HG1 vs. HG2: The New Handgun Soft Armor Ratings Explained

If you’ve started shopping for a concealable vest or concealable body armor lately, you’ve probably run into two unfamiliar labels: HG1 and HG2. These are the new NIJ handgun armor ratings, and the HG1 vs HG2 question is quickly replacing the old “Level II or Level IIIA?” decision soft armor buyers used to make.

The two ratings cover different tiers of handgun protection, and choosing the right one matters more than chasing the highest number. This guide breaks down what each rating stops, how they differ in weight and materials, and how to choose between HG1 and HG2 with confidence.

HG1 & HG2: The New NIJ Handgun Ratings

HG1 and HG2 are the two NIJ 0101.07 handgun levels, the soft armor tier of the standard replacing the decades-old 0101.06 system. Under the old standard, handgun-rated soft armor came in three options: Level IIA, Level II, and Level IIIA. The new NIJ handgun ratings collapse that into two: HG1 and HG2, where “HG” simply stands for handgun.

The change is part of a larger overhaul in NIJ Standard 0101.07, which also renamed rifle protection to the RF1, RF2, and RF3 system. If you want the full picture of how the standard is structured, our breakdown of the NIJ 0101.07 standard walks through every level. For soft armor specifically, HG1 and HG2 are the two names you’ll often see going forward.

What Are the Key Differences Between HG1 & HG2?

The short version: HG2 stops more than HG1. Both handle common handgun rounds, but HG2 is tested against faster and heavier threats, which makes it the more protective of the two. If you’re comparing HG1 vs HG2 for a concealable vest, HG2 is the closer match to what most people already think of as “3A” protection.

When these NIJ handgun protection levels are compared side by side, the HG level differences come down to four things: the test rounds each is rated against, panel weight and thickness, the materials used to build them, and how each maps to the old NIJ designation. The chart below lays those out at a glance, and the sections that follow explain each one in plain terms.

Test Threats Each HG Level Is Rated Against

The specific NIJ 0123.00 handgun threats are what separate the two ratings. The HG1 test rounds are a 9mm full metal jacket and a .357 Magnum jacketed soft point, the same two calibers that defined old Level II, but now fired at higher velocities under the new protocol.

The HG2 test rounds step up to a 9mm FMJ at a still-higher velocity and a .44 Magnum semi-jacketed hollow point, the heaviest common handgun threat in the standard. In practice, that .44 Magnum is the dividing line: clearing it is what earns a panel its HG2 rating.

Weight, Panel Thickness, and Concealability

Because HG2 has to stop more, it uses more material, so in any honest soft armor comparison, the HG2 panel weight runs a little higher and its panels a little thicker than HG1.

The HG1 panel weight advantage is real but small; it’s a difference you notice over a twelve-hour day more than in a quick try-on. For reference, the Kevlar core in our concealable vests carries an areal density of about 1.27 pounds per square foot, which keeps even a IIIA/HG2-class panel light enough to disappear under a button-down.

If maximum concealment and all-day comfort are the priority, the lower HG1 panel weight works in your favor; if you want the extra margin, HG2 costs you very little in bulk.

Materials Used in HG1 and HG2 Soft Armor

Both ratings are built from the same two material families. Aramid panels, the best known being Kevlar soft armor, are woven fibers prized for durability, heat tolerance, and a proven multi-hit track record. UHMWPE soft armor (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, sold under names like Dyneema and Spectra) is a lighter alternative that trades some heat resistance for weight savings.

A rating like HG1 or HG2 describes what a panel stops, not what it’s made of; you’ll find both materials at both levels. Premier builds its concealable armor from Made-in-USA Kevlar, leaning on aramid’s long-haul reliability.

What Is NIJ HG1 Body Armor?

So what is HG1, exactly? HG1 is the entry point for handgun-rated soft armor under NIJ 0101.07, the direct successor to old Level II. An NIJ HG1 vest is designed to stop the most common defensive and street handgun calibers while staying as thin and light as soft armor gets. It’s the rating you’d choose when your main concern is everyday handgun threats and you want armor you’ll actually keep wearing, not a heavier panel that lives in a closet.

Think of HG1 as the sensible floor for handgun protection: real, certified stopping power against the rounds most likely to be pointed at a civilian, with the smallest possible penalty in weight and printing.

