Choosing Level IIIA, III, or IV Armor Inserts for Your Backpack
Level IIIA (3A)
Pros:
Standalone rated.  Meaning nothing needs to assist it to stop bullets.
Stops almost any pistol ammunition.
Extremely lightweight.
Recommended for ages 3+
Thin and flexible.
Easy to hide.
Sealed in a waterproof bag.
Long lifespan and is easy to take care of.
Can take countless bullets around the armor.
Built-in trauma pad to further reduce felt impact from bullets.
Cons:
Unable to stop rifles (IE, AR-15, and AK-47) by itself.
Thin and flexible.
Level III+ (3+)
Pros:
Standalone rated.  Meaning nothing needs to assist it to stop bullets.
Stops the most common rifles (IE, AR-15, and AK-47) by itself.
Best middle ground with lightweight performance.
Recommended for ages 7+.
Offered in a 22% lighter weight or standard ceramic option.
Less than 1 inch thick.
Able to stop armor-piercing bullets from most pistols.
Can stop multiple bullets.
The lightweight variant floats in water acting as a life-preserver.
The highest rating we recommend for children's backpacks.
Cons:
Heavier than IIIA armor.
2x thicker than level IIIA armor.
Unable to stop armor-piercing bullets from rifles.
Not flexible.
Level IV (4) 
Pros:
Standalone rated.  Meaning nothing needs to assist it to stop bullets.
Stops just about everything up to 30-06 M2 AP.
Stops the most common rifles, pistols, and their Armor Piercing bullet variants.
Less than 1 inch thick.
Beats the industry "1 bullet to plate center" by stopping multiple bullets around the plate.
Cons:
About 30% heavier than our regular level III armor plate and 60% heavier than our level III lightweight options.
Recommended for ages 15+. Often too heavy for younger kids' backpacks.
To find the right size armor plate for you, start by measuring the pocket or area that you would like the plate to fit in with a tape measure or ruler. Make sure to measure the length, width, and height. Typically, our 11x14-inch insert will work best in adult bags, and the 10x12-inch will work best in children's backpacks.  
Understanding the Weights of Different Ratings. Higher Level Armor Isn't Always Better.
Level 4 (IV): Approximately 6.5 to 9 pounds - about the weight of a laptop or a gallon of milk.
Level 3+ (III+): Approximately 5 to 6 pounds - about the weight of a jacket or a small laptop.
Level 3+ Lightweight (III+ Lightweight): Approximately 4 to 5 pounds - about the weight of your boots.
Level 3A (IIIA): Between 1 and 1.5 pounds, about the weight of a plastic water bottle or a 70-page notebook.