It varies based on features. Never buy armor that isn’t NIJ compliant, first and foremost. After that, plate curvature and weight reduction are the two primary factors that will drive up cost. I’m currently seeing $160 from RMA Armament, but that’s for level 4 flat plates that are 8.3lbs each. So, uncomfortable and heavy. For level 4 multi curve lightweight plates from the same maker, about $250 each.
But, I cringe a little when people recommend rifle plates. I own a set. They are miserable to run around in. They will slow you down dramatically when in most cases mobility and shooting fundamentals will likely decide the outcome of a fight. And even if your use case calls for them, there’s a lot to learn about proper plate carrier setup, that will take you a long while of YouTube deep dives to figure out how to develop a proper fighting kit.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to be 18-24 and positively fucking jacked, because that’s who plates are made for, soldiers, and if you’re round and out of shape and can’t run more than 20 yards at a time, you’ve got bigger fish to fry than body armor.
The 4asa4’s are older standard made for Ukraine but ovreproduced.
They’re 99/plate at a couple places now, which is ridiculous. It’s been like that for about 2 months, and probably will be for a while. But eventually they’ll run out.
The issue is the old standard doesn’t have “drop testing” and these won’t withstand a drop, they’ll crack.
Quick edit:
And I know they’re cringe.
But you can’t deny police treat a protest differently when the other side has people in vests and rifles.
That’s the only reason I’m recommending it.
But yeah, 20lbs doesn’t sound like a lot till you’re carrying it around all day. But wearing it out to a protest for 6 hours is a good way to get in shape.
I don’t think body armor is cringe, I just cringe at the thought of having to wear it, and starting someone down the rabbit hole of battle rattle full kit larping.
I don’t know too much about these. How much do they run?
It varies based on features. Never buy armor that isn’t NIJ compliant, first and foremost. After that, plate curvature and weight reduction are the two primary factors that will drive up cost. I’m currently seeing $160 from RMA Armament, but that’s for level 4 flat plates that are 8.3lbs each. So, uncomfortable and heavy. For level 4 multi curve lightweight plates from the same maker, about $250 each.
But, I cringe a little when people recommend rifle plates. I own a set. They are miserable to run around in. They will slow you down dramatically when in most cases mobility and shooting fundamentals will likely decide the outcome of a fight. And even if your use case calls for them, there’s a lot to learn about proper plate carrier setup, that will take you a long while of YouTube deep dives to figure out how to develop a proper fighting kit.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to be 18-24 and positively fucking jacked, because that’s who plates are made for, soldiers, and if you’re round and out of shape and can’t run more than 20 yards at a time, you’ve got bigger fish to fry than body armor.
The 4asa4’s are older standard made for Ukraine but ovreproduced.
They’re 99/plate at a couple places now, which is ridiculous. It’s been like that for about 2 months, and probably will be for a while. But eventually they’ll run out.
The issue is the old standard doesn’t have “drop testing” and these won’t withstand a drop, they’ll crack.
Quick edit:
And I know they’re cringe.
But you can’t deny police treat a protest differently when the other side has people in vests and rifles.
That’s the only reason I’m recommending it.
But yeah, 20lbs doesn’t sound like a lot till you’re carrying it around all day. But wearing it out to a protest for 6 hours is a good way to get in shape.
I don’t think body armor is cringe, I just cringe at the thought of having to wear it, and starting someone down the rabbit hole of battle rattle full kit larping.
I couldn’t read that without thinking of Shrine of the Mall Ninja