Body Armor Plate Inserts (protech impac plates)

[eclipse]

This is a question/s that I have been searching the internet for and can't find a whole lot of good answers. I currently use IIIA soft armor and am interested in getting plate inserts for better protection. Specifically looking at this:

http://www.protechtactical.com/pc-112-29-impac-ht-special-threat-plates.aspx

They are sold locally to LE at a decent price. Couple questions though. How much will this effect your mobility? Body armor already does not allow transfer of heat, but will this make me even hotter with it inserted? And lastly, the shape seemed very odd when glancing at it in the store. The curve appears to be going in the wrong direction, does not curve around the torso/chest (not really sure how to explain this). Seems like it would make the vest bulge outward after being inserted. Is this comfortable/look odd?

Thanks for the help! Just trying to decide if this would be a worthwhile investment for extra protection.

[Raider510]

I would get them. Is it a front and back plate? From experience, the plates we got in the army added at least 10 lbs, probably more. The extra protection is worth it IMO, u get used to the added weight.

[IrishJoe3]

Looks like the same plate I wear. Money well spent. Its light weight, I don't even notice that I am wearing it. The size I have does not reduce mobility at all. My vest carrier has a pocket on the outside for the plate, so I don't even feel or notice the plate through the soft body armor.

I haven't tested it and don't plan on it.....but if it stops what they say it does, I'll keep wearing it. ;-)

[IrishJoe3]

Further, this is not a heavy/thick ceramic SAPI type plate (ie US Military), rather a thinner kevlar plate no more than 1/4" thick.

[1911su16b870]

I wear them in my 3A pockets.

[cowboykenny]

I have had one for a couple years, I don't even realize it is there.

[mixicus]

Assuming you are looking at the 5"x7" plate...It's a trauma plate for enhanced protection against handgun rounds. They do not hinder mobility, increase temperature inside the vest or add any significant weight.

I figure if it gives me a better chance of not developing a non-issued hole in my body, it's worth it. Been wearing one for a few years and haven't noticed it including in foot pursuits and fights.

[eclipse]

Really appreciate the feedback so far. How is the curvature of the plates against the body? When I am looking at the plates from the side they curve outward and looks like it would fit vary oddly inside a vest. It sounds weird when I am trying to describe it so I found a pic online of body armor from a side shot. The red line is the image I have in my head of how the IMPAC plates would sit.



Doesn't seem right to me and would be even worse with a plate in the back. Maybe I am missing something.

[mixicus]

Yep. That's the way they sit. It's not a huge curve and is more comfortable than if it was a flat plate. Don't know about you but my chest is convex where the plate sits hence the plate's curve more closely matches the body.

Don't know about one on the back panel. Haven't seen a standard concealable vest with a trauma plate pocket in the back though.

[eclipse]

I appreciate the feedback. I may just be picturing it sitting in the wrong place and that's why I am confused by how it is angled.

My vest has a trauma plate pocket in the back. Most just have the plate in the front only?

[Unit74]

I wear one, but hate the curve of it. It make my chest stick out that much farther. Between the vest, the plate and my G27, code 7 usually ends up with some sort of sauce or crumbs down my shirt.

I used to have a flat plate but it got wet so I replaced it. Wish I had the old one now.

[eclipse]

I wear one, but hate the curve of it. It make my chest stick out that much farther. Between the vest, the plate and my G27, code 7 usually ends up with some sort of sauce or crumbs down my shirt.

I used to have a flat plate but it got wet so I replaced it. Wish I had the old one now.

What was the flat plate you used to have?

[alfalfa]

I have one of the 5x7 Impact ST trauma plates in the outer pocket on the front of my vest. The plate is super light and doesn't add a noticable amount of weight or extra heat to the vest. Watch the video of the plates being tested on YouTube and you will be sold on the product. The only downside to the plates is the fact that it does tend to make the chest stick out more, and the fact that you are wearing a hard trauma plate is more noticable than with the soft plates. The soft plates don't offer anywhere near the threat protection level though.

[Unit74]

What was the flat plate you used to have?

Not sure. I got it at Proforce a couple years ago.