Backpack armor question. Better to have and not need...

[Halfnutz]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask, here goes...
My job has me spending a lot of time south of the boarder. In the last month there have been 2 shootings in the area I frequent. One was for all intents and purposes an execution, I missed this by no more than 15 minutes as it happened in a parking lot across from my hotel. The second was an attempted kidnapping. Suspects at large on the first incident, the attempted kidnappers were caught and found with an AR and an AK according to the news release that was shared. I'm not target material down there, but I potentially am an "innocent" by-stander, possibly unwanted witness.
I carry a civilian style Oakley backpack with my laptop(s) and other things for work. The back pack has a zippered compartment that would easily hold a plate.
MidwayUSA is having a sale on AR500 armor and I am wondering which is better, Synthetic or Steel. Weight is about the same, the synthetic is slightly larger but considerably more money.
TSA website says its OK for flying, but still at the discretion of an agent. I could not find any restrictions, yet, for my host country.
Any other suggestions or comments would be welcome.

 

[TheGerman]

If you think you need armor, don't half ass it and just get a plate that sits in your backpack. Get an actual low profile plate carrier and depending on what you think you'd need to stop (pistol, rifle) you can go with a low profile carrier for either just BALCS (soft armor) or level 4 rifle plates.

 

[Halfnutz]

I don't think I'll ever need it. My job duties and off time are not any thing that warrant me wearing a vest. The plate was just an idea due to recent events paired with effective marketing.

 

[W54/XM-388]

An AR500 plate in your backpack is going to add a fair bit of weight to the backpack as it's a bit on the heavy side.
I would also bet you loose the plate at the airport eventually as some TSA "empowered" moron decides you can't have it.

I would suggest your first step should be to get a good undercover style full coverage Level IIIA soft vest and get used to wearing it
Then upgrade with a center strike plate addition.
While you may get hit with a rifle, pistol & shotgun are often more likely.

Then either plate carrier for front & rear, or a plate of some sort in your backpack for use as an emergency shield.

 

[Halfnutz]

The plates I looked at are 8lbs.

 

[pineoak]

That plate will be heavy and tire you out.

The most important thing for you would be to not be distracted by a phone or earbuds.

Keep looking around and keep vigilant. Know your exits and have a plan for how to get home.

Try to stay away from sparsely populated areas and never leave with them.

---

for backpacks and stuff, there is IIIa pistol only armor plates for around 1# or less in weight as well

 

[pmclaine]

Check these guys out....

http://www.bulletblocker.com

 

[2501]

I don't think I'll ever need it. My job duties and off time are not any thing that warrant me wearing a vest. The plate was just an idea due to recent events paired with effective marketing.

Be careful you are in compliance with local law. Body armor is often a big no-no. In a place like Mexico, I’d rather practice good common sense and situational awareness than risk the Policia making an example out of the gringo. I lived there for several years. You don’t want to be that example. Weigh the actual risk of gunfire against the risk of a getting jacked up.

Anyhow, be safe in your endeavors.

 

[Dthomas3523]

As suggested, make sure you're in compliance with local law (especially if the host country has a reputation for jailing for such infractions).

If legal, look into polyethylene armor. You can find level III that weighs 3lbs our so. Easier than carrying around an 8lb plate.

 

[demolitionman]

hey halfnutz, check this out:
http://www.bulldogdirect.com/fiberglass-armor-panels/

if that interests you shoot me a pm.

 

[W54/XM-388]

For countries that insist you are unprotected sheep for the slaughter, there are come companies that make very discrete business suits for important executives that have very good soft protection capabilities but you'd have to shoot them or tear them completely apart to find out. They are expensive however.

Another option is if you are carrying a big gaming style laptop, or "rugged" one, you might be able to have a "custom" engraved floor plate or LCD cover made out of thin plating coated to look like the laptop, especially if you do a thin LCD cover plate and then a floor plate, you can get great protection in your backpack without looking out of the ordinary.

 

[PDXGS]

I agree with the two previous responses re: local laws....Have a look at something like this
angel armor ally-one plates

 

[Frankly]

A laptop provides Level II protection*, get the 17" model ;-p

Seriously a couple of books and a laptop are probably going to be as effective as anything light enough for you not to notice.

*I'm full of $h!#

 

[shoobe01]

I wouldn't carry a plate at all. Ricochets, and reduced coverage area for a plate. Weight, and rigidity will make it unpleasant so you won't carry the plate, or the pack. And it's gonna be pretty obviously a piece of armor. If nothing else, any X-Ray (e.g. airport) will not see through it so they will hand inspect and wonder what the anti-x-ray tech is and not be happy even if it doesn't violate any written rules and... probably confiscate it or have A Talk with you about it.

Soft armor, on the other hand, seems entirely plausible. If I thought a backpack was the thing to armor (and while unconvinced, it may be) then I'd just get the cheapest used Kevlar you could. Not sure what is available now, but just a couple years ago CVC vests were running under $20! They are fragment vests, but two layers stops a lot. And, armor is not stop/fail, but I'll take any reduction, and light enough to actually keep carrying.

If you like this: You cut to shape to fit in the hydro pocket, maximum size so it doesn't shift about, and gives the most coverage. Kevlar will dull all scissors, so the best bet is to get a multi-pack of cheap EMT shears, and when dull you toss them, get a new pack. It'll tale at least 3-4 to cut this out. At the end, at the least duct tape the edges, of each panel. Tape the two together if that's the thing. Wet Kevlar temporarily looses much of it's protection, so I'd also bag it somehow.

I've traveled by air with frame sheets of various types, and no one seems to mind. Heard of some folks who did similar to the above and had no issues.

 

[PDXGS]

I've traveled throughout Asia and into Mexico via air with soft armor (Kevlar/aramid insert) in a carry-on backpack. Mine was from London Bridge Trading Co.
Only one security person has mentioned anything about it and that was on a layover in Vancouver BC.

 

[Frankly]

Invented just for this:

http://leatherbackgear.com/

 

[Halfnutz]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm checking out some of the suggestions.