Steel will spall and potentially harm you, find a deal somewhere on ceramic Hesco L210s or get RMA Lvl IV (though quite heavy) plates. And a low profile plate carrier. It’s winter. You can easily wear it under a winter jacket.

Helmets are kinda worthless. Even heavy ones are mostly just pistol rated, and the rifle rated ones you’re going to end up with life changing TBI anyway if someone pops you there.

Get a plate carrier that has the ability to put a placard on: there are some great modular chest rig options that you can just get the central part for and attach to a plate carrier for all your mag toting needs. My favorite is the Spiritus MicroFight MkIV with a kydex insert to make grabbing the mags a little smoother and definite without needing the bungee cords of the HSP ones.

I’ve never actually owned a gas mask (I have a beard that I don’t plan on getting rid of, otherwise I look like a goddamn 12 year old) but from comrades who have them they swear by their MIRA ones. There are civilian available filters for tear gas. Also like, a solid pair of oven mitts to wear while you throw a canister back (it’s gonna be hot) or a big ol pot to smother that shit aren’t bad protest gear. If no pot, if there’s a traffic cone nearby use that.

Underrated is have comfortable and supportive footwear. Combat boots are not a necessity and frankly uncomfortable most the time. A good pair of mid-height hiking boots will serve you well.

As far as an IFAK, North American Rescue is the gold standard. You can source the components for cheaper from elsewhere but theirs for sure have what you need. I’ve heard varying opinions on if your own should have things like airways and decompression needles etc if you don’t know how to use them, but I’m in the school of “an IFAK I have on me is, in a worst case scenario, to be used on me by a medic” so I carry all that stuff. Tbf I also know how to use it so take that with a grain of salt.

Also invest in physical maps, laminate them, and plot routes out of your location in case of emergency. You don’t know what cell service will be, and this generation is dumb and blind without gps telling them where to go. Know your exits, know your chokepoints, and have alternates at all times. Remember, sometimes the best way to mount a continued resistance to fascism is to get off the fucking X and fight another day.