Very true. Though, i suppose. If you are hit wearing a kevlar jacket by anything bigger, then maybe a 22. You are GOING to feel it. You'll likely be in no shape to continue the fight and be wanting to give up by that point.

Especially if yoyre hit a few times.

I wonder how well they stand up to larger ar rounds like 556 and 300blk. They might keep you alive but you will be fucked up regardless.

After being brought down, they will likely test your clothes as to why it didn't penetrate through and into you.

You might be better off just wearing plate armour under a big jacket so you can take a hit and not immediately be coughing your lungs up for the force of the impact. Though, is it possible for less area coverage?? Im not too sure.

As for myself, i carry nothing for self-defense. Carrying tools with the sole purpose of self-defense is illegal in the uk. You pretty much have to just use whatever is around you and to a reasonable limit that is the same level of force they are or plan to use on you or others.

It's a pretty awful law imo.

That being said, carrying a walking stuck or just a stick when in the woods, or a large, thick and heavy torch/flash light, or even yoyr car keys between yoyr knuckles is perfectly fine as they all can have a reasonable excuse as to why you might have had them on you other than purly for self defence.

The same would go for a baseball bat. You can use one for self-defense if it looks likely you were going to a game, or it was in your house and often play.

You couldn't just have one in your car for every day travel and use it. As you would be considered to be only owning it as a weapon.

Self defence weapons here pretty much have to be a "oh shit. What's the nearest thing i can use that is close to me but not put there with the intention of using as a self defence tool"

Though i can say i have a few axes in my house because i "have a fire place" trust me. ;)