THE MARKET LANDSCAPE
Sourcing armor is still guesswork. It does not have to be.
Buyers piece the market together from spec sheets, certification lists, directories, and email threads, then hope the claims hold. ArmorList replaces that scramble with one sourced, neutral reference across the market.
The benchmark
Common sourcing methods, side by side
The same capabilities, measured across how the market works today versus one reference built for it. This compares methods, not specific vendors.
| Capability | Manufacturer sitesOne brand at a time | Certification listsOfficial, but narrow | General directoriesBroad, but shallow | Manual RFQ & emailHow deals close | ArmorListOne reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-market coverageProducts, companies, and materials together | Not available | Partial or inconsistent | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Full capability |
| Independent verificationNot self-reported by the seller | Not available | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Not available | Partial or inconsistent |
| Live certification statusCurrent NIJ CPL / standard listing | Not available | Full capability | Not available | Not available | Full capability |
| Standards depth & crosswalkMap a threat level across standards | Partial or inconsistent | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Not available | Full capability |
| Side-by-side comparisonLine up models on the same specs | Not available | Not available | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Full capability |
| Materials-level intelligenceThe fibers and ceramics behind products | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Not available | Not available | Full capability |
| Structured procurement workflowRFI, quote, and award in context | Not available | Not available | Partial or inconsistent | Partial or inconsistent | Full capability |
| Continuously updatedKept current as the market changes | Partial or inconsistent | Partial or inconsistent | Partial or inconsistent | Not available | Partial or inconsistent |
Full capability Partial or inconsistent Not available
Where ArmorList is partial today
- Independent verification
- Every company sits on a visible pathway (Listed, Claimed, Verified, Procurement Ready), but few have been verified by our team yet. Each profile says which stage it is at.
- Continuously updated
- The NIJ Compliant Products List is read every night. Other public registries, such as SAM.gov, are being connected.
Illustrative comparison of common sourcing approaches for body armor. Categories describe methods, not named companies.
1,058
Companies indexed
1,324
Products cataloged
543
Materials tracked
41
Standards mapped
Counted live from the published catalog on November 6, 2026.
Stop assembling the market by hand.
Search every product, company, and material in one sourced, neutral reference, free for buyers and agencies.