Bulletproof vest

A bulletproof vest, also known as a ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest, is a type of body armor designed to absorb impact and prevent the penetration of firearm projectiles and explosion fragments to the torso. The vest can be either soft—as worn by police officers, security personnel, prison guards, and occasionally private citizens to protect against stabbing attacks or light projectiles—or hard, incorporating metallic or para-aramid components. Soldiers and police tactical units typically wear hard armour, either alone or combined with soft armour, to protect against rifle ammunition or fragmentation.

Additional protection includes trauma plates for blunt force and ceramic inserts for high-caliber rounds.
Bulletproof vests have evolved over centuries, from early designs like those made for knights and military leaders to modern-day versions.
Early ballistic protection used materials like cotton and silk, while contemporary vests employ advanced fibers and ceramic plates.

Back to Armor Basics & Ratings →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain