• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Need help with bullet resistant backpack

Prebanpaul

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2009
2,256
704
Akron Ohio Summit
My wife is a teacher and I am looking for a bulletproof backpack.

A couple of things, I want it to stop up to .223 so I will be putting level 3 plates in it. I have to way, weight vs stopping power. If someone comes in with a 308 a backpack probably won't matter.

I know it may not save her life, I don't need to be fucking told this. She teaches in a high-end school and had an actual active shooter in her school last year.

I am trying to give her the advantage to be able to survive. An advantage, not a 100% guaranteed.

I am looking for a backpack that covers front and back and can be deployed fast. I looked up ARES rad pack but it looks like they are discontinued.

If any of you have a good backpack that is fast deployable I would be thankful for the information. I don't care about the price. She will have it for the next 25 years.

Thanks for any help. I appreciate it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rover31
I believe the Vertx Gamut has a slot for plates and would give you the ability to purchase better protection. Also could get a standalone front plate carried if you have to have front and rear protection.

Or if you have to have the front/back style maybe the below would work.
 
Last edited:
What she needs is a gun and training.. If they aren't going to prevent an active shooter, then I doubt they have the ability to catch her with one properly concealed. Maybe one IN the backpack?
 
What she needs is a gun and training.. If they aren't going to prevent an active shooter, then I doubt they have the ability to catch her with one properly concealed. Maybe one IN the backpack?

As much as I love your line of thinking, the backpack gets set down. Belly band+backpack?
 
The back pack will get worn around. Secondly she needs NO training with a firearm. My daughter and her would smoke 95 percent of people. They shout 200 rounds a week at practice. Unfortunately she can not carry in side of school.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr. Z
My friend and I built up daily carry bags kind of like that.
We took the medium VRTX single sling carry bag and put soft body armour all in the top as well as the one pull out front panel. It could be upgraded to rifle ready with some thin metal plates of AR500 (ceramics are pretty thick).

While it only covers one side at a time, it will protect your back, then if you have to face the threat, since it's single slung you just spin it around, pull the ripcord to pull down the front flap and now you have full coverage from your neck to your groin.

Now something I would suggest she seriously think about, is get one of the 10W 550nm range laser pointers with adjustable beam focus, from china (Note that actual real power is probably 40% of what they claim).
Carry that along with a pair of the safety glasses for it in a quick draw pouch on pack, or skimp and get the 5W models.
Leave it set to the widest beam setting.

Something goes down, put on the glasses, pull it and get to safety. If you get trapped point it at their face and dance it around.
Depending on wall reflectivity it may also work bounced at an angle if you get lucky.

Shooter takes one glance towards it or catches a well reflected bit of it... they are not going to be doing much but rubbing their eyes for a couple long minutes.
 
expensive, but really if you are worried about your her then its worth it. A kevlar backpack is better than a peck in the head with a sharp rock. You could probably use it as a shield of sorts.
 
I have a soft level IIIa panel is my primary carry on backpack. I know it won’t stop .223, but Spartan makes their stuff in AZ and are good guys, they might be able to help.

 
Just remember when doing this. Whatever she carries has to "look the part" for the teachers and not look like something tactical.
It also has to be something that is actually comfortable and light enough, with enough ventilation chambers, to wear all the time.

That is what I have found is the hardest part. To make sure you blend in and don't attract attention.
Some of my greatest ideas about carry bags wound up failures because they attracted attention in one way or another, sometimes even people with no idea there might be any guns/armour, but thought it was something else cool.
 
Hi,

BulletBlocker would be my first suggestion to you. Their products are known performers and you can get not so tactical looking items such as:

7111227

7111228

7111229

Sincerely,
Theis
 
BulletBlocker

Thanks a lot.... now I know where I'm going to go broke at HA!
That lab coat is a must have item as is their wool top coat.
The full length shield briefcase looks like something I'll have to check out.

I'm not sure if you've seen actual testing done with them.
My concern is that in our informal testing, level IIIA panels that are just loosely hanging and not backed up by a rigid mass behind them, tend to be prone to penetration by faster moving handgun calibers.
 
