Why the 3810?

The information below is organized to support both individual selection and team procurement decisions. Coverage, weight, and construction trade-offs are explained in operational terms to help professionals make the right call for their mission and their team. For teams navigating a formal procurement process, the plates below are organized to support a tiered selection approach — a baseline option that meets the requirement, a proven recommendation that hits the right balance, and a premium option that represents the best the lineup has to offer, as budgets allow.

Tactical Teams and SWAT Units carry their kit all day. Weight is not a preference. It is a performance variable that compounds over the length of a shift, a callout, or a deployment. The 3810 was built with that reality in mind. At 3.9 lb in the 10×12 shooter cut, it delivers NIJ .06 Certified Level III+ standalone protection on 800 Series advanced composite technology. No soft armor backer required. No ICW dependency. Standalone certified coverage that works with whatever carrier the team is running.

The 3810 covers the core threats Tactical Teams and SWAT Units face first: common 5.56 rounds including M193 and M855/SS109 green tip, and the AK-47 threat family including 7.62×39 M67, M43, and mild steel core. Beyond that baseline, the 3810 adds coverage for the .30 caliber rounds that tactical teams encounter in the field. The 7.62×51 M80 is the NATO .308 ball round in service across military and law enforcement platforms worldwide. The 7.62×63 (30.06 JSP) is one of the most common hunting rounds in North America, present in virtually any rural or suburban environment where a team may operate. For SWAT units executing warrants, responding to barricaded subjects, or working in rural jurisdictions, that coverage is a practical consideration, not a theoretical one.

For units that need the broadest possible coverage including M855A1 enhanced performance, 7.62×39 API, and 7.62x54R LPS, the 3411 is the right call. That plate trades weight for threat coverage and cost, and it is the right answer for specific mission profiles and budget situations.

For units where every ounce is a priority and budget is not the constraint, the 3811 is brand new to the HESCO lineup. It covers the same threat profile as the 3810 at 3.4 lb per plate, half a pound lighter, built on the same 800 Series advanced composite platform. It carries a premium price that reflects its position as the most advanced plate in the Level III+ lightweight lineup. For teams that aspire to the lightest possible certified standalone plate and have the procurement budget to match, the 3811 is where the series goes next. For most SWAT teams and tactical units the 3810 remains the proven, cost-effective choice.

This is the plate Sierra Tac recommends most frequently to SWAT teams and tactical law enforcement units. It has the track record to back it up.

HESCO Level III+ Plates for Tactical Teams and SWAT Units

The plates below represent two approaches to Level III+ standalone protection. The 3612, 3810, and 3811 prioritize lightweight 800/600 Series construction for high-mobility operations. The 3411 trades weight for the broadest threat coverage in the lineup at a lower price point.

Construction and Features

The 3810 is built on HESCO’s 800 Series advanced composite platform, finished with a CORDURA nylon wrap that is water-resistant and built for the daily wear of extended field use. Multi-curve design provides ergonomic fit for longer wear periods without sacrificing coverage.

• 800 Series advanced composite construction
• Multi-curve comfort design for extended wear
• CORDURA nylon wrap, water-resistant and abrasion-resistant
• Polyurethane coated finish
• Precision quality control
• NIJ Level III+, .06 Certified, standalone, no additional backer required
• Compatible with HESCO 3110 Level III+ Side Plates for full torso coverage

Ballistic Performance

All shots tested at maximum velocity. Shot counts reflect NIJ Standard-0101.06 test protocol requirements and represent the standardized certification test, not a limit on the plate’s capability.

10×12 Shooter Cut | XL / Large / Medium SAPI

Small SAPI

Tested and verified to meet or exceed ballistic resistance as specified under NIJ Standard-0101.06 plus Special Threats validated. Download the official HESCO 3810 Tech Sheet.

Sizing

Thickness: 0.98″ | Not sure what size you need? HESCO Armor Fit Guide

Complete Your Protection Zone

The 3810 pairs with HESCO Level III+ side plates for full torso coverage:

• HESCO 3110 Side Plate Set, Level III+ Rifle Rated

About HESCO

HESCO has been manufacturing body armor for military and law enforcement for over 20 years. Every plate is produced at their facility in Aberdeen, Washington and tested to exceed NIJ standards across ballistic, blast, fragmentation, drop impact, vibration, UV, temperature, and chemical resistance.

Administrative

Federal export regulations apply. Sold only to verified purchasers. All armor orders require identity verification and a signed end user affidavit. Read our Armor Orders page before placing your order.