Personal protective equipment (PPE) exists to keep people safe, whether designed for military personnel, firefighters, industrial workers, or health professionals. Effective PPE must support movement, maintain comfort, preserve situational awareness — all under demanding conditions.
Vital Mechanics has unique experience at the intersection of human factors, biomechanics, materials science, and industrial design to address the most challenging problems with PPE.
Standards & Testing
Using VitalFit’s FitStandard technology and standardized certification processes, designers can assess how equipment performs under controlled conditions before it is used in real-world environments. This process helps verify that PPE meets established performance requirements while providing valuable insights to refine safety, durability, and usability.
Human Factors & Ergonomics
People are at the center of every design decision. We help organizations evaluate how PPE fits, functions, and performs in real-world conditions through ergonomic assessments, user research, and human factors analysis. By understanding the interaction between the user, the equipment, and the environment, we help create protective solutions that improve safety, comfort, usability, and overall performance.
Read our 2021 report on Soft Body Simulation for the Fitting of Protective Equipment
For example we worked with Defence Research and Development Canada to assess the fit of standard body armor on female and male personnel, in various operational postures. Our results highlighted the critical need for better designs for protecting female personnel.
More Examples:
