FAQ
As the manufacturer GH Armor utilizes authorized distributors across all 50 states as sales channels.
Find a sales representative near you.
Contact customerservice@gharmor.com or 866-920-5940 for order updates.
Visit our sizing portal for an in depth look at our sizing process. See supporting documents below.
Submit an Alteration Request Form to customerservice@gharmor.com. See supporting
documents below for guidelines and restrictions.
For a period of 5 years after the date of issue (which may be up to 1 year from the date of manufacture), GH Armor warrants that its soft armor panels shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Soft armor panels should not be worn or used after the expiration of this warranty period. The above warranty does not apply to any soft armor panels that have been subjected to misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, unauthorized alteration, breakage, interruption, damage, improper storage or handling, or unauthorized repair or service.
For a period of 1 year after the date of issue (which may be up to 1 year from the date of manufacture), GH Armor warrants that its carriers shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. The above warranty does not apply to any carriers that have been subjected to misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, unauthorized alteration, breakage, interruption, damage, improper storage or handling, or unauthorized repair or service.
For models with specifications indicating a 5 year warranty, for a period of 5 years after the date of issue (which may be up to 1 year from the date of shipment), GH Armor warrants that its hard armor plates shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Hard armor should not be worn or used after the expiration of this warranty period. The above warranty does not apply to any hard armor plates that have been subjected to misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, unauthorized alteration, breakage, interruption, damage, improper storage or handling, or unauthorized repair or service. For models with specifications indicating a 10 year warranty, for a period of 10 years after the date of issue (which may be up to 1 year from the date of shipment), GH Armor warrants that its hard armor plates shall be free from defects in material and workmanship. Hard armor should not be worn or used after the expiration of this warranty period. The above warranty does not apply to any hard armor plates that have been subjected to misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, unauthorized alteration, breakage, interruption, damage, improper storage or handling, or unauthorized repair or service.
- Remove soft armor panels and hard armor plates from carrier. Secure straps to carrier.
- Gently wipe soft armor panels with damp cloth and mixture of cool water and mild laundry detergent antimicrobial soap.
- Gently wipe excess soap with clean water using damp cloth. DO NOT SUBMERGE, EXPOSE TO EXCESS AT, OR BLEACH.
- Lay soft armor panels flat and gently wipe dry. DO NOT HANG OR LINE DRY. DO NOT PLACE IN SUN.
- Ensure panels are completely dry before re-inserting into carrier.
- Panels should be re-inserted in proper orientation with “BODY SIDE” label facing toward body.
- Engage internal shoulder suspension tabs to secure soft armor panels to carrier.
- Remove soft armor panels and hard armor plates from carrier.
- Detach removable straps.
- Hand-wash or machine-wash on gentle cycle using cool water. Hand-wash preferred method. For machine-wash, place carrier in separate laundry bag made specifically for delicate items and use mild soap.
- Lay carrier flat and air dry. For machine-dry, use lowest temperature setting.
- Ensure carrier is completely dry before re-inserting soft armor panels and hard armor plates.
- Panels should be re-inserted in proper orientation with “BODY SIDE” label facing toward body.
- Engage internal shoulder suspension tabs to secure soft armor panels to carrier.
- Remove soft armor panels, hard armor plates, removable pouches, and IDs.
- Detach removable straps.
- Gently wipe carrier with soft, clean cloth to remove contaminants.
- For tough spots, gently engage using soft brush with mixture of cool water and antimicrobial soap. Gently wipe excess soap with clean water using damp cloth.
- Lay carrier flat and air dry.
- Ensure carrier is completely dry before re-inserting soft armor panels and hard armor plates.
- Panels should be re-inserted in proper orientation with “BODY SIDE” label facing toward body.
- Engage internal shoulder suspension tabs to secure soft armor panels to carrier.
Consistent with the terms of the Soft Armor Panel Warranty, GH Armor will continue to support the warranty of GH Armor soft armor panels when used in conjunction with approved third-party external carriers, subject to the following conditions:
- GH Armor soft armor panels shall remain in their original GH concealable carrier when inserted into the third-party external carrier.
- The front and rear soft armor panels shall be fastened together with the hook and loop straps and connected inside of the shoulder area of the third-party external carrier in order to suspend the front and back soft armor panels in the proper orientation.
- GH Armor soft armor panels shall not be used with third-party concealable carriers. Proper orientation is integral to the performance of the soft armor panels. Additionally, soft armor panels offer protection to only those areas that cover the body. As such, GH Armor will not be responsible for the sizing, labeling or integration of the soft armor panels with third-party external carriers.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) establishes and updates voluntary minimum performance standards for body armor, conducts testing against these standards to ensure that body armor complies with the standards, and sponsors research to improve body armor. NIJ Certified body armor is strictly regulated and randomly selected for testing by the NIJ to ensure the armor design meets the requirements listed on the build sheet.
The NIJ Standard-0101.06 is the most comprehensive and rigorous body armor compliance standard that exists today. NIJ Standard-0101.06 supersedes all prior versions.
NIJ Standard-0101.06 specifies five levels of ballistic performance for body armor. The first three levels – IIA, II and IIIA – are soft armors. The two remaining levels, III and IV, are hard armor designed to protect officers against rifle threats. The standard threat bullets associated with these five levels are listed below:
- Level IIA 9mm FMJ RN; .40 Smith and Wesson (S&W) FMJ
- Level II 9mm FMJ RN; .357Magnum JSP
- Level IIIA .357 SIGFMJ FN; .44 Magnum SJHP
- Level III 7.62mm FMJ (M80) (Rifle)
- Level IV .30 Cal AP (M2 AP) (Rifle)
As a starting point, we recommend choosing a level of soft armor rated to stop your duty weapon and any other authorized weapons that may be carried by your department or surrounding agency.
Certified: Certified armor refers to armor tested to the NIJ performance standards for body armor.
Full Cut: a square or rectangle cut of hard armor
Hard Armor: Plates, shields and helmets fall under the hard armor category. Available in Level III and Level IV. Hard armor compositions include steel, ceramic, composite and more.
ICW (In Conjunction With): In reference to a hard armor plate that is tested in conjunction with a soft armor solution. In conjunction with armor requires multiple pieces (soft hard and hard armor) to provide protection against the stated threat level.
Multi-Hit: In reference to a hard armor plate that can withstand multiple shots.
Multi-Threat: A soft armor solution that is tested to both ballistic and spike standards.
Shooter’s Cut: a square or rectangle cut of hard armor with the top corners angled to allow the wearer more range of motion.
Soft Armor: Soft armor panels (including ballistic and spike classifications) are composed of fibers. The fibers of the ballistic material disburse the energy from the point of impact over the entire area of the soft armor panel, which absorbs the energy.
Stand-Alone: In reference to a hard armor plate that does not require additional armor to provide protection against the stated threat level.
Special Threat: In reference to a level of protection for specific test round(s) and measurement velocities to be used. Special threat rounds are often more difficult to defeat than the standard NIJ round and are threats commonly found in both domestically and abroad.
Spike: A category of soft amor that provides protection against spike and edge blade instruments. Tested to NIJ standard 0115.00, spike armor is available in Level 1 – 24 joules, Level 2 – 33 joules and Level 3 – 43 joules. The NIJ standard measures a potentially deadly strike by joules.