Marine armor
Power armor
Power armor is an advanced armor that can effectively block gunshots, cuts, blunt trauma, or burns.
It provides better protection, especially against blunt, and can block heat damage. It also covers the limbs in addition to the torso.
However, it is much more expensive, needs a long time to make and also needs the Powered Armor research before being available. It also provides a minor movement speed debuff and a work speed penalty of 10%.
Besides this, there is also a helmet variant known as the Power armor helmet.
Comparison
Power armor is a huge step up from the armor vest. It provides much better protection than the vest, and covers more of the body. However, it is much more expensive to make or buy. Power Armor can't be found on enemies, though elite Pirates may still have Power Armor Helmets. Power Armor occupies both the middle and shell layers, while Armor Vests only occupy the middle layer - meaning it can't be worn with tribalwear; whereas overgarments such as Dusters may be worn over the top.
Due to the great cost and the penalties, it is only recommended on your most dedicated fighters.