Bullet Proof Vest For Sale: A True Combat And Self Defence Essential

Finding reliable bullet proof vests for sale in South Africa is no easy feat – which is why we are here to make things a little easier. If you have been scouring the market for high-quality plate carriers or bulletproof vests, then look no further than Futurama.

In this brief guide, we will delve into the fascinating history and origins of ballistic vests and plate carriers. Additionally, we will explore a few key factors to consider when purchasing a carrier and touch on some of the excellent products we stock in our online store.

There are very few pieces of gear that are as crucial as bulletproof vests, and at Futurama, you will find the most impressive variety anywhere in South Africa. When the quality of the equipment could potentially save someone’s life, it helps to know that you are sourcing your gear from a reliable source – that’s where we come in. So, why not join us as we explore these combat and self defence essentials?

Picking Out The Perfect Plate Carrier

Let’s get into a few vital factors to take into account when deciding on the ideal plate carrier for your purposes. Afterall, it is essential to make an informed purchase with this kind of gear.

1. Quality Of The Materials

When making your decision, consider what kind of materials have been used in the makeup of the plate carrier you are looking into. The ballistic plates themselves can be on the heavier side, and you will more than likely be mounting other pieces of equipment onto the carrier too – this warrants the use of a hardy, durable material. On top of this, it is likely that the plate carrier will be used in challenging, rugged environments, which will strain the materials.

It is for these reasons that it makes sense to invest in higher-quality alternatives, as these are capable of withstanding the test of time. Nowadays, many plate carriers are manufactured using 500D Nylon, with certain sections implementing Mesh EVA Foam, and moisture-wicking internal liners for enhanced comfort. These sorts of construction materials should be more than rugged enough to handle everyday wear and tear and tough terrain.

2. Adjustability And Comfort

Of course, you will want to be comfortable in your chosen plate carrier, especially if you plan to wear it for extended periods. Look for carriers with padded shoulder straps and cummerbunds, as chafing can quite easily become an issue without them. Front and back plate padding is also crucial, and moisture-wicking liners will prevent excessive sweat buildup.

Breathability is always a worthwhile consideration because it can get extremely hot underneath a full tactical uniform. Equally as crucial when choosing a plate carrier is adjustability. The shoulder straps and cummerbunds should allow for multiple options, ultimately providing you with a snug fit, without the carrier moving around too violently.

3. Ballistic Plate Compatibility

One common mistake people make with carrier vests is to assume that all vests utilise identical ballistic plates; this is not the case. You will need to purchase a vest that is compatible with the armour plates you intend to place inside of it. In many ways, it is better to figure out which ballistic plates are the perfect size for your proportions, and from there, decide on a compatible vest.

Plate carriers are sized in accordance with the size of the plate they are designed to carry. Oftentimes, larger, more heavy-duty plates will require heftier vests to accommodate the bulkier ballistic plates. Keep in mind that, for optimal protection, an armour plate should cover all the vital organs in your chest area, without getting in the way of your firearm. To make this easier, we use a standardised plate size in our online store, so you won’t need to worry too much about this. Only if you need custom sized plates would we suggest you contact us.

Bullet Proof Vest For Sale: A Few Options From Our Store

At Futurama we take pride in the quality of the products we stock, and we can say with confidence that every option is of the utmost quality and will provide optimal protection in whatever capacity you intend to use them. Here, we will have a look at three high-quality offerings that are certainly worth your consideration.

Condor LCS Vanquish LT Modular Plate Carrier – Bullet Proof Vest For Sale

Condor has been a staple in the personal protective wear industry for some time now, and they are well-known for their hardy plate carriers. The Condor LCS Vanquish is an especially impressive option in their collection, as it features a low-profile design, and an ultra-durable construction, all while being one of the more cost-effective options on the market.

It also comes standard with adjustable shoulder straps, a hidden document pocket (which can also be used for a va6 magazine insert), on top of being compatible with all VAS accessories and buckles. You would be hard-pressed to find a more efficient choice.

Blackhawk Lightweight Plate Carrier Harness – Bullet Proof Vest For Sale

Earlier, we briefly touched on 500D or 500 Denier Cordura nylon, and this fantastic product has been manufactured using exactly that. This means that the Blackhawk Lightweight Plate Carrier is more than tough enough to handle any conditions and years of consistent daily use.

