NCJ Number
173050
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: February 1996 Pages: 32-38
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes improvements in cold weather gear for law enforcement officers.
Abstract
Staying dry is critical to feeling, and being, warm, trapping in the warm body heat, but allowing moisture to evaporate. An important piece of clothing is the waterproof, windproof breathable shell, of GoreTex or something similar. This keeps the wind from penetrating and makes the wicking inner layer of clothing more effective. Other innovative and important clothing items include: special shooter's gloves that feature thinner areas on the thumb and forefinger to help shooting performance while keeping fingers warm; coveralls of high-tech fabrics; fur hats; and socks and gloves that wick away moisture from feet and hands, which sweat more than other parts of the body, and must stay dry and warm if the torso is to remain warm. Since the best approach to staying warm is to layer clothing, with an inner material to wick away moisture and an outer windbreak shell, the garments must be lightweight and comfortable. Many companies are using experience gained in designing clothing for cold-weather athletes (skiers, mountaineers, professional football players) to design such equipment for use by law enforcement personnel.