There are several different types of armor, offering different levels of protection. When you pick up any armor it will add to your armor value until the value reaches the maximum for that type of armor. For example, picking up two Flak Jackets will provide 50 points of protection, but picking up a third will add nothing. If you then pick up a Combat Suit you will have 100 points of armor (but picking up additional Combat Suits will have no effect until your armor is damaged).