Threats HG1 is Rated to Stop

So what does HG1 stop? At its core, HG1 delivers dependable 9mm protection, the single most common handgun cartridge in circulation, along with .357 Magnum protection, covering the revolver rounds many people worry about. That handles the overwhelming majority of civilian handgun encounters.

It’s just as important to be clear about HG1 limitations: it is not rated for the heaviest handgun threats like .44 Magnum, and no soft armor at any handgun level is built to stop rifle rounds.

If your realistic threat model tops out at common pistol calibers, HG1 covers it; if it includes magnum handguns, look at HG2.

Roles That Typically Utilize HG1 Panels

Who wears HG1 armor in the real world? It tends to appeal to people who prioritize comfort and low profile over maximum coverage: commuters and travelers who want quiet everyday protection, private security and event staff on their feet for long shifts, and prepared citizens layering armor into daily life without broadcasting it.

HG1 for security work makes sense wherever mobility and all-day wearability matter more than stopping magnum rounds. It’s also a smart starting layer if you plan to add a rifle plate later; the lighter panel keeps the base system comfortable.

What Is NIJ HG2 Body Armor?

What is HG2? HG2 is the top handgun rating in NIJ 0101.07 and the successor to Level IIIA, the protection level many concealable vests have been built to for years. An NIJ HG2 vest stops everything HG1 does and adds the heavy hitters, most notably the .44 Magnum. For most buyers shopping soft armor today, HG2 handgun protection is the sweet spot: the broadest handgun coverage available in a package thin enough to conceal.

Our concealable armor vest is NIJ Certified to 0101.06 Level IIIA, the current-standard equivalent of HG2, so if you’re shopping that tier right now, it’s already on the shelf under its 0101.06 certification.

The Advantages of HG2 Over HG1

The core advantage in the HG2 vs HG1 matchup is threat coverage. So what does HG2 stop that HG1 doesn’t? The big one is .44 Magnum, along with a faster 9mm, the difference between “most handgun threats” and “essentially all common handgun threats.”

As the top tier soft armor rating, HG2 gives you the widest handgun margin without crossing into hard-plate territory. The cost is modest: a little more thickness and weight.

For many buyers, that small tradeoff is worth knowing an unusually powerful handgun round is still inside the vest’s rated envelope.

Why HG2 Is the Standard for Concealable Vests

There’s a reason IIIA, now HG2, became the default IIIA concealable vest rating: it hits the best balance of coverage and concealability, which is exactly what concealed wear demands.

In practical terms, HG2 is the Level IIIA body armor tier most concealable vests are built to today, the same protection written as Level 3A body armor on older labels. HG2 for civilians means broad handgun protection you can hide under normal clothing, and the same rating is trusted for HG2 for law enforcement; one standard serving both.

Our Discreet Executive Vest shows the appeal: a Level IIIA (HG2-equivalent) package built to vanish under a dress shirt, rated to stop high-velocity 9mm and .44 Magnum. That combination of full coverage and true concealment is why HG2 dominates this category.

What Happened to Level IIA Under 0101.07?

One casualty of the new standard is Level IIA, which is gone. With Level IIA eliminated under 0101.07, there’s no HG rating that corresponds to it.

Why NIJ dropped IIA comes down to redundancy and honesty about real-world use. Level IIA was the lowest handgun rating, tested at reduced velocities, and it added so little real protection that it created a false “budget” tier. With modern materials, manufacturers can hit HG1 at weights that used to require IIA compromises, so the low rung lost its reason to exist.

The takeaway for shoppers: if you see old IIA armor discounted, understand you’re buying the bottom of a standard the NIJ itself retired.

New Test Methods That Apply to Both HG1 and HG2

The rename is the headline, but the more important story is how the armor is tested. The NIJ 0101.07 test methods are meaningfully tougher than the 0101.06 protocols they replace, and they apply to both HG1 and HG2.

Beyond higher threat velocities, the standard adds new shot placements and expands conditioning, the abuse a panel endures (heat, moisture, mechanical wear) before it’s ever shot, so a rating reflects how armor performs after real-world use, not just fresh out of the box. Two changes matter most to soft armor buyers.

The Added 45 Degree Angle Obliquity Shot

The most talked-about addition is the 45 degree shot test. Older protocols focused on rounds striking the panel dead-on; the new soft armor angle test also fires at a 45-degree obliquity, mimicking the reality that bullets rarely arrive perfectly perpendicular.

A related edge of plate shot requirement pushes impacts closer to a panel’s border, where protection has historically been weakest.

