When it comes to body armor, finding the right balance between protection and mobility can be a challenge. That's where ultralight Level 4 plates come in.
These plates offer the highest level of protection available for personal body armor, while still being incredibly lightweight and maneuverable.
But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which plates are the best fit for you.
In this blog, we'll dive into everything you need to know about ultralight Level 4 plates. From the materials used to make them to the testing standards they're held to, we'll cover it all.
Whether you're a law enforcement officer, a military member, or a civilian looking to stay safe in a dangerous world, this blog is for you.
Materials and Construction
Our patented Duritium® technology combines the hardness of composite alloy with the strength of Duritium® polyethylene to defeat the most powerful ammunition out there.
Duritium is our patented technology that combines UHMWPE with composite materials for the lightest, thinnest, and most durable body armor.
Construction of Duritium plates includes polymer covering sheets that are cut using a 3-axis CNC machine. After the plate is hardened and reinforced with polymer, the vulcanization process finishes it off for a perfectly cut armored plate.
This process ensures all Duritium plates can withstand multiple hits in the same location without losing the armor's integrity.
Our Duritium plates are better than most other plates on the market for good reason; they are lighter, stronger, and have the best warranty in the industry.
ShotStop Duritium Level IV armor weighs in at an incredible 5.3 lbs. versus 10.2 for steel, 8 lbs. for ceramic, and 6.5 lbs. for polymer combined with UHMWPE.
Level IV Duritium is less than 1" thick (0.9") and will stop any rifle round, including the 7.62x54R M2 round fired from an SVD Dragunov sniper rifle.
Testing Standards
The good news about the NIJ is it provides a standard of measurement that is concrete and withstanding.
The biggest takeaway from Level 4 armor is that it will stop any round fired from a shoulder-fired rifle, including the infamous Dragunov.
Level IV body armor that is NIJ-Listed can stop the following bullets:
- 5.56x45mm 55-grain ball (M193)
- 7.62x39mm PS ball (MSC)
- 7.62x51mm 149 grain M80 FMJ
- NATO M855 (SS109) 5.56x45mm 62 grain steel core (SS109)
- M855A1
- 7.62x63mm M2 AP
Stopping one armor-piercing shot is required by the NIJ. Ours stopped six!
Best Ultralight Level 4 Plates on The Market
We can talk about what calibers a Level IV armor plate will stop, but it’s just as important to know if an armor plate will stop multiple hits.
Essentially, a Level IV plate that is NIJ-Listed has to be able to stop at least a 5.56x45mm 62-grain steel core, NATO M855 (SS109), 7.62x63mm M2AP.
According to the NIJ, the armor plate has to be able to stop penetration from 1 AP bullet. Just like every other armor plate we sell, we don’t settle for minimum requirements. Our Duritium® Level IV+HS plate stopped penetration from 6 AP bullets!
With an overall weight of only 5.3 lbs per plate, there is no other plate on the planet that can guarantee you the level of protection, comfort, or mobility that our Level 4 plates offer.
Our Duritium® Level IV armor plates are guaranteed to last at least 10 years! We challenge anyone to find an armor plate with a longer warranty than ShotStop®.
What are the advantages of using our ultralight level 4 plates?
- Protection without the wear & tear on your body
- Full confidence at minimal weight
- Level 4 body armor you’ll actually want to wear
- Maximum protection at a lower cost
- Longest product life in the industry
- STANAG certified for the highest confidence
- Increased protection with maximized mobility
- Rifle protection without restriction
- Maximum operator confidence
- Confidence against these threats in active duty
- Lighter and stronger (increased mobility)
- Full maintenance-free confidence for the life of the product
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best ballistic protection with the best customer service and performance, our Duritium® Level IV+HS plate has all the evidence you need for peace of mind.
As a thank you to the men and women who serve our communities and nation, we offer a 15% discount to all LEOs and soldiers.
If you’re interested in buying the most advanced and lightweight Level IV body armor, please contact our sales team at sales@shotstop.com