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Gear · Protection
Best armour and helmets
How much damage each helmet and vest lets through, how long it lasts and what it weighs. Lower damage taken is better.
How armour works
How armour works in DayZ
Armour reduces the damage that reaches you. The number in these tables is the share of damage that gets through: a vest at 30% lets through less than a third of a bullet's health damage, a cap at 100% stops nothing. Armour has durability too: every hit wears it down, and a ruined piece no longer protects. Repair helmets with epoxy putty and cloth or leather with a sewing kit.
- Bullet protection is what matters in PvP.
- Melee protection matters against infected and fist fights; cheap helmets like the hockey and skate helmets are good here.
- Weight costs stamina. A plate carrier is 12 kg on its own. Check the weight planner.
Vests
Vests, ranked
| Item | Bullet damage taken | Melee damage taken | Durability | Insulation | Weight | Slots / attachments | Rarity | Found |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPlate Carrier | 30% | 30% | 225 | 80% | 12 kg | 4x Grenades, Pouches, Holster | Very Rare | Military, Military Infected, Underground Bunker |
| ABallistic Vest | 50% | 75% | 170 | 70% | 7 kg | 16 Slots (4x4), 4 x Grenades | common | Civilian, military |
| AStab Vest | 50% | 75% | 105 | 60% | 3.5 kg | Grenade, 4 x Grenades | Rare | Police, Police Infected |
| BChestplate | 55% | 30% | 250 | 30% | 5 kg | — | Rare | Historical |
| DField Vest | 100% | 80% | 120 | 50% | 1.9 kg | 20 Slots (5x4), 4x Grenades | Uncommon | Military, Military Infected |
| DHunter Vest | 100% | 80% | 130 | 100% | 450 g | 16 Slots (4x4), Fishing Hook | Uncommon | Hunting |
| DLeather Vest | 100% | 80% | 200 | 100% | 2.8 kg | 25 Slots (5x5), 2 x Grenades | ||
| DTactical Vest | 100% | 80% | 120 | 75% | 2.4 kg | 20 Slots (5x4), 4x Grenades | Rare | Military |
| DAssault Vest | 100% | 100% | 110 | 10% | 220 g | 16 Slots (4×4), Utility Buttpack, 4 x Grenades | Rare | Military |
| DReflective Vest | 100% | 100% | 50 | 20% | 200 g | — | Common | Town, Village, Storage, Infected |
Helmets
Helmets, ranked
| Item | Bullet damage taken | Melee damage taken | Durability | Insulation | Weight | Slots / attachments | Rarity | Found |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAssault Helmet | 25% | 35% | 100 | 80% | 1.1 kg | Assault Helmet Visor | Rare | Military |
| SBallistic Helmet | 25% | 55% | 75 | 30% | 980 g | — | Uncommon | Military |
| SCamouflage Helmet | 25% | 55% | 75 | 30% | 1 kg | — | Military | |
| SCombat Helmet | 25% | 55% | 85 | 20% | 1.5 kg | — | Uncommon | Military, Military Infected |
| STactical Helmet | 25% | 55% | 80 | 25% | 1.2 kg | Night Vision Goggles, Universal Flashlight | Uncommon | Military |
| AGreat Helm | 50% | 35% | 125 | 30% | 2 kg | — | Rare | Historical |
| AFlight Helmet | 50% | 65% | 75 | 30% | 1.4 kg | — | Rare | Military, Military Infected |
| BNorse Helm | 55% | 55% | 160 | 0% | 2 kg | — | Historical, Hunting | |
| BArmored Hood | 70% | 65% | 220 | 100% | 5.3 kg | — | Crafted | |
| BChainmail Coif | 70% | 65% | 200 | 65% | 5 kg | — | Extremely Rare | Historical |
| BMotorbike Helmet | 75% | 35% | 60 | 70% | 1.2 kg | — | Common | Civilian |
| BFirefighter Helmet | 75% | 55% | 70 | 50% | 870 g | — | Uncommon | Fire Stations |
| BEnduro Helmet | 75% | 65% | 75 | 50% | 1.6 kg | Enduro Helmet Visor, Enduro Helmet Mouthguard | Uncommon | Work, Civilian |
| BWelding Mask | 75% | 65% | 130 | 10% | 2.2 kg | — | Rare | Work |
| CHard Hat | 90% | 65% | 60 | 10% | 470 g | — | Common | Industrial, Industrial Infected |
| CHockey Helmet | 90% | 65% | 130 | 10% | 610 g | — | Uncommon | Civilian |
| CSkate Helmet | 90% | 65% | 120 | 10% | 460 g | — | Uncommon | Civilian |
| CTanker Helmet | 90% | 65% | 60 | 90% | 980 g | — | Rare | Military |
Tier by bullet damage taken: S 30% or less, A up to 50%, B up to 75%, C up to 90%, D more than 90%. Some helmets list body protection; on a helmet only the head value applies.
Our picks
What to wear
Best vest
Plate Carrier: the best bullet protection and grenade pouches, but 12 kg. Add pouches and a holster.
Best everyday vest
Ballistic Vest: 50% bullet damage, 16 slots, common in police and military.
Best helmet
Assault Helmet or Ballistic Helmet: 25% bullet damage; the assault helmet takes a visor.
Best early helmet
Hockey Helmet or Motorbike Helmet: civilian, common, and it stops a lot of infected and melee damage.
Our opinion: on a desert map like Nasdara, a lighter vest with more slots often beats a 12 kg plate carrier, because heat and stamina kill you on long walks.
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best armour in DayZ?
The Plate Carrier gives the most bullet protection of any vest, at the cost of 12 kg of weight. The Ballistic Vest is the common alternative.
What is the best helmet in DayZ?
The Assault Helmet and Ballistic Helmet take the least bullet damage on the head. The Assault Helmet also takes a visor.
Does armour break in DayZ?
Yes. Each hit lowers durability, and a ruined piece stops protecting. Repair it with the matching repair kit.
Where do you find a plate carrier?
Military loot, military infected and underground bunkers. It is very rare.
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Last checked 28 October 2026, against DayZ 1.30 (PC 1.30.164200, console 1.87). Stats from DayZ2.net item pages.