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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.

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Composites

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
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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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Trim Selections

Level up your on-scene safety with our durable and vibrant trim options, designed to pair either your turnout gear or alternative PPE

VIEW HERE
FireDex Options - 3M Comfort Trim Lime Silver
FireDex Options - 3M Comfort Trim Red Silver

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:

No intentionally added PFAS.

TECGEN71®Milliken Logo

TECGEN71® is an exclusive and patented material designed to reduce heat stress while offering high-performance levels in TPP, breathability, and an overall reduction of the composite weight. Ripstop Twill Weave. Made with no intentionally added PFAS.
  • TECGEN71 Fabric - Tan Swatch Gold
  • TECGEN71 Outer Shell - Black Swatch Black

TECGEN71+ outer shell material has been evaluated for flame resistance following fuel exposure and cleaning as specified in NFPA 1970 (1971), 2025 clause 8.2.7 Section 9.9.4, Flame Resistance Following Fuel Exposure and Cleaning Test. Click here to see results.

AGILITY™

A new fabric offering ease of movement with TenCate Enforce Technology. KEVLAR® / NOMEX® / PBO blend. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave. Made with TenCate FreeFAS Finish.
  • Light Gold
  • Dark Gold
  • Black/Gold

ARMOR™ APSafety Components Logo

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. Made with Safety Components PF Zero™ Finish.
  • Gold
  • Armor AP outer shell black Black
  • Khaki

Choice® Aluminized AL8Norfab Manufacturer Logo

Resistant to moderate heat sources and offers good thermal protection for safety garments. 7.8 oz lightweight, highly flexible, warp knit fabric composed of a 17% PyroTex® /83% Kevlar®, with aluminum laminate on one side.
  • ALUMINIZED

FLex7™

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. Made with TenCate FreeFAS Finish.
  • Gold
  • Black

Horizon™Milliken Logo

Turnout outer shell material designed to maintain tear strength and color fastness, even after multiple washings. Made without intentionally added PFAS, this RipTwill material weighs 6.8 oz/yd2. Fiber blend and finish include 50% Para-Aramid/48% Meta-Aramid/2% Anti-Static, with Hydropel finish.
  • HorizonGold Gold
  • HorizonBlack Black

PBI MAX® 7ozSafety Components Logo

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. Made with Safety Components PF Zero™ Finish.
  • Gold
  • Black

PBI MAX® LPSafety Components Logo

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. Made with Safety Components PF Zero™ Finish.
  • Gold
  • Black

PIONEER™

A new, innovative, lightweight twill weave with TenCate Enforce Technology. Content - KEVLAR®/ NOMEX®. Material Weight - 6.6 oz/yd2. Twill weave. Made with TenCate FreeFAS Finish.
  • Gold
  • Khaki
  • Yellow
  • Black

Synergy Nomex® IIIADuPont Nomex Kevlar Logo

Proven Economical Protection. Content - 93% NOMEX®, 5% KEVLAR®, 2% Anti-Static blend spun yarn, with Hydropel finish. Material Weight - 7.5 oz/yd2. Plain weave.
  • Nomex Fabric in Yellow Yellow
  • Nomex Fabric in Tan Tan
  • Nomex Fabric in Black Black
  • Nomex Fabric in White White
  • Nomex Fabric in Red Red
  • Nomex Fabric in Navy Blue Navy

Z-Flex® II P-202Newtex Logo

Specifically engineered to provide protection for ARFF personnel and specialized firefighters. 7.5 oz PBI/ Para-Aramid blend, Mocknit Ripstop with Multilayer Aluminized Film.
  • Z-Flex Proximity Turnout Material ALUMINIZED

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

Click here to learn more about non-fluorinated moisture barriers

  • 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 : Bicomponent ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 5.2 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 4 years

  • STEDAIR® 4000

    Substrate : NOMEX® woven pajama check

    Film : Bicomponent ePTFE membrane

    Total Weight : 5.5 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty : 5 years

  • MillikenAssure

    Milliken® Assure™

    Substrate: Pajama check and spun lace 

    Fiber Blend: 93% Meta-Aramid, 5% Para-Aramid, 2% Anti-Static

    Film: Non Fluorinated PU membrane 

    Total Weight: 5.7 oz/yd2 

    Supplier Warranty: 5 years 

  • CROSSTECH Innovate Moisture Barrier

    CROSSTECH® Innovate

    Substrate: Woven aramid, non-woven aramid 

    Film: Non-fluorinated membrane 

    Total Weight: 4.9 oz/yd2 

    Supplier Warranty: Lifetime warranty solely for manufacturing defects and workmanship 

  • crosstech prime

    CROSSTECH® Prime

    Substrate: Aramid fabric

    Membrane: Proprietary Film

    Total Weight: 4.6 oz/yd2

    Supplier Warranty: 5 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 SL2 Thermal Liner

    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 Thermal Liner

    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 Thermal Liner

    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 Thermal Liner

    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 8001 Thermal Liner

    Milliken® CoreCXP™ 2-Layer

    Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex® 

    Batting : 2 layers of spunlace E-89

    Total Weight : 7.1 oz/yd2

  • Milliken ResQ 8001 Thermal Liner

    Milliken® CoreCXP™ 1-Layer

    Face Cloth : 100% spun Nomex® 

    Batting : 1 layer of spunlace E-89

    Total Weight : 5.9 oz/yd2

  • MillikenEquinox

    Milliken® Equinox™ 3-Layer

    Face Cloth: 3.3 oz Cord Weave, 82% Aramid/18% FR Cellulose

    Batting: 3 layers of 100% Aramid Spunlace Nonwoven

    Total Weight: 6.6 oz/yd2

  • MillikenEquinox

    Milliken® Equinox™ 2-Layer

    Face Cloth: 3.3 oz Cord Weave, 82% Aramid/18% FR Cellulose

    Batting: 2 layers of 100% Aramid Spunlace Nonwoven

    Total Weight: 5.7 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

  • Titanium SL2i

    TITANIUM™

    Face Cloth : Filament Nomex® and COOLDERM™ technology

    Batting : 2-layer, spun lace

    Total Weight : 7.7 oz/yd2

  • Titanium 3D

    TITANIUM 3D™

    Face Cloth: Meta-Aramid/FR Rayon/Para-Aramid/Nylon Facecloth

    Batting: Meta-Aramid/Para-Aramid and Polyimide Batting

    Total Weight: 7.4 oz/yd2