Soft armor protects your body from impact. It is known as bullet-resistant vest or ballistic vest. This type of armor helps to absorb impact and prevent penetration into the torso of firearm-fired projectiles and explosion fragmentation. There are two types of ballistic vests: soft armour and hard armor. Each one has different purposes. These types of vests provide protection against shrapnel, and graze wounds.

Soft body armor is made from woven fibers that are sewn into vests or clothing. The most common type of soft armor is Kevlar, a man-made, liquid-crystalline polymer. It is very light and can absorb a great deal of energy. It can also be extremely durable. Vectran is another man-made fiber, with ten times the strength of steel. While this type of protective gear is primarily used by soldiers, it is also useful for civilians.