Together, these methods make an HG1 or HG2 rating a more honest promise about how armor behaves in a chaotic, real encounter, not just on a square, straight-on range setup.

Updated Female-Fit Soft Armor Testing

The standard also modernized female body armor testing. Earlier protocols largely tested flat panels, which never captured how armor shaped for a woman’s body actually performs. The women’s soft armor NIJ requirements now include test methods for the curved, contoured panels female-specific vests use, a long-overdue acknowledgment that fit and protection are the same conversation.

It’s an area Premier moved on early: our female concealable vest uses a sewn, wire-free ballistic package with a natural curve built in, so protection follows the body instead of fighting it.

Reading Hybrid Labels Like “Level IIIA/HG2” During the Transition

For the next few years, you’ll see hybrid armor labels that list both systems; things like “Level IIIA / HG2” on the same panel. It reflects a transition where 0101.06 certifications are still valid while 0101.07 phases in. Knowing how to read soft armor labels keeps you from overpaying or getting misled. A “IIIA/HG2” tag means the panel meets Level IIIA under the current 0101.06 standard and is built to the HG2 threat profile.

One caution worth repeating: a compliant products list for 0101.07 doesn’t exist yet, so no product can honestly be called “NIJ 0101.07 certified” today. The phrasing you want to see is “NIJ Certified to 0101.06 Level IIIA” and/or “tested to 0101.07 parameters.” If a label claims full .07 certification, be skeptical.

Choosing Between HG1 and HG2 for Your Use Case

So which HG level should I buy? Start with your threat model, not the label. For the HG1 vs HG2 for civilians decision, the honest rule is to match the armor to the threats you’re realistically likely to face, not the most dramatic one you can picture.

Choosing soft armor is a balance of protection, comfort, and how consistently you’ll actually wear it. The best-rated vest in the world protects no one if it’s in a drawer.

To ground the decision in how the rating system works, our guide to understanding body armor ratings is the place to start. The two sections below give you a quick gut-check either way.

When HG1 Is the Right Match

HG1 use cases center on comfort and everyday practicality. If your concern is common handgun threats, you’ll be wearing armor for long stretches, and concealment is non-negotiable, HG1’s lightweight body armor profile is hard to beat. It’s a strong fit for daily commuters, travelers, and anyone who wants meaningful handgun protection they’ll actually keep on all day.

The lighter panel also makes an excellent base layer if you expect to add a rifle plate for higher-threat situations. Choose HG1 when wearability is the deciding factor and your threat model stays in common pistol territory.

When to Upgrade to HG2

HG2 use cases start where the threat picture gets heavier. If magnum handgun rounds are a realistic concern, or you simply want the widest handgun margin soft armor offers, HG2 soft armor is the upgrade, and it costs surprisingly little in comfort.

It’s also the smarter pick if you’re buying one vest to cover the broadest range of situations, since it stops everything HG1 does and more. For most buyers who want a single do-it-all concealable vest and aren’t counting every ounce, HG2 is the confident default.

Upgrade when coverage matters more to you than shaving the last bit of weight.

Pairing HG1 or HG2 Soft Armor with Rifle Plates

Soft armor and rifle plates don’t have to be an either/or; some setups combine them. Running soft armor plus rifle plate coverage gives you handgun protection across the whole panel with rifle-rated defense over your vital zone, which is the logic behind layered body armor.

This is where ICW plates come in: “in conjunction with” plates are designed to be worn with soft armor backing them, letting a thinner, lighter plate reach its rating because the vest is part of the system.

Our Hybrid Concealment Vest is built exactly for this; Level IIIA (HG2-class) soft armor with front and back pockets that accept ICW plates, so you can wear it concealed and up-armor to rifle protection when needed.

Start with the HG1 or HG2 soft armor that fits your daily life, then add plates as your threat model demands.

Shop NIJ HG1 and HG2 Body Armor at Premier Body Armor

Whether you’re weighing HG1 vs HG2 or just choosing a concealable vest, the goal is the same: certified protection you’ll actually wear.

As the NIJ 0101.07 soft armor era phases in, Premier Body Armor’s concealable vests are NIJ Certified to 0101.06 Level IIIA, the current-standard equivalent of HG2. When you’re ready to buy HG2 vests (today, that means our 0101.06 Level IIIA concealable armor), or to compare options as you buy HG1 armor down the line, our concealable lineup is engineered to protect without ever giving you away. Explore it and choose with confidence.