Soft vs. Hard Armor: What Every Gun Owner Should Know

Body armor comes in two basic flavors: soft and hard. So here’s the breakdown.

Soft armor - UHMWPE

Soft Armor:

Stops handguns. Feels like clothing. Doesn’t weigh a brick.

This is what Civilian makes. Our gear uses UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) panels. Translation: it’ll stop 9mm, .40, .45, .357 SIG, .44 Magnum, and other common handgun rounds. It’s flexible. It’s light. You can wear it all day and not look like you’re smuggling a waffle iron under your hoodie.

Pros:

• Lightweight

• Concealable

• Won’t make you sweat

Cons:

• It’s not gonna stop a rifle round.

Hard Armor:

Stops rifles. Feels like you’re carrying your car door.

If you want to take a hit from 5.56 or 7.62, this is what you need. Plates. Ceramic or steel. Usually in a full vest or plate carrier setup. Great for a war zone, bad for literally anything else.

Pros:

• Stops rifle rounds

• Perfect for warzones.

Cons:

• Heavy

• Bulky and tactical look

  
  

So What Should You Wear?

Ask yourself what you’re preparing for.

Most shootings in the U.S. involve handguns, not rifles. If that changes, sure—grab the plates. But until then? Move smart and stay light.

Hard armor is great if you’re heading to a war zone.Soft armor is better if you're heading to work.

Check Civilians Soft Armor Products →