TFB 1-Year Review: Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plate

Being entrenched in the world of firearms like many of us are, we also look to the fringes of our world to see how else we can remain protected, prepared, and armed with tools for self-defense. A big one that many people will search out are body armor plates. For some, it could be simply for the LOLZ among the bros and for LARP-ing (Live Action Role Playing, but not the Dungeons and Dragons kind). For others, it is a piece of their kit meant for duty use. For the more serious folks in the reading audience, we are going to take a look at the Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates to see how they can serve you for training, duty, and protection. Let’s dive in!

Strike Industries @ TFB:

• TFB Review: Strike Industries Oppressor Lite V2 Muzzle Blast Diverter
• TFB Review: Strike Industries Enhanced P365 Grip Module
• Strike Industries Unveils New Strike Arms SAP-C Glock 19 Frame
• Strike Industries XLogic Warpath and Mini Warpath Compensators

Technical Specs - Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates

The body armor plates that we are going to be looking at here today are something that I have had for roughly 1 year and utilized for a variety of uses. From competitions to weightlifting and simply going for rucks or walks with my family.

The Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates have an MSRP of $279.95 for a set (2 plates total, one for your front and one for your back). These plates are produced by Hyperion and distributed/sold by Strike Industries. All of the important technical specifications for the Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates can be read below as presented by Strike Industries:

• Ballistic Rating: NIJ Standard 0123.00 RF3 (Level IV)
• Weight: 6.51 Lb per Plate
• Size: Width 9.75” | Length 11.75”
• Thickness: 1”
• Armor Cut: Shooters Cut
• Armor Shape: SAPI Style with Single Curve
• Materials: UHMWPE, AI203, and Polyurea
• Back Face Deformation: 

Hyperion Armor states that our total satisfaction with their products is their top priority. To affirm that commitment, Hyperion Armor provides for 30-day returns and exchanges from the date of receipt for your armor plate purchase. Also, they have a Hyperion Armor Warranty that is valid for 5 years. Additionally, they also have a Replacement Guarantee:

“Hyperion Armor is committed to standing by your side in the event of a duty-related or defensive incident. Should your Hyperion Armor plate be compromised during such an event, we will replace it free of charge. To assist with ongoing research and product improvement, an official police report and the affected armor plate will be required. We understand that experiencing a defensive situation can be extremely stressful, and we aim to ease your concerns by ensuring that the replacement of your armor is one less thing you need to worry about.”

A Word from Strike Industries on the Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates

“Introducing the Hyperion Armor RF3 (Level IV) Plate.

To provide unyielding defense for an increasingly unpredictable world, we're now offering this meticulously designed and rigorously tested plate of armor to meet the new NIJ Standard of RF3. Achieving this threat level means that the plate will protect against armor-piercing threats, withstand anything in the RF1 and RF2 categories, as well as .30-06 and 165 grain armor piercing rounds.

The Hyperion Armor RF3/Level IV Plate comes in an olive drab (OD) polyurethane coating which contributes to its durability and aesthetic appeal. This plate's shape and style is modeled after standard SAPI plates (which fit in the most amount of plate carriers and ballistic vests across the market) but has a shooters cut-like curve which provides optimal fit and functionality.”

“Fun fact: SAPI stands for Small Arms Protective Insert. Despite its high ballistic rating, this RF3 plate boasts a manageable weight at 6.51lb per plate. Its dimensions measure out at only 1" thick, Width: 9.75", Length: 11.75".

Hyperion Armor uses cutting edge ballistic materials which help limit the plate to very minimalized backface deformation - further reducing the potential impact on the user. Compared to other Level IV plates on this market, Hyperion is definitely punching above its weight class in price, performance, and weight.

Whether you are a LEO member or civilian, you can trust in affordable and robust protection with the Hyperion Armor RF3 Plate because safety should never be compromised.”

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?

So, what’s the upsell? What’s the metaphorical and literal 30-second elevator pitch? For the Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates, you’re looking at several prominent traits that might tip the scale in favor of Strike Industries and Hyperion as opposed to a competing manufacturer at a similar price-point.

• Tested to Meet NIJ Standard 0101.07 RF3 - This Standard is the Gold Standard
• Standalone Body Armor - Lightweight and Thin Profile compared to Competitors
• Olive Drab (OD) w/ Polyurethane Coating - Special Composite for Absorbing Impact
• Affordable & Effective - Stops up to 3 rounds of .30-06 Sprg AP M2

What’s in the Box?

One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing products and their related accessories is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product to be. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive (which shouldn’t come as a surprise):

• (1) Set of Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates - MSRP $279.95

Field Use - Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates

So, how did the Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates perform out in the field?... Over the past year, I have used these plates a good dozen times in activities that vary from going for a weighted ruck/walk with my 2 corgis, wife, and son to more extreme activities like competing in The Tactical Games events. Throughout all of these uses, I found the plates comfortable, formed/shaped well for someone like me (6’0”, 185 Lb, and athletic build), and the Level IV rating is something I’d absolutely want in the hair-raising event I’d need the plates to stop a bullet.

Weighted Rucks/Walking

A lot of the walks I went on with my family were - unsurprisingly - very casual. So, some things I was watching or looking to notice were chaffing, uncomfortable jostling of the plates in a carrier, or anything like that which could accrue or feel worse over extended periods of time. Throughout my testing of the Hyperion Armor RF3 plates I used a 5.11 Tac Tec Plate Carrier and a carrier from Premier Body Armor. Other than the burden of rucking/walking with weighted plates, I didn’t notice any negative attributes or side effects to using these plates. An extreme example is when I would do weighted walks with a 150 Lb sandbag during events at The Tactical Games.

Competing at The Tactical Games

The most burdensome thing I did while using the Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates this past year was competing in several The Tactical Games events throughout last summer. With your heart rate jacked, muscles firing, wishing you were stronger, and being forced into precarious positions, it is a wonderful “proving ground” for your equipment (plates included).

I never had to go on long runs during these competitions (thank God) where plate jostling is at a maximum, but I did do a lot of short sprints on gun ranges with 30+ Lb of kit, to include a pistol on my hip and a rifle slung across my chest.

With all of the dumb creative movements you end up doing, I never felt uncomfortable wearing these plates. While they are thick - thick enough to provide Level IV protection - they are not so thick that they are cumbersome, difficult to insert into a carrier, or uncomfortable in any way.

Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts of the Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates?... Short of shooting these plates with an M1 Garand or comparable .30-06 Sprg rifle, these plates did everything I asked them to do. They are comfortable, easy to insert/remove from a carrier, and give me all of the resistance plus protection I would be seeking in a Level IV plate. Additionally, the MSRP of $279.95 is very affordable relative to other plates on the market with that type of protective rating. If anyone is in the market for some Level IV plates, I absolutely would recommend these.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Strike Industries and Hyperion for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their new Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think?

Do you believe that the Strike Industries Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates are something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy them for a competition like I did? Workout in them? Leave them in a plate carrier as part of a home self-defense package? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Strike Industries and the new Hyperion Armor RF3 Level IV Plates in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and engagement.