LION Releases New Turnout Gear

The next iteration of LION's revolutionary turnout gear platform, the V-Force EVO, was presented. Since LION and Crye Precision, makers of elite military combat outfits, collaborated to create the original V-Force cut-in-motion gear, EVO represents the biggest advancement to V-Force.

V-Force EVO does not replace V-Force; rather, it is based on wear-test data, voice-of-customer sessions, and fireground performance comments. It raises it. DNA in motion, same cut. significantly greater mobility and adjustable closure mechanisms designed for gloved hands under duress.

Every call requires firefighters to carry more than fifty pounds of equipment. The body resists the coat on every reach, climb, and crawl because traditional turnout coats are cut flat and worn erect. This resistance adds cumulative strain that increases the risk of injury both on and off the fireground, limits range of motion and makes jackets ride up and shift out of position. 

To get rid of the resistance, V-Force EVO was designed. A single question was used to assess each stitch, seam, and closure: Does it facilitate or impede the firefighter's movement?

What's new?

• Vest-Fit Coat Design with 360-degree Underarm Gusset: Full shoulder and torso flex keeps the coat in position during reaching, lifting, twisting and crawling. No ride-up, no SCBA interference.
• Tri-Laminate Stretch Yoke (Patent Pending): Working with the Extended Bi-Swing Back’s 180-degree pleats, the tri-laminate stretch reinforcement in the coat yoke and back panel pulls the coat material back into place once the firefighter’s arms return from full extension. The result is full reach without sagging fabric or coat displacement on the next movement.
• Extended Bi-Swing Back: 180-degree pleats provide full-torso and shoulder flexibility for climbing, stretching and overhead work.
• Dart-Free, Opposing Curve V-Fit EXT Elbows and Knees: Ergonomically shaped for repeated flex, with a V-notch knee design that reduces fabric bunching while improving durability and comfort during crawling and kneeling.
• MagneTite Magnetic Closure System (Optional): Patented magnetic closures available across the storm flap, retractable collar, fly, and pockets, engineered to work perfectly with gloved hands. Departments who prefer traditional hook and loop closures can spec V-Force EVO with those interfaces instead.
• Retractable Collar (Premium Build): Patented design extends for full neck protection and stows cleanly when not needed. Standard build offers LION’s 3-inch contoured comfort collar.
• Self-Adjusting Magnetic Boot Cuff, (Patent Pending, Premium Build): Magnetically-assisted pant cuff opens wide for fast donning over boots, then closes back around the boot automatically. Standard build offers a traditional cuff closure.
• Hi-Low Coat Hem: Shorter front clears pant pockets; extended rear delivers full lower-back coverage.
• Ever-Dry Reach and Wrist Shield Systems: Eliminate gaps in protection during overhead work and extended reach.

“V-Force EVO was created by listening to how firefighters move under pressure,” said Adam Hall, LION’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Every design decision comes back to one idea: turnout gear should move with you, not remind you it’s there. EVO answers every piece of feedback firefighters have given us, without compromising the protection and durability they count on us for.”

The V-Force EVO is designed to achieve a straightforward series of results: more mobility results in less fatigue, improved call performance, and safer outcomes on and off the fireground. Comfort is not the issue here. 
Giving troops the energy they need to concentrate on the mission and return home healthy over the course of their careers is the goal. 

With proportionately fit chest, waist and hip geometry, appropriate coverage without undue bulk, and the same mobility-first engineering as male designs in fully NFPA-compliant configurations, V-Force EVO is offered in female-specific designs throughout the whole series.

In order to address the biggest long-term health risk that firefighters now face, EVO also combines with RedZone particulate blocking technology.

The V-Force EVO comes with mix-and-match options for interfaces, closures, trim patterns, and reinforcements in both Standard and Premium build configurations. Depending on their SOPs and crew preferences, departments can specify zipper interfaces, conventional hook and loop, or MagneTite magnetic closures. The liner inspection system and LION's proprietary SemperDri technology are standard on both builds.

Authorized LION distributors are currently accepting orders for V-Force EVO. Departments can visit lionprotects.com/evo or get in touch with their LION salesperson to arrange a hands-on demo, fit session or quote.