Q&A: Ballistic Armor For Children

Is it even practical to try to armor children?

The short answer is yes, but buckle in for the longer answer which is basically going to show that it all depends on the child, the threat and the environment and budget.

But first things first - I’m going give a quick overview of various kinds of armor, give you some brand recommendations then tell you about armor I actually have on me and when. So let’s start with the graphic above. This is a general guide to armor rating which is a term used to describe what it’s capable of defeating. For the most part you’ll have soft armor on the lower end of the scale (armor that will stop most handgun rounds but not rifle rounds) an hard armor on the higher end. There is a organization that tests armor for companies and assigns these ratings.

Armor maker Safelife Defense (who I recommend) describes the difference between hard and soft armor this way:

Those looking for a more comfortable armor option usually select soft armor, even though it may offer less protection than other types. Soft armor is very light and can flex for added comfort. This makes it the most concealable type of body armor and a great option for those who don’t want to feel like they’re lugging extra weight around. Current soft body armor can stop most handgun rounds, but armor plates are needed to stop rifle rounds and steel-core handgun rounds like 7.62×25mm.

[…]

For additional protection, many people will choose hard armor plates. They are made from rigid, reinforced plates that are generally used in high-risk situations where rifle fire is likely. You often see hard armor plates worn by police tactical units and combat soldiers. What’s important to remember is that this body covering is not just about having a second line of defense against guns, it’s about having a safeguard against knives and other deadly weapons, too. The handoff for a greater level of protection is that it is difficult to conceal. But beware, not all hard body armor plates are rifle rated.

The link above is a great post covering all types of armor including some specialty armor they make (soft armor made to stop rifles for example) so I encourage you to bookmark it.

That’s great for adults but kids aren’t going to be wearing vests. So the same info applies to what you’re really going to be looking for which is backpack inserts. Backpack inserts are relatively cheap usually soft armor which can fit in most backpacks (please measure they come in different sizes) or they’ll sometimes come with specially made packs that are made of a decent ballistic nylon to help contain spalling if you’re using metal plates. Ballistic nylon was invented by DuPont to protect airmen from fragmentation during WW2. Good quality ballistic nylon will give you some fragmentation protection and actually some stabbing and slash resistance so a backpack or messenger bag made of it is a good EDC (every day carry) in urban environments.

The problem obviously is that most soft armor inserts aren’t for school shootings where the scumbags are using rifles. You’ll want a steel plate or hard armor with a soft armor for that … which your five year old can’t reasonably carry. Your older child will also have trouble depending on their level of fitness. Speaking of steel and alternatives, the Safelife article offers this tidbit:

Steel is a very cost-effective material and that’s one reason it’s so widely seen in body armor. Another reason is that it’s very easy to care for and often has a longer lifespan than other options. There are two types of steel: AR500 Steel and Mil-Spec A46100. The first of these is commonly used in the creation of shooting targets and hard rifle plates, but it is NOT certified by the NIJ. The latter is the same kind the U.S. military uses for vehicles and it’s rated to stop both small arms and explosive shrapnel. If you’re looking to stop a bullet traveling faster than 3,000 fps you’ve found a match because steel plates can take multiple hits without being destroyed. Despite these perks, it does have some setbacks. Steel armor can cause a ricochet, the weight can make wearing plates uncomfortable and the hardness can restrict movement significantly. Standard 10×12 slabs of steel armor can weigh as much as 15 pounds, which means front and rear protection can weigh 30 lbs (or more)!  Carrying around all of that extra weight daily is not always practical.

It is, however, a great material if you do not want to spend the money on a more advanced ballistic material. Something is always better than nothing. If you decide to go with steel armor, just be sure the plate has an anti-spall coating. This is crucial for trapping lethal shrapnel after bullets hit and fragment 360 degrees. And if you’re still on the hunt for better body armor, the good news is that there are now improved, lighter options on the market that will even defend against armor-piercing rounds that can penetrate steel body armor.

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Modern ceramic armor is generally made from a boron carbide-based composite. It is thick like steel but has the advantage of being lightweight and maintaining a very high degree of hardness. In fact, ceramics are one of the hardest materials for ballistic protection and they’re better at absorbing and dispersing energy than steel. This results in fewer broken ribs, broken sternums and collapsed lungs after impact. And when pitted against supersonic armor-piercing bullets, ceramic does better than steel.

If you’ve never worn a ceramic plate, you’ll quickly find that they can restrict your mobility quite a bit. And chances are, if you’re wearing body armor to protect yourself, you’re going to need to be able to move and move quickly. Even so, there is a more critical reason to forgo full ceramic plates: they shatter on impact and have to be treated with care. It can be nearly impossible to detect fractures and in some cases, the only surefire way to locate one is by taking an x-ray.

So neither steel nor ceramic armor is a going fit for children, the first being too heavy, the second requiring too much care to expect from kids.

Armored Republic, Safelife Defense and Premier Body Armor all offer backpack soft inserts at entry level prices, although Premier is more expensive. AR and Safelife will have inserts in the $100 range while Premier will be closer to $200. These will usually be IIIa for handguns. Some schools require clear backpacks and it should be noted Armored republic makes one that also has a discrete pocket the armor is sewn into.

Here are some reviews of the various armors from content creators I trust.

John Lovell of Warrior Poet Society reviewed the Premier panels including shooting tests.

Iraqveteran 8888 reviews the AR500 backpack armor:

Free Field Training reviews Safelife:

For kids I say these light plates are better than nothing. If you’re rich you can find soft plates that might stop rifle rounds - but nothing will stop 78 minutes of rifle fire so…

Midway USA sell AR500 and other brands of armor and sometimes has good deals.

I actually collect military surplus oddities and got into it years ago when I picked up a German flak vest for $30. I have a Italian police vest that is filled with some sort of resin treated Kevlar and have some surplus ceramic plates. But I also have a leather combat jerkin from WW2, a WW1 European Cavalry bandoleer etc. So my armor is part of a collection of odd stuff and not something I push for people to emulate.

The vest came with an add on plate that attaches via Velcro to a front plate and I fit that in a backpack with a ceramic plate I use for hiking - only really to add weight and comfort. The little Kevlar plate is curved in a way that makes carrying the stuff I carry in a ruck more comfortable. I don’t think it’s truly bullet proof but I like the idea of something that will stop knife attacks, give me some good cushioning when falling on rocks etc.

The Kevlar is some sort of riot gear maybe and isn’t rated for rifles but I was surprised to see that someone was able to shoot the combo with a AR and it stopped a round or two. The surplus ceramic is $40 on Sportsman’s Guide so as long as you understand these are sold as novelties YMMV but poor college kids may want to look into it as it’s better than nothing.

But for my kid I’d go with one of the three companies I mentioned. If he or she was a strapping young lad I’d get the hard plate but for most kids a soft armor is the way to go. It’s better than nothing but doesn’t replace competent adults in the area to protect children in emergencies.

Show me your armor!

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