Ukrarmor "Shark" Ukranian Body Armor System

[@S-G-zm3uu]

Ive been looking at plate carriers with all the shit going on down here in texas, i found these on ebay and was skeptical but i might try it out, thanks for the review man

[@gavinaspenson2373]

I just got one of these vests. I use it for airsoft so I didn't spring for the kevlar. I can testify the drag handle is sturdy. I had to be dragged twice behind cover over rocks and thorns and branches. once on level ground and once down hill. I'm 185 lbs and it held up great to my weight the weight of my equipment and the friction from the obstacles on the ground. Its a secure handle in my experience.

[@Joedaniels007]

A few questions. 1)Whats the total weight? 2)Do you also feed the plate from the top? 3)Is it an actual plate pocket or straps holding it in place? 4)Does the plate align with the top edge of the carrier? 5)Is it posible to attach side plate pockets on the inside of the cummerbund like the issued carriers?

[@UncleDon226]

Weighs probably 8-10lbs without hard plates. With steel plates, youre probably looking at around 27lbs, or 20lbs if you have ceramic plates installed. The front and back have dedicated hard armor pockets with straps over the top to retain the plates. The plate does go up to the top of the carrier, just below the throat protector. The side cummerbund does have pockets with included soft armor, but can fit hard plates if you want.

[@abramyucus7237]

Do you think surplus US IOTV soft plates would fit into the carrier? Looking to upgrade from ACU

[@UncleDon226]

IOTV- yes, IBA- probably not. But I would check the date of the surplus soft armor to make sure it isnt expired. No sense putting ineffective armor in a new vest.

[@zeeninetynine]

I am looking to buy a vest for my documentary work in the Ukraine frontline towns and I got an offer of $700 for this one sans the collar, shoulders and the groin flap. I am rather ignorant on the subject despite some reading up, so my question is: how is this better than Israel's $400 Hagor Robo, which is also made with kevlar and class IIIA / STD 0101.06?

[@UncleDon226]

It comes down to how the vest was designed. The Israeli is "slick" and described for use with security, which would imply it is designed to be worn under the clothes. The Ukranian is designed to be worn overtly in more of a "battlefield" environment where you can attach equipment directly to the vest. You can think of the Israeli as being a pistol-threat body armor with the ability to add rifle plates, as opposed to the Ukranian model which was designed primarily around rifle threats. One isn't necessarily better or worse than the other- they both fill certain roles. If you want some simple handgun protection that can be more inconspicuous- similar to what police officers wear, go with the Israeli. If you are worried about more intense threats, go with the Ukranian. Keep in mind, rifle plates are not included, and you will need to buy those from another source. To give you a starting point, there are basically 3 types of protection- bulletproof vests which have good coverage but offer limited protection against higher calibers (usually only level IIIA). Then there are plate carriers, which are more affordable and have protection against more powerful threats (up to level IV)- however they have limited coverage. Or you can combine the two (like the Ukranian) and have the rifle protection at your vitals, and pistol protection everywhere else at the expense of increased cost and weight. TL;DR everything is a tradeoff, and there is no perfect solution. You can only find what suits you best for the situation you expect. If you are doing a documentary in the slums of a big city, IIIA armor will be fine. If you are going to the frontlines of a war, you should absolutely have rifle armor. After all, you are wearing armor because people are shooting at each other, right? Except they aren't using pistols- they are using rifles that will pass right through level IIIA armor like it isn't even there. Neither the Hagor nor the Ukranian armor will stop a rifle shot on it's own, so you will need hard armor plates. Unfortunately, that opens a whole 'nother can of worms like whether to get level 3, level 3+, level 4, ceramic vs steel vs UHWMP, SAPI vs Swimmer's cut etc (I can go into more detail about this if you want). The tricky part will be having enough armor without looking like a combatant, so I would advise against camouflage. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.

[@zeeninetynine]

@@UncleDon226 Thank you so much for taking your time to reply! I live in Dnipro myself and go out regularly, so far I been without vest at all except in Bakhmut where someone lent me one. Mostly the threat isn't that high but when it is, it's the shrapnel not bullets. I would prefer something light but with maximum coverage -- although I guess comfort might be just as important as weight. As much as I gather Robo doesn't have any plates at all, just built in class IIIA protection all around, while Shark has soft plates front and back but still have some protection on the sides as well?

[@zeeninetynine]

@@UncleDon226 Oh, and I am getting the black version.. In many cases Press vest is undesirable while black is more ambiguous.

[@UncleDon226]

@@zeeninetynine If shrapnel is your main concern- either one will work as they both have the same amount of protection (level IIIA on front, back, and sides). If comfort and concealability is more important, then I would recommend the Hagor, since the Ukranian armor is bulky and might draw unwanted attention.

[@zeeninetynine]

@@UncleDon226 Thanks! 🙏

[@BrightEyeSecurity]

I wear a 3x. Since I have to wear a jacket 1/3 of the year, should I get a 5x?

[@UncleDon226]

Yeah, probably.

[@BrightEyeSecurity]

@boatymcboatface3062 Have you had any issues with the carrier? There's zero long term reviews on these. Even the two Ukrainian troops I interviewed have zero experience with it. Seems to used in specialized units only.

[@jefferypeay7493]

I’m looking to buy this it’s $260 without plates

[@nathanroberts3033]

You’ve said that the size came up small. Please may I ask what your height, weight & waist size is? I’m trying to establish whether I should go for Large or XL. I myself am 5’11 (180cm), 85kg, 42” Chest, 34” Waist.

[@UncleDon226]

Sure. I am a 35 waist, 44 chest, 5'11 weighing 180-185lbs. Large fits me, but if I buy another it will be XL so I can wear a sweater underneath when it gets colder. A large will fit you also, but it will be snug. There is a lot of room to tighten it up, but not a lot of room to expand it.

[@gavinaspenson2373]

@@UncleDon226 I ran into a similar issue. I'm very close to your size and got a medium. I wish i got a large. It fits fine, but I would not be able to have any thick clothing underneath for colder weather or anything like that.

[@jonc4050]

Did it come with plates and sprawl cover

[@UncleDon226]

No hard armor or spall covers. Just the shell and 3A ballistic panels.

[@mrdragoonproductionpteltd.7946]

You got ripped off lmao

[@UncleDon226]

Cool man. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion. While there are wish or alibaba vests out there for a more affordable price, $800 for a 3A vest with neck, groin, and arm protection is competitive with other trusted, name brand options.

[@jaymin8928]

He did not it is very fair price.