Thanks to the wipes for not allowing Tarkov gameplay to get boring and set one meta. In this Escape from Tarkov armor guide, we will analyze which armor vest will suit you for this or that stage of the game and why. So, let’s find out what EFT best armor to use in-game.
4.9Tarkov Armor Tier List
Within this tier list, we will examine all available Tarkov best armor in 2025, although we shall discuss further just a few out of these. But before we proceed, we have to clarify first how armor functions in Escape from Tarkov:
There are body parts on which body armor is placed. If you examine the object, you’ll understand what parts are protected by it. Armor type, protection level, maximum durability, and gun fire value are used to calculate the probability of the penetration of bullets into it. The bullets are then fired, and rolling the dice gives information regarding whether they penetrated or not. It doesn’t rely on any angle. Here’s a complete list of the Best Tarkov Armor:
| Tier | Armor Name |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Slick Plate Carrier, HexGrid Armor, Redut-M |
| A-Tier | Trooper Armor, Killa Armor, IOTV Gen4, Thor CRV Vest, HPC Plate Carrier |
| B-Tier | 6B43 Zabralo-Sh, PACA Soft Armor, Zhuk-6a Heavy Armor, TV-110 Wartech |
S-Tier Armor
If you can manage to scrounge up one of these, don’t let it go. In the current meta of Tarkov 1.0, high-end armor works much like a second life bar, rather than just another gear slot. With no insurance and rare trader access, these vests are raid-defining. And with our Tarkov Gear Configurator, you can build your loadouts around any of these tanks and be ready for any raid.
Slick Plate Carrier
Why Slick Plate Carrier is good:
- Class 6 armor with top-tier protection.
- Lightweight with no stamina or speed penalty.
- Unmatched durability and survivability.
The Slick is one of the most iconic vests in Escape from Tarkov, and it’s still the best choice in Tarkov 1.0. You get full frontal and back coverage with Class 6 protection, without sacrificing speed. This armor is light enough to run and gun, and tough enough to tank top-tier ammo. When you can’t rely on insurance or quick rebuy, Slick becomes a rare lifesaver — worth the risk every time.
But Slick is also one of the rarest and most expensive items in the game. No Flea access means you’ll have to unlock Ragman LL4 and trade 3x Trooper, 6x Cordura, and 6x Aramid to get just one.
Slick armor is worth the effort — but you’ll need serious cash to run it regularly. Escape from Tarkov Roubles can make all the difference in the release version of the game.
HexGrid Armor
Why HexGrid Armor is good:
- Class 5 armor with high repairability.
- Very light — only 7.7 kg.
- Low movement and turn penalties.
The HexGrid is a more accessible alternative to the Slick, and it thrives in Escape from Tarkov 1.0. It’s lighter, easier to fix, and still offers excellent protection. You can loot it from raiders or find it in hidden stashes, and unlike Slick, it won’t fall apart after one bad raid. Mobility is top-notch, making it great for flanking, aggressive playstyles, and fast rotations between map zones.
Its only weak spot: it’s Class 5, not Class 6. That means high-pen ammo will punch through more easily. But with how the Tarkov 1.0 economy works right now, it earns its S-tier spot for sheer consistency and value.
Redut-M
Why Redut-M is good:
- Class 5 armor with both thorax and stomach protection.
- Extremely tanky against common ammo.
- Solid choice if found in good condition.
Redut-M is a big, slow tank, but it really works in the Tarkov 1.0 meta if you can get your hands on one in decent condition. It’ll take a lot of damage, so it’s perfect for when you know you’re about to have a lot on your hands. It’s not for running around, but for holding angles. It’s perfect.
It’s not easy to fix; it’s hefty. Broken? It’s likely to be something you’ll want to conceal or replace. Not an investment piece, except for a static role.
A-Tier
These vests are durable, functional, and much more affordable. In Tarkov 1.0, the A-Tier armor lineup represents the most practical Escape from Tarkov armor for mid-game raids: strong enough to survive common calibers, light enough to stay mobile, and accessible even if trader progression or roubles are limited.