Hi,

HP White Laboratory Independent Testing/Certification:

Sidenote: What in world are you going to do with wool top coat without moving to Russia lol?

Sincerely,
Theis

In that document it seems to indicate that these were tested while being backed up against a solid clay test block
"Deformation of a 5.5 inch clay backing; maximum allowable deformation: 44mm."

Would you happen to know if they did any testing with the panels being free swinging like they would be if you are letting them hang in front of you, as well as held at the top and bottom (say hand and foot) with the middle unsupported? (or for example draped over an open car window)

You can actually wear a wool top coat in North Texas a few days a year when it gets 10 degrees or so below freezing if you don't wear too much underneath. So for those few days you get to have fun walking around in fun clothes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: THEIS
I guess if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to buy one and test it.
I wonder if they offer any "warranty" if I send it back with 9mm bullet holes through it?
 
First, thank you all for the serious responses. This is something I am not taking lightly. I received over 300 text messages in 3 hours from my wife while having an active shooter in her school when her phone died. She now wears an Apple watch. Needless to say, she is still a little uneasy. I appreciate someone pointing out it not looking tactical. That was on part of our short list. I will be buying the lightest 3+ level body armor nonceramic I can find. I am still compounding the data over the next two-three weeks and I will buy one then.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rover31
might not be what you are looking for but have you considered maybe a Crye JPC tucked in a normal backpack? Straps are very slim and will fold up nicely and still be quick to get on if an active shooter is in the building. Potential for side plates if you want to go that far.

Would only look tactical when needed and at that point would you honestly be concerned about looks?

Just another potential approach.
 
Yes you have to be very concerned with looks. The first teacher administrators or child that goes out and makes it public a teacher is wearing a bullet proof vest. That would be the last contract she signs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: W54/XM-388
My wife had similar concerns when she was a teacher. I took a regular Tactical Tailor backpack (their everyday one with no webbing/etc.) and put a 12" AR500 target in it. It would stop ANYTHING. It was heavy and there would be spall, etc. but she had some peace of mind. I also threw a few tourniquets and some other first aid items in it. That's probably the most important thing. If she could save her life or childrens lives, that would be the best outcome.
 
  • Like
Reactions: W54/XM-388
Yeah, the school has done a lot and is now keeping a lot of tourniquet on staff. I have a bunch for her and our cars. I was looking into that laser stuff, and now its time to build a hi-end very very powerful one. I am not playing around.
 
and now its time to build a hi-end very very powerful one. I am not playing around.

If you are going to be building your own laser (instead of buying one) for your wife to carry, a couple quick notes:

Build it as close to 550nm as possible

By several pairs of safety glasses that are verified to stop the wavelength of laser diodes you are using.

Never let the laser you build be without at least 1 pair of the safety glasses right beside it.

Make sure your wife trains that she must put on the glasses first before pulling out the laser.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prebanpaul
My wife is a teacher and I am looking for a bulletproof backpack.

A couple of things, I want it to stop up to .223 so I will be putting level 3 plates in it. I have to way, weight vs stopping power. If someone comes in with a 308 a backpack probably won't matter.

I know it may not save her life, I don't need to be fucking told this. She teaches in a high-end school and had an actual active shooter in her school last year.

I am trying to give her the advantage to be able to survive. An advantage, not a 100% guaranteed.

I am looking for a backpack that covers front and back and can be deployed fast. I looked up ARES rad pack but it looks like they are discontinued.

If any of you have a good backpack that is fast deployable I would be thankful for the information. I don't care about the price. She will have it for the next 25 years.

Thanks for any help. I appreciate it.
Forget the backpack. Get her a 9mm.
 
I'm totally out of my depth here, but why not just a level 3 backpack plate and a heavy text book in front of the plate?
 
you may want to look at 3+. Level 3 plates are polymer only and will not stop 62 grain M855 which is more common than many think. RMA makes a 3+ that will stop M855 and is still light. I am waiting for the new NIJ .07 ratings to come out.