BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[crufflers]

The IIIA pad will stop the fragment but doesn't have the load spreading attributes of the Trauma Pad (in theory).. but it would help spread it out.

I wonder if the really thin but rigid IIIA / + plates would fit and also spread the load better.

I'd be inclined to use the soft IIIA pads behind a level III or IV plate for padding if they fit if for nothing else, increasing multihit capability or to stop pass through where ceramic is already shattered.

[DrjonesUSA]

Well, a Trauma Pad is a material that is supposed to harden when hit and help spread the force of impact over a larger area.. but it has no ballistic protection, so if a fragment goes through your plate the pad isn't going to capture it.

The IIIA pad will stop the fragment but doesn't have the load spreading attributes of the Trauma Pad (in theory).. but it would help spread it out.

I look at Trama Pads and think "Is this just a REALLY expensive high-density foam pad??" lol

LOL!

And I really think I'd rather have the ballistic protection than the padding....are trauma pads really just foam?

[kriller134]

On the Jocko podcast, Mike Day, who was shot 27 times, talked about running soft armor underneath his plates.

[Steve1968LS2]

Interesting....learn something new every day!








No offense, but we're all trying to learn here; can we cut the rhetorical questions & such?

I honestly don't know - other than ballistic protection - what's the difference between a trauma pad and a IIIA pad.

To my mind, and Steve's, I'd rather have the extra ballistic protection.

Does a IIIA pad NOT cushion as well as a trauma pad?

Are you OK to use a IIIA pad behind a plate just for cushion & extra protection?

Well, a Trauma Pad is a material that is supposed to harden when hit and help spread the force of impact over a larger area.. but it has no ballistic protection, so if a fragment goes through your plate the pad isn't going to capture it.

The IIIA pad will stop the fragment but doesn't have the load spreading attributes of the Trauma Pad (in theory).. but it would help spread it out.

I look at Trama Pads and think "Is this just a REALLY expensive high-density foam pad??" lol

[DrjonesUSA]

Yep.. they make III rifle plate.. there is a III+ but it's not and official rating and then there's LVIV

https://www.hesco.com/products/armor/600-series/

Will a IIIA pad work as a trauma pad? A Trama pad is non-ballistic, but between the two what would be better was my question.

Interesting....learn something new every day!

Well the IIIA would help stop fragments that might pass through the ceramic plate..

The Trauma pad is to spread the impact over a larger area

But would IIIA pad also serve as a trauma pad and have a ballistic advantage?

Ding ding ding.
Trauma plates are a solution in search of a problem. Soft armor also allows some trauma padding, in addition to actually serving a ballistic purpose. Soft armor backing 100%

No offense, but we're all trying to learn here; can we cut the rhetorical questions & such?

I honestly don't know - other than ballistic protection - what's the difference between a trauma pad and a IIIA pad.

To my mind, and Steve's, I'd rather have the extra ballistic protection.

Does a IIIA pad NOT cushion as well as a trauma pad?

Are you OK to use a IIIA pad behind a plate just for cushion & extra protection?

[DeliveryBoy]

Well the IIIA would help stop fragments that might pass through the ceramic plate..

The Trauma pad is to spread the impact over a larger area

But would IIIA pad also serve as a trauma pad and have a ballistic advantage?

Ding ding ding.
Trauma plates are a solution in search of a problem. Soft armor also allows some trauma padding, in addition to actually serving a ballistic purpose. Soft armor backing 100%

[Steve1968LS2]

My question would be what purpose does each serve?

Well the IIIA would help stop fragments that might pass through the ceramic plate..

The Trauma pad is to spread the impact over a larger area

But would IIIA pad also serve as a trauma pad and have a ballistic advantage?

[Steve1968LS2]

Don't you mean Level IV / 4 ceramic?

Do they even make III Ceramic?

I thought all Ceramic plates were Level 4......

Either way; if you have room for it, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't wear a IIIA pad IF your carrier has room for it.

Can anyone comment if the trauma pads are maybe better at cushioning & absorbing the force of a bullet compared to a IIIA pad?

The extra protection from IIIA pad sure couldn't hurt, IMO.....

Yep.. they make III rifle plate.. there is a III+ but it's not and official rating and then there's LVIV

https://www.hesco.com/products/armor/600-series/

Will a IIIA pad work as a trauma pad? A Trama pad is non-ballistic, but between the two what would be better was my question.

[DrjonesUSA]

So, behind a LVIII ceramic plate would your run a trauma pad or a LVIIIA pad?

Not sure I have room for either, this Med Velocity Systems carrier I just got is TIGHT on the armor pocket..

Don't you mean Level IV / 4 ceramic?

Do they even make III Ceramic?

I thought all Ceramic plates were Level 4......

Either way; if you have room for it, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't wear a IIIA pad IF your carrier has room for it.

Can anyone comment if the trauma pads are maybe better at cushioning & absorbing the force of a bullet compared to a IIIA pad?

The extra protection from IIIA pad sure couldn't hurt, IMO.....




.

[DeliveryBoy]

So, behind a LVIII ceramic plate would your run a trauma pad or a LVIIIA pad?

Not sure I have room for either, this Med Velocity Systems carrier I just got is TIGHT on the armor pocket..

My question would be what purpose does each serve?

[Steve1968LS2]

https://srstactical.com/the-slickste...rier-vest.html

More Multicam Medium Slicksters in stock

So, behind a LVIII ceramic plate would your run a trauma pad or a LVIIIA pad?

Not sure I have room for either, this Med Velocity Systems carrier I just got is TIGHT on the armor pocket..

[crufflers]

https://srstactical.com/the-slickste...rier-vest.html

More Multicam Medium Slicksters in stock

Thanks buddy. Got one. If anyone has issues paying with Paypal and receive a submission error, create an actual account first, then you will be good to go for address verification - seems to be a website bug.

[Master_Prestige]

https://srstactical.com/the-slickster-concealable-plate-carrier-vest.html

More Multicam Medium Slicksters in stock

[Master_Prestige]

Slickster black/medium in stock.

https://www.evike.com/products/81312/

Get on it guys ! This is your easiest opportunity to get a high quality carrier without paying triple the price on EBay.

Great find Jesse 2

[Jesse 2]

Slickster black/medium in stock.

https://www.evike.com/products/81312/