Turnout Material Selection Guide

Every turnout composite system is made up of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. Taking the time to understand the importance of each layer and its benefits, is key to keeping your crew safe.

We partner with the leading suppliers to bring you the finest quality materials the industry has to offer.

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Composite Systems

Before choosing which turnout materials make up the right combination for your department's safety, you need to understand how they work together as a composite system.

What is a composite system? All fire suits are made up of 3 layers; the outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. When talking about these 3 fabrics together, we refer to them as a composite system. It is not possible to build safe gear that meets all NFPA requirements without one of these layers. Therefore, it is extremely important that each layer works well together to provide balanced protection.

Outer Shell Moisture Barrier Thermal Liner

Composite systems determine:

How much the overall turnout gear will weigh
How easily your body will be able to self regulate back to a normal temperature
How much heat your turnout gear will endure while protecting you
How much strength it'll take for an object to penetrate through the protective layers
How easily you'll be able to move through a fire scene

Deciding on the right composite system for your fire department begins with determining your needs, then finding a suitable balance.

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Outer Shell

What is an outer shell? The outer shell is the outer most layer of the composite system. It is the layer that displays your patches, reflective materials and pockets.

What is the Importance of an Outer Shell? The main functions of the outer shell include:

Resistance To Flame
Protection From Chemical, Liquid, & Bloodborne Pathogen Resistance
First Defense Against Abrasions & Tearing
Contributes to the overall weight of the garment
Impacts flexibility and breathability

= Non-Fluorinated Fabric

TECGEN71

TECGEN71 is built with a PFAS free water repellent finish.This material is designed to reduce heat stress while offering high performance levels in TPP, breathability, and an overall reduction of composite weight. Twill Weave.

Gold
Black

AGILITY™

A new fabric offering ease of movement with TenCate Enforce Technology. Content - KEVLAR® / NOMEX® / PBO blend. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Light Gold
Dark Gold
Black/Gold

ARMOR™ AP

Lightweight, flexible and strong. Content - 80% NOMEX®/KEVLAR® (40/60) blend spun yarn with 20% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.5oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Gold
Black
Khaki

CHOICE^® ALUMINIZED FABRICS

7.5oz Aluminized Basofil/Para-Aramid.

Aluminized

GEMINI™ XT

Great strength, thermal stability, and superior abrasion resistance. Content - 60% KEVLAR® /40% PBI®. Material Weight - 7.5oz/yd2. Plain weave reinforced with high strength filament.

Gold
Black

KOMBAT™ FLEX

Light yet strong, greater ease of movement and more flexibility. Content - 70% PBI® /KEVLAR® blend spun yarn with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.9oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Gold
Black

NOMEX^® Essential

Proven Economical Protection. Content - 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, 2% Anti-Static blend spun yarn. Material Weight - 7.5 oz/yd2. Plain weave.

Yellow
Tan
Black
White
Red
Navy

PBI MAX^® LP

Lighter, stronger, with enhanced break open protection. Content - 70% PBI® LP/Para-Aramid spun yarns with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 6.0oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Gold
Black

PBI MAX^® 7oz

Extremely flexible, lighter weight, and strong. Content - 70% PBI®/ KEVLAR® blend spun yarn with 30% KEVLAR® filament yarn. Material Weight - 7.0oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Gold
Black

PIONEER™

A new, innovative, lightweight twill weave with TenCate Enforce Technology. Content - KEVLAR®/ NOMEX®. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave.

Gold
Khaki
Yellow
Black
Light Gold

Moisture Barriers

What is a Moisture Barrier? The moisture barrier is the layer of protection found in the middle of the composite system.

