Yeah the level 4 is ceramic which is good I was talking about the steel plates.

Just don't go with steel plates. Too much weight for not enough projection. Plus the spall that comes off it can kill you.

I would buy the ar500 level 4 plates because they are ceramic. I personally just wouldn't buy the steel stuff because it's heavy and bullets fragment to easily.

I travel light with lv 3+ in my front carrier and back pack, my plates are probably expired......weight is everything to a grunt like me, ammo comes 1st..then protection
That sucks for ar500..

Sounds like a good setup.

gotcha ghost.

3+ is what I went with as well.

How many years is the Hesco good for? Body armor isn't something I want to use anytime soon so longer the felf life the better, particularly when as expensive as it is.

Body armor is as complex as car engines, IMO. You need to balance your needs with the pros and cons of what you choose to run.

As far as I know; longer than most. It's sealed in a water-proof sheath.

jeez some of those hesco plates dont even way 6 pounds .-.

weigh*

Yeah they are stupid light.

dude that sounds great for edc

my bag already weighs 30lbs on avg

The large is 5.5 pounds while the same size AR500 is 8.5 pounds so it saves about 3 pounds per plate.

I may be investing in a hesco plate lol.

these look great

Yeah I'm going to get some in the summer after I get a car.

My only problem is I still can't locate the life span listed anywhere for the Hesco.

Should be able to find that. One moment.

the lifespan is typically only for the adhesives right? or does that include any synthetics used?

Looks like 5-7 years david.

That's just the Warranty period, not shelf life.

thanks equal

https://sierratac.com/hesco-200-series-armor-level-iiia-stand-alone-plate-p210/ found one for a 125$

Is the shelf life longer, 5 years is quite short for an investment like that.

tbf, its cheaper than a netflix sub.

Particularly when I'm wanting the 3+

That's just the warranty period the can last longer as long as they stay dry which they should sense there wrapped.

That is a photo of a 3+ wear face from Hesco

I'm in college so long term investment with my limited graduate stipend is important to me.

I feel you bro

about to be in the same boat myself.

They are waterproof so out of all the ceramic plates these would probably last the longest. I understand I am pinching pennies to be able to buy a car in the spring so I can get to work.

https://www.hesco.com/contact/

Give them a call and ask.

I do not see reliable sources about shelf life online.

To my knowledge, at this moment in time, and the best of my research. If you take care if your ceramic plate, they'll last pretty much forever.

It seems to be a CYA against defects or user error past the five years warranty period.

Also @Stargatemaster96 , it seems most level IV plates have a 20 year warranty period.

Additional info that seems to align with most veterans who talk about these things:
https://www.reddit.com/r/tacticalgear/comments/jo5yac/debunking_ceramic_expiration_ranger_body_armor/

Hope that helps...