FAQs
When procuring body armour and tactical equipment, it can be difficult to sift through all the technical and ballistic specifications. We have compiled some answers to help direct you to the right gear for your operations.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to our product experts.
Body Armour FAQs
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Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on who can purchase body armour. When in doubt, check your local laws and regulations to find out if you need a permit. If required, follow the steps to obtain a permit as per your local legislation.
LORICA Equipment will not sell body armour to anyone planning to use it to commit a crime, and will verify the validity and documentation of the purchaser before the sale of any body armour products.
Purchasing Body Armour in Canada
The Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia each control who can legally possess body armour.
Alberta: Alberta Body Armour Control Act
British Columbia: British Columbia Body Armour Control Act
Manitoba: Manitoba Body Armour and Fortified Vehicle Control Act
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Body Armour Control Act
Once you have verified and/or obtained the proper permits in your location, the next step is choosing a carrier based on the threats you are most likely to encounter.
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SBA = Soft Body Armour (soft armour, soft armour panels)
HBA = Hard Body Armour (trauma plates, rifle plates) -
There are two basic kinds of body armour, soft armour and hard armour. Soft body armour consists of flexible panels of ballistic materials; is designed to offer protection against assaults with handguns and is intended to be used for extended daily wear. It can be worn concealed under an officer’s uniform or other clothing or can also be worn over a uniform or clothing in an external carrier.
Hard armour consists of rigid panels, or plates, of ballistic-resistant materials and is designed to offer greater protection against higher threats than soft armour. Hard armour plates are used in tactical armour, which is typically a combination of a hard armour plate and soft armour panels, making it thicker and heavier than soft armour. Tactical armour is not typically worn for extended periods and is normally donned for wear by officers entering high-risk situations.
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LORICA references the NIJ Standard 0101.06 for ballistic protection levels and Standard 0115.00 for stab resistance.
NIJ Standard 0101.06 Protection Levels:
This NIJ document is a handy reference.
- Level II: Tested to stop 9mm and .357 Magnum ammunition fired from short barrel handguns. No rife ammunition protection.
- Level IIIA: Tested to stop .357 SIG and .44 Magnum ammunition fred from longer barrel handguns. No rife ammunition protection.
- Level III: Tested to stop 7.62mm FMJ lead core rife ammunition.
- Level IV: Tested to stop .30cal steel core armor piercing rife ammunition.
NIJ Standard 0115.00 Protection Levels:
LORICA provides three levels of “spike” blade protection:
- Spike Level 1: This armor protects against low energy threats with a strike energy of 24 J (17.7 ft· lbf). The overtest condition for this level is 36 J (26.6 ft· lbf).
- Spike Level 2: This armor protects against medium energy threats with a strike energy of 33 J
(24.3 ft· lbf). The overtest condition for this level is 50 J (36.9 ft· lbf). - Spike Level 3: This armor protects against high energy threats with a strike energy of 43 J (31.7 ft· lbf). The overtest condition for this level is 65 J (47.9 ft· lbf).
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In making the decision on level of protection you require, we recommend that you protect yourself from your own weapon first. In officer involves shootings, there is a high instance of being shot with your own weapon. Secondly, protect yourself from the threats you are confronting while on duty. LORICA does not recommend the use of Type IIA armour as Type II armour provides significantly higher protection at virtually the same weight.
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Trauma plates are ridged plates that are inserted into an internal pocket to provide additional threat protection over the center chest area.
LORCIA’s H3A trauma plates offer stand alone Level IIIA protection as well as multiple special threats. Visit the product page more more information.
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All body armour will degrade over time. How fast your armour degrades, is highly dependent on how it is cared for. It is imperative that you protect your armour from any condition that could reduce its performance including:
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (the sun)
- Prolonged exposure to moisture
- Continuous flexing or folding along the same line
- Exposure to harmful chemicals such as bleach or petroleum based products
- Following the product care instructions will help ensure that your armour will provide you with the stated level of protection for five years.
