When wildfires strike, response crews need reliable PPE they can count on – especially in dense smoke, shifting visibility, and rugged terrain. After testing HexArmor® PPE from their gear cache, the team immediately noticed improvements in comfort, visibility, and fit. Read more about how positive feedback from the field sparked plans to expand HexArmor use across the crew.

The challenge: Unreliable eyewear and uncomfortable head protection in wildfire response

Deployed for an eight-day wildfire, one fire and rescue specialist saw something abundantly clear despite the smoke: the gear his team had been relying on wasn’t cutting it. The team’s standard-issued goggles failed in thick smoke, the fit was inconsistent, and complaints from the team were constant. Plus, helmet discomfort and inadequate chinstraps from other brands only made the high-heat, high-risk conditions even harder to work in.

The solution: New standards for field-tested fire protection

Thanks to a stocked gear cache, the team was able to field-test multiple pieces of HexArmor® equipment during deployment – and the difference was immediate.

The feedback the rescue specialist shared was incredibly positive on our NFPA-certified FireArmor® Wildland LT300 safety goggle with indirect ventilation.

“I used these in the densest smoke we had and they sealed very well around my face. We have some ESS Wildland goggles, and they were utterly terrible. The whole team complained of the fit and said they wanted to switch anything we had out to the 'new red ones.'”

Paired with the VS250 Variomatic safety glasses, which provided adaptive lens clarity through constantly changing light and smoke conditions, the responder found reliable all-day comfort that didn’t need adjusting.

“These lived on my face. Comfortable and just the right amount of dark and light for the changing days – smoke, brush, driving, and wherever it took me. I would almost forget they were on my face.”

On top of that, the Ceros® XP300A safety helmet held its own – and then some – against premium competitors.

“We have a bunch of [competing helmets] and I have one XP300A. It performed as well as the ones worth two times the cost. And HexArmor has a better chinstrap and venting.”

Made in the USA, our XP300A delivers premium Type 1 protection, complete with an adjustable front-to-back airflow ventilation system that moves the way you do – a North American safety first – where competitors offer vents on the sides. The pre-assembled four-point chin strap is adjustable and ultra comfortable – perfect for long periods of wear.

What’s next: Even more trial performances

With great results from eyewear and head protection in the field, this crew is eager to expand their use of HexArmor® PPE. Currently, the crew is trialing the FireArmor® SR-X® 8180 and 8185 on some of their highest-need fire and rescue team members, looking for even more protection, comfort, and trust in the gear that keeps them going – even in the highest risk conditions.

See the FireArmor® LT300 safety goggle