Trooper Armor
Why Trooper Armor is good:
- Has level 4 armor with excellent repair attributes.
- Just 7.8kg, highly portable, with comfort.
- One of the best bartering-accessible armors in early wipe.
It is an iconic piece, and its Tarkov version is not bad, either. Chest-based means it’s not covering your stomach, but what it lacks in abdominal defense, it more than makes up for with weight, maneuverability, and ease of repair. It is what you have, given that the availability of better PvP gear out there is less than ideal.
What it’s limited by is that it’s only Class 4 and won’t cover your stomach. That’s something you’ll have to be careful about with positioning. But when you’re running a little low on kit and need something you can rely on, Trooper is always a good option.
Killa Armor
Why Killa Armor is good:
- Class 5 armor with high durability.
- Surprisingly good repair rate for its class.
- Great for soaking up damage in tight spaces.
Killa Armor offers nasty survivability at the cost of mobility. It’s cumbersome, has some visible penalties, but can be a lifesaver when you get into a bad push or 1v2. In fact, it feels almost like a budget Class 6, and in Tarkov 1.0 that’s more than enough when gear is limited and good ammo is not always available.
What holds it back: The movement and turn penalties can make you slow in open spaces. Best used for close-range or indoor combat where survival is important and speed is not as much of an issue.
IOTV Gen4
Why IOTV Gen4 is good:
- Decent protection with better mobility than other full-cover vests.
- Protects both thorax and stomach.
- Solid mid-game option with ergonomic design.
IOTV Gen4 fills the gap between tanky armor and mobile setups. It is balanced and allows you to easily reposition without exhausting all your stamina. This is particularly handy in Customs or Streets of Tarkov maps, where one is constantly rotating or vaulting through obstacles.
What to keep in mind: won’t save you from M995, but it’s resistant to mid-grade rounds, and it’s one of the more comfortable vests to wear for consecutive raids.
Thor CRV Vest
Why the Thor CRV Vest is good:
- 360-degree thorax coverage.
- Ergonomic, durable, and comfortable.
- Repairs better than most high-end vests.
The Thor CRV flies a bit under the radar, but it’s actually one of the most potent body armors in Tarkov 1.0. It boasts full thorax coverage with soft panels and optional hard plates, keeping fragments and mid-tier ammo at bay. The strong repair stats and its overall weight balance make it a very reasonable choice. No huge penalties anywhere, no visibility-affecting features-just pure defense that doesn’t get in the way.
It’s very easy to find, and it keeps you alive longer than most mid-tier vests. A reliable workhorse in the release version of Tarkov.
HPC Plate Carrier
Why HPC is good:
- Lightweight and easy to wear.
- Thorax-only protection, but enough for fast raids.
- Barter available for Roler watches at Ragman LL4.
HPC is a strategic option for fans of speed and stamina over coverage. It will not save your belly, but you’ll be able to sprint halfway across the map and reposition before anyone can catch up. Excellent for solo players and mobility-focused kits.
B-Tier Armor
B-Tier armor in Escape from Tarkov fills a gap between the budget setups and top-tier protection. These vests are situational, being either heavy or wearing out fast, but in Tarkov 1.0, they remain solid picks when found in good condition or during mid-raid emergencies.
6B43 Zabralo-Sh
Why 6B43 Zabralo-Sh is good:
- Class 6 armor with full thorax and head protection.
- Feels like a walking tank in close combat.
- Available via barter from Prapor and Ragman.
The 6B43 is huge in size and protection. You are a mobile bunker when you put it on, and that isn’t always bad. If you are defending or doing PvE runs, the Zabralo can soak an absurd amount of punishment. It’s especially useful in the Tarkov 1.0 meta, where boss encounters are frequent, and you need serious tanking to push through chaotic fights.
What’s holding it back: 20 kg of weight, huge hit to movement speed, and poor ergonomics. Great for holding a room. Terrible for rotating or chasing enemies.
