Level 3A soft body armor panels and inserts rated NIJ IIIA (HG2) against handgun rounds. Wear them alone or as a backer behind plates: as panels, in concealable and duty carriers or as backpack inserts.
Soft armor is made of flexible layers of ballistic fibers, mostly aramid such as Twaron and sometimes combined with UHMWPE, in woven and unidirectional construction, sealed in a cover. It is what people mean by soft body armor, level IIIA soft body armor, 3A armor, 3A body armor or IIIA soft armor panels. Level IIIA is the highest handgun rating of the NIJ scale, and our IIIA products are rated against rounds from 9 mm to .44 Magnum. It does not stop rifle rounds: for those you need Level III or Level IV plates. What is soft body armor? explains the materials in more detail.
| Product | What it is | Facts from the product page |
|---|---|---|
| PA3300 inserts | Front and back panels, stand-alone | Tested to NIJ 0101.06 at an accredited lab, multi-hit, 0.3 in, sizes XS to XXL, made in Texas |
| SA3000 inserts | Front and back panels, stand-alone | Twaron aramid hybrid, 0.29 in, multi-hit, custom sizing available |
| E-MBAV panels | Panels for MBAV-style carriers | Fits Crye AVS, Eagle Industries, FirstSpear and Tracer Tactical carriers |
| Multi-size IIIA armor | Flexible panels in 30 sizes | From 3 x 12 in to 11 x 14 in, sold individually, for low profile carriers |
| Speed Plate | Hard IIIA plate | 1.2 lb, 9.5 x 12.5 in, 0.3 in thick |
| Protector concealable vest | Carrier with armor | Concealable under a uniform or wearable over clothing |
Also in this category: backpack armor, side armor and pouches, groin protection, knee inserts and the motorcycle jacket insert.
IIIA inserts are about 0.3 inch thick and weigh roughly 1.2 to 1.3 lb per square foot. The PA3300 and E-MBAV panels use a nylon ripstop cover that is ultrasonically sealed, and carry a 5-year warranty on the ballistic material and 1 year on the cover and workmanship. Replace any panel that has been hit. Our guide on how to clean a bullet proof vest shows how to care for the cover.
PA3300 panels come in a concealable (classic) cut and a BALCS/SPEAR cut. Match the cut to your carrier, then pick the size that covers your torso without bunching when you sit or bend. If your carrier has a fixed panel size, choose the panel to fit the carrier. Not sure? Contact us with your measurements and carrier and we will help you choose.
Level IIIA panels are often worn with rifle plates, either behind them as a backer or beside them as side armor. Some plates are rated only with a soft armor backer (ICW), and the product page says so. To set up a full system, see the plate carriers or ready-made bundles.
Level IIIA is the highest NIJ handgun rating, covering handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum. Our IIIA products are rated against rounds from 9 mm to .44 Magnum, as listed on each product page. Soft armor is not a rifle rating.
Our PA3300 and E-MBAV panels are about 0.3 inch thick and weigh roughly 1.2 to 1.3 lb per square foot, so a full-size front and back set is a few pounds. The weight of each size is on its product page.
Our PA3300, SA3000 and E-MBAV inserts are listed as multi-hit capable. The product page gives the details of the threats each model was tested against.
Yes. A concealable cut or a thin vest such as the Protector concealable carrier can be worn under a uniform or shirt, or over clothing for extra versatility.
The PA3300 and E-MBAV panels carry a 5-year warranty on the ballistic material and 1 year on the cover and workmanship. Keep the panels in their cover, avoid heat and moisture, and replace any panel that has been hit.
