DuPont and Hohenstein set new standard for body armor comfort and mobility testing

The new testing approach also supports DuPont’s ongoing development of advanced materials such as Kevlar EXO fabrics,

DuPont announced the introduction of three advanced testing protocols that set a new industry benchmark for evaluating the comfort and mobility of soft ballistic body armor. Developed in partnership with Hohenstein, a global leader in textile research and testing, the new methods replicate real-life movement scenarios to better understand discomfort and mobility limitations experienced by military and law enforcement personnel in the field.

“Maximizing comfort and flexibility in soft ballistic solutions is essential to meet the critical needs of law enforcement and military personnel,” said Christophe Djololian, Global Market Development Leader at DuPont. “By closely examining how the body moves in real situations, these new protocols allow us to more accurately evaluate discomfort and mobility limitations from the wearer’s perspective.”

The protocols assess upper body movement, material conformability, and localized pressure points to determine how body armor interacts with the human form during active use. