Is Your Backpack Armor Really Concealable?

“Our backpack armor cuts will fit nearly all civilian and military style backpacks on the market allowing a convenient and concealable solution to staying protected.”

AR500 Armor makes backpack armor in both soft and hard variants, in either 9.5″ x 13″ or 11″ x 15″ sizes. It is considered concealable as it is designed to fit entirely within your backpack and the Level III-A soft armor inserts, available in both Rimelig and Hybrid, contain no materials that would be detected by airport scanners. 

Now, while TSA scanners are becoming more sophisticated, currently they still operate as either millimeter wave or backscatter x-rays, both of which require that their energies be reflected back at the scanner from the materials being scanned in order for them to be “detected.” Additionally, unlike medical-grade x-rays they cannot see below the surface of the skin or into those places we all hold dear. In order for an x-ray to do this it has to deliver a more intense (and possible damaging over time) burst of energy, normally defined as ionizing radiation, this is not always good energy. Millimeter-wave scanners use radio waves and thus produce no ionizing radiation, while backscatter x-ray scanners do, in fact, use ionizing radiation in the form of very low-dose x-rays, in the same range as the natural radiation one can expect to receive from an airplane ride of 2-4 hours at altitudes in excess of 8,000′. The easy test is all commercial airliners are preasurized as if you were flying at 8,000′, even if you are above 30’000 feet. So in a pressurized aircraft, 2+ hours flight, you get a low dose.

Currently it is about a 50-50 split among airports as to which one they use, and asking a TSA that specifically may get you some up close and personal time with them.

The bottom line is the soft armor inserts will pass through screening undetected by machinery if they are tucked away in their home in your backpack. Removing the labels would probably be prudent as well. Steel armor, on the other hand, will reflect energies like a champ and again get you significant up close and personal time with government employees should you take them as carry-on luggage and not disclosed their presence to the screeners beforehand. As with all rules and all laws this varies by state, by airport and is ultimately left up to the security personnel at the checkpoint to determine. I have been told both that backpack armor can be carried on-board commercial aircraft and that you would be a fool to even inquire. This is a decision you need to make for yourself.

The Armored Republic recommends you error on the side that gets you the least one-on-one time with government employees.