BODY ARMOR PLATES
Four protection tiers, defined by exactly what they stop. Compare HG2, RF1, RF2, and RF3 plates and find the right level for your mission.
RF2 - Level III+
Mission Ready Armor
Rifle Rated
Defeat .308 M80 Ball, M193/XM193 & Lesser. Select models also defeat M855 Green Tip, check the individual product listing
Body Armor Plates should be selected based on mission set, understanding the differences between HG2 - Level 3A, RF1 - Level 3, RF2 - Level 3+, and RF3 - Level 4 armor is crucial.
Choosing the correct type of body armor plates can challenging. If you don’t understand the differences of the various levels you cannot make an informed decision. At first this can seem daunting, but it is actually pretty straight forward. For this reason, I have simplified it for you below.
HG2 – Level 3A Body Armor
Level 3A polyethylene body armor plates and soft armor offer protection against small arms fire. The protections include .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum rounds. This makes 3A ideal for first responder body armor. Civilians seeking active self protection, where ballistic threats are less likely may also choose 3A. Our Level 3a Body Armor is lightweight and it’s flexibility allow you to move easily. Being able to move freely give you an advantage in dynamic environments. The Polyethylene Level 3A Body Armor is more ridged, known as “hard plates” and can provide you added protection from stabbing.
RF1 – Level 3 Body Armor
Our Level 3 body armor plates are rated to stop higher-caliber rifle rounds, such as 7.62x51mm NATO(308). Level 3 Armor still remains effective against lower-caliber threats from handguns. Hard Level 3 Body Armor is often favored by military personnel. By comparison, hard Level 3 Body Armor provide you balance of mobility and advanced threat protection.
RF2 – Level 3+ Body Armor
Advanced Level 3+ body armor bridges the gap between Level 3 and Level 4. Hence, level 3+ body Armor is designed to provide you increased protection from light armor-piercing ammunition like the NATO M855 or SS109. Experts agree that Level 3+ Body Armor is more suitable for dangerous situations where there is a higher chance of encountering such threats, for example, active shooter scenarios. For these reasons, Level 3+ offer you added safety and peace of mind without a significant increase in weight.
RF3 – Level 4 Body Armor
NIJ Certified Level 4 body armor, on the other hand, is the highest rated and can withstand most armor-piercing projectiles. This makes Level 4 Body Armor essential for elite military operators or first responders that are likely to see direct armed conflict. Although level 4 body armor offers you robust protection, its weight and bulk can restrict your mobility and physical endurance over long operations.
In summary, the choice between these levels depends on your specific operational requirements and anticipated threats. For example, if you are a law enforcement officer in a patrol scenario, you may opt to wear Level 3A for comfort and mobility. You , may however keep Level 3+ or Level 4 Body Armor near and ready for rapid deployment. However, military operators or SWAT team members conducting direct action will prioritize Level 4 armor for maximum protection against high-caliber threats.
Choosing the right plate comes down to one question: what do you need it to stop. Tactical Edge & Armor carries four protection tiers. Two labeling systems are in use across our plates right now, the newer NIJ 0101.07 standard (HG1/HG2, RF1, RF2, RF3) and the older, still widely used NIJ 0101.06 classifications (Level IIIA, III, III+, IV). Most of our current inventory is tested to the older 0101.06 standard; we’re phasing in 0101.07-tested plates as that testing becomes available. The two systems don’t map one-to-one, since the underlying test protocols differ, so we cover each separately below.
The four tiers
- HG2 / Level IIIA (handgun rated): Designed to defeat .44 Magnum and lesser handgun threats. Available in flexible soft armor and in a more rigid polyethylene “hard plate” build, the rigid version also adding stab protection.
- RF1 / Level III (rifle rated): Designed to defeat 7.62x51mm NATO (.308) M80 Ball and lesser. The baseline most people mean when they say “rifle plates,” and the standard choice for military use where mobility and threat protection need to stay balanced.
