Abstract: A ballistic vest includes a carrier and at least two ballistic panels supported in the carrier, including a front ballistic panel and a back ballistic panel. The carrier is made from at least two layers of material including an outer layer and an inner layer that are joined to each other at the top and bottom of the vest and that are substantially open at the sides. The carrier has portions defining a left armhole and a right armhole. The two carrier layers define between them a panel space in the carrier. An upper part of the panel space is located above the bottom of the left and right armholes and a lower part of the panel space is located below the bottom of the left and right armholes. The front panel has an upper section that is positioned in the upper part of the panel space, the carrier substantially constraining lateral movement of the front panel upper section within the panel space.