Choosing the right body armor in 2025 can feel overwhelming with so many ballistic vest options on the market. Finding the perfect fit for your specific needs—whether for duty, personal protection, or everyday concealment—takes time and careful consideration.
That’s where BodyArmorNews.com comes in. We’re here to simplify your search and guide you toward the best ballistic protection available—combining safety, comfort, and cutting-edge design.
To answer the question, “What is the best bulletproof vest?”, we’ve reviewed six top-tier, concealable, and lightweight ballistic packages. These elite options represent the highest standards in personal protection. Remember, when it comes to body armor, you’re not just buying gear—you’re making a life-saving investment.
Five Ballistic Armor Criteria
1. Thickness
When it comes to concealability, panel thickness plays a major role. Thicker, bulkier vests are more likely to print under clothing or visibly reveal that body armor is being worn. A thinner profile helps maintain a discreet appearance, making it ideal for undercover or everyday use.
2. Weight
Weight is a critical factor—especially for professionals who wear armor for extended periods or carry additional gear. Lighter panels offer greater comfort and mobility while allowing for more load-bearing equipment.
To ensure a fair comparison, we use weight per unit of area (lbs/ft² or kg/m²), rather than total vest weight. This accounts for differences in coverage area, as vests with full 360-degree protection may appear “heavier” than those offering only front and back panels.
3. Flexibility
Flexibility enhances comfort and wearability, particularly in concealable armor. More flexible panels contour to the body better, resulting in a more natural fit that moves with you—key for comfort during extended use.
4. Warranty / Sustainability
A manufacturer’s warranty reflects the guaranteed lifespan of the panel’s ballistic performance. This directly affects the vest’s cost-effectiveness over time.
For example, a $1,000 vest with a 10-year warranty offers twice the annual value of a $1,000 vest with a 5-year warranty.
As the body armor industry moves toward sustainability, longer-lasting panels not only reduce long-term costs but also lower environmental impact, making durability a major consideration.
5. Price
Retail prices listed include both the ballistic panels and a concealable textile carrier, based on current online pricing. We’ve also calculated the price per year to provide a clearer view of each vest’s long-term value.
To support your decision, we’ve compiled details on six standout soft armor solutions—some from the most trusted and innovative names in the body armor industry.
These manufacturers include: Slate Solutions, Armor Express, Point Blank Enterprises Inc., EnGarde, Safariland Armor, and Armor Matrix Systems.
Slate Solutions – SLXIIIA
| Manufacturer: | Slate Solutions |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | SLXIIIA |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | Aramid and UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | .21 inches / 5.3 mm |
| Weight: | 0.86 lbs/ft² and 4.2 kg/m² |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Flexibility: | very high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 950 (US$ 190 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 5-6 weeks |
SLXIIIA
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
8/10
8/10
8/10
8/10
5/10
7.4 out of 10
Armor Express – RZR-XT-IIIA
| Manufacturer: | Armor Express |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | RZR-XT-IIIA |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | Aramid and UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | .20 inches / 5.1 mm |
| Weight: | 0.84 lbs/ft² and 4.1 kg/m² |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Flexibility: | very high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 1785 (US$ 357 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 4-6 weeks |
RZRG2-A-IIIA
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
8/10
8/10
8/10
4/10
5/10
6.6 out of 10
Armor Matrix Systems – PP-GEN7-IIIA
| Manufacturer: | Armor Matrix Systems |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | PP-GEN7-IIIA |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | .23 inches / 6 mm |
| Weight: | 0.96 lbs/ft² and 4.7 kg/m² |
| Warranty: | 7 years |
| Flexibility: | high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 550 (US$ 79 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 2 weeks |
PP-GEN7-IIIA
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
6/10
7/10
8/10
10/10
7/10
7.6 out of 10
Point Blank Armor – AXBIIIA
| Manufacturer: | Point Blank Enterprises |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | AXBIIIA |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | Aramid and UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | 0.19 inches / 4.8 mm |
| Weight: | 0.79 lbs/ft² and 3.9 kg/m² |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Flexibility: | high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 1984 (US$ 397 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 7-8 weeks |
AXBIIIA
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
9/10
8/10
9/10
3/10
5/10
6.8 out of 10
EnGarde Body Armor – FLEX-PRO™
| Manufacturer: | EnGarde body armor |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | FLEX-PRO™ |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | Aramid and UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | 0.23 inches / 6 mm |
| Weight: | 0.92 p/sf and 4.5 kg/m2 |
| Warranty: | 7 years |
| Flexibility: | very high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 845 (US$ 135 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 1 week |
FLEX-PRO™
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
7/10
8/10
7/10
8/10
7/10
7.4 out of 10
Safariland – HW-2019-01-SB
| Manufacturer: | Safariland |
|---|---|
| Soft armor solution: | HW-2019-01-SB |
| Threat level: | IIIA |
| Ballistic material: | UHMWPE |
| Thickness: | 0.23 inches / 5.84 mm |
| Weight: | 0.68 p/sf and 3.32 kg/m2 |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Flexibility: | high |
| Retail price (incl. conc. car): | US$ 1496 (US$ 299 per year) |
| Estimated Leadtime: | 6-7 weeks |
HW-2019-01-SB
Weight:
Flexibility:
Thickness:
Price:
Warranty:
score card
10/10
8/10
7/10
4/10
5/10
6.8 out of 10
Best Body Armor 2025 Conclusion
All the ballistic panels reviewed in this roundup are outstanding products, representing the very best in discreet Level IIIA armor currently available. No matter which panel you choose from this list, you’re guaranteed a high-performing solution that exceeds expectations.
