‘’[…] We had an officer that was serving a high-risk warrant, and it was right at entry that they received gunfire from the suspect. He was [the officer] struck multiple times in his plate, and for him to come back and say,
hey, I’m here because of this armor’, that’s why we do what we do,”
says Scott Garrett, CEO at Angel Armor. He and Aaron Pettigrew, Director of Sales, make sure that the company’s commitment to protection constantly reflects, not only in its technology but more importantly, in its name and mission. This strive to watch over those who risk their lives in the line of duty, brings to mind an image of a biblical guardian.
Founded in 2013 by the Richardson brothers on a mission to enhance life, Angel Armor manufactures locally in the U.S. with headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado. Emerging from a legacy of entrepreneurs that shared deep respect for those who serve, the family sought to bring innovation for law enforcement and first responders. Now, the company masters a line of ballistic plates, carriers and vehicle armor solutions that are strongly inspired by its end-users feedback.
A Fly On The Wall
Everything starts with, as Garrett and Pettigrew describe it, “brutal feedback.” Most of Angel Armor’s designs are a result of active listening to what first responders’ needs and issues are:
“We are a fly on the wall. We listen and we design to those officers’ feedback. Officers throughout the history of body armor have always got fatigue, wear and tear from the weight load on their shoulders and their necks. And we actually patented a cummerbund system, our QuadCore® Belt System, that puts all the weight onto the core of the body.’’
This and other innovations shaped by direct conversations with end-users, form Angel Armor’s highly specialised, four-vertical offer: Avail® vehicle armor, RISE® soft armor packages and carriers, Truth SNAP® hard armor rifle plates, and Ally One™ accessories that go with the carrier. Their RISE carriers and soft armor include a variety of styles built for the officer’s mission with four different NIJ level IIIA and Level II armor package options, which are custom fit to each officer. In addition to carriers and soft armor, Angel Armor offers Truth SNAP hard armor plates for rifle protection. These include three options of .308 rifle-rated, ICW base plates with an interchangeable 855 ceramic strike face, which can be worn in conjunction with soft armor for extra defense. This patented system is unique as every carrier vest has built-in pockets for rifle plates, allowing officers to wear them at all times rather than having to retrieve them during an emergency. This increases the chance of all time protection, whether responding to a routine traffic stop or a high-risk situation.
At first glance, Angel Armor’s lineup might seem straightforward, but there is a lot of thought behind it. Every detail tackles real challenges that officers face everyday to make their gear more practical, comfortable, and effective.
“Modularity is one of our key focuses on our design. […] If you’re on patrol, and you’ve got a concealed vest wearing all day rifle protection, your armor can fit in a tactical carrier if you’re moved into a tactical unit. It’s about having everything that you need at a good price point, and being able to- if you’re moved into a different part of the department- not to buy a whole new set of armor. You actually have what you need.’’
The Thinnest Plate On The Market
Angel Armor highlights their newest plates in the Truth SNAP rifle plate system — the stand alone 308 Elite plate with the option to add the 855 ceramic strike face is advertising as the thinnest, lightest certified plate system currently on the market. What makes the product special is a patented magnetic SNAP® system that allows quick and easy adjustments.
Users can easily attach the 855 Strike Face Plate to any base plate for added protection. Currently, the ICW rifle plates are certified to NIJ 0101.06 level III standard and are available now for purchase. The 308 Elite stand alone plate is coming soon. The plate has successfully passed NIJ ballistic testing standards and is awaiting final certification. The company expects the 308 Elite plates be available for purchase in early March as they await the necessary documentation. Angel Armor will keep customers updated on availability via its website.
Angel Armor is also anticipating their new line of soft and hard body armor for women. While they remain reserved with more details about this product, this news does sound promising, as the demand for female body armor grows and competition becomes more interested in the topic.
Future for Angel Armor
When asked about the future, Garrett and Pettigrew name further innovations, feedback-driven design, educating, and spreading awareness. It seems like the company is also preparing for both domestic and international expansion. While they do well, they also admit they are still far from the saturation point and look forward to expanding their customer base. Angel Armor’s products are not dedicated or sold to civilians. Therefore, the company wants to focus on a larger group of first responders and military. Angel Armor’s dedication to improving officer safety is clear and goes beyond just technological advancements. Above all, their mission to protect those who risk their lives every day remains at the heart of everything they do.
