BULLETPROOF VESTS

A bulletproof vest, also known as a bullet resistant vest, is body armor designed to absorb the impact of bullets and reduce penetration. It protects vital areas such as the chest, abdomen, and back by spreading and slowing down the energy of a projectile.

These vests are made from multiple layers of high performance materials. A bullet may damage some layers, but it is stopped before fully passing through.

There are two main types. Soft armor is lightweight and protects against handgun threats. Hard armor uses rigid plates for higher level protection against rifles.

Proper fit is essential. A vest only works effectively when it is worn correctly and fully covers the body.

Body armor can be divided into three types based on the protection it offers.

Ballistic vests are designed to stop bullets, but they do not protect against knives or sharp objects. Stab resistant vests are made to protect against stabs, slashes, and spikes, but are not designed for ballistic threats. Dual protection vests combine both capabilities and protect against bullets as well as edged and pointed weapons.

Many people assume a bulletproof vest also stops knives, but that is not the case unless it is specifically designed for both types of threats.

Proper fit is essential. A vest only works effectively when it is worn correctly and fully covers the body.

The DBA SB-001™ Covert soft body armor carrier is equipped with Outlast® Technologies, a temperature regulation system originally developed for extreme environments. Outlast® helps absorb, store, and release heat, supporting a more stable body temperature during use.

By actively regulating heat and reducing temperature fluctuations, the carrier enhances comfort during prolonged wear and in changing conditions. This makes our soft body armor suitable for extended daily use without unnecessary heat buildup.

Our soft armor panels are manufactured 100% in-house in the Netherlands, allowing full control over quality, consistency, and finishing. We use high-quality ballistic fibers from leading suppliers such as Honeywell Advanced Materials, selected for their reliable performance and durability.

Combined with ergonomic design, side overlap, and temperature-regulating carriers, Dutch Body Armor soft body armor delivers dependable protection with a high level of comfort.

Soft body armor is evaluated according to internationally recognized ballistic standards. At Dutch Body Armor, we primarily use the European VPAM standard, which defines clear threat levels and testing procedures for soft body armor in Europe. For soft armor, the most common VPAM level is VPAM Level 3, providing protection against typical ballistic threats.

The NIJ 0101.07 standard from the United States is also widely recognized and referenced globally, with Level IIIA being the typical certification for soft body armor. While our focus is on VPAM, NIJ standards serve as an additional benchmark for comparison and performance verification.

To ensure reliable and consistent protection, all our soft armor panels are independently tested at TNO Defence, Safety & Security in the Netherlands and at Element Materials Technology in the United States.

• Side overlap for full ballistic coverage
• No open or weak areas when worn
• Thin, flexible, and body-conforming design
• Carriers with Outlast® temperature regulation
• Manufactured in the Netherlands using premium ballistic fibers
• Tested to VPAM & NIJ standards