If you don’t want to spend hours unlocking barters for heavy armor like this, Tarkov Leveling can get you there faster, without the stress, grind, or wasted raids.
PACA Soft Armor
Why PACA is good:
- Ultra lightweight and extremely cheap.
- Easy to get early wipe via Ragman barter.
- No penalties — run fast, loot fast.
King of early wipe runs, nothing too fancy, just quick protection against scavs and buckshot. Covers the chest and doesn’t weigh at all. During the opening hours of the wipe-in release Tarkov, it’s often one of your only practical options, and can be bartered from Ragman LL1 for a rather cheap 3 Half-masks.
Zhuk-6a Heavy Armor
Why Zhuk-6a is good:
- Class 6 armor with strong durability.
- Decent protection against most mid-tier ammo.
- Good for “loot and leave” raids where survival is priority.
Zhuk-6a is weird, it is bulky, hard to repair, and still good for Tarkov 1.0 meta when you get it in a decent condition. You can soak a surprising number of hits, especially from SMGs and 5.45 rounds. If your raid plan is to rush in, grab a key item or stash loot and extract out, this armor makes sense — even if you won’t want to wear it twice. What makes it B-tier: it’s nearly impossible to repair properly and is very heavy. After a fight, you’re better off ditching it or selling it if “found in raid.
TV-110 Wartech
Why TV-110 is good:
- Armored rig with great capacity and solid protection.
- Light enough to use mid-wipe without fatigue.
- Good crafting and bartering options are available.
The TV-110 is one of the better armored rigs, especially for hybrid builds. You get decent thorax protection along with 3×1 mag slots and a few 2×2 pockets, which makes it a smart choice for players who want to move light and loot hard. Inventory space is priceless in Tarkov 1.0, and this rig gives you both defense and utility. The weak spots are that it doesn’t protect the stomach and won’t hold up to meta ammo. But for mid-wipe farming or co-op runs, it holds its ground quite well.
Best Armor Vest in Tarkov
There isn’t necessarily one right answer; for most players, though, the Trooper Armor remains the best all-around vest in the Tarkov 1.0 meta. It’s light. It is cheap and a breeze to repair. Unlike heavier sets, it won’t kill your stamina, and it is accessible rather early through barters.
Other players might swear by HexGrid for its mobility or IOTV Gen4 for extra coverage. It’s all about your role, ammo, and map, but when it comes to raw efficiency, Trooper is the leader of the pack this wipe.
Armor Plates System Explained
Patch 0.14 reworked how armor works in Escape from Tarkov; now, armor only protects the exact parts shown on the model. If your vest doesn’t have side coverage, shots to your ribs will go straight to flesh. This means positioning and awareness are more important than ever.
Some vests rely on integrated soft armor, while others rely on interchangeable plates. If you’re wearing a carrier with slots, bullets have to pass through both soft armor and a plate-if there is one installed-which raises survivability. But the reverse is true, too. Without an installed plate in a particular zone, you take full damage.
Another key change: blunt damage no longer applies if a shot misses a plate zone. Armor plates matter more than just durability now. In Tarkov 1.0, knowing your armor zones can literally decide whether you walk away from a fight or get one-tapped the moment you peek around a corner.
Escape from Tarkov Armored Rigs Tier List
So, if you do decide to buy or just wear an armored rig, here is the Tarkov Armored Rigs tier list of the best ones, with an absolute favorite that we will write about next.
| Tier | Armored Rig |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Ars Arma CPC MOD.1, Crye Precision AVS |
| A-Tier | 6B3TM-01M Armored Rig, TV-110 Wartech |
| B-Tier | Wartech TV-104 |
Don’t want to farm gear or rigs for hours? Unlock access to Full Trader Inventories and find the rigs you actually need faster, cleaner, and without the usual grind.
S-Tier Armored Rigs in Escape from Tarkov
S-tier armor rigs in Tarkov 1.0 are the best for experienced players looking to strike a balance between high mobility and survivability in Escape from Tarkov 1.0. Many of these rigs combine soft armor with plate slots, giving you a good deal of leeway when it comes to protection tuning. With well-balanced weight and great hit zone coverage, they are perfect for both PvP fights and long raids, where every bullet counts.
