Armor Express Body Armor & Tactical Carriers: Purpose-Built for Those Who Serve
As your authorized First Tactical gear supplier, Arctos Industries provides direct access to performance-driven uniforms, tactical pants, shirts, boots, gloves, and duty equipment trusted by law enforcement, fire rescue, EMS, and tactical operators. Engineered through real-world field testing, First Tactical products deliver the mobility, durability, and comfort required for long shifts, rapid response, and mission-critical environments.
Brand Overview
Armor Express was founded on a straightforward commitment to build better protection and deliver it faster than anyone else in the industry. Operating from a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Eden, North Carolina and a dedicated Ballistics and Carrier Research and Development center in Michigan, the brand brings industry leading production capability to every order regardless of size. Rather than designing from behind a desk, Armor Express works directly with law enforcement officers, federal agents, and first responders to engineer gear that performs under real-world pressures. This field-driven approach produces carriers, armor, helmets, and shields that balance ballistic performance, thermal comfort, and operational durability in the environments where it matters most.
Arctos Industries provides authorized access to the complete Armor Express portfolio along with technical specifications, agency documentation, and full procurement support. Departments and operators receive mission-ready protection backed by the service and expertise required for professional procurement.

Why Choose Armor Express?
Armor Express builds every product around four priorities that professionals in the field cannot compromise on: weight, mobility, comfort, and performance. The result is a protection ecosystem developed through decades of ballistic manufacturing experience and direct operator collaboration.
AEVent with brrr® Thermal Management Technology
Integrated across flagship carriers including the Hard Core H3, Raven X, and Traverse, AEVent with brrr® technology delivers a Triple Chill Effect that actively cools the skin throughout the entire wear period. For officers and operators working long shifts in demanding environments, this directly supports focus, endurance, and sustained physical performance when it counts most.
Scalable Manufacturing for Any Order Size
From small response teams to department-wide contracts, Armor Express has the infrastructure to deliver. Their Eden, NC production facility handles high-volume output while the Michigan R&D center drives continuous ballistic testing and product development, ensuring consistent quality and reliable timelines at any order scale.
Continuous R&D and End-User Collaboration
Armor Express engineering teams maintain ongoing partnerships with law enforcement, military, fire, and EMS personnel to identify operational challenges and develop targeted solutions. Every product in the lineup is field-validated before it reaches production, resulting in gear that evolves with the demands of the job rather than following industry trends from a distance.
Full-Spectrum Carrier Coverage
Armor Express produces a purpose-built carrier for every operational profile. From low-profile concealable systems for plainclothes personnel to modular tactical platforms for SWAT and federal response teams, the lineup addresses every professional carry requirement. K-9 units and corrections officers each have dedicated carrier solutions designed specifically for their environments.
Mission-Specific Hard Armor, Shields, and Helmets
Beyond carriers, Armor Express delivers a complete hard protection lineup. Rifle-rated ballistic plates, ACH-profile Level IIIA helmets, and the TACS-S1 ballistic shield equip agencies for both daily patrol and high-threat operations. Every product is tested to NIJ standards and built to integrate within the broader Armor Express protection system.
Product Portfolio
Low-profile platforms engineered for discreet ballistic protection with all-day comfort and secure soft armor retention for plainclothes operations.
Upgraded with AEVent brrr® thermal management technology. Optimized for rapid deployment and a professional daily-duty appearance.
Streamlined rifle-rated protection designed for minimal bulk and maximum mobility in fast-moving tactical environments.
A modular heavyweight platform with AEVent brrr® thermal liners and advanced load-routing systems for high-threat scenarios.
Full-coverage ballistic protection for K-9 partners across patrol, detection, and high-risk tactical deployments.
Frontline NIJ-rated hard armor plates built to integrate seamlessly with Armor Express tactical and plate carriers.
Certified protection in a traditional ACH profile. Agency-ready performance built for daily patrol and tactical usage.
A lightweight, tapered shield designed for maneuverability in tight spaces during active shooter response and dynamic entries.
High-performance ballistic inserts featuring proprietary ThorShield® stab and spike protection for correctional environments.
