Materials Selection Guide

Armor AP™


For the last two decades, fire departments choosing outer shells made of 40% DuPont™ Nomex®/60% DuPont™ Kevlar® have been limited to stiff and uncomfortable gear... until now.

Utilizing the groundbreaking Filament Twill Technology™ used in PBI Max™, Safety Components is launching Armor AP™ to fill the needs of firefighters who prefer improved mobility, improved durability, and improved protection at an economical price. Armor AP—a 6.5 oz. outer shell with absolute performance.

Armor AP™ Product Information

Armor AP™ Product Specifications

Blend

20%Kevlar®

80%Nomex®/Kevlar® blend

Weight: 6.5oz per square yard

Color: Gold, Khaki, or Black

Attributes:
✓ Excellent thermal stability
✓ Excellent tensile and tear strength
✓ Excellent abrasion resistance
✓ DuPont™ Teflon® F-PPE water repellent finish

Pioneer™

TenCate

Pioneer™ was the first outer shell from TenCate Protective Fabrics that featured ENFORCE™ Technology. A more economical option, Pioneer™ is an outer shell that delivers enhanced strength in a lightweight outer shell. A highly engineered, innovative twill weave ensures a good range and ease of motion that firefighters need on the job. Pioneer™ is designed to be 10 percent lighter than comparable outer shells while still delivering the strength and durability that firefighters have come to expect from TenCate.

Pioneer™ Product Information

Pioneer™ Product Specifications

Blend

40%Kevlar®

60%Nomex®

Weight: 6.6oz per square yard

Color: Gold, Khaki, or Black

Attributes:
✓ Good TPP Values
✓ Good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Good thermal protection
✓ Super Shellite FreeFAS finish

Pioneer GoldPioneer KhakiPioneer Black

Flex7®


Powered by PBI® fibers, and built with ENFORCE™ Technology, Flex7™ delivers the thermal stability and abrasion resistance modern firefighters need to stay safe and confident on the job — all constructed in a revolutionary flex twill weave that delivers an incredible feel, right out of the bag.

Like a trusted turnout jacket you’ve had for years — Flex7™ boasts a perfectly broken in feel on the very first wear — flexible, smooth, and supremely comfortable, yet brand new and packed with next-generation fire protection technology.

Flex7® Product Information

Blend

30%Kevlar®

70%PBI™

Weight: 6.9oz per square yard

Colors: Natural, Black

Attributes:
✓ High tensile and trap tear strength
✓ Excellent durability
✓ Retains best-in-class appearance and stays soft after repeated launderings
✓ Soft hand and flexability for ease of movement

PBI Max™

Safety Components
Safety Components is proud to introduce the number one selling PBI outershell in the world: PBI Max™. The PBI Max patented design offers firefighters a superior combination of break open and thermal protection, the strongest outer shell fabric in the world, and the most flexible and comfortable outer shell fabric the fire service has ever seen. PBI Max outer shell delivers triple-threat performance—unmatched protection, unmatched durability, and unmatched comfort.

PBI Max™ Product Information

PBI Max™ Product Specifications

Blend

30%Kevlar® Filament

70%PBI/Kevlar®

Weight: 7oz per square yard

Color: Gold and Black

Attributes:
✓ Maximum Protection – Durability and Comfort
✓ Lighter Weight
✓ 5X Stronger for Maximum Durability
✓ More Flexible for Maximum Comfort
✓ Superior thermal stability
✓ Superior tensile and tear strengths
✓ Superior abrasion resistance
✓ DuPont™ Teflon® F-PPE water repellent finish

PBI® XT (formerly GEMINI™ XT)

Proven Performance: PBI XT (formerly known as Gemini XT) features a patented high-tech grid of composite filament and spun yarns that provides strength, reduces abrasion, and eliminates puckering. High Flame Resistance: The optimal mix of PBI® and Kevlar® provides superior thermal and flame resistance. Combined with high strength, this offers firefighters the greatest insurance in a worst-case scenario. Durable: Superior abrasion resistance at 4000 cycles. Thermal Stability: Strong and flexible before and after thermal exposure.

