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HomeVideosSurvival GearThe Guard Dog Body Armor Backpack Plate

The Guard Dog Body Armor Backpack Plate

· March 16th, 2024 · Survival Gear

This video showcases the Guard Dog Body Armor Level 3+ backpack plate and how it slips into a standard laptop backpack for discreet everyday carry. The host covers its UHMWPE construction, size, weight, and how it rides behind a laptop without adding much bulk, while also serving as a protective barrier for both your gear and your body in unexpected situations.

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Video Summary

Read the full transcript

Overview of the Guard Dog backpack plate

The video introduces the Guard Dog Body Armor backpack plate insert, a 4-pound Level 3+ armor plate designed for use in backpacks. It is presented as a simple way to add armor to existing gear, sized and weighted similarly to a laptop so it can ride against the user’s back inside a pack. The plate is rated as Level 3+, meaning it is intended to stop both pistol and rifle calibers, with specific cartridges detailed later in the video. The focus is on discreet integration into everyday carry rather than a dedicated armor carrier.

Dimensions, weight, and backpack fit

The plate is made from what the manufacturer calls UHMWPE, standing for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and is presented as a very solid construction. It measures approximately 10.5 inches wide, 13.5 inches tall, and about 0.8 inches thick, with a weight of 4 pounds. The host demonstrates fitment in a standard Under Armour backpack with a 15-inch laptop sleeve. The plate slides into the same compartment that normally holds a 15-inch laptop, showing that it is relatively compact. It can be kept in the dedicated sleeve or loose in the main compartment, depending on user preference.

Daily use and impact protection

The plate has been carried in a backpack for about two weeks, with a laptop placed directly on top of it inside the sleeve and accessories stacked above. Once inserted, the backpack feels solid but not excessively heavy, as the 4-pound plate does not add a large burden on the shoulders compared to normal contents. An additional benefit noted is protection for items inside the bag: when the backpack is set down on hard surfaces such as a car floor or desk, the armor plate takes the brunt of impacts. This offers some reassurance when carrying an expensive laptop and electronics in everyday environments.

Using the plate for personal protection

Beyond protecting gear, the plate is discussed as a barrier between the wearer and potential threats. Carried in a backpack, it places a bullet-resistant plate between the user’s back and an unexpected attacker if something occurs while walking in a city or other public space. The plate can also be repositioned to the front of the body by holding or wearing the backpack on the chest, effectively acting as a front armor plate when the situation allows. While this may look unusual in normal circumstances, it is presented as a practical option in a critical emergency where having armor on either the front or back could matter.

Durability, casing, and NIJ 3+ rating

The plate is covered in a rugged, waterproof, wear-resistant advanced polymer casing, intended to withstand harsh conditions and protect the internal UHMWPE material from environmental damage. The manufacturer states that the plate carries an NIJ-related Level 3+ rating, referencing the National Institute of Justice protocols and standards. According to the description, this Level 3+ rating exceeds the required performance against M80 ball, while also successfully stopping 7.62x39 and 5.56 rounds under specified conditions. The video emphasizes that these claims come directly from the manufacturer’s information.

Calibers and specific ballistic performance

The video lists the specific handgun and rifle calibers the Guard Dog backpack plate is rated to stop. For handguns, it includes 9mm, .357, .45, .44, and 5.7x28mm. For rifles, it is rated for 5.56x45mm at 55-grain, 7.62x39mm at 123-grain, and 7.62x51mm 149-grain M80 FMJ. These cartridges align with the stated NIJ Level 3+ performance, including exceeding the standard requirement for M80 ball. The host notes that common consensus suggests the plate may perform slightly beyond its listed rating, but this is left to be verified in future testing rather than assumed.

Closing thoughts and future range testing

The video concludes that Guard Dog Body Armor has produced a discreet backpack plate capable of addressing a range of ballistic threats in various high-risk situations while also protecting carried electronics from impacts. The approximate price is mentioned as around two hundred dollars, positioning it as a relatively accessible option for those seeking backpack armor. The host explains that the plate will be taken to the range in a future video to test whether it meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s ballistic claims. Viewers are encouraged to watch for upcoming test footage and to leave reviews or comments about their own experiences with the Guard Dog backpack plate.

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