When you combine that with the dual-adjust side-release fitting buckles, the heavy-duty drag handle, and the multiple rows of S.T.R.I.K.E webbing for holsters and pouches, you are left with a formidable piece of protective wear. Perfect for military, private protection, law enforcement, and personal protection, this is an excellent product that will no doubt perform in the field.

Zebra Armour Delta 1 Vest – Level IIIA – Bullet Proof Vest For Sale

Zebra Protection has become synonymous with quality in the personal protection industry, and offerings like the Zebra Armour Delta 1 Vest have encouraged that position. This vest is lightweight and compact, with front and back armour plate slots for optimal protection.

Zebra Protection have painstakingly designed this vest for warmer climates such as South Africa – the Airflow Cool Max breathability system ensures that you remain at a comfortable temperature. The Molle system is comprehensive and there is plenty of space for storage, extra pockets and holsters, and equipment. If you know that you will be spending a lot of time in your vest, this would be the ideal choice for you.

The Origins And History Of The Bullet Proof Vest

When examining a piece of equipment or gear, it always helps to take a trip back to its origins to get a sense of where it all started. Surprisingly, the earliest known attempt at creating bulletproof armour was back in the 1500s, as Italian royalty grappled with the concept. At this point, firearms were in their infancy. However, they could still pack a nasty punch – hence why individuals felt the need to protect themselves. The armour itself looked similar to a mediaeval breastplate that you might imagine a knight would wear, but it was significantly thicker and layered.

The outer layer was intended to absorb the bullet’s initial impact, while the inner layer was added to stop the bullet from penetrating further. Ultimately, this armour was not particularly effective in combat situations, and it was also extremely heavy.

In the 1800s, the Japanese experimented with soft body armour crafted from silk fibres. These were significantly more effective at stopping or slowing bullets, but they were far too expensive to be used in a widespread manner. This concept was further elaborated on by the US military in the wake of President William McKinley’s assassination, however, they also came across similar issues with the cost of silk.

The first widely implemented ballistic armour was used in WW2, and it was known as the flak jacket. They too were not especially effective, but they did provide soldiers with an improved feeling of safety. It was in the 1970s when the first major developments began, which was shortly after the discovery of Kevlar ballistic fibres. Interestingly, these fibres were originally intended to replace steel belting in tires, as it was extremely durable.

However, they discovered a more life-saving use for these remarkable fibres in the form of ballistic equipment. Since the 1970s the design has been refined, and waterproofing and additional layers were added for bolstered protection. Nowadays, the kind of armour you will find in our online store is strong enough to protect the wearer from almost any handgun round, as well as a few other larger calibre weapons. On top of this, it usually only weighs around 2.5kg and can handle changeable conditions.

Bullet Proof Vest Vs. Plate Carrier

There are a few defining differences between these two pieces of protective equipment. Firstly, plate carriers tend to be lighter than bulletproof vests overall as they don’t have any internal linings and work with standalone plates. Bulletproof vests are created using materials, such as Kevlar and Dyneema, and are typically utilised in missions where the wearer needs to be fast and light on their feet. On the other hand, plate carriers can be heavier, as they contain standalone steel or ceramic plates that provide protection.

Secondly, there is a difference in the amount of ballistic protection these two pieces of equipment can offer. Bulletproof vests without plates cannot provide the same level of stopping power – while many of them are still rated for certain rounds, they are not designed to take as much of a beating as ballistic plates. If your number one priority is protection from bullets, as opposed to manoeuvrability, a plate carrier is certainly the way to go.

To add to this, once a bulletproof vest has been damaged, the internals cannot be replaced, whereas you can quite simply replace a damaged ballistic plate with a new one when using a carrier vest.

Lastly, bulletproof vests are generally much easier and quicker to put on and take off. Most of them have zippers down the middle that allow for faster removal. The downside of this is that there is little to no protection around this zipper area, which can be a slight liability when out in the field. At the end of the day, neither of these pieces of protective equipment is better than the other; they each excel in unique areas and offer different pros and cons. It is up to you as the customer to decide which makes more sense for your needs.

Bullet Proof Vest For Sale: In Conclusion

Hopefully, we have successfully encapsulated the history of these combat and self defence essentials and taught you a thing or two along the way. With personal protective gear as important as a carrier or bulletproof vest, it is crucial to have a good understanding of what you are searching for and the qualities to look out for. Luckily for you, at Futurama we have some of the highest-quality bullet proof vests for sale anywhere in South Africa along with a broad array of other useful tactical gear.