PBI® XT Product Information

Blend

60%Kevlar®

40%PBI™

Weight: 7.5oz per square yard

Colors: Gold, Black

Attributes:

✓ Superior thermal stability
✓ Excellent tensile and tear strengths
✓ Excellent abrasion resistance
✓ Piece Dyed
✓ Durable water repellent SST finish

Horizon®


Firefighter health and safety are at the forefront of all Milliken Fire Service fabric development. That’s why we designed a lightweight outer shell to protect heroes for years to come. Powered by ColorSeal™ Technology, Milliken Horizon™ retains appearance and strength through repeated launderings and UV exposure, providing department uniformity and professionalism other fabrics can’t deliver.

Horizon™ Product Information

Horizon™ Product Specification

Blend

50%Nomex®

48%Kevlar®

2%Anti-static blend

Weight: 6.8oz per square yard

Colors: Gold and Black

Attributes:  
✓ Unmatched colorfastness
✓ Superior UV lightfastness
✓ Black & Gold fabric readily available
✓ Non-PFAS DWR finish
✓ Producer dyed fibers to reduce water & chemical consuption

Designed with ColorSeal™ Technology, this outer shell retains appearance and strength through 50 washes and 120 hours of UV exposure.

AGILITY™

The new AGILITY™ KEVLAR®/NOMEX®/PBO blend outer shell provides a step up in performance from the ULTRA™ outer shell due to the innovative ENFORCE™ Technology, while being lighter and more flexible. Made with ENFORCE® technology and weighing only 6.6 ounces per square yard, Agility® offers a blend of strength and protection to weight ratio. Agility® is engineered with unique, thermally protective fibers for added protection against thermal exposure. 

AGILITY® Product Information

Blend

40%Kevlar®

40%Nomex®

20%PBO

Weight: 6.6oz per square yard

Color: Gold

Attributes:
✓ Maximum protection in a lightweight fabric
✓ Excellent strength after thermal exposure
✓ Less weight and less heat stress

BRIGADE™ 750 Nomex® IIIA


Brigade™ 750 is a lightweight, breathable fabric made from Dupont® Nomex fiber with unsurpassed flame resistance and durability. 

Brigade™ 750 Product Information

Blend

93%Nomex®

5%Kevlar®

2%Anti-Static

Weight: 7.5oz per square yard

Colors: Yellow, Tan, Black, Natural (White)

Attributes:
✓ Basic thermal stability
✓ Very good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Good abrasion resistance
✓ Stay Dry Plus® superior water repellent finish

SynergyPRO® 750 Nomex®


SynergyPRO® is a lightweight, breathable fabric made from Dupont® Nomex fiber with unsurpassed flame resistance and durability. 

Excellent Performance Characteristics:

-Breathability

-Moisture Wicking

-Color Consistency

Blend

93%Nomex®

5%Kevlar®

2%Anti-Static

Weight: 6oz per square yard

Colors: Yellow, Tan, Black, Natural (White)

Attributes:
✓ Basic thermal stability
✓ Very good tensile and tear strengths
✓ Good abrasion resistance
✓ Stay Dry Plus® superior water repellent finish

ResQCore™ CXP


This lightweight, quilted thermal liner from Milliken pairs well with outer shell fabrics and moisture barrier substrates for comfortable, complete and reliable turnout gear. Milliken has been a key partner and supplier of high-performance textiles to every branch of the U.S. Military since World War II. Engineered to protect against intense fire threats—from combat to burning buildings—our ResQ products are the ideal choice for first responders who demand unyielding quality and reliability in primary thermal hazard protection.

