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It is level IIIa. I definitely recommend it. I wore it all day, and walked outside with it for about 2 miles in 87 degree weather in the heat of the day in Houston. It definitely makes things toastier, but is doable if you have the need to wear it. After shipping it was $420. The fit is exceptional. The construction is of such that it is highly concealable. It also has some gel like padding on the back side of the kevlar to minimize trauma and increase comfort when wearing.

I was able to conceal it all day and be completely unnoticed with it on. I only used a t-shirt a size larger than normal to conceal it. It was reasonably light. Definitely a feasible defensive tool.

It is the first vest in this review.
http://www.wired.com/reviews/2010/02/pr ... roofvests/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a link to where I bought it http://www.bulletproofbodyarmorhq.com/i ... 8ce4812ae1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This vest definitely met my needs and then some. I bought it primarily as a piece of range safety equipment and secondarily for any home invasion defense type scenarios.

If I was to do a concealed handgun analogy this vest is to vests as a glock 19 (or other compact handguns) is to concealed handguns. It is concealeable, definitely has robust capability and is a great all around piece of equipment. It is a great first piece of equipment. It is, however, to make another concealeable firearm anology not similiar to a backup or EDC sized piece of equipment (like a j frame .38, kahr pm 9 or ruger lcp would be to concealed firearms). If you are looking for something that you slip on and forget and is super easy to EDC 24/7 then you'd need something lighter unless you are very determined or need something with full size capability.

It would be a lifestyle adjustment to wear 24/7 (just like it would be to conceal carry for the first time especially with a full size handgun). For now this vest is confined to weekend wear, a range tool and in case of home defense need. I'm not willing to wear it 24/7 ie at the office and in general.

I have really grown to like the idea of wearing body armor 24/7. Just like I originally liked the idea of wearing a gun 24/7 when first getting my license. When I fist concealed carry, it did take me a while to learn to get a small EDCable gun like a jframe, kahr or baby glock when learning to conceal carry so I could make 24/7 carry possible.
Just as when I first got into concealed carry I now want to get something that is doable for 24/7 carry. I wouldn't mind getting a level II vest made with thinner, lighter and more convenient materials that is easier to E.D.C for my next piece of defensive equipment. If I could find something a little thinner and more convenient I would definitely 24/7 carry.

Well the body armor showed up in the mail today and it is simply awesome.

I did the wally walk with it and forgot I had it on.

I really like it and am glad Itook the plunge. It is a bit much for everyday carry, but is definitely concealeable.

It was like doing my first concealed carry wally walk.

Dr Joker:

Here is a review that led me to purchasing the product that I did that also reviews a Caballero product. It looks to offer great protection albeit at a heavy pricetag and not as inconspicuous as the manufacturer makes his product seem.

Looks cool and like a great conversational piece. It definitely has the cool factor though.

In response to the other posters.

It's 100% kevlar, so the NIJ cert is good for five years. There are tests showing no discernible decrease over 10 years with 100% kevlar.

I have heard that newer, european and asian fibers such as twaeron, pe and others last only 3-5 years and that the former second chance had failures with them. As such, I will only be purchasing 100% kevlar.

I recently purchased some soft civilian soft concealable body armor.

http://www.bulletproofbodyarmorhq.com/i ... cts_id=142" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although I've used body armor in the military, I wanted some concealable civilian appropriate (ie not issued by the military and concealable) body armor.

I want to share my reasons for getting it, see if anyone else on the forum has it, and if so how often they use it.

I purchased the body armor primarily because I was at a range quite some time ago when some one in the stall next to me got stupid and pointed the weapon towards my stall. I thought it would be a nice acquisition to get some soft body armor in lieu of purchasing another gun.

I also wanted to have it for higher risk situations like any potential home invasions, or a natural disaster.

My questions to other forum members are who else has used body armor? Who owns civilian body armor (something that wasn't issued to them for military duty)? How often do those of you who have it use it? Do you use it for range and high risk only or is it an everyday carry thing like CHL? What level of protection does your armor offer? What models do you have and how do you like it?

I'll keep you posted when it arrives.