FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to LOF Defence Systems! We understand that you may have questions regarding our products and services. Here are some frequently asked questions to provide you with the information you need:

1. How can I place an order? You have several options to place an order. You can contact us directly through the Contact Page on our website, send your contact information to our Facebook page, call us at 780-455-3335, or reach out to our authorized dealer in your region. Additionally, you can conveniently place your order through our online store. Please note that lead times may apply, so feel free to contact us for any inquiries regarding lead times before placing your order.

2. Can I become a dealer or distributor? We are actively seeking dealers and distributors in the United States and Europe. If you own or work at a Tactical Store, Gun Store, or Wholesale Distributor, we would like to talk to you. Please get in touch with us so we can discuss if your operation is a good fit to become an exclusive dealer of LOF gear.

3. Why doesn't Standard Issued SBA fit into LOF Defence Carriers? After supplying hundreds of vests to Law Enforcement officers across North America, we discovered fundamental flaws in armour and vest design, cut, and sizing that caused difficulties for officers. Our innovative armour and vest designs address and resolve these issues. If you have SBA from another manufacturer, we can create custom vests to fit your current SBA.

4. What are the issues with common SBA Vests? The main problems reported by Law Enforcement officers include poor fitting armour/carriers, inadequate side armour overlap leaving the torso exposed, discomfort and bunching caused by armour panels meeting the duty belt, carrier system movement around the ears and neck when sitting, and restrictions on reaching forward, affecting driving and weapon use.

5. How did LOF address the issues with SBA Vests? To tackle sizing issues, we increased the available sizes to 26 standard sizes and introduced special sizing options for unique body types. We also developed a Cummerbund system that allows the waistband to be adjusted up, down, forward, and back, enabling the operator to customize the carrier's fit to their unique body type. To address side protection, we elongated the flanks of our armour panels to ensure a minimum 2" overlap from front to back, preventing threats from penetrating the carrier. We incorporated a tapered front panel for optimal abdomen coverage and a shorter back panel to accommodate equipment on the duty belt and prevent riding up in a seated position. For enhanced mobility, we re-engineered the armour shape with a 'shooters cut' to provide officers with better range of motion when firing a weapon, apprehending a suspect, or driving a vehicle.

6. What is Outlast Thermal Management Technology, and will my vest have it? Outlast Thermal Management Technology is a fabric utilized in all our soft body armour vests. It effectively absorbs body heat, cools down, and maintains a constant temperature, significantly improving operator comfort and reducing sweating in hot climates and high-stress situations.

7. What is ACS Technology? ACS Technology, which stands for Adaptive Component Systems, is a design methodology that incorporates features allowing repairs or replacements to be done by the operator without technical expertise. A carrier with ACS Technology includes removable components such as shoulder padding, loop Velcro components like the mission flap and Cummerbund, which can be easily replaced. This design approach extends the lifespan of the vest, reduces the need for expensive repairs, and enhances overall value.

8. Why are LOF Vests more expensive? Our commitment to providing long-lasting, quality tactical gear that solves operational problems requires us to use the highest quality American and Canadian-made materials. Additionally, we manufacture each item to order in our Edmonton facility, allowing us full control over manufacturing quality. We employ time-consuming construction methods that result in superior design and longer-lasting products.

9. What do I need to order armour? Each province and state has different rules governing the purchase of armour. If you possess the proper credentials for your jurisdiction, you can purchase armour.

10. How can I ensure my vest will fit properly? When placing your order, you will need to complete our measuring form. Use a flexible measuring tape and have someone assist you to ensure accurate measurements. This critical step is necessary to ensure your vest fits correctly.
    

11. Why are Custom Patterned Vests more expensive than vests following LOF's Standard Pattern? As we do not have a database of armour sizes from other manufacturers and considering the inconsistent shapes of the same size, we need to custom pattern vests to fit other manufacturers' armour. This process involves tracing the armour panels, transferring the pattern to a digital file, optimizing the file for symmetry and plotting, expanding the pattern for seam allowance, and manually adding and adjusting all pattern accessories, cut lines, markings, and components based on the custom dimensions of each vest. This meticulous and time-consuming process ensures a precise fit for the armour, proper functionality, and eliminates issues such as returns, poor fit, and disappointment.

12. How do I order a Custom LOF vest to fit my issued SBA? To order a Custom vest for your issued SBA, please remove your armour from the carrier and trace the internal armour panels (not the protective or sonobond layer housing the Kevlar layers). Send us the traced pattern, courier your panels for us to trace them ourselves, or visit our location, where we can trace your panels on-site.