Face Cloth: 100% Spun Nomex® 

Batting : 2 layer spunlace E-89

Weight : 7.1oz per square yard

Titanium™ SL2


Titanium™ is the next level in thermal liner technology from TenCate Protective Fabrics. A specially engineered face cloth delivers sustained performance and lubricity that stands up to repeated launderings for a better look and feel over time. The face cloth not only looks and feels great, but it will stay slicker longer and slide on and off easily for faster response times. Pairing the newly designed face cloth with a two-layer, Spun Lace batting means the same thermal protection you’ve come to expect from TenCate Protective Fabrics.

Features:

  • Dry, Cool, Comfortable: Integrated wicking COOLDERM™ Technology offers enhanced moisture management to promote body temperature regulation and breathability

  • Speed: A redesigned face cloth for better-sustained, long-lasting slickness that slides on and off quickly and effortlessly

  • Endurance: Increased fabric durability stands up to repeated launderings, resists pilling and stays slick longer


Titanium™ Product Information

Composition: Aramid, FR Rayon, Nylon

Construction: Woven Facecloth Quilted to Non-Woven Batting

Face Cloth : Filament Nomex® and COOLDERM™

Batting : 2-layer spun lace

Weight : 7.7ounces per square yard

Glide Ice™


What sets Glide Ice apart is the DuPont™ Nomex® filament; specifically, the face cloth’s design and balanced construction of 60% DuPont™ Nomex® filament yarns and 40% DuPont™ Nomex®/Lenzing FR® spun yarns. This patented construction creates a fabric that combines ultimate comfort, unparalleled freedom of movement and optimal moisture management.

Glide Ice™ with DuPont™ Nomex® filament thermal liner shall be “Glide Ice” face cloth designed in a lightweight, 3.6 oz. twill weave. Thermal liner shall be constructed with 60% DuPont™ Nomex® filament and 40% DuPont™ Nomex®/Lenzing FR® spun yarns. 

 

Glide Ice™ Product Information

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)

Weight: 7.4oz per square yard

Color: Silver


Defender® M SL2


No matter where the line is drawn, Defender® M SL2 can take the heat. There’s always action on the front line. Sometimes, the front lines are closer than you think. Making use of the FR technology and engineering that goes into textiles that protect American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, TenCate Protective Fabrics offers firefighters the same protection in an advanced thermal liner.

Defender® M SL2 with COOLDERM™ Technology delivers a thermal liner that firefighters can be proud to wear. A combination of two layers of spun-lace batting makes this thermal liner lightweight and easy to wear.

Providing a better range of movement and an excellent balance of TPP and THL performance, Defender® M SL2 features a facecloth with COOLDERM™ Technology that pulls moisture away from the skin for quick drying. Available in Brass and Camouflage facecloths, Defender® M SL2 can give an ensemble a unique appearance as well as long-lasting thermal protection.

Defender® M SL2 Product Information

 

Composition: Lenzing™ FR Rayon, Aramid, Nylon

Construction: Woven Facecloth Quilted to Non-Woven Batting Face Cloth: Plain weave Lenzing FR Rayon, para-aramid, Nylon spun yarn

Weight: 7.8oz per square yard

Color: Camo, Brass

Attributes:
✓ Good balance of TPP/THL for excellent thermal protection and greater heat stress relief
✓ Improved flexibility offers greater ease of movement

OMNI SYNERGY® 2-layer

A Norfab high performance thermal liner constructed of three fabric layers quilted in a 2 inch diamond pattern with natural Nomex® thread. The first layer is a blue dyed woven Nomex® fabric.  The second and third layers are a spunlace fabric composed of Melamine and aramid fibers. This quilted fabric has been tested and meets the requirements of NFPA 1971-2018.
Face Cloth: Calendared Nomex® fabric (for improved slide/comfort)

Batting: 2 layers of Basofil®/Nomex® blend spunlace

Weight: 7.1oz per square yard

Color: Blue

Attributes:
✓ Lightweight and flexible
✓ Quick drying

DEFENDER® M NP


Combining the superior moisture management and comfort of the DEFENDER® M face cloth with the proven protection and value of a single layer KEVLAR®/NOMEX® needle punch blend batting, this new offering makes older technology thermal liners like ARALITE® series obsolete.