Ars Arma CPC MOD.1
Why CPC MOD.1 is good:
- Protects thorax and sides.
- It uses both soft armor and plates.
- Lightweight for its class.
- Strong durability and clean repair stats.
- Excellent for PvP and aggressive play.
The CPC MOD.1 is one of the most well-rounded armored rigs in Tarkov 1.0, balancing soft armor coverage with the ability to insert plates for more control over durability and hit zones. Side protection is a rare advantage among rigs, and it’s a significant one when you’re taking fire while peeking or strafing.
Movement penalties are really forgiving-you stay mobile, and the rig doesn’t drain stamina nearly as hard as similar armored setups. With that in mind, CPC feels comfortable doing long raids, and it shines while performing aggressive pushes, fast rotations, and close-quarters firefights. This is an S-Tier staple for players who don’t want to compromise between protection and mobility.
Crye Precision AVS
Why AVS is good:
- High-end modular rig with plate compatibility.
- Good protection of the front..
- Plenty of storage: mags, utility, meds.
- Light enough for mobile PvP.
- Works well with different kits and weapon builds.
The AVS is a high-class armored rig designed for players who, above all, want flexibility. Its frontal protection holds up great in mid- to late-game fights, and the modular setup lets you adapt to your playstyle.
Where the AVS really shines is in its storage. It has several mag slots and utility pockets, which enable running meds, nades, and ammo without touching the backpack. That is extremely efficient in those long raids where quick reloads and clean inventory management mean a lot.
A-Tier Armored Rigs in Escape from Tarkov
A-tier rigs in EfT 1.0 boast solid protection and storage without being overly heavy or rare. They’re more accessible compared with S-tier options and can often show up in trades or early loot routes. These are reliable picks for daily raids, considering every single piece of gear needs to pull its weight.
6B3TM-01M Armored Rig
Why 6B3TM-01M is good:
- Protects thorax and stomach.
- Lightweight for its coverage.
- Barterable early at Ragman LL2.
- Great durability for its tier.
- One of the best early-to-mid-wipe rigs.
The 6B3TM-01M is one of the strongest mid-wipe options in Tarkov 1.0 and a workhorse armored rig. It protects both the thorax and stomach, two huge deals when fragmentation, buckshot, and bleeding damage are common. Early access through Ragman LL2 brings its cost down to affordable and sustainable, and it’s reliable in most PvP encounters.
TV-110 Wartech
Why TV-110 is good:
- A hybrid between armor and a full tactical rig.
- Great storage layout.
- Good thorax protection for mid-tier fights.
- Affordable and accessible through trades/crafts.
- Excellent for farming and long raids.
V-110 is one of the most pragmatic armored rigs in Tarkov 1.0, offering an excellent balance between storage and protection. It is ideal for those players who value inventory management during loot-heavy runs. Equipped with multiple mag cells and utility pockets, this will be perfect for Customs, Streets, Shoreline, or any map where you might expect long engagements and loads of loot.
Best Armored Rig in EfT
Right now, the 6B3TM-01M is the best all-around armored rig in Escape from Tarkov. The armor gives protection to the thorax and stomach, has good durability, and doesn’t weigh one down as much as heavier setups. This hits the sweet spot between price, availability, and reliable protection in Tarkov 1.0.
- Why do players still use it deep into the wipe?
- Reasonably lightweight — just 8.2 kg;
- Craftable early: 3 chainlets + 1 antique teapot via Ragman LL2;
- Works well against mid-tier ammo;
- Doesn’t break your bank — great for early and budget raids.
This rig remains popular in the Tarkov community not because it’s flashy, but because it gets the job done.
Armored Rigs Are They Worth It?
Absolutely, in many cases, armored rigs provide more value than body armor. You save space in your backpack, you’ve got protection built in, and some of them even offer better utility layouts. But there are caveats.