What is the Importance of a Moisture Barrier? Although hidden from sight, the moisture barrier contributes to the following turnout properties:

Chemical, Liquid, & Bloodborne Pathogen Resistance
Insulation & Thermal Protection
Overall Weight Of The Garment
Flexibility & Breathability

CROSSTECH^® 3-Layer

Substrate : NOMEX® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check on front, proprietary weave on back)
Membrane: Enhanced bicomponent GORE™ ePTFE film
Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 7 years
CROSSTECH^® BLACK

Substrate : NOMEX® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check)
Membrane: Enhanced bicomponent GORE™ ePTFE film
Total Weight : 4.7 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 5 years
STEDAIR^® 3000

Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven spun lace
Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane
Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 4 years
STEDAIR^® 4000

Substrate : NOMEX® non-woven pajama check
Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane
Total Weight : 5.5 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 5 years
STEDAIR^® GOLD

Substrate : PBI®/NOMEX® blend non-woven spun lace
Film : Bi-component ePTFE membrane
Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2
Supplier Warranty : 7 years

Thermal Liners

What is a Thermal Liner? The thermal liner is the innermost layer of the turnout gear's composite system. It is the layer you see inside the coat as you pull it on.

What is the Importance of a Thermal Liner? The thermal liner plays an important role in:

Moisture Wicking (Removing Sweat Away From The Body)
Breathability (Allowing Heat To Leave The Body & Have Somewhere To Go)
Overall Weight Of The Garment
Flexibility

DEFENDER™ M ELITE NP

Face Cloth : LENZING FR®/Aramid/Nylon blend spun yarn, plain weave. Available in brass.
Batting : 1 layer aramid needle punch
Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd²
GLIDE ICE™ 1-LAYER

Face Cloth : 3.6 oz/yd2 86% Aramid/14% Viscose Twill Weave
Batting : Quilted 1 layer of 2.3oz/yd2 Aramid
Total Weight : 5.9 oz/yd²
GLIDE ICE™ 2-LAYER

Face Cloth : 60% NOMEX® filament yarn with 40% NOMEX®/LENZING FR® blend spun yarn, twill weave
Batting : 2 layers of NOMEX® E89™ spunlace (1 layer each of 2.3 and 1.5 oz/yd2)
Total Weight : 7.4 oz/yd²
GLIDE ICE™ NOMEX^® NANO

Face Cloth : 60% NOMEX® filament yarn with 40% NOMEX®/LENZING FR® blend spun yarn, twill weave
Batting : 2 layers of NOMEX® E89™ spunlace (1 layer each of 2.3 and 1.5 oz/yd²)
Total Weight : 7.4 oz/yd²
Milliken^® ResQ™ CoreCXP™ 2-Layer

Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex®
Batting : 2 layers of spunlace E-89
Total Weight : 7.1 oz/yd²
Milliken^® ResQ™ CoreCXP™ 1-Layer

Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex®
Batting : 1 layer of spunlace E-89
Total Weight : 5.6 oz/yd²
PRISM™ 1-LAYER

Face Cloth : 3.6 oz/yd²68% Aramid/21% FR Viscose/11% Polyamide Dobby Weave

Batting : Quilted 1 layer of 2.3oz/yd² Aramid

Total Weight : 5.9 oz/yd²
Q-8™

Face Cloth : Meta-aramid, FR modacrylic (spun)

Batting : Aramid, FR rayon, needle-punch, non-woven

Total Weight : 8.0 oz/yd²
QUANTUM 3D™ SL2i

Face Cloth : KEVLAR® filament yarn with LENZING FR®/KEVLAR®/Nylon spun yarn, check weave
Batting : NOMEX®/KEVLAR® blend non-woven spunlace (1 layer 2.3 oz/ yd² with waffle design and 1 layer 1.5 oz/yd²)
Total Weight : 7.7 oz/yd²
QUANTUM 4I™ SL2i

Face Cloth : KEVLAR® filament yarn with LENZING FR®/KEVLAR®/Nylon spun fibers, check weave

Batting : Two layers of aperture PBI®G2™ spun lace
Total Weight : 7.0 oz/yd²
TITANIUM™

Face Cloth : Filament Nomex® and COOLDERM™ technology
Batting : 2-layer, spun lace
Total Weight : 7.7 oz/yd2