When it comes to value—specifically pricing and warranty—EnGarde body armor, Slate Solutions, and Armor Matrix Systems set themselves apart. It’s worth noting that many manufacturers raised their prices for 2025, largely in response to increased production and material costs since 2022.Now, without further delay, let’s reveal our top pick: the PP-GEN7-IIIA from Armor Matrix Systems , which leads the pack with an impressive 7.6 out of 10.
It narrowly outperforms strong entries from Slate Solutions and last year’s winner, EnGarde, both earning 7.4 out of 10.
WINNER 2025: Armor Matrix Systems – PP-GEN7-IIIA
This panel has an advantage over its competitors since it has a lower price and a longer lifespan/warranty. An extra benefit is that the PP-GEN7-IIIA panel can be shipped within two weeks.
Although this brings us to the end of our Best Body Armor of 2025 rankings, we’ve included some essential information below to help you make an informed decision. Before wrapping up, let’s take a step back and look at what body armor is—and why it matters.
Why Body Armor Is Essential
In a world where firearm-related threats are increasingly common, body armor offers a vital layer of protection. Whether you’re in law enforcement, the military, or a civilian concerned about personal safety, wearing the right body armor can be a life-saving decision in active-shooter or high-risk scenarios.
What Is Body Armor?
Modern bullet-resistant vests consist of a textile carrier that houses two armor panels—front and back. While no vest is truly “bulletproof,” these panels are designed to offer substantial ballistic protection against various threats.
Armor panels fall into two main categories:
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Hard Armor – Designed to stop high-velocity rounds, including rifle fire.
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Soft Armor – Typically used for protection against handgun threats and offers more comfort and concealability.
NIJ Standards
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the United States certifies and tests ballistic panels based on its NIJ Standard-0101.06, which classifies armor from:
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Level II – Low-level handgun protection
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Level IIIA – Higher handgun protection
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Level III & IV – Rifle-rated hard armor protection
Most of the soft armor featured in this article is certified under NIJ Standard-0101.06, with Level IIIA representing the highest level of protection currently available for concealable vests.
Looking ahead to 2025, new armor certified under the updated NIJ Standard-0101.07 is expected to begin entering the market. This new standard introduces more rigorous testing protocols and updated threat-level designations, helping ensure even higher levels of protection and consistency in performance.
Materials & Innovation
Ballistic panels are made from advanced materials like aramid, UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene), steel, and ceramics. Many leading products use hybrid constructions, combining materials to balance protection, weight, and flexibility.
Manufacturers continue to innovate, developing lighter, more flexible materials without compromising ballistic performance.
Choosing the Right Panel
When selecting soft body armor, it’s important to evaluate:
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Weight – Affects mobility and fatigue during extended wear
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Flexibility – Enhances comfort and contouring to the body
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Thickness – Influences concealability
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Warranty – Reflects long-term durability and cost-effectiveness
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Price – Should be measured against both performance and warranty lifespan
At BodyArmorNews.com, we’ve carefully analyzed all of these elements to bring you clear, trustworthy recommendations. While many effective ballistic solutions exist globally, the products featured in this review stand out as top-tier options in the 2025 body armor landscape.
Please note that these rankings reflect the informed opinion and testing conducted by BodyArmorNews.com.
