Titan Depot's stab proof vests and stab resistant body armour are trusted by security professionals, door supervisors, NHS staff, social workers, and lone workers throughout the UK. Our stab vests meet UK Home Office KR1 and KR2 knife resistance standards and are available in both overt and covert styles, with fast UK despatch.
Frequently Asked Questions — Stab Proof Vests UK
What does a stab proof vest actually protect against?
A stab proof vest — also called a stab resistant vest or anti-stab vest — is engineered to resist penetration from knife blades and sharp spikes. The protection comes from tightly woven chainmail, Kevlar, or Dyneema panels that absorb and distribute the force of a stabbing or slashing attack. They do not protect against firearms. UK-rated stab vests are tested to Home Office standards KR1 (lower knife threat) and KR2 (higher knife threat), with some also carrying spike protection ratings SP1.
Is it legal to own a stab proof vest in the UK?
Yes. Purchasing and wearing a stab proof vest is entirely legal in the UK for law-abiding citizens. No licence is needed. The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 makes it an offence for a convicted criminal to have body armour in a public place without good reason, but for the overwhelming majority of buyers — security staff, NHS workers, delivery drivers, retail staff — ownership and use is completely lawful.
What is the difference between KR1 and KR2 stab proof vests?
KR1 and KR2 are UK Home Office knife resistance ratings. KR1 offers protection against lower-energy knife threats (equivalent to a single-handed stabbing attack). KR2 protects against higher-energy attacks (equivalent to a two-handed downward strike). For most professional security and lone worker applications, KR2 is the recommended minimum. Both ratings are tested at multiple blade drop-weights to simulate real attack forces.
Can a stab proof vest be worn under clothes?
Yes. Our covert stab vests are specifically designed to be invisible under a work shirt, uniform, or everyday clothing. They are slim-profile (typically 4–6 mm), fitted with sweat-wicking comfort covers, and adjusted with hook-and-loop side straps. Covert vests are popular with NHS staff, social workers, probation officers, door supervisors working in plain clothes, and anyone needing discreet protection.
Do stab proof vests expire?
Yes. Stab proof vests carry a manufacturer-rated service life, typically 5 years from date of manufacture. The high-tensile fibres used in stab-resistant panels (Kevlar, Dyneema) can degrade with UV exposure, moisture, and repeated compression. Always check the manufacture date on the label and replace the vest when the rated service life expires, or if the vest has been subjected to an attack or significant impact.
Who needs to wear a stab proof vest?
Stab proof vests are used by: security guards and door supervisors, NHS A&E staff and mental health workers, police and prison officers, lone workers in high-risk environments, cash-in-transit couriers, social workers, probation and enforcement officers, and members of the public working or living in areas with elevated knife crime risk. Titan Depot also supplies stab vests to retail and hospitality workers following rising incidents of knife-enabled robbery in those sectors.
