New Body Armor Standards — What’s Different with NIJ 0101.07?

Body armor standards have existed since the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) created the first set in 1972. As you can imagine, technology has changed drastically since then, and there have been several iterations of body armor standards since.

So, as you would expect, the time has come to once again make the appropriate changes and updates to the body armor standards, do away with the old NIJ 0101.06 standard, and bring upon the new NIJ 0101.07 standards.

The primary changes between the two standards come down to refining performance criteria, updating testing methodologies, and simplifying protection classifications.

With official testing set to begin in early 2025, law enforcement agencies and civilians can expect NIJ 0101.07-certified armor to hit the market later this year. But what do these updates really mean for those relying on body armor for protection? Let’s break it all down.

Before we dive into body armor standards, for those of you who are just getting into body armor and don’t know much about it, I published an article on plate carriers that I would recommend you check out to help provide you with a baseline of what they are, what they do, and who they’re for.

Why Do Body Armor Standards Matter?

Standards are a good thing, right? We have safety standards for vehicles, medical tools, and many other things, so it’s not unusual to see standards put on products hitting the market.

And when it comes to body armor standards, you want them to hold up, correct? Like if someone says the plate can stop rifle rounds and a 9mm travels through it like butter, that’s a massive problem, no?

Body armor standards ensure protective gear meets strict ballistic resistance benchmarks. These regulations help users like you and me understand what level of protection we are getting against different types of ammunition.

The NIJ standard categorizes armor based on its ability to stop bullets of various calibers and velocities. Lighter armor provides protection from common handgun rounds, while heavier armor is designed to stop high-velocity rifle rounds, including armor-piercing ammunition.

The NIJ Classification System Overhaul

Historically, NIJ used Roman numerals to label body armor protection levels. However, with NIJ 0101.07, a new system has been introduced to enhance clarity (since most people these days are, unfortunately, not very bright):

• HG1 (formerly Level II) – Protects against handgun rounds up to .357 Magnum.
• HG2 (formerly Level IIIA) – Defends against more powerful handgun threats, including .44 Magnum.
• RF1 (formerly Level III) – Provides rifle protection against 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm rounds.
• RF2 – An intermediate rifle protection level offering defense beyond RF1.
• RF3 (formerly Level IV) – Stops .30-06 M2 armor-piercing rounds.

This restructuring makes it easier for everyday users and civilians to select armor that aligns with their specific protection needs.

If you’re law enforcement or military (or former), you should already know all of the levels, like the back of your hand, since your life depends on you wearing the appropriate body armor for the mission.

What Else Is Changing in NIJ 0101.07?

Beyond the naming adjustments, NIJ 0101.07 incorporates several critical updates:

• Stronger testing protocols ensure improved reliability and real-world performance.
• Greater focus on women’s body armor ensures a better fit and equal protection.
• Refined perforation-backface deformation (P-BFD) testing minimizes injury risks from bullet impacts.

Additionally, the NIJ has incorporated American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, aligning body armor testing with best practices used across multiple industries. This move improves consistency and reinforces confidence in certified armor.

Breaking Down Ballistic Threat Protection

The NIJ 0123.00 document outlines specific threats each armor level protects against:

• HG1: Stops a 158-grain .357 Magnum at 1,430 fps.
• HG2: Stops a 240-grain .44 Magnum at 1,430 fps.
• RF1: Stops NATO 5.56x45mm M193, 7.62x51mm M80, and 7.62x39mm mild steel core rounds at 2,400 fps.
• RF2: Offers RF1-level protection plus defense against NATO 5.56x45mm M855 “green tip” rounds.
• RF3: Protects against .30-06 M2 armor-piercing rounds.

These clarified classifications help buyers make informed purchasing decisions based on their personal or professional needs.

Addressing the Fit and Safety of Women’s Body Armor

A significant improvement in NIJ 0101.07 is its attention to women’s body armor.

Sure, women may not make up a huge chunk of the population that wears or trains in body armor, but it’s a demographic that you can’t simply forget.

Traditional designs often left female officers with ill-fitting protective gear, leading to vulnerable areas in coverage that could have deadly consequences.

With the new body armor standards, testing protocols now ensure that women’s armor provides the same level of ballistic resistance as men’s. This advancement enhances both comfort and safety for female law enforcement professionals and the military.

Enhancing Perforation-Backface Deformation Testing

One of the most technical but important updates in NIJ 0101.07 is the improvement in P-BFD testing. This measures the energy transferred to the body upon impact, ensuring armor doesn’t just stop a bullet but also minimizes potential injuries from blunt force trauma.

Those who think body armor stops bullets and you don’t feel a thing have a harsh reality coming if they ever take a round to their armor. Backface deformation of the plate will leave you sore and potentially even cracked ribs. Sounds painful, right? But at least the bullet(s) didn’t penetrate you.

A new test simulates bullet strikes near the upper chest and neck, better replicating real-world scenarios. Additionally, for hard armor plates, new tests focus on deformation at the curved “crown” of the plate to assess durability under extreme conditions.

What the New Changes to Body Armor Standards Mean for You

NIJ 0101.07 represents a leap forward in body armor safety for law enforcement, security professionals, and civilians. The new body armor standards ensure stricter testing, clearer protection levels, and better-fitting gear for all end-users.

With testing set to begin in early 2025 and certified armor expected later in the year, staying informed about these changes is crucial. When purchasing protective gear, understanding these new classifications and body armor standards will help ensure you select the proper armor for your specific needs and missions.

RELATED: Should Civilians Invest in a Ballistic Helmet?

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