What are the best winter cold weather gear thermals for police officers and those working outdoors?

Now some with experience in the outdoors might say, "layer up to stay warm." Well this might work if your hiking or skiing because you can easily stop to shed a layer or two if you start getting too warm. However this isn't an easy option while on duty as a police officer. It would require removal of your police radio, gun belt, body armor and uniform shirt. Not a quick or easy task. Additionally, many officers can find themselves overheating on their core, beneath their body armor, while their arms, shoulders and upper chest/neck are freezing.

How To Set Up A Plate Carrier

First things first; why are you wearing a plate carrier. You must first answer this question before moving on to the next steps. Are you simply wearing it for protection against being shot? If so, what kind of bullets are you concerned about getting shot with; .223 or 9mm (or one of the many other rifle or pistol rounds)?

Are you yourself carrying a weapon? If so, what kind of weapon; a rifle or a pistol. If so, you will need to carry additional ammo. How much ammo will you need to carry. Maybe you're carrying a rifle and a pistol as a secondary weapon. In this case, you'll have to carry ammo for both weapons.

All these things must be taken into consideration prior to setting up your plate carrier. But for now, let's start off with the type of plates you need.

The Legacy Ballistic Riot Shield is an ultra lightweight shield which offers Level IIIA protection. In fact, it's a must-threat protection shield in that it not only offers ballistic protection, but also protection against knives, edged weapons and blunt forces such as baseball bats, rocks and bricks. 

NOTE: NIJ Level IIA can protect against 9mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose and .40 S&W Full Metal Jacketed ammunition, both of which are used in the majority of handguns. It can also stop similar handgun ammunition such as the 10mm Auto, .357 SIG, and even .45 ACP.

NIJ Level II armor is capable of protecting against all of the above ammunition, as well as .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Points and 9mm Parabellum rounds fired at a higher velocity.

NIJ Level IIIA can stop all of the above ammunition, as well as 9mm Parabellum rounds fired from semi-automatic and .44 Magnum Jacketed Hollow Point rounds.

At just 9 lbs. the Legacy Police Ballistic Shield is incredibly light, easy to carry and manipulate in tactical situations. What makes it even more of a pleasure to use is it's innovative cross strap. This cross strap allows the user to suspend the shield in front of their body, freeing up both hands for required tactical or emergency situations. During testing, this feature was found to be an absolute game-changer.

How much does level 4 body armor cost?

Because of their increased stopping power and advanced construction, level 4 body armor typically costs more than level 3 body armor. 

Now, the following numbers are just averages. Prices vary between manufacturers. One of the biggest factors to look for is where the plates are produced. Many people on the internet feel that body armor produced overseas is inferior to armor produced domestically in the United States. Keep in mind these same people are posting these comment using a device that was produced overseas while sitting on a chair which was produced overseas. Point being, just because it was produced overseas, it doesn't mean it's inferior. And just because it was produced in the U.S. doesn't mean it's better. Choose your body armor based on the quality of the company and product. 

When it comes to level 3 body armor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$350 per plate. This seems to be the industry average. As for level 4 body armor, expect to pay anywhere from $450-$500 per plate. 

The Tradecraft Jacket is a mens tactical jacket that holds two (2) level 3A soft body armor panels. One (1) 10x12 plate in the front and one in the rear. The panels are strategically placed for optimal protection of the wearer's vital organs (center mass). NOTE: The Tradecraft Jacket is capable of holding Level 4 plates. However this will greatly increase printing while wearing the jacket. 

The thin level IIIA panels are completely concealed and virtually unnoticeable to the average person walking by. Additionally, The Tradecraft Ballistic Jacket offers superior warmth, comfort and storage capacity, making it not just a safer choice, but a practical one as well.

Crime and shootings are up across the country. You deserve to feel safe and protected while going about your daily activities. And you shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Get the best bulletproof jacket for protection at a price you can afford. 

Now, for the first time ever, you can create the ultimate Active Shooter Response Kit right in one spot, saving you hours of time and money.

This incredible active shooter safety kit includes a plate carrier, body armor plates, a ballistic helmet and a ballistic shield. Each item can be customized to your specific needs. And with a click of a button, you'll have the essential gear you'll need to be prepared for an active shooter situation should it happen in your town.

Click here to view all the options and build your active shooter response kit today.

Nothing is more important than your safety. Don't be the person who is regretting not having the necessary equipment when the event occurs. Be the person who is ready and is willing to fight to stay alive. 

Every once in a while I come across a product that I wish I had during my 13 years on patrol. Recently, I was sent one of those products to test and evaluate. And after spending just a few hours with it, I quickly realized that it was going to be an absolute game changer for not just law enforcement and police officers but also civilians. 

The Riggs Shield is a small, hand-held ballistic shield which can easily be held and manipulated with one hand. This makes it easy to deploy and even easier to carry while in use. 

Rated NIJ Level IIIA for ballistic protection, the Riggs Shield also offers Level III stab protection. Additionally, it offers blunt force trauma protection against weapons such as baseball bats and pipes. 

There have been more than 200 mass shootings in 2022 thus far. Sadly, at the time of this article, we are only 146 days into the year. That means there have been roughly 1.4 mass shootings per day since the beginning of the year. 

According to FBI statistics, the overwhelming majority of these shooting incidents involve handguns. Yes, a percentage do involve AR-15s. However, for the most part, the actors in these incidents are using handguns. This is most likely due to the fact that handguns are much more easily concealed than rifles. 

Recent advancements in body armor technology have lead to thinner, lighter and stronger protective panels. These lightweight panels can easily be stored in a child's backpack, a travel bag, in your vehicle or at your desk at work. 

With everything going on in our world today, it comes as no surprise that we are fielding more and more inquiries from parents looking for body armor for their children. It's truly sad to think that of all the things parents have to worry about today, buying their child a bulletproof vest is now on the list. 

So to help bring some clarity this most troubling issue facing parents today, I've compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions by parents who are shopping for body armor for their kids. I'll review sizing, pricing and types of body armor to help give you a better idea of what to look for when purchasing a bulletproof vest for your child.