Fair D Canada / Equipment intelligence / 01
Hard armor.
Understand the fit.
A visual guide to plate position, vital-area coverage, SAPI, Shooter and Swimmer cuts, curvature and construction. Understand your fit, then build a compatible system using established plate formats.
01 / Fit landmarks
Place the plate over the chest.
The upper edge is the starting point. A low carrier can leave the upper central chest exposed, even when the plate itself is the right size.
Top: the sternal notch
Locate the hollow between your collarbones at the base of your neck. Position the front plate’s top edge at this landmark, following the manufacturer’s fitting instructions.
Bottom: above the navel
Keep clearance for sitting and bending. Some manufacturers use roughly 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) above the navel as a sizing reference. The correct lower edge depends on your torso and plate geometry.
Width: central chest coverage
Use the nipple-to-nipple chest measurement as a starting reference, then check the exact outline on your body. Confirm arm movement, normal breathing and stable plate placement.
02 / Recognize the difference
Same torso. Different fit.
Correct height
Top edge at the sternal notch; chest coverage maintained.
Too low
The upper central chest is left exposed. Raise the plate bag.
Too long
An oversized plate can press into the abdomen when sitting.
Run a practical fit check
Adjust the carrier with the intended plates installed and with your normal clothing. Stand, sit, bend, breathe deeply and move your arms. Confirm that the plate stays centred, does not drop away from the upper-chest landmark, and does not collide with your duty belt. Use a carrier made for the chosen standard plate format, with enough room for its thickness.
03 / Coverage, clearly explained
Protect the central thorax.
Understand the exposed areas.
A hard plate covers a defined footprint. It does not wrap the whole torso or protect every organ and artery from every angle.
Heart & central lungs
The heart sits between the lungs, with much of it to the wearer’s left. A correctly fitted front plate is intended to cover this central chest region. Portions of the lungs can remain beyond the plate’s sides and shoulder cuts.
Thoracic aorta & branches
The aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta are deep chest structures. The red paths show simplified anatomy. Neck vessels, lateral branches and the abdominal aorta extend outside the front plate footprint.
Front, rear & side protection
Front and rear plates provide separate coverage. Side plates or soft armor can extend coverage when appropriate for the system; their rating and compatibility must be checked separately.
04 / Shape & dimensions
Three cuts. Different priorities.
The shoulder cut controls upper-chest coverage and arm clearance. Width and height describe the plate size.
SAPI cut
Small Arms Protective Insert. A military pattern with angled upper corners and an established size family. Its fuller upper outline balances coverage and mobility and supports consistent fleet sizing.
Shooter cut
Angled shoulders help clear the upper arms and the rifle stock when shouldering a weapon. A common choice for balancing chest coverage with freedom of movement.
Swimmer cut
Deeper shoulder cut-outs provide more room for arm movement, including swimming and other tasks requiring a wide range of motion. That clearance reduces coverage at the upper corners.
Illustrative outlines, shown within the same reference envelope to make the shoulder differences visible. Exact cut angles vary by manufacturer; a cut name does not specify a ballistic rating.
10 × 12 is a common size
Carriers designed for standard commercial 10 × 12 plates generally accommodate 10 × 12 shooter-cut plates too. The shoulder cut does not automatically require a different carrier.
A SAPI Medium is nominally 9.5 × 12.5 inches: a different size family. Some carriers accept both. Unusually thick plates and proprietary dimensions are the main reasons to confirm a specific fit.
| Format | Width × height | Metric, rounded |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial 10 × 12 | 10 × 12 in | 254 × 305 mm |
| SAPI Small | 8.75 × 11.75 in | 222 × 298 mm |
| SAPI Medium | 9.5 × 12.5 in | 241 × 318 mm |
| SAPI Large | 10 × 13.25 in | 254 × 337 mm |
| SAPI Extra Large | 11 × 14 in | 279 × 356 mm |
05 / Curvature
One axis or two.
Read each plate in two directions: left to right across its width, then top to bottom along its height.
Single curve
The plate wraps from left to right around the chest. In a vertical side view, its top-to-bottom profile is straight.
Multi-curve
The plate curves across the chest and also from top to bottom. The second contour follows the torso more closely and can improve contact and comfort.
