Fit of military clothing

One of the most critical parts of the personal protective equipment of soldiers is still the helmet. Statistics show that in today s military operations, traumatic brain injury is the number one cause of death or disability of soldiers. Surveys among soldiers in Afghanistan revealed that most helmets were ill-fitting and uncomfortable. As a result, combat troops on patrol or convoy took their helmets off or released the chins strap for pain relief and were thus exposed to increased risk of injury. 

Not every helmet is right for everyone, as all heads are different. It is a known fact that shape and circumference can differ greatly from person to person. Helmet manufacturers already know this, bnt they have to work with the measurement information currently available for helmets. Even the safest helmet cannot offer optimum fit and protection if it is not right for the individual head size and shape of the wearer. Despite the great demand for suitable head protection systems, there are no well founded anthropometric head data available to date. Hohenstein Institute has carried out research on this topic and the results can enable mannfacturers to offer helmets with a better fit 

In addition to fit-specific criteria, physiological aspects of moisture wicking have a substantial influence on the helmet s comfort. The materials used influence the climatic conditions inside a helmet. So it is important also to optimize the textile interiors of helmets with regard to clothing physiology and hygiene. 

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