Armor

Because only an idiot stands there and takes getting shot.

Even in a world where cybertechnology can make every man-jack a full-metal warrior, armor is still very important in the Time of the Red. The armors described here are, like the weapons above, fairly generic, as they include all kinds of clothing, suit cuts, jumpsuits, miniskirts, and whatever else a well-dressed punk on The Street considers the height of protective fashion. Again, if you really don't know how to rate your new ICONAmerica ensemble, decide what description best fits what it's mostly made of (leather, Kevlar®, plastic plating, or even chain mail) and go from there. Armor must be purchased individually for either the head or body locations. Wearing even a single piece of heavier armor will lower your REF, DEX, and MOVE by the most punishing Armor Penalty of armor you are wearing. You take this penalty only once even though you are likely wearing armor on both your body and head. This penalty can even leave your Character (at a minimum of MOVE 0) completely immobile. SP gained by armor does not "stack;" Only your highest source of SP in a location determines your SP for that location. All your worn armor in a location is ablated (SP lowered by one) simultaneously whenever you take damage. See When Armor Doesn't Cut It on pg. 186.
▶ How to Read the Armor Table ◀
Armor Type: What we generally call it. There are a lot of brands; this is the generic title.
Armor Description: What it looks/wears like. If the armor has any effects or special notes this is where they will be listed.
Stopping Power: How many points of damage from an attack the armor can stop before it reaches your body.
Armor Penalty: How much does the Armor interfere with your ability to move and respond while wearing it.
Cost: What the armor costs in the main currency in Night City, the Eurobuck. The Price Category of the item is listed below its cost. See Buying and Selling here.

Leathers: Thin leather with reinforced pads at shoulders, hips, and gut. Favored by Nomads and other 'punks who ride bikes. This also includes all those road-warrior wannabes wearing open-butt chaps and random sports equipment.
Kevlar®: The favored protection for the past 90 years. To quote DuPont: Kevlar® is a heat-resistant, synthetic, lightweight fiber that delivers high tensile strength that brings improved protection and performance across a range of industries and applications. Like when people are trying to stab or shoot you. Can be made into clothes, vests, jackets, business suits, and even bikinis.
Light Armorjack: A combination of Kevlar® and plastic meshes inserted into the weave of the fabric. Armorjack provides superior protection, especially against high-velocity bullets.
Bodyweight Suit: Skinsuit with impact absorbing, sintered armorgel layered in key body areas. Surprisingly, they are also breathable and quite comfortable. Besides giving you a measure of protection, a Bodyweight Suit also has a place to store your Cyberdeck and supports your Interface Plugs so they stay out of the way while you're busy brain-burning that fool who just dared to pop a Hellhound on you. Many Netrunners wear clothing over their Bodyweight Suits, but plenty don't. It's a matter of personal style. Unlike other armor, a Bodyweight Suit isn't bought in two pieces, and must always be worn on both your body and head location. Each location has its own SP11. When repaired, both pieces are repaired at the same time. You can't wear more than one Bodyweight Suit. Wearing a Bodyweight Suit adds one Hardware only Option Slot to a Cyberdeck connected to it. Hardware installed in the Bodyweight Suit cannot be accessed if the armor isn't worn and can only take up 1 Option Slot.
Medium Armorjack: Heavier Armorjack, with solid plastic plating, reinforced with thicker Kevlar® mesh. Typical Street wear, this combines decent protection with a decent ost.
Heavy Armorjack: The thickest Armorjack, combining denser Kevlar® and a layered mix of plastic and mesh weaves. It stops all but the heaviest attacks, but costs a pretty eb.
Flak: This is the 21st century version of the time-honored flak vest and pants with metal plates designed to provide protection from high explosive weaponry, artillery, grenades, shotguns, and anti-personnel mines. Modern flak will also stop many of the higher caliber rounds from automatic rifles.
Metalgear®: You know how Evil Empire Storm Troopers just seem to stand there and take the hit? Metalgear® is the Dark Future equivalent of that type of armor: solid metal and plastic plates on a mesh body cover. Metalgear® will stop almost anything, but you're going to be easier to hit than a one-legged bantha in a potho race.
Bulletproof Shield: A transparent polycarbonate shield that can protect you in a firefight. See Using a Shield in the Friday Night Firefight Section (pg. 183)