The protection your ballistic vest provides always needs to be balanced against how comfortable the vest is. If it isn’t comfortable, you may not wear it. And no ballistic vest can protect you if it isn’t worn.
Your vest should be comfortable enough to allow you to perform your normal law enforcement duties, give you the maneuverability to quickly respond to any situation and allow you to withstand heat stress. Four factors to consider in getting a comfortable vest are weight, cooling liners and t-shirts, carrier features and getting the correct size.
Weight
The biggest factor in the comfort of a ballistic vest is its weight. It can affect everything from how easily and quickly you move to how much heat stress you have to endure.
While overall ballistic vests today are much lighter than the versions of 30 years ago, across models they do differ considerably in weight. The most accurate way to compare a vest’s weight is through a measurement called Areal Density. It gives the weight in pounds per square foot allowing you to compare armor of different sizes. For instance, if a medium vest from one vendor is a slightly different size than another vendor, you can use the Areal Density to tell which is actually lighter. Because of the help this measurement provides in comparing different models, Galls gives you the Areal Density in the all of our ballistic vest descriptions.>
As you might expect, a lighter vest generally comes at a greater price. Just like in choosing protection, you need to balance the comfort level you want with what your budget will allow. A ballistic vest that weighs less generally costs more for the same level of protection.
Cooling Liners and T-Shirts
Although a lighter weight vest can do a lot to reduce heat stress, it may not be enough. For instance, if you work in a warm geographic climate, you might also purchase a ballistic vest with a carrier that includes material specially designed to help you keep cool like CoolMax
® fabric. Originally developed for athletic apparel, CoolMax
® fabric wicks away moisture from the body keeping you cooler.
In addition to getting a carrier with a “cooling” liner, you can also wear a t-shirt underneath your vest that’s designed to keep you cool. Many of these “cool” t-shirts incorporate moisture wicking fabrics like CoolMax®. The popular brand, Under Armour, uses a micro-fiber fabric that transports moisture away from your body.
Carrier Features
Getting a ballistic vest that is comfortable also has a lot to do with the carrier's features. Some of the features you should look for are pointed out in the photo below.
Getting the Correct Size
Once you have chosen a particular vest model, it is very important to order the right size. As was mentioned in an earlier lesson, the size can determine the coverage you have and as a result your protection. Also, if your armor doesn’t fit right, it could make it difficult for you to perform your regular duties.
To get the correct size vest, you should always follow the manufacturer’s size charts. While these size charts aren’t consistent across all manufacturers, you’ll find most require the same basic measurements for a regular stock vest (not custom made).
It’s easy to get your measurements taken correctly by just enlisting the help of a partner and following the tips below. (When being measured use a cloth tape and wear your regular, proper attire like t-shirt, duty belt, etc.)
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1. Chest: With your arms hanging at your sides, have someone measure under your arms across shoulder blades and around fullest part of your chest. |
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2. Waist: With your arms hanging at your side, have someone measure your waist above the belt at the navel. |
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3. Girth or Mid-Abdominal: With your arms hanging at your side, have someone measure around your back, just below the rib cage and across the thickest portion of your stomach. Do not “suck in”. (Your waist and girth size are probably not the same size.) |
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4. Torso: In a sitting or normal driving position, measure the front torso length. Measure from the first closed button on your uniform shirt (or bottom of the clavicle depression) to the top of the duty belt. For maximum comfort while sitting, the bottom of your vest should be two-fingers above the duty belt while standing. |
Contrary to popular belief, female officers may or may not have to order a vest specially fitted for women. If you wear an “A” or “B” cup bra you can probably wear a regular stock vest; if you wear a larger size you will probably need to order a custom vest. In this case, there are additional measurements you may need. For more information, call Galls at 1-800-477-7766.
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