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We do not recommend using armour past its expiration date. During regular use the materials inside the armour plates or panels can be subjected to various external conditions that can degrade the materials and affect the performance. Therefore, all armour has an expiry date to ensure it performs to its compliant or certified rating.
Ordering & Payment
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Once your account is verified, you can order directly on our website.
You can also place an order by emailing sales@loricaequipment.com or by phone +1-604-392-2295.
Our phone support hours are Monday – Friday 0800-16:30 Pacific (PST).
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In most Canadian Provinces, the sale of body armour is restricted to professional security and law enforcement workers. This also provides us the opportunity to offer customers active duty pricing and more localized support when procuring body armour.
LORICA will not sell body armour to an individual without verifying their lawful eligibility to carry body armour. Please check your local laws and regulations.
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LORICA used UPS and Canada Post depending on the location.
If you are in the BC Lower Mainland Area, we would be excited to meet you! Select LORICA HQ pickup in the shipping options during checkout, and come by our faciality to pick up your order once it’s ready. Please note:
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A representative will reach out by email once your items are ready to pick up. This email is your proof of purchase and is needed for pick-up along with a photo ID.
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Our HQ is open Monday – Friday: 0800 – 16:30 Pacific (PST)
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Yes – we can ship anywhere in the world. Contact us and we will provide you with the best options to get your equipment.
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We implore strict manufacturing processes and procedures to ensure the quality and ballistic performance of our products. Standard lead times are 6-8 weeks at the time of order for carriers with soft armour. In-stock rifle plates can ship within two business days.
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You will receive an email with a tracking number once you items have shipped. For status on manufacturing lead times – please email info@loricaequipment.com.
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All major credit cards are accepted. E-transfers are also accepted. Please call +1-604-392-2295 or email us at sales@loricaequipment.com and we would be happy to assist you with your payment.
Returns & Alterations
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If you need to make any changes to your order, please email us at info@loricaequipment.com or call us at +1-604-392-2295 and we would be happy to assist you with your request. Please note – all sales of custom products are final.
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LORICA offers a 14-day return policy on most items.
Non-refundable items:
- Worn, altered or customer-damaged items
- Hard armour plates
- Ballistic shields
- Special order items
Any item excluding those above may be returned up to 14 days upon you receiving your order. We will not accept returns of special ordered or custom items unless the item is defective or under warranty.
All returns must have an authorization number please call +1-604-392-2295 to receive your Return Authorization. No return items will be accepted without an authorization number.
All returns must have an original sales receipt and all original parts and pieces. No returns will be excepted if any of the above are missing.
All returns must be in original condition and unopened and unused. No returns will be excepted if any product is not in its original condition.
All shipping costs of returning items are at the sole responsibility of the customer and must be sent insured to cover the cost of the item in case of damage during shipping. No COD or uninsured packages will be excepted.
All returns will be credited back to the customer in the same payment method used to originally pay for the item.
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As per our return policy, any item may be returned up to 14 days upon you receiving your order excluding any items that are custom, special orders or final sales.
Custom Armour
LORICA Equipment offers a 60-day custom fit guarantee and will alter your custom armour free of charge providing:
- the carrier is returned within 60 days of the original date of receipt from LORICA, and
- the carrier was manufactured to carry LORICA certified armour panels, and
- the sizing measurements provided were deemed correct at the time of placing the order.
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LORICA offers a two (2) year warranty on materials and workmanship for all its carriers and a warranty period of five (5) years for all armour panels. Please refer to the full warranty documentation included with your product for further details.
Do not attempt to repair your carrier or armour panels yourself as it may affect the ballistic performance of your product. If you observe any damage or potential issues with your vest carrier or armour panels, please contact us immediately.
All repairs outside of the stated warranty period may be subject to additional costs.
Product Development and Custom Solutions
We work closely with agencies to design and develop equipment to fit their requirements. Contact our team of experts to develop your equipment solution.
Contact Us-
Project briefing and needs assessment
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Address current gear challenges
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Specialized component procurement
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Prototyping and field testing