The present invention provides an improved composite which comprises one or more layers, at least one of said layers comprising network of high strength filaments having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier, a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 joules/gram in a matrix material, the ratio of the thickness of said layer to the equivalent diameter of said filaments is equal to or less than about 12.8, and complex composite articles formed from said composite.