Technical Specifications & Performance Standards
Armor Express products are engineered with advanced ballistic materials, field-tested construction techniques, and operator-driven design standards to deliver dependable protection across every duty environment. Every carrier, plate, helmet, and insert is developed through rigorous ballistic testing and real-world field validation before reaching end users.
Ballistic Materials and NIJ Protection Ratings
Ballistic Materials and NIJ Protection Ratings Soft armor inserts and hard plates are developed and tested to NIJ ballistic standards covering threats from handgun-rated soft armor through rifle-rated Level IV hard plates. The Razor II integrates ThorShield® technology for combined ballistic and edged blade protection, addressing the specific threat profile of corrections and custody environments.
Thermal Management Technology
Thermal Management Technology AEVent brrr® technology delivers a Triple Chill Effect that sustains active skin cooling for the full duration of wear. Carriers equipped with the Quad Ventilation Liner system promote consistent airflow and heat dissipation between the armor panel and the wearer’s body, supporting comfort and stamina across extended operational deployments.
Structural Construction and Durability
Structural Construction and Durability Reinforced drag straps, stress-point stitching, top-loading plate pockets, and adjustable cummerbunds with integrated soft armor pockets maintain structural integrity through heavy daily use, dynamic movement, and repeated donning cycles across the full service life of the carrier.
Ergonomic Fit and Custom Sizing
Ergonomic Fit and Custom Sizing Advanced shoulder pad systems with load-routing channels distribute carrier weight evenly to reduce shift fatigue. Fully adjustable shoulder straps and cummerbunds accommodate a wide range of body types, while custom sizing options allow agencies to order gear fitted to individual officer measurements for improved long-term comfort and ballistic coverage.
Applications & Use Cases
Armor Express protection systems are fielded across public safety, emergency response, and tactical environments where reliable ballistic protection, operational comfort, and mission-specific functionality are essential requirements.
Law Enforcement Patrol and Tactical Units
Soft armor inserts and hard plates are developed and tested to NIJ ballistic standards covering threats from handgun-rated soft armor through rifle-rated Level IV hard plates. The Razor II integrates ThorShield® technology for combined ballistic and edged blade protection, addressing the specific threat profile of corrections and custody environments.
Active Shooter Response
Active Shooter Response The TACS-S1 ballistic shield, tactical carriers, and rifle-rated hard armor provide responding officers with rapid-deployment protection built specifically for confined-space movement and fast-moving active threat environments.
Federal and Military Operations
Federal and Military Operations Armor Express holds GSA contract vehicles and supports federal procurement programs, making their full protection lineup accessible to federal law enforcement agencies and Department of Defense units requiring standardized gear at scale.
Fire, EMS, and Emergency Response
Fire, EMS, and Emergency Response Concealable and outer carrier options provide ballistic protection without restricting the mobility and dexterity required for emergency medical tasks and rescue operations in environments where the risk of ballistic or edged weapon attack is a recognized operational concern.
Corrections and Detention Facilities
Corrections and Detention Facilities Durable outer carriers and Razor II soft armor inserts with ThorShield® edged blade and spike protection address the specific threat profile and confined-space movement requirements of officers working in jail and detention facility environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NIJ protection levels does Armor Express offer?
Armor Express covers NIJ Level IIIA soft armor and helmets, rifle-rated hard plates, and Level IIIA certified shields. Full technical documentation for each product is available through Arctos Industries upon request
Can Armor Express carriers be custom sized for my department?
Yes. Armor Express supports custom-sized orders for agency-wide procurement. Arctos Industries manages the sizing and documentation process to ensure accurate fitting across your full personnel roster.
Does Arctos Industries support bulk or department orders?
Arctos Industries works directly with law enforcement agencies, government departments, and security organizations to manage large-volume Armor Express procurement, compliance documentation, and delivery coordination for any order size.
What is the Armor Express SAVES Program?
The SAVES Program is a documented record of real-world instances where Armor Express products have protected officers in the line of duty. It stands as direct evidence of the life-saving reliability of their ballistic systems in active operational conditions.
Are Armor Express products GSA or contract eligible?
Yes. Armor Express holds GSA contract vehicles and participates in NASPO and other government purchasing programs. Arctos Industries supports agencies procuring gear through existing contract vehicles or direct government sales channels.
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