Defender® M NP Product Information

Face Cloth: LENZING FR®/Para-aramid/Nylon blend spun yarn, plain weave

Batting: 1 layer aramid needle punch

Weight: 7.0oz per square yard

Color: Brass

Attributes:
✓ Proven comfort and moisture wicking of DEFENDER® M face cloth
✓ Proven protection and value of KEVLAR®/NOMEX® batting
✓ New technology in superior moisture and thermal management

Glide Ice™ Nomex® Nano


What sets Glide Ice™ apart is the DuPont™ Nomex® filament; specifically, the face cloth’s design and balanced construction of 60% DuPont™ Nomex® filament yarns and 40% DuPont™ Nomex®/Lenzing FR® spun yarns. This patented construction creates a fabric that combines ultimate comfort, unparalleled freedom of movement and optimal moisture management.

Glide Ice™ Nomex® Nano Product Information

Face Cloth: Glide Ice quilted to 1 layer of 0.6 oz./yd2 Nomex® Nano

Batting: 2.3 oz./yd2 DuPont™ Nomex® E89™ spunlace

Weight: 6.5oz per square yard

Color: Silver

Attributes:
✓ Good balance of TPP/THL for excellent thermal protection and greater heat stress relief
✓ Improved flexibility offers greater ease of movement

Caldura® Elite NOMEX Nano SL2


Premium, Lightweight Performance

Lighter Weight Design: Weighing in at only 6.7 ounces, Caldura® Nano delivers a lightweight design with excellent thermal protection.

Quick Donning and Doffing: Proprietary Elite Technology allows for easier donning and doffing.

Integrated Coolderm™ Moisture-Wicking: Offers enhanced moisture management to promote body temperature regulation and breathability.

Caldura face cloth provides a durable, smooth fabric that wicks perspiration away from the body, providing a very comfortable fit and ease of donning and doffing.

Caldura Elite™ Nomex® Nano Product Information

Composition: Aramid, FR Rayon, Nylon - DuPont™ Nomex® Nano, Aramid Spun-lace

Construction: Woven Facecloth Quilted to Non-Woven Batting

Weight: 6.7oz per square yard

Color: Gold

Attributes:
✓ COOLDERM™ Technology, Extraordinary Breathability
✓ Fiber Content (facecloth): Aramid, FR Rayon and FR Nylon
✓ Fiber Content (batting): DuPont™ Nomex® Nano and Aramid spun-lace

Q-8™


Absolute protection. Certified to NFPA 1971, the highest thermal requirements for structural firefighting gear.

More comfortable. Wickwell™ Plus - Unmatched wickability moves perspiration away from the body and spreads moisture for improved dissipation, keeping firefighters drier and more comfortable.

Eco-friendly. Thermal batting is made from 100% recycled flame-resistant fibers and is OEKO-TEX 100 certified.

Q-8™Product Information

Construction: Woven Facecloth quilted to non-woven batting

Composition: Aramid/FR Rayon/Nylon, Batting: Aramid spun-lace

Weight: 7.8oz per square yard

Color: Blue

Attributes:
✓ NFPA 1971 Certified
✓ Wickwell™ Plus - Unmatched wickability
✓ Eco-Friendly

Quantum3D® SL2


Innovative thermal protection. By using an imaged batting, Quantum3D® provides better insulation against thermal events thanks to fewer skin-to-fabric contact points.

GOLDCHECK™ facecloth for lubricity. Singular weaving pattern makes the Goldcheck™ easy to spot and it’s engineered for maximum lubricity for better ease of wear.

