r/canadaguns • u/pooshlinger • May 01 '26
Gun and gear reviews Body armour?
Im wondering if anyone has much knowledge or experience on body armour in Canada, specifically BC.
I do alot of shooting on crown land and in my area theres alot of other shooters in close proximity, so Im mainly just concerned about ricochet or stray rounds, or the odd crazy hillbilly when Im out in the forest.
Im leaning towards a soft vest as opposed to plates just for more coverage and being concealable if need be. A carrier would be cool and Ill end up buying one eventually but in a situation that I need to be wearing a vest, it screams “shoot me”.
However soft armour really only goes up to NIJ 3A. I like the idea of level 3 plates in a carrier just for the fact that 99% of shooters out there are shooting rifle rounds and shotguns, protection from just pistol rounds is kind of irrelevant in this situation.
On another note, Ive heard LOF defence is good, wondering what other options there are out there and where I can find them. Im aware that Canarmor is a heaping load of chinese shite.
Soft vest for peace of mind or blow the budget on a nice carrier and some plates?
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u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 01 '26
Aratech plates are solid. I was going to reccomend MMD but, well rip
Also can confirm LOF has nice carriers
As for armor, definitely go with plates, soft is fine for ricochet and shrapnel but if theres an accident or a hill-a-billy isnt confirming whats beyond his target then you're pretty much wearing a heavy sweater vest, especially if he's blasting pee-paws 30-06. Plus the energy transfer of soft armor has to suck vs hard plate and a LOF carrier that has built in shock mitigation
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u/Embarrassed-Gur1769 May 01 '26
What happened to MMD?
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u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 01 '26
Their parent company or sister company got sued pretty hard and MMD closed by extension. If I recall correctly, either way they closed shop a couple years ago
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u/Embarrassed-Gur1769 May 01 '26
I currently have MMD plates. Was the lawsuit in regard to quality issues? Or not meeting the NIJ standards they claimed?
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u/Sir_Larpsalot2 May 01 '26
No issues with their plates. They got sued over their nylon gear.
Wish they were still around. Their III+ plates were NIJ certified and their gear was good.
Aratech is still around and their plates are good to go as well.
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u/SJHardware May 03 '26
No it had nothing to do with the quality of the plates. It had to do with a lawsuit with gray ghost usa who set them up in the beginning. Theyxwent solo and took all of there I.P and rebranded it. I don't think anyone get in to the rest of the production that they said we made in canada . But we're really made in China and Honduras. They went under before that happened.
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u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 01 '26
I also have MMD plates, I couldn't resist the tiger stripe camouflage. I can't remember the specifics on what the legal issue was. I don't think it was about the NIJ testing as they said they were NIJ tested but never claimed to be certified.
Side note I way prefer the design of MMD ceramic which is a hex grid of many pieces of ceramic leading to a inherited better plate that would be stronger with consecutive hits vs the aratech that is one large price of ceramic leading to the entire plate being compromised with a hit
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u/SJHardware May 03 '26
That not how it works. Tiles are used before assembly it's heap and easy. 1pc ceramic is the gold standard. It allows for muti curved qirh out making gaps between each tile It also spreads the impact over a greater area. All 1pc ceramic plates are muti hit. Also 95% of ceramic tiles come from China. 70% of the world's 1pc eramic plates come from the EU and usa. So think about that as far as quality goes...
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Thanks for the answer, if this is the case, would you recommend composite or steel plates?
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u/GodsGiftToWrenching May 01 '26
100% ceramic. If you've ever looked at the ground around a steel plate you'll see what spelling can do, so yeah it may stop a bullet but it sends high speed sharp pieces of lead and copper into your neck and arms, so definitely go for a ceramic type plate which catches the projectile
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u/NemrahG May 01 '26
Have you thought of maybe getting a high visibility vest? Way cheaper and probably just as effective at preventing injuries or accidents.
But if you really want armor, I’d say go with a plate, ceramic preferably, will block pretty much everything you’d be worried about. A soft vest is really only good for pistols, ricochets or shrapnel.
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u/SquidMeister12 May 01 '26
Buddy once took an ND to the torso so now all the homies rock plates.
Safety safety safety
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26 edited May 01 '26
This is what my gf was worried about which actually sparked the conversation. Shes a paramedic and was reminding me how lethal any puncture to the torso and lungs can be. Made me think twice about going out unprotected.
On top of that me and bro experience a ND slamfire for the first time on our last range day, proved how easily it can happen. Thank god the barrel was down range.
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May 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Inevitable_Edge6857 May 01 '26
Honestly I used to argue against level 4 until a friend and I were having a conversation about how funny (or not funny) it would be in a SHTF scenario to get shot by some old fudd with his old 30-06 and you cheaped out on armour
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Still working on my first aid kit but so far ive got a tourni and lots of bandages. More tournis and chest seals are on my list for next purchase.
