Bunker Gear / Turnout Gear

[nyfo]

What are your experiences with good and bad turnouts including the coat, pants, boots, gloves and helmet?

[pmedic257]

As for myself I really like the PBI gear. It is lighter and easier to move around in then the old stuff. I also like my Fire Knight Helmet. Most people think that I look like I should be flying a space ship, but when in SCBA working or searching, you don't have to worry about hitting the back of your helmet on your air bottle, also the shield is more protected since it is actually inside the helmet until you need it. I used to break face shields on a constant basis, but have had this one over a year and it is barely even scratched.:firedevil

[DoD NucE]

I've had real good luck with Globe. I currently have a nomex jacket and PBI, and I don't notice a huge difference between the two, although PBI is lighter which is nice. I use a cairns (1010 I believe is the number) traditional style helmet, which I love. The back brim is much shorter than they used to be, so it doesn't interfere with my pack at all. I also ditched the face shield and switched back to the Borque shields for the helmet. I also like either the short jacket and bib style pants, or the FDNY style longer back with shorter front style jacket, it is much easier for truckie work to have a short jacket, even if only up front. Don't neglect a good ladder belt or rappelling harness either. I use a gut belt, which I keep 35 feet of bailout rope, 2 carabiners and figure 8 in a nylon pouch on the belt.