Integrated COOLDERM™ moisture-wicking offers enhanced moisture management to promote body temperature regulation and breathability.

Quantum3D® Product Information

Construction: Woven Facecloth quilted to non-woven batting

Composition: Facecloth: Aramid/FR Rayon/Nylon, Batting: Aramid spun-lace

Weight: 7.7oz per square yard

Color: GoldCheck™

Attributes:
✓ Imaged batting for better insulation
✓ GOLDCHECK™ facecloth for lubricity
✓ Integrated COOLDERM™ moisture-wicking

GORE RT7100™


For those who need premium performance at a value price, GORE™ RT7100 moisture barrier provides an excellent alternative. Utilizing their years of experience in ePTFE technology, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. developed an alternative barrier consisting of a membrane laminated to a non-woven NOMEX® substrate. This combination delivers thermal stability, waterproof performance and a high level of breathability. If you can’t afford CROSSTECH® moisture barrier, this is the moisture barrier to buy.

Engineered to offer high levels of thermal stability and liquid penetration resistance.

Ideal for structural firefighters.

Standard Compliant: NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.

GORE™ RT7100 Product Information
Substrate: NOMEX® non-woven spunlace

Film: Bi-component ePTFE membrane

Total Weight: 4.3 oz. /sqyd

Attributes:
✓ Better liquid resistant, breathable moisture barrier
✓ Lightweight and flexible

CROSSTECH® Black


The most popular moisture barrier specified by departments across the country. It has earned its reputation for being the best moisture barrier in the world. W.L. Gore & Associates have spent three decades improving this barrier. Widely recognized for being the most protective and the most breathable, Ricochet recommends CROSSTECH® moisture barrier above all others.

Engineered to offer high levels of thermal stability and liquid penetration resistance.

Ideal for structural firefighters.

Standard Compliant: NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.

GORE™ CROSSTECH® Black Product Information
Substrate: Nomex® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check)

Film:
Enhanced bi-component ePTFE membrane

Total Weight:
5.0 oz. /sqyd

Attributes:

✓ The best liquid resistant and breathable moisture barrier
✓ Thin and flexible
✓ The highest THL/TPP combinations

CROSSTECH® 3-Layer


For those departments that want the highest durability in the most rigorous situations, CROSSTECH® 3-Layer moisture barrier provides the best durability/THL/TPP combinations possible.

Engineered to offer high levels of thermal stability and liquid penetration resistance.

Ideal for structural firefighters.

Standard Compliant: NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.

GORE™ CROSSTECH® 3-Layer Product Information
Top Substrate: Nomex® fabric woven from spun fibers (pajama check)

Bottom Substrate:
 Nomex® fabric woven from spun fibers (patent pending)

Film:
 Enhanced bi-component ePTFE membrane

Total Weight: 
7.0 oz. /sqyd

Attributes:

✓ Most durable flex and abrasion resistance
✓ Best durability/THL/TPP combinations

3M™ Scotchlite™ 9500 Reflective Trim


The original, premium, high visibility triple trim, depended upon worldwide for reliable performance when duty calls.

It’s no wonder you see 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material – Series 9500 Fire Coat Trim on so many firefighters and emergency personnel worldwide. For over 25 years, it has been earning trust and respect from those whose safety depends on being visible.

Rain or shine, 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material – Series 9500 Fire Coat Trim helps provide the on-the-job visibility firefighters need, meeting all requirements of NFPA 1971 and CGSB 155.1.

3M™ Scotchlite™ 9500 Reflective Trim Product Information


3M™ Scotchlite™ Full Product Line Information
Turnout gear trim made with 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is designed to enhance the visibility of the wearer in low-light conditions when illuminated by a light source, such as automobile headlights.

