Which Level II or IIA vest is the lightest?

[jh225]

New to the forums, did a search and came up empty.

It's time to replace my Point Blank vest with something new. I am intersted in your thoughts as to the lightest and most comfortable concealable vest with a Level II or IIA rating.

My old Point Blank is a Level IIIA and is just too hot and too heavy. I dread wearing it because it is so damn heavy (its about 10 yrs old). Are newer ones on the same level lighter?

Thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

[Switchback]

I used to think the same way as you. However, you may want to give some IIIAs a look. THey are a lot lighter and more flexible than they were just a a couple years ago. I was really impressed. You can save a lot on bulk and weight going to a II(A). However, most of us complain most of the heat from wearing the vests. I'd be the first to say I am in this category. However, at a recent meeting with a vest distributor in my area I was confronted with a WAY too obvious fact that I had neglected to see in all these years. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT A LEVEL II VEST IS GOING TO BREATHE (KEEP YOU COOLER) THAN A LEVEL IIIA??? It's funny when you think abou tit. None of them breath. ALl cover about the same areas and will be just as hot, whether it is .3" thick or .7" thick. After that I decided to stick with my IIIA.

Some days I still toss around the idea of getting a II to wear around all the time and then sliding a III over it in a tactical carrier for the hotter interviews/hits... but it hardly seems worth it.

Just a little food for thought.

[jh225]

I Don't think of a level II being "cooler" than a level IIIA, just lighter.

My thinking in going to a Level II is due to the fact that not too many perps are going to be shooting a .44 mag, as opposed to the usual 9mm or .357 which a Level II will stop. due to this, and the lighter weight, I was leaning towards the Level II.

Maybe if I call Point Blank, they will be able to tell me the weight difference from a vest made in 1995 and a current one.

Any ideas on who puts out the lightest and most reliable vests today?

[corporal716]

Comfort is a big thing. My first vest was a IIIA, I hated it.
My second was a II, I loved that one, it was much lighter and more comfortable. I stopped wearing them in the late 90's when I started working the jail again. I would hope todays are lighter and more comfortable then the ones we had in the late 80's an early 90's.

[Ghost 1]

My first vest that I bought was a Point Blank IIIA vest that I swear felt like I was wearing stormtrooper armor. It sucked. Then,when I went to work for my current dept they issued me a Safariland IIA that was a whole lot lighter and more comfortable. I just got my 2nd dept issued vest that is a PACA Level III that is VERY comfortable. I double up a hard and soft trauma plate up front in the pouch and the vest isn't much thicker than a sweatshirt. I use it for normal patrol as well as SWAT ops under a tactical vest and have no problems whatsoever with it.

[jh225]

My first vest that I bought was a Point Blank IIIA vest that I swear felt like I was wearing stormtrooper armor. It sucked. Then,when I went to work for my current dept they issued me a Safariland IIA that was a whole lot lighter and more comfortable. I just got my 2nd dept issued vest that is a PACA Level III that is VERY comfortable.

How does the PACA Level III compare in weight to the original Point Blank you had?........(Did I mention that I HATE the Point Blanks weight? ;) , kind of feels like a soaking wet extra thick sweatshirt with rocks in the pockets in my opinion)

Also, how does the PACA compare to the Safariland?

[rdp]

The weight is not that much of an issue.

With the new materials, I would not even look at a level II. There isn't that much of a difference in weight or flexibility.

My only advice for brand is NOT to buy Second Chance. They screwed us pretty good on their last vest failures and have not been customer or LE friendly since.

[Ghost 1]

How does the PACA Level III compare in weight to the original Point Blank you had?........(Did I mention that I HATE the Point Blanks weight? ;) , kind of feels like a soaking wet extra thick sweatshirt with rocks in the pockets in my opinion)

Also, how does the PACA compare to the Safariland?

Sorry it took so long to write back. Night shift. Anyway,there is a lot of difference in the weight. My Point Blank vest was bought/made about 5 years ago so it is definately an older generation. It is HEAVY. It is almost two inches thick front to back. It's really too big and bulky. The new PACA I have is light years ahead of the old PB. Much thinner,lighter,and more comfortable. The PACA is also thinner,lighter,and more comfortable than the Safariland. The Safariland overall isn't bad though. I keep it in my SWAT bag just in case. I wouldn't be too upset to have to wear it all the time again. But,out of all of them,the PACA is the very best.

[jh225]

Thanks, I'll have to check into the PACA vest.

And no problem about the response time, I know how you feel. I just worked 2 doubles in a row. Money helps, lack of sleep doesn't!