG1 (Level II): 9mm rounds, .357 rounds
• NIJ HG2 (Level IIIA): .44 Mag rounds
• NIJ RF1 (Level III): 7.62×51mm M80 (147 gr) and comparable standard rifle ball threats
• NIJ RF2 (NA): Intermediate rifle level
• NIJ RF3 (Level IV): Armour-piercing rifle threats

Due to weight and mobility limitations, most items of discreet bulletproof clothing, such as t-shirts, jackets and helmets, fall into the NIJ rating HG2, which means they can usually withstand high-calibre handgun rounds. However, most items of bulletproof clothing won’t protect you against rifle rounds. You might want to check out our bulkier items of body armour if you face severe threats in your profession.

Is Ballistic Clothing Legal?

Before purchasing bulletproof clothing, make sure doing so is legal where you live and for your occupation. In the US at the federal level, there are no restrictions on the sale and use of body armour for people over the age of 18 years with no prior convictions, though the rules can differ at the state level. For example, in New York, using bulletproof clothing without permission can be a misdemeanour.

Read this guide on the legalities of bulletproof vests to learn more about the laws in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

Learn More about Bulletproof Clothing

Bulletproof clothing can literally be a lifesaver. Whether you’re a concerned citizen or a leader of specialised military unit, you can count on The Survival Island for bulletproof clothing and body armour at the cutting edge of innovation. We proudly source our products from the most esteemed manufacturers in the world and aim to make them available to you at unbeatably high-value prices.

Browse our range of ballistic-resistant clothing today or call our experts with any questions.