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u/AdeptArt May 01 '26
aratech is pretty good, plenty of sites carry them.
As you said most people are shooting rifle calibers so if you really care soft armor is kinda out of the picture.
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u/lock11111 May 01 '26
You have to go with plates soft is for low velocity stuff like pistols if you are worried about being shot in the woods you will be in the zone of rifle rounds. Also whatever hits you with soft may not pass through but the energy still needs somewhere to go.
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u/Dry-Syrup-3058 May 01 '26
I’d highly recommend the plates. I have a couple sets of hesco plates for work and I love them, they’re very light and comfortable to wear for the level protection they provide.
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
In terms of level of protection, what would be your recommendation? “Special threat” seems to offer more protection at a cheaper cost than level 3.
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u/Pho-fo-Sho May 01 '26
Special Threat plates such as the L211 won't be able to stop larger caliber (.308).
They're rated for intermediate rounds with armor piercing/penetrator around (M855A1 or x39 MSC). In addition, the reason why it's cheaper is due to construction, like being single curve as opposed to multicurve and having less polythene to control BFD, hence that's why it technically not rated for large calibres.
I'd get lvl 3+ / R2 for the best of both worlds.
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u/Dry-Syrup-3058 May 01 '26
Personally I mostly use the level 3 hesco p210’s because I find them more comfortable, but my hesco 3810LV plates are rifle rated. I haven’t tested the 3810LV plates yet but the p210 stopped a federal 12ga 3” magnum 1-1/4oz slug at approx 7 yards. Also, don’t take my word for it but I heard hesco had some quality control issues with their “special threat” line of plates.
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Thank your for your insight
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u/Dry-Syrup-3058 May 01 '26
No problem, hope I helped!
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Another question, after looking more at the Hesco plates, I noticed “ICW” in the title of some plates. Does this mean i need to use those specific models “in conjunction with” another plate?
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u/Dry-Syrup-3058 May 01 '26
Yes, I believe icw plates are supposed to be used in conjunction with soft armour to meet the advertised rating. When I’m wearing my hesco p210 plates for work, I put trauma pads in between my plates and the stab-proof inserts.
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u/GhostOoOooo May 01 '26
Get hard plates and a carrier. III+ should be the minimum. It depends on your budget, but ceramic is preferable to steel, however any armor is better than no armor. You can also attach pouches and accessories to them so you don't have to fiddle with a range bag as much. My Earpro/eyepro/gloves all have a spot on my PC (don't forget a snack pouch! :p). Also, as others have said, it is good weight training and will improve your cardio passively.
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Sub thread: legality of the use and wearing body armour in BC Canada.
If anyone has any insight on this it would be much appreciated. I have read through the body armour control act and regulations and I dont recall any clauses prohibiting the use or wear of body armour by a PAL holder. Id like to know if theres any bills im missing or fine print that says otherwise.
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u/coffeeofwar May 01 '26
I'd honestly say look around,
There nothing worng with lof Quilty but there charging insane amounts for there stuff, it feels like they charge crye prices lol
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Funny you say that, i was looking at a crye carrier too. Mostly just for the compatibility with their stkss suspension platform, Ive heard it does a great job of dispersing weight to the hips
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u/coffeeofwar May 01 '26
Crye carries are nice, I rock a k19 from aglite if you do get a carrier ones like the k19 with the thicker shoulder pads do make shouldering a rifle under pressure a bit more of a pain, I found with mine I had to adjust where I shoulder my rifle
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u/ThePoeticJester May 01 '26
If you've got a PAL youre good to go wearing plates on crown land and ranges all that stuff. Out in the bush its rifles and shotguns shooting so youll want rifle rated plates
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u/Spydude84 May 01 '26
I wear a chest rig when I shoot multigun, and when I'm at the casual range using it I feel overdressed, but at the multigun events I'm crazy underdressed. Everyone has plate carriers and ballistic helmets and tons of gear lol.
I wouldn't worry about wearing lvl4 plates in the bush, no one should care.
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u/pooshlinger May 02 '26
Multigun, interesting. Ive actually never heard of that, super cool. Used to be very into airsoft back in the day with my dad, who still does it to an almost professional level lol, this looks like it would be fun. Maybe that would convince him of getting his PAL.
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u/Spydude84 May 02 '26
If you're in BC, DSSMatch are the guys who run it out here. Rifle, pistol, shotgun, though they are pretty flexible since the bans took everything. I shoot rimfire rifle and shotgun.
