Buyer's Guide · Flexible Rifle Armor

Why Hexar™? Six questions to ask before you buy flexible rifle armor.

Flexible rifle armor has gone from one inventor to many sellers. Lighter numbers and lower prices are easy to advertise. Here is what to ask any maker — and how Hexar™ answers.

Model wearing the Hexar™ full-torso flexible rifle armor patrol vest
The Hexar™ full-torso vest — flexible rifle-rated ceramic coverage, edge to edge.
  1. 1. Ask for rifle-rated coverage, not just plate size

    Two plates can share the same outline and protect very different areas. A plate can be sold under a size name and still cover considerably less than that name implies, so ask how many square inches are actually covered by ceramic. Hexar™ tiles run edge to edge across the full advertised cut, held to standard industry tolerances: −0/+0.5″ on 10×12 cuts and ±0.2″ on SAPI sizes SM–XL. Your plate is never smaller than the area you paid for.

  2. 2. Ask which threats it is tested against

    Standard Hexar™ ICW III+ is built to defeat M855, M193 and M67 (7.62×39 FMJ lead core) when worn over a IIIA soft vest panel. The full-torso system also offers a Stand-Alone Level III upgrade. Confirm the tested threat list for the configuration you choose. Stand-Alone Level III Hexar™ plates are also available.

  3. 3. Ask what the ceramic is

    Ceramic grade is where costs get hidden. Alumina — the white ceramic — is the least expensive on the market. Hexar™ uses higher-end SiC/TiB₂ as standard, with a Boron Carbide upgrade for lower weight.

  4. 4. Ask about sizing

    Hexar™ comes in ten sizes, SM–XXL in Regular and Long, plus full-torso vest coverage — not one plate for every body.

  5. 5. Ask where it's made

    Hexar™ is processed, converted and assembled in the USA by U.S. citizens using domestic and offshore-sourced materials.

  6. 6. Ask who designed it

    Hexar™ comes from the team that invented flexible rifle armor. Ask any maker how long they have been building it.

    Read Allan D. Bain’s inventor story and patent history

*Made in USA — most products use domestic and offshore-sourced materials, processed, converted, and assembled in Missouri City, Texas by U.S. citizens. Meets Buy American Act requirements. Learn more.