The Bladerunner Covert Vest is a concealable soft body armor system rated to NIJ Level II, stopping all handgun rounds up to and including .357 Magnum. Constructed from a unique ballistic and anti-stab material, the vest also defends against knives, sharpened instruments, picks, and bottles up to 16 joules of penetration force, plus 100% of slash attacks. Four-point adjustable fit and a total weight under 1.7 kg make it suited to all-day, every-day wear beneath ordinary clothing. Available in sizes S through 4XL.

Who this is for

• Security and close-protection professionals who require discreet, all-day handgun and blade protection without external gear.
• First responders and public-sector workers operating in environments where both ballistic and edged-weapon threats are present.
• Civilians seeking everyday concealable protection who want a vest worn directly under a shirt or light jacket without visible profiling.

Threat coverage

The Covert Vest is rated to NIJ Level II, covering handgun threats up to and including .357 Magnum. This rating addresses the full range of common handgun calibers at standard service velocities. It does not stop rifle rounds; rifle-caliber threats require a hard armor plate in addition to this vest.

Beyond ballistic coverage, the vest's construction resists stab and spike attacks up to 16 joules and defeats 100% of slash attacks from knives, sharpened instruments, picks, and bottles. This combined ballistic and anti-stab protection in a single garment distinguishes it from panels that address only one threat category.

The protection level can be upgraded to Level III+ by pairing the vest with compatible hard armor plates, available separately.

Concealability and comfort

Total vest weight stays under 1.7 kg depending on size, keeping the profile low enough for continuous wear beneath a shirt or light jacket. Four-point adjustments allow the fit to be dialed in across a wide range of torso shapes, distributing the load evenly and preventing the vest from shifting during movement. The design is intended for day-in, day-out, all-day use rather than intermittent tactical deployment.

Care and maintenance

Follow the care instructions supplied with the vest. Ballistic and anti-stab panels should not be machine washed. Inspect the panel regularly for signs of moisture damage, delamination, or physical impact. Store away from direct sunlight and high heat. Contact us if you need guidance on replacement intervals or panel condition assessment.

Specifications

Fit and carrier compatibility

The vest ships as a complete wearable garment, not a loose insert requiring a separate carrier. The four-point adjustment system accommodates chest circumferences from 36" (S) through 57" (4XL). The sizing chart below maps chest and waist measurements to each size designation.

If your measurements fall between sizes, contact us for a fit recommendation before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

What is NIJ Level II and what does it stop?

NIJ Level II is a ballistic resistance standard covering handgun threats up to and including .357 Magnum at standard service velocities. It addresses the full range of common handgun calibers encountered in civilian and law-enforcement contexts. This vest does not stop rifle-caliber rounds; for rifle threats, a Level III or Level IV hard armor plate is required in addition to soft armor.

Does this vest stop knife and stab attacks?

Yes. The vest resists stab and spike penetration up to 16 joules and defeats 100% of slashes from knives, sharpened instruments, picks, and bottles. This combined protection in a single garment means you do not need to layer separate anti-stab and ballistic panels.

How do I upgrade this vest to Level III+ protection?

It depends on your threat environment. The vest is designed to accept compatible hard armor plates, which elevate the ballistic rating to Level III+. The plates are sold separately. Contact us if you need guidance on which plate is the correct fit for this vest.

Can I wear this all day under normal clothing?

Yes. The vest weighs under 1.7 kg and uses a four-point adjustment system to distribute load evenly across the torso. It is specifically designed for continuous, all-day wear beneath ordinary shirts or light jackets without visible profiling.

How do I choose the right size?

Use the chest and waist measurements in the sizing table above. Chest circumference is the primary fit indicator; the four-point adjustments handle variation within each size band. If your measurements place you at the boundary between two sizes, contact us before ordering.

Can this vest be shipped to my location, and are there any legal restrictions?

This product ships from the UK worldwide via UPS Express (international, duty unpaid) and Royal Mail (UK domestic). International buyers are responsible for any import duties or taxes applied at the destination. Body armor purchase and possession laws vary by country and, in the US, by state. Cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, anyone with a federal felony conviction for a crime of violence is prohibited from purchasing or possessing body armor. Verify local regulations before ordering.