Test It Yourself
We don’t hide behind lab reports you can’t verify. We test our armor ourselves, and we invite you to do the same.
The Test It Yourself Program is how Silent Valor proves its armor works: by letting customers verify it with their own live-fire testing.
Most armor companies hand you a certificate and ask you to trust it. We’d rather hand you the armor and let you shoot it. If it stops the round, you know. If it doesn’t, we refund you. That’s the deal.
How We Test
We test our armor to NIJ standards: same rounds, same protocols, same pass/fail criteria. Our testing follows the methodology outlined in NIJ Standard 0101.06 and the updated 0101.07 framework.
To be clear: our armor is self-tested, not third-party lab tested. We do not have independent laboratory certification, and we will not claim otherwise. What we do have is a rigorous internal testing process and a program that lets you verify the results yourself.
Testing Specs by Level
The Test It Yourself Program
This is the centerpiece of our transparency approach. The Test It Yourself Program lets customers independently live-fire test their Silent Valor armor using defined testing standards. It’s designed to promote confidence through verification, not marketing claims.
Two Outcomes
Eligibility
- Armor must be purchased directly from Silent Valor
- Only eligible models: Level IIIA, Level III+, Level IV
- Each armor unit may only be submitted once
- Silent Valor reserves the right to deny submissions for suspected abuse or fraud
Live-Fire Testing Standards
Filming Requirements
Your submission must include a clear, continuous, uncut video showing:
- Armor before testing, front and back
- The entire live-fire test
- Post-test condition immediately after firing
Video must clearly display ammunition used, shot placement, and results. Edited, unclear, incomplete, or falsified/AI-generated footage may be rejected at Silent Valor’s sole discretion.
Pass / Fail Criteria
- Fail: Any complete penetration during a compliant test qualifies for a full refund
- Pass: No penetration qualifies for the $500 store credit reward
Submission
Email your test video to ecommerce@silentvalor.com. Submissions are reviewed within 1–2 business days. For large files, use WeTransfer or a similar file-sharing service.
Reward Details
- Refunds are issued only when armor fails during a compliant test
- $500 store credit is awarded for a passing test with usable, unedited footage
- By submitting, the participant grants Silent Valor permission to use footage for marketing purposes
- Store credit is non-transferable, non-redeemable for cash, and may not be combined with other offers
Full program details, testing standards, filming requirements, and terms. PDF download.
Safety & Legal
Live-fire ballistic testing is inherently dangerous. Testing should only be performed by experienced individuals in safe, legal environments that are appropriate for live ammunition.
- Participants are solely responsible for compliance with all firearm laws, range rules, and safe handling practices
- Silent Valor assumes no liability for injuries, deaths, property damage, or losses arising from participation
- All testing is conducted at the participant’s own risk
Additional Terms
- This program may be modified or terminated at any time without notice
- Submission of a test video constitutes acceptance of all program terms
- Silent Valor’s decisions on eligibility, compliance, refunds, and rewards are final
- Abuse or misrepresentation of the program will result in disqualification