Separate top and side cross-sections. Curvature is exaggerated for clarity; the exact contour depends on the model. Curvature describes fit, not a protection level.
06 / Inside the plate
Two common constructions.
The outer envelope protects the ballistic core. Inside, a plate may use polyethylene alone or a ceramic strike face with a composite backing.
UHMWPE core
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers are consolidated into a rigid ballistic core. This construction can provide Level III protection for its specified threats without a ceramic layer.
Two functional components are shown: the protective envelope and the ballistic core. The core itself contains many compressed fiber layers.
Ceramic + fiber backing
The ceramic is the strike face, positioned toward the threat under the outer cover. The backing uses UHMWPE, aramid (such as Kevlar®), or a combination, depending on the design.
Common in plates marketed as III+ and in Level IV designs. Ceramic composites can also be Level III or special-threat plates; the rating alone does not identify the materials.
The outer shell
A sealed fabric cover, often with a coating or internal moisture barrier, or a polyurethane coating protects the core from moisture and wear. A fabric label alone does not establish waterproofing: water resistance and immersion limits belong to the complete sealed design.
The cover surrounds the plate; it is not a separate ceramic strike face. Adhesives, foam and other protective layers may also be present.
Three common armor ceramics
Ceramic type, thickness and backing design influence weight, cost and performance. These are alternative ceramic families, not three compulsory stacked layers.
Technical cross-sections, not to scale. Layer counts and thicknesses vary. “III+” is a commercial designation, not a separate NIJ 0101.06 level; use the exact model’s tested threats and configuration.
Standalone
Designed to meet its specified rating without a separate soft-armor backer. Confirm the exact model and test configuration.
In conjunction with
Requires the specified compatible soft-armor backer to achieve the stated rating. A comfort pad is not a substitute.
Weight by size
Compare weight for the same size and configuration. Add front and rear plates, carrier, side armor and carried equipment to assess the real worn load.
Fair D Canada / Institutional procurement
Standard formats.
Procurement at scale.
Fair D Canada specializes in supplying military and institutional programs in volume. We prioritize established plate formats and manufacturers whose production, quality control and delivery planning can support large procurement programs.
More compatible equipment
Common 10 × 12 and SAPI formats support a wider choice of carriers and make replacement, resupply and fleet standardization easier. Proprietary dimensions can tie a program to one equipment ecosystem.
Capacity beyond a sample
We evaluate repeatable production, consistent specifications, traceability and the ability to deliver across several lots. Standard sizing supports a scalable program; production capacity must also be demonstrated.
Thousands of units
For requirements of 10,000, 20,000 or 50,000 units, we work with manufacturers to establish qualified capacity, a size mix and phased delivery schedules for the specific contract.
Specialized designs can serve particular needs. Our sourcing priority is broad compatibility and sustained supply for military-scale programs.
Discuss a volume requirement →07 / Build your system
Explore Fair D Canada armor.
ulLIGHT IV
Compare available cuts, dimensions, weight and the exact product documentation for your armor setup.
View the Fair D Canada plate →M210 & L211
Compare model-specific threat information, plate shape and fit before choosing a configuration.
Explore M210 →Explore L211 →
Vanguard
The Vanguard is a carrier platform, not a ballistic rating. Ask our team about the current 10 × 12 configuration and availability.
Discuss a Vanguard setup →Explore Tatou side plates →
08 / Before ordering
Check the complete configuration.
Standard formats, fit & movement
Select a plate size that fits your torso, then use a carrier for that format. Standard 10 × 12 shooter-cut plates generally fit commercial 10 × 12 plate pockets. Confirm special cases such as proprietary sizes or unusually thick plates, then check stable placement and room to sit, bend and breathe.
Rating, tested threats & certification
Check the exact model, test standard, tested threats and current listing. A family-level claim does not establish certification for every variant. “III+” is a commercial designation rather than a separate NIJ 0101.06 protection level. Follow the specified standalone or ICW configuration.
Care, inspection & warranty
Follow the manufacturer’s inspection and care instructions. After an impact or damage concern, follow its assessment and replacement procedure. Confirm warranty terms and required documentation before procurement.
Original diagrams created for Fair D Canada. Educational schematics, not anatomical scale drawings or guarantees of ballistic coverage. Manufacturer instructions and exact product documentation take priority.
