When it comes down to it, armor is expensive! Even cheap battle gear can cost enough that many people do not own very much of it. Luckily, however, you can upgrade your current load-outs to use better materials or more of them!
This article will talk about some ways to improve your current combat equipment by adding to it or replacing it with better material. We will also go over how to maximize the effectiveness of each piece of new armor you get! How To Upgrade Your Armor Loadout?
How To Choose The Right Body Armour?
When it comes to personal protection, body armor is an essential piece of equipment. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right body armor for your needs? Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:
Threat Level: The first thing you need to do is assess the threat level you are facing. Are you looking for protection from firearms or knives? Or do you need something that can protect you from blunt-force trauma? The level of protection you need will dictate the type of body armor you purchase.
Cost: Body armor can be expensive, so you’ll need to factor in the cost when making your decision. There are a variety of body armor options available at different price points, so you’ll need to find something that fits within your budget.
Weight: Another important factor to consider is the weight of the body armor. You’ll want to find something that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, as you don’t want to be weighed down by your armor.
Type: There are two main types of body armor: hard and soft. Hard body armor is typically made of steel or ceramic plates, while soft body armor is usually made of Kevlar or other bullet-resistant fabrics. You’ll need to decide which type of armor is best for your needs.
Fit: It’s important that your body armor fits properly, as ill-fitting armor can be uncomfortable and may not provide the level of protection you need. Make sure to try on different types and sizes of armor to find the perfect fit for you.
With so many factors to consider, choosing the right body armor can be a daunting task. But by taking the time to assess your needs and find the right fit for you, you can be sure to find the armor that will keep you safe in any situation.
Replace your current chest plate with a heavy-duty one
A starting place for any armor upgrade is replacing your current chest piece with an off-the-shelf or custom-made metal plate. These plates can be solid, composite, or foam which is all functionally similar!
The thickness of each material will vary depending on how much protection you want but overall it will add some weight to your armor so heavier weapons may get hindered. Make sure to look up different types of plates before buying as not every plate is designed for combat use.
We recommend staying within military-grade materials unless you have specific needs that non-military-grade products fulfill. An easy way to tell if an item is military-grade or not is to check whether or not it says “made under license by” in front of it. If yes, then it has been approved by the manufacturer to be used in war zones!
There are several companies that make high-quality aftermarket steel platings such as Heavy Duty Steel Shields, Tactical Steel Plates, and Ceramic Composite Armour.
Replace your current leg armor with heavy duty
While not as fashionable or flashy, heavier-weight tights are an excellent way to upgrade your leg defense. Even if you already have very thick stockings, we recommend replacing them with thicker ones since most firearm bullets do not fragment as shrapnel does.
A thinner layer of protection is much more likely to get cut away, leaving you vulnerable to gunfire. This would also expose some parts of your legs that may be helpful in escaping or protecting yourself while fleeing the scene.
Thicker protective gear can still be stylishly done! Just make sure they fit well so you don’t lose mobility or feel uncomfortable when running or moving around. Check out our recommendations here for the best thigh and knee protectors.
Another important factor to consider is how heavy each piece of protection needs to be before it becomes too bulky and cumbersome to use effectively. We discuss this in more detail in our article about choosing chest protection.
Buy a new shield
A shield is an integral part of any armor set, protecting your attacker’s face or deflecting damage from knees and shins. Because shields are typically bulkier than other pieces of equipment, they can sometimes get in the way when you want to use them as a weapon.
That’s why having more variety is very important! There are many different types of shields that you can pick from to create versatile combat sets.
The best shields have good weight balance so that you can effectively use it as a club or bicep sleeve depending on how close an attack comes. Some even have built-in sheath attachments for knives!
Cost isn’t a major factor either, making it easier to upgrade. You don’t need a professional grade model to achieve great results.
Buy upgrade stickers
The next way to improve your loadouts is by buying upgrade stickers or tokens that you can apply to an item. These are typically for enhancing the performance of a specific aspect of a weapon, such as increasing its range, lowering recoil, or improving stealth capabilities.
There are many websites where you can find such upgrades! Some sites have a monthly or yearly membership, with more advanced features (and therefore higher prices), while others are free to use.
Practice upgrading your armor
When it comes down to it, personal defense is about practicing what you’re going to do when confronted with an attack. This means not only knowing how to use different types of body armor but also learning how to take down other armored opponents!
Many large corporations that make protective gear offer courses or online tutorials for their products so that people can learn more about them. These sites usually feature all-terrain practice scenarios which are very helpful in educating users on how to effectively put on and take off certain pieces.
There are also many YouTube videos featuring practical uses for various protections such as motorcycle helmets, KAISI foam earplugs, and neck braces. By watching these videos several times, you will be able to achieve a much better understanding of how each piece functions.
By investing in some basic protection equipment, you have already started protecting yourself.
Know your location well
One of the most important things you can do as a shooter is to know where your vehicle, house, workplace, and area are at any given time. This way, if there’s ever an active shooting situation or police intervention, you don’t have to worry about wasting valuable time looking for something that may not be necessary for escaping or protecting yourself.
If possible, it’s even better to keep an eye on these locations while the person doing the shooting is present so that you can warn others potentially in danger and help them get away if needed.
Another reason to know your home, car, and office intimately is that knowing how to quickly take down all of your equipment makes for a good stealth evacuation plan. Having less gear means limiting potential exposure to dangerous situations, which helps mitigate risk to yourself.
And finally, being familiar with your surroundings gives you more context when trying to figure out what’s going on. For example, if someone tells you they heard gunshots but didn’t see anything, then you know whether that place is still accessible and maybe even safer than fleeing.
Make a plan in case of an emergency
Having enough armor for casual games is great, but if you are ever involved in a shootout or active shooter situation, then your gear can get trashed or lost.
You don’t want to be limited by how much money you have on you at that moment, so it is important to make sure you have adequate supplies before heading out anywhere.
Luckily, we have some tips here for you!
Firstly, stay within close proximity of where you live. If you do not know what items are useful for self-defense, leave yourself somewhere familiar to you. This way, you will able to quickly grab whatever things you need.
Secondly, try to pick up some basic tools such as zip ties, paper, and/or plastic sheeting. These are all helpful in creating cover and protecting people nearby from being hit.
Thirdly, if possible, take an easy-to-use weapon like a pistol or rifle. A revolver is also very reliable because it does not require reloads too frequently.
Assign tasks to others
A lot of people start off with great armor setups, then have to dole out roles and responsibilities for it. If you’re looking to level up your defense, ask who uses this equipment, what they use it for, and if they would be willing to let you take over their job.
By no means are you obligated to use someone else’s gear, but by investing in the right pieces, you can create your own unique defensive style or even find new ones!
As mentioned before, buying online is the best way to avoid wasting money. Make sure to check reviews, read about the product, and determine how well it works for you. Buying from reputable sellers will also help ensure you get what you want.