Take, for example, the TV-110 Wartech. It’s one of the best hybrid rigs with excellent pocket space-3×1 mag slots + 2×2 loot cell-and only minor movement penalties. Its durability is on point, and quality materials are used in construction, like ceramic plates.
Still, coverage is where rigs fall short. The side zones can be unprotected in many designs, and the frontal plates might be smaller compared to standard body armor.
Tarkov Future Armor Updates
Tarkov has an unexpectedly large catalog of armor that exists in the game’s files but hasn’t been introduced into live raids yet. These models range from additional plate carriers and armored rigs to full-protection military vests that could diversify mid- and late-game loadouts. Although Battlestate Games hasn’t confirmed which of those items will eventually make it to Tarkov 1.0, the presence of so many unused armor assets hints that more protective gear may arrive in future updates.
Along with this, the developers keep working on durability, material behavior, and plate interactions. Without official announcements, even recent patches demonstrate that armor remains an active part of Tarkov’s long-term development. As time goes, players may see new plate types, more modular rigs, and expanded armor tiers that make the system deeper and even more customizable.
Escape from Tarkov Armor FAQ
Not sure which armor to wear in Tarkov 1.0 or how the new armor plate system works after the latest EFT wipe? This quick FAQ answers the most common questions Tarkov players have regarding armor types, protection mechanics, and trader progression in the July 2025 wipe.
What is the Best Body Armor in Escape from Tarkov?
In the release version of Tarkov, the Slick Plate Carrier remains the strongest armor choice, Class 6, ultra-light, and doesn’t drain stamina. But it’s very rare, so your best bet is bartering through Ragman LL4 or looting it from PMCs.
Is Armor Worth Using in Early Escape from Tarkov?
Yeah, even basic armor, such as PACA or Trooper, can save your life early on. You won’t survive high-caliber rounds, but you’ll tank pistol shots and buckshot long enough to extract or fight back.
Which armor in Escape from Tarkov Covers Both Chest and Stomach?
Armors like IOTV Gen4, Redut-M, and Zhuk-6a cover both the thorax and stomach. That makes them great for survivability, especially against fragmentation or bleed-heavy ammo.
What’s the Best Lightweight PvP Armor in Escape from Tarkov?
The HexGrid Armor is your go-to pick. Light, Class 5, and easy to repair, you’ll keep your mobility while still surviving mid-tier rounds like M855A1 and BT.
How Do I Repair Armor in Escape from Tarkov?
Use the armor repair kits from the Hideout or the traders, such as Prapor or Mechanic, who also offer repair services. Note: some materials (such as ceramic) suffer maximum durability losses rather quickly after every repair.
Can You Use Armored Rigs Instead of Vests in Escape from Tarkov?
Yes, rigs like the TV-110 Wartech combine storage and protection. They’re great if you want to save space or run light. Just be sure you’re not giving up stomach coverage if that’s critical for your build.
How Do I Unlock Better Armor in Escape from Tarkov?
You’ll need higher levels of loyalty with Ragman. The fastest way to do that is by increasing PMC level and quest progress. Or use our Tarkov Leveling service to get there quicker.
Does Armor Still Protect in Escape from Tarkov if It’s at 0 Durability?
No, once it reaches 0, it stops providing any damage reduction. Besides, it takes more stamina to wear broken armor, too. You are better off dropping it if you can.
In Escape from Tarkov What’s Better: Class 5 with Coverage or Class 6 with a Limited Area?
It depends on your playstyle. Class 6, like Slick, gives the best frontal protection, but vests like Redut-M cover more zones. In Tarkov 1.0, extra coverage often wins due to unpredictable damage angles.
4.9That’s all the information you need on the best body armor in the game, and a bit on the worst. We’ve tried to uncover all about the effectiveness of body armor in Tarkov, as well as explain the new armor plates system, and provide some additional armor info, like chest rigs. Save this tier list and share this information with your friends! Good luck on the battlefields, and we’ll see you around!
