TacArm is a small company that is lesser known, but has some great ideas. They noticed the problem that the issued vests were generally doing the military right, but many limbs were still being severely wounded due to lack of protection. Due to this, Tacarm's current specialty is extra soft armor protection for your main combat uniform. Although they offer fully modded uniforms for maximum armor holdings, they also offer armor that will fit in your standard uniform as is. I got a hold of the knee pad inserts and have been beating up on them for a little bit.
These can take near any frag that could come one's way or even pistol rounds. The inserts are 5" x 8.0" and are 7.0 ounces for level IIIA or 5.0 ounces for level II. They are simple in shape since made to fit in the ACU knee pad area. They fit the intended kneepad pocket well causing them to stay in place with no flopping about. Luckily other pants have been adding these knee pad areas and I was able to put them in my 5.11 Tactical TDU pants and my ICE-Tac pants. Alternatively they will also fit in the cargo pockets horizontal or vertically. It doesn't matter which way you put them in, the protection will be the same no matter which side is facing out. As straight up knee pads they only offer a little relief from hard blunt forces, so if you plan on banging your knees around you should add in simple thin foam knee pads like 5.11 Tactical offers. First impressions are that the pads are a little stiff, but if your pants and belt are on right, the pads are surprisingly not too noticeable. I've been running around with them so the armor has become more flexible as promised on the site. When doing some actual rucking it is recommended to have socks that come up high enough to meet the pad's bottom. Without the pad some abrasion can start to occur. Since the armor is in the pant and not strapped down to your leg, they aren't too much hotter than no pads at all. While running, the pads started to turn slightly away from my body, but I did not find this to be an issue for impact and would actually be preferred in an IED situation. My feelings so far is that the mobility and comfort price is reasonable for what the pads can offer in a hostile environment. I wouldn't take them up into a mountain patrol, but would be useful in urban patrols and convoy operations. (*NOTE: I perhaps am not qualified for such advice, but those are my thoughts). So the end result, TacArm has a great line of soft armor to allow those in high threat areas to add protection as desired which can easily be put in and out at anytime. I think most will agree a pair of pants that are completely level II rated would not be practical. TacArm's pads offer a nice middle ground in the classic dilemma of armor vs. speed.
<www.tacarm.com>
