Sizing and fit for protective clothing

Abstract The chapter begins with an introduction to the meaning and origin of protective clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE), explaining its importance in the protection of the human body and the need for good fit and apperance. The chapter includes protective clothing and PPE size and fit requirements, describing PPE types and explaining the necessity of well-fitted items. A review of anthropometrics for protective clothing is included with regard to traditional anthropometry, user population characteristics, importance of dynamic anthropometry, sizing requirements, and usage of 3D scanning and virtual prototyping. Design aspects of protective clothing are discussed, including ease allowances, dynamic allowances, design and adjustment solutions. The chapter includes a section that deals with fabric parameters affecting the fit: weight and bulkiness, clothing layer interactions, and clothing care impacts. The last section discusses tests of PPE conformity using performance tests and the possibilities of investigation of mobility.