- RF2 / Level III+ (rifle rated): Note: “Level III+” is not an official NIJ designation — it’s an industry term manufacturers use for plates built above standard Level III testing, and capability varies by plate. Our Level III+ plates are designed to defeat 7.62×51mm M80 Ball (.308) and 5.56×45mm M193/XM193, in addition to lesser threats. Select Level III+ models are also designed and tested to defeat 5.56×45mm M855/SS109 “Green Tip” — check the individual product listing to confirm a specific plate’s tested threats before buying.
- RF3 / Level IV (rifle rated): Designed to defeat .30-06 AP and lesser, the highest protection tier available. Built to withstand most armor-piercing projectiles, at the cost of more weight and bulk than the lower tiers.
Matching the plate to the mission Comfort and extended mobility point toward HG2/IIIA or RF1/III. Higher-risk situations where light armor-piercing rounds are a real possibility point toward RF2/III+, with the plate-specific caveat above in mind. Direct armed conflict, elite military operations, or first responder roles likely to face armor-piercing threats point toward RF3/IV. Many buyers keep a higher tier on hand for rapid deployment while wearing a lighter tier day to day, patrol officers, for example, often wear HG2/IIIA for comfort while keeping RF2/III+ or RF3/IV ready.
Chest and back plates vs. side plates Most buyers start with a front and back plate, which cover the torso’s largest vital area. Side plates are smaller and fill the gap left open by a standard plate carrier’s cummerbund, protecting the ribs and kidneys. If you’re building a full loadout rather than a single plate, our Body Armor Bundles page has pre-matched sets, and our Build Your Own Bundle option lets you choose a carrier and plate combination piece by piece.
Finding the right fit Plate size depends on your carrier’s pocket dimensions. Check your carrier’s listing or measure your current setup before ordering. Our Plate Carriers page breaks down pocket sizing across our Tactical, Patrol, and Concealable carrier lines.
New to armor terminology? Our blog post Armor Lingo 101 walks through additional terms before you shop.
FAQs — New Standard (NIJ 0101.07: HG2 / RF1 / RF2 / RF3)
Each tier is defined by what it’s designed to stop. HG2 is designed to defeat .44 Magnum and lesser handgun rounds. RF1 is designed to defeat 7.62×51 NATO / .308 M80 Ball and lesser. RF2 adds protection against some light armor-piercing rounds depending on the specific plate, including M855 Green Tip on select models. RF3 is designed to defeat .30-06 AP and lesser, the highest tier available.
RF2 plates are designed to defeat 7.62×51mm M80 Ball and 5.56×45mm M193/XM193. Select RF2 models are also designed and tested to defeat M855/SS109 Green Tip — this varies by plate, so check the specific product listing.
FAQs — Older Classifications (NIJ 0101.06: Level IIIA / III / III+ / IV)
Level IIIA is designed to defeat .44 Magnum and lesser handgun rounds. Level III is designed to defeat 7.62×51 NATO / .308 M80 Ball and lesser. Level III+ is an industry term, not an official NIJ designation, for plates built beyond standard Level III testing; capability varies by manufacturer and plate. Level IV is designed to defeat .30-06 AP and lesser, the highest tier available.
Our Level III+ plates are designed to defeat 7.62×51mm M80 Ball (.308) and 5.56×45mm M193/XM193, in addition to lesser threats. Select Level III+ models are also designed and tested to defeat 5.56×45mm M855/SS109 “Green Tip.” Since Level III+ isn’t a standardized NIJ rating, confirm a specific plate’s tested threats on its product listing before buying.
Comfort-focused, lower-risk roles like patrol often favor IIIA or III for mobility. Higher-risk scenarios, including active shooter response, call for III+ or IV. Many teams keep a higher tier on hand for rapid deployment while wearing a lighter tier for daily comfort.
Most buyers get both a front and back plate for full torso coverage. Side plates are a separate add-on that closes the gap at the ribs and kidneys left by a standard carrier.
Shop by protection level: Armor Bundles | Plate Carriers | Helmets | Body Armor Laws