Armor has been used all throughout human history. As you can imagine, the body armor of today is much more advanced than the knights of old.

That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the past in order to pave the way for something new to grow. Today’s ballistic body armor holds a unique distinction in both how widespread its usage is and what it needs to accomplish in the day-to-day. Not only does it need to stop bullets and keep fire at bay, it needs to be easy to wear, very comfortable and always kept up to modern regulations. When people ask, “How durable are steel targets?” or “What is the best bulletproof body armor?”, they’re asking a question that’s seen relevance throughout literal centuries of strife, peace and everywhere in-between.

Let’s learn about body armor, how it works and what we can expect for the future.

What do you know about armor? The basics are well-known throughout the populace through media osmosis, basic history and even on a personal level. Europe is perhaps best known in the West for its iconic and elaborate armored suits, with many gracing history museums for people to admire and study from behind glass walls. Every culture across the world, however, boasts unique approaches to armor, protection and technological advances. Wood, leather and metal are a few of the most commonly used ingredients to keep people safe…so what about more modern times?

Ballistic body armor is frequently made from Kevlar, a substance that is designed to absorb impact and protect people from some of the most violent weapons known to man. These include bullets, knives and even exposure to fire, reducing the likelihood for severe injury and saving lives in the process. Not only is Kevlar used for body armor plates and tactical gear, it’s also used for complex equipment and even mundane objects like tires. Without the benefit of this flexible material we would be at a loss for many of the tough jobs that require people to put themselves in the face of danger.

Body armor can be worn in pieces or in a full suit. Body armor clothing is an in-between that can improve mobility while still providing some protection, though more laws are starting to erupt in the face of statistics that show the more armor, the better. A recent study found as many as 3,000 officers were saved over the past few decades thanks to armor vests alone, which is nothing to say of additional tactical plate carrier layers and accessories. How durable are steel targets and other methods of testing this gear? Strong enough.

Without revamping much of the benefits we could glean from these advances wouldn’t be possible. “How durable are steel targets?” and “How do reactive targets work?” offer an additional level of understanding of armor and how it applies in the day-to-day. The chance of dying from a gunshot wound to the torso is up to four times higher for officers who aren’t wearing an armored vest. This has caused over 70% of departments to require personnel to wear armored vests at all times, with this figure expected to get higher over the years. Of the 20% of officers who still died from a gunshot wound to the torso while wearing armor, it was due to the lack of proper body armor levels.

Some body armor is lightweight and meant for general usage. Some are heavyweight and meant for more heavy physical activities. Choosing the right one literally means the difference between life or death, despite life being unpredictable and leaving many in the position of taking a gamble when they choose their tactical gear. Kevlar offers different levels of resistance, able to adapt to a wide variety of would-be scenarios while still providing a basic level of quality. Damaged body armor or out-of-date body armor should always be thrown out and replaced as soon as possible. “How durable are steel targets?” is how we know, for sure, what armor can do for us.

Armor has changed over the centuries, but our needs have remained the same. We all want to stay safe and live to see the next day.

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