[texasblueline]

Anyone have any experience wearing the new Safariland Hardwire body armor, specifically their top-end model 68 level IIIA?

My current department-issued vest is up for replacement later this year and I'm really intrigued by the specs on the Hardwire series. From what I can find the model 68 is the lightest and thinnest concealable level IIIA armor out there, plus from reading and watching some shoot videos it performs amazingly compared to other vests. A single vest stopped a bunch of hits from various rounds, most rounds were stopped by the first of the 6 layers, and it handled all kinds of special threat handgun rounds (500-gr 500 S&W at 1100 fps, 300-gr .50 cal at 1500 fps, and 5.7mm at 2100 fps). It's crazy how good vest tech is nowadays compared to how big and bulky I remember vests having to be 20 years ago just to stop the standard level IIIA rounds.

Anyways, I wanted to see if anyone has any actual experience wearing the Hardwire since they've been out for nearly a year now. Thin and light is great but I want to make sure it's flexible and comfortable. The construction methods are unique, they compress the fibers under millions of pounds of pressure at a set temperature to mold them into each layer, so I wasn't sure if that makes it stiffer or otherwise uncomfortable compared to other high-end vests.

So I'm hoping to get some feedback from anyone wearing one daily. Looks like my PD won't agree to put the money they pay for our issued vests (which is level II, at that) towards the Hardwire even if I pay the difference. So if I decide to get it I'll likely have to pay the full $1400 myself, and I want to make sure the overall comfort is worth the money.

 

[unit 900]

No first hand knowledge, but a couple of thoughts. Some years ago, NIJ had a program to financially assist officers that had to pay out of pocket for armor. That may be worth exploring. Second, Dyneema is a unidirectional polyethylene that is cross layered for ballistic resistance. It didn't used to have the flexibility of a woven aramid like Kevlar, but is significantly lighter. That may have changed. For the $$ involved, you should find a Safariland dealer and get your hands on one, it's the only way to know if it will meet your criteria. Whatever you get, consider an Impac plate from Protech as an add on in the front trauma plate pocket. Also unidirectional polyethylene that is a hard plate. Feather light and will stop almost anything out of a handgun by itself. I used one and was very pleased. http://www.safariland.com/products/...---handgun-threat-PT_IMPAC_HT_STP.html&start=1#sm.00000uyj6buxdnecfzanyg0frfurp

 

[texasblueline]

I doubt I'd qualify for any financial assistance since my PD does provide us with vests....even if they're only a level II and aren't as thin/light as they could be. Plus I'd rather see that money go to cops that have no body armor provided at all and aren't paid well enough to easily afford some. If I do buy the Hardwire it's one of those things in my eyes that's worth working some extra jobs or OT to cover, just like buying rifle plates a few years ago before my PD started providing them.

I was thinking of checking it out at GT Dist since they're the closest dealer that carries them, but I don't want to immediately discount it as too stiff based off what's on display in case it just takes a bit of a break-in period to loosen up. That's why I'm hoping someone's got a few months worth of use with one.

I'll have to look into that Impac plate. I was already looking at the Paraclete Omega plates that work in conjunction with IIIA soft armor to protect against 5.56 and 7.62 rifle rounds. They're only 1/2" thick and 0.8 lbs for a 5"x8" and 2.1 lbs for a 10"x12" plate, so one in my front panel would be a decent compromise between handling common rifle threats without adding too much extra weight/bulk. I'd still have my level IV plates/carrier in the squad car.

 

[collim1]

I can’t testify to the actual Hardwire panels, but I loathe Safariland’s new carriers. They also cut fit and cut the vests for “maximum coverage” which is also translated to maximum pain. Seriously.

I sent mine back for a refit and it’s still like wearing a 55 gallon barrel from my armpits and throat to my schlong. By far the most uncomfortable and rigid feeling best I’ve have had.

The carrier Velcro only has a few inches built in so there is not room for adjustment or to carry you BUG on your body armor.

I’m assuming my vest is not the Hardwire because it’s thicker and stiffer and heavier than any vest I’ve ever worn. The thought of wearing it for five more years makes me very sad.

I asked for a third refit and was told by the distributor “I don’t know how body armor is supposed to fit”

All of the other patrol guys have similar complaints. And admin says they love their vest. The one time they wore it for an hour it was great.