Attributes:
✓ Compliant brightness designed for enhancing visibilty of wearer in low light and nighttime conditions
✓ Certified to the current edition of various NFPA standards as components for fire fighting clothing and equipment
✓ Fluorescent properties help ensure high visibility in daylight, dawn, and dusk

When properly used, reflective material helps enhance wearer visibility at night time or in low light conditions when illuminated by a light source, such as headlights, by reflecting the incident light and focusing it back towards the original source.

3M™ Scotchlite™ 5600 Comfort Segmented Trim


New 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material - Series 5600 Fire Coat Comfort Trim doesn't just improve the way firefighters look, it's more flexible than standard trim. You’ll never look at trim the same way again.

It’s not a fabric. It’s not a tape. It’s not stitched on. It’s an integral part of your turnout gear. Partner with 3M to create a new innovation story.

It has the best traits of any fire coat trim that 3M has ever made. New 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material — Series 5600 Fire Coat Comfort Trim doesn’t just change the way firefighters look, it’s much more flexible than standard trim. It’s durable and stitch free for lasting protection and may reduce maintenance.

And best of all, it’s 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material, so you know it will help keep them visible and protected day after day, call after call.

3M™ Scotchlite™ 5600 Reflective Comfort Trim Product Information


3M™ Scotchlite™ Full Product Line Information
Turnout gear trim made with 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is designed to enhance the visibility of the wearer in low-light conditions when illuminated by a light source, such as automobile headlights.

Attributes:
✓ Stitch free design with no edges
✓ Flexible and less constrictive
✓ Breathable without any modifications
✓ Durable by design
✓ Excellent reflectivity especially in low light conditions

A new standard in high-performance turnout trim for firefighters.

ORALITE® Ultra Brilliance® Series Fire Trim

Prismatic Reflective Film designed to protect firefighters in the worst case scenario of their careers, when visibility makes ALL the difference.

ORALITE® Ultra BrillianceTM reflective fire trim uses micro prismatic technology for superior reflectivity and wet weather performance. ORALITE® Ultra BrillianceTM reflects across the full three-inch width of the trim and reflects a yellow-green color to help differentiate the wearer from the background.

ORALITE® Ultra BrillianceTM trims are UL certified to NFPA 1971-2017, NFPA 1977-2016, and NFPA 1951-2013 for use on turnout, wildlands, and technical rescue gear. Ultra BrillianceTM trims are designed to protect firefighters in the worst case scenario of their careers, when visibility makes all the difference.

ORALITE® FTP 2575 Ultra Brilliance® Series Fire Trim Product Information

ORALITE® FTP 2575 Ultra Brilliance® Series Fire Trim Product Sheet
Product Features:
  • Works when wet: Ensures visibility in all conditions
  • Edge-to-edge reflectivity: Provides great visibility in low-light conditions
  • Prismatic retroreflective performance
  • Smooth sealed outer surface: Abrasion resistant and easy to clean
  • Meets and exceeds requirements for NFPA 1971-2013 NFPA 1977-2011 CAN/CGSB-155.1-2001

Reinforcements

Outer Shell Material (All Shell Fabrics Available)

Self-reinforcements are soft and pliable, resulting in comfort and ease of movement, but in most cases they are not the most economical, water resistant or durable reinforcements. If selecting a self-reinforcement material, consider the weight and durability of the fabric.  Structural shell materials and NOMEX® fabrics are usually good choices.

ARA-SHIELD® (Black, Gold)

Polymer-coated DuPont™ KEVLAR® with matte finish for improved appearance and traction. This material is easy to clean, offers exceptional strength, is lightweight and double coated to prevent moisture absorption. It is a moderately priced alternative and easy to clean, but it is not as pliable as other reinforcements and like any coated fabric, can crack along stress lines.

KEVLAR® Twill Weave

Ricochet highly recommends the use of Kevlar twill for all pocket reinforcements on structural fire garments. We can line the entire inside pocket (all four sides) or just the pocket itself (3 sides). Kevlar twill is light weight, extremely durable and the most specified reinforcement material used by the fire service.