Great to be here. That’s a really important question because it gets right to the heart of firefighter safety and effectiveness. Their gear is literally their lifeline, but historically, females have struggled to find gear tailored to their unique body shapes. They’ve been stuck with options that are typically too big, too loose or far too bulky.
Imagine trying to climb a ladder, crawl through tight spaces or carry heavy equipment while your sleeves, your pants, your boots are constantly shifting or snagging because they’re bulky or there’s an excess of material. On the flip side, gear that’s too tight can restrict movement and airflow, which increases heat stress- and that messes with your focus, slows you down and makes everything feel harder.
Let’s pause there by the way, because heat stress is not just about being hot and sweaty as in, can you tough it out? The reality is that it’s much more serious. There are real health risks from heat stress like getting wiped out from exhaustion, developing serious heart issues or worse.
There’s a psychological element as well. It goes unsaid, but firefighters rely on their confidence and quick thinking. When you’re constantly distracted by your gear- if you are adjusting your jacket, pulling on your pants or dealing with sleeves that ride up- then your focus shifts away.
Gear that isn’t properly fitted doesn’t just make the job harder- it makes it more dangerous.
For a long time, of course, firefighting was treated like a guys-only job, so naturally, the gear was built with men in mind.
Todd Herring
And when women started joining the ranks, the quick fix was just to shrink the men’s gear and call it a day. But that doesn’t really cut it because it’s not just about size, it’s about shape. And for women just trying to make do, that inevitably leads to problems.
Just think about how bodies aren’t built the same when you look at things like hip-to-waist ratio, shoulder width, chest shape and even arm and leg lengths, and how that combination of measurements can be very, very different from person to person. Simply shrinking down men’s gear doesn’t fix any of that. For a lot of women, it ends up feeling bulky in some spots, tight in others and just awkward to move in. It’s uncomfortable and can be downright unsafe when gear doesn’t situate correctly or protect the way it’s supposed to.
Fit matters for everyone and we’re seeing a shift in the industry that prioritizes better mobility and protection.
Speaking on behalf of Fire-Dex, we’ve taken a tailored approach that starts with the idea that one size can never fit all. That’s why we offer multiple fit options that take into account body measurements and proportions.
For example, our flare-fit coat gives extra room around the midsection and hips for a more comfortable fit if you need it, while our relaxed-fit pants have a loose cut around the hips so you can move freely and easily on and off. On the other hand, our slim-fit jacket offers an athletic cut with a narrower waist which is great for those with broader shoulders or a leaner build.
But, having the right cut of gear is only half the battle because you also need the right size and traditional sizing methods, as many fire departments know, can be inconsistent, even when you have the most experienced people for the job. That’s why we just introduced our Virtual Sizer to make this process easier and more accurate.
Todd Herring
Certainly, this is where science meets sizing. It’s a friendly AI-powered tool that asks you a few simple questions like your height, weight and shoe size, and then calculates your precise measurements within minutes. There’s no tape measure, body scans or a fitting room involved; you can actually get fitted right from your station or your home.
The magic behind it is a huge database and smart algorithms working together. It’s built on data from thousands of firefighter fittings and over a hundred million virtual body “models,” which means it has serious insight into how different body types size up.
We spent over five years testing and fine-tuning the Virtual Sizer technology alongside real firefighters to make sure it’s as reliable as possible.
Todd Herring
It consistently matches and even beats, traditional hand measurements without the usual human error that can lead to gear being too tight in the chest or several inches off in the waist, for example.
Firefighters who’ve used it are finding they get gear that fits better faster and it only gets smarter the more it’s used. In short, we use data-driven precision to help nail the fit every time. It’s just another way we’re committed to making sure everyone gets perfectly fitted gear without the stress.
Definitely. If your jacket’s fighting you, it’s going to throw everything else off, especially your air pack. Maybe you can’t grab tools from your pocket in a hurry because your pants are too tight, or maybe your radio keeps sliding out of place- these things are only going to slow you down and pull your focus away.
The best gear just works with you. It doesn’t get in your way and supports you when things get real. Because it’s all connected- fit affects function and function affects safety. You need gear that nails all three.
Education plays a huge role in all of this. When departments and firefighters truly understand that gear fit isn’t just about comfort, it tends to change the conversation. The more people know, the more they can speak up for what they need and take better care of the gear they’ve got.
The future is incredibly exciting. Female firefighters are speaking up about the challenges they’ve faced with traditional gear and how manufacturers are acting. We’re seeing the industry really lean into design that reflects the range of shapes and sizes in today’s fire service.
For gear makers, that means diving even deeper into R&D around advanced materials and ergonomic designs. The future of PPE is personal. It’s built around real-world movement, better breathability and gear that doesn’t slow you down when things heat up.
We always have to remember that PPE is not just another item on a checklist. It’s a firefighter’s first and last line of defense. So, when we talk about properly fitted gear, we’re not talking about a luxury but a necessity. It’s about finding the best fit for everyone who puts on the gear and answers the call and we’re proud to be part of that progress.
