Abstract: A firefighting garment including: an outer shell of abrasion, flame and heat resistant material selected from a group consisting of an aramid material, a blend of aramid materials, PBI material, and a blend of aramid and PBI materials; a thermal liner, positioned within the outer shell, the thermal liner including a batting, needlepunch or nonwoven aramid material or a blend of such aramid materials stitched to a first face cloth layer of aramid material; and a second face cloth layer of aramid material, positioned within the thermal liner; where the material of the outer shell, the thermal liner, and the second face cloth layer are all treated with a durable, water repellant finish.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a firefighting garment, is provided that is relatively lightweight, possesses relatively high resistance to liquid water absorption, and also possesses high moisture vapor transport characteristics when compared to conventional firefighter garments. The garment of the present invention comprises at least an outer shell, and thermal liner positioned within the outer shell. A discrete moisture barrier layer is not required, but is utilized in certain embodiments. At least the insulating material of the thermal liner is treated with a durable, water repellant finish to reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by the thermal liner. Preferably, the outer shell, and optionally, the fabric substrate of the thermal liner may also be treated with a durable, water repellant finish to minimize liquid transfer therethrough.

Abstract: A sleeve for padding a hazardous-duty garment strap, such as a firefighting suspender shoulder strap, or for padding a hazardous-duty pack strap, includes an elongated inner strip of padding material, an outer layer of heat and flame resistant material substantially surrounding the inner padding strip, and a central passage shaped to slidably receive the strap of the garment or pack strap therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the padding is made of heat and flame resistant closed cell foam material, and the outer layer is made of an aramid material.