The PGD Ultra 3-in-1 is a concealable soft body armor vest from Protection Group Denmark, independently tested against NIJ 0101.04 Level IIIA ballistic threat parameters and HOSDB 2017 KR1+SP1 stab and spike parameters. The soft armor panels stop handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum and add edged-blade and spike resistance in a single 7 mm panel with an areal density of 7.3 kg/m². It suits plainclothes security, law enforcement, and protective details who need ballistic and knife protection under everyday clothing. The vest ships with the soft armor panels and an Outlast PCM textile carrier, in sizes Small through 5XL and in Black, Navy Blue, or White.

Who this is for

• Close protection and plainclothes security: who need Level IIIA ballistic and edged-threat coverage that conceals under a shirt or jacket at 7 mm thick.
• Law enforcement and corrections officers: who face both firearm and knife or improvised-spike threats in the same shift.
• Long-duration details and static posts: who wear armor for extended periods and benefit from the Outlast PCM carrier rated by PGD for 12 to 14 hours of wear.

What does the PGD Ultra stop?

The PGD Ultra carries three protection layers in one panel: handgun ballistic, edged-blade, and spike. The ballistic panels were tested to NIJ 0101.04 Level IIIA, the highest soft-armor handgun rating, against the rounds and velocities below. Level IIIA stops common handgun threats up to .44 Magnum, but it does not stop rifle rounds. For rifle protection, the vest accepts ESAPI hard armor plates in its front and back pockets.

Ballistic test data

Stab and spike test data

Edged-threat performance was tested to the UK HOSDB 2017 standard at KR1 (knife) and SP1 (spike) levels.

Concealability and comfort

Each panel measures 7 mm thick and carries an areal density of 7.3 kg/m², built from Honeywell Goldshield and Avient Dyneema. PGD rates the panel flexibility at 9 out of 10, and the concealed cut sits under outerwear rather than over it. Panel weight scales with size, from 2.12 kg at Small to 4.27 kg at 5XL.

The carrier uses Outlast PCM technology, a phase-change material originally developed for NASA that absorbs and releases heat to hold skin temperature steadier across a long shift. A 100 percent water and sweat resistant, ultrasonic-sealed TPU cover wraps the ballistic pack and keeps moisture off the armor.

Care and warranty

The ballistic pack sits inside a sealed TPU cover that resists water and sweat, so surface moisture wipes off the panel rather than soaking in. PGD backs the ballistic panels with a 7-year ballistic warranty and the textile carrier with a 2-year warranty. Store the vest flat and out of prolonged direct heat to keep the panel within its rated service window.

Specifications

Fit and carrier compatibility

The vest fits a chest measurement from 60 cm at Small to 140 cm at 5XL and is cut for both male and female body shapes. Use the PGD vest size guide to confirm your chest measurement before ordering.

Front and back pockets accept ESAPI hard armor plates so you can raise protection to a rifle-rated level when the threat calls for it. PGD lists plate fitment by vest size: Small to Medium accept Small ESAPI plates; Large and XL accept Medium or 10x12 ESAPI plates; 2XL and 3XL accept Medium, Large, or 10x12 inch ESAPI plates. The Ultra soft armor panels also drop into the separate PGD ALPHA carrier if you want a second host for the same panels.

Frequently asked questions

Will this vest stop rifle rounds?

No. The PGD Ultra panels are rated to NIJ Level IIIA, which covers handgun threats up to .44 Magnum, not rifle rounds. To defeat rifle threats, add ESAPI hard armor plates to the front and back pockets, which PGD states can raise protection to NIJ Level III or IV depending on the plates you choose.

What does the Level IIIA rating cover, and how does the stab rating work?

Level IIIA is the top soft-armor handgun rating. PGD tested the Ultra to NIJ 0101.04 IIIA against .44 Magnum SJHP at 436 m/s and 9 mm FMJ RN at 439 m/s. Separately, the panel was tested to HOSDB 2017 KR1 at 36 joules for edged blades and SP1 at 24 joules for spikes, which most handgun-only vests do not provide.

Can I conceal this under regular clothing?

Yes. Each panel is 7 mm thick with a concealed cut and a 9-out-of-10 flexibility rating from PGD, so it sits under a shirt or jacket rather than over outerwear. The Outlast PCM carrier and ultrasonic-sealed TPU cover manage heat and moisture, which helps during extended plainclothes wear.

Can I add hard armor plates?

Yes. The vest has built-in pockets in the front and back for ESAPI hard armor plates. Plate size depends on vest size: Small to Medium take Small ESAPI; Large and XL take Medium or 10x12 plates; 2XL and 3XL take Medium, Large, or 10x12 inch plates. Adding plates raises ballistic protection toward rifle-rated levels.

Is the vest unisex?

Yes. PGD builds the Ultra to fit both male and female body shapes across the Small through 5XL range. Fit is set by chest circumference, from 60 cm at Small to 140 cm at 5XL, so measure your chest and check the PGD size guide before choosing a size.

Can this be shipped to my state?

It ships to most US states. It cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions, and it is subject to US export regulations. 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.