By Leslie Marshall

When selecting a piece of body armour, a key consideration is whether to purchase an overt or covert bullet proof vest. Designed to fit comfortably over clothes and provide maximum tactical visibility, overt vests are typically thicker and more rugged than covert vests. They are ideal for personnel such as soldiers, police officers, and security guards.

Covert vests utilize the same advanced DuPont Kevlar technologies as soft-armour overt vests, but are thinner and more suited for situations requiring concealment. Secret service members, close protection officers, and plain clothes police officers benefit from body armour designed to remain hidden under clothing. Prison guards also frequently choose covert stab proof vests that avoid creating tension around inmates. Today’s covert vests are designed with ultra-thin materials that defeat handgun rounds up to their rated level of protection, absorbing high energy ballistic impacts and dispersing blunt force impact.

Many customers selecting a piece of covert body armour have fundamental questions about the vest’s concealment capabilities, given the wide range of activities they engage in on a daily basis. The majority of covert vest wearers find that they are able to adequately conceal the presence of their vest under a short-sleeved t-shirt or polo shirt with a darker color. While the vest may not be conspicuous, this choice of clothing is hardly ideal. A better option is a belted slacks and dress shirt combination, with a light sports jacket worn on top. The casual observer will simply notice a slight increase in bulk in the wearer, with the appearance of someone who works out regularly. A key with dress shirts is to choose non-fitted types. Fitted shirts contour to the dimension of the torso at the sides, potentially revealing the body armour’s presence.

Quality covert models not only optimize concealment but provide maximum mobility, allowing a full range of arm and trunk movements. This affords the wearer maximum comfort and extends the natural range of movements, helping further conceal the armour’s presence.

As one would expect, the concealability of covert vests comes at a price: their level of protection is typically in the NIJ II range. This means that they will adequately protect the wearer from handgun rounds such as a .22, 9mm, or .357 Magnum. They will not defeat high-velocity rifle rounds, and individuals facing high-caliber threats should explore the full range of overt tactical vest options. Shipping vessel crew also benefit from the added protection of overt models, as pirates are increasingly equipped with advanced firearms capabilities.

Personnel requiring bullet proof vests adaptable to both covert and overt situations may benefit from a hybrid option.

For further information on hybrid bulletproof vests please visit http://www.safeguardarmour.co.uk/