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u/Nautaloid Black Powder Enjoyer May 02 '26
I say if you're gonna armor up, go all in and get level IV plates and a nice carrier or a soft armor vest that can have plates inserted. Don't get steel plates, ceramic is flat out superior. Make sure whatever plates you get are NIJ certified.
Before you worry about all this stuff, make sure you have a good trauma kit and know how to use it.
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u/BigRedGunNut May 01 '26
Personally, as others have said, I'd recommend plates. Further, I recommend doing research and shopping in China. Your not a cop, or security and the Chinese plates can be great at a fraction of the cost. I bought these 3a plates for $25 each on sale from Aliexpress a few years back. I didn't trust them so I bought 3 using one to test. The level 4 plates are more expensive but at the prices they sell for you can afford to buy test plates and try them out and still be a fraction of North American manufactured plates. Heck, you can buy sets from a number of different Chinese manufacturers and try them all out and still be cheaper.
On a side note, Canadian Customs has no problem letting them in. Body armor is privincialy regulated in some provinces like Alberta but not federally. I made that call before my purchase.
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
Thanks for your insight, honestly id prefer importing from the states than shopping in china. Im sure your tests proved functional but im skeptical on quality control. But hey, quality is down everywhere, even modern toyotas are shite now
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u/FaithlessnessHot1912 May 01 '26
Can armour is way cheaper, and I like their hardened steel plates. They offer way more protection than ceramic because they can take repeated direct hits without cracking into 60 pieces, but make sure there’s a spall liner on the front. Other than that, if you’re not sure buy some cheap body armour off aliexspress lol. I bought an entire IOTV vest off there for $300 cad, and it stops up to 357 magnum. Another Canadian guy tested the soft armour inserts and it stopped the same rounds from a rifle well.
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u/SJHardware May 03 '26
Can amount is madexin China and rebranded. It's 100% not canadian and not quality. If u go this way by from China ans UT oitcthe middle man save the 400% mark up
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u/FaithlessnessHot1912 May 09 '26
Any idea where I can get that same thing for cheaper? I’m using AliExpress level 3A plates, and if you say I can get heat treated steel plates for cheaper I’d like to know where, lol.
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u/ASpacebornVagabond May 02 '26
Buy ceramic plates and buy Aratech. I bought a different "Canadian" company and have been told it's just Chinese armour by many people which makes me feel sad and dumb, but that's the way it goes when you don't double check everything. Aratech is the real deal Canadian made NIJ certified stuff. It's my next purchase after my Makasi
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u/pooshlinger May 02 '26
Im gushing over the makasi, ive had my pal for just a year so its one of the first cool guns ive seen come out. Just worried about it being banned after a while.
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u/ASpacebornVagabond May 02 '26
Even if it is banned, would you rather have it or not have it? If push came to shove and you needed a reliable fighting rifle, I feel like it's our best option as of now. I already preordered mine, and I can't wait to get it!
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u/pooshlinger May 02 '26
Id probably grab my sks first out of anything as im very very familiar with it. If i had enough time to go out and use the mk15 and get good with it, then yes it would be very useful. Such a high price tag though for a potential display piece. Then again i have nothing from before the bans so its my first chance to get my hands on a tactical style gun. Was gonna splurge on an MRA but since this is semi auto i might go for it.
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u/gamercast1337 May 02 '26
I dont have money for a vest, so its a chicom rig for me. Drip or drown, and buddy im looking for a fucking liferaft.
I wish I could own one tho
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u/The_Killerb Gucci gear connoisseur May 02 '26
As someone with a carrier from LOF and L211 plates, I think you know what I'm going to suggest you get. I've worn it around the house all day when I got them just to test comfort and had no complaints. LOF support was also easy to work with and was able to customize my carrier with options that weren't listed for it.
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u/Dry-Meringue-8744 May 01 '26
Is it still not illegal to wear body armour? looked this up and no you dont just a permit or valid pal
It depends on what other people are shooting and the NIJ level you need. if you dont have the right NIJ leval it is pointless
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u/pooshlinger May 01 '26
In BC, a valid PAL is an exemption from the body armour control act. Theres also no mention of exemption from use. A body armour permit allows you to only wear it while using it for intended purpose on the permit example only at work if you’re an armoured vehicle guard. To my knowledge, i dont believe there is any clauses restricting a PAL holder from wearing body armour wherever they please, unless in a building or location where its prohibited.
If i am wrong, please correct me and cite your sources so i can dig deeper.5
u/4r4nd0mninj4 May 01 '26
As far as I'm aware, your understanding is correct. From what I recall, the act was designed to allow police to stop, identify, and charge gang members openly wearing body armor around the lower mainland. 🤷♂️
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u/CruelHandLuke_ May 01 '26
If your concern is rifle rounds you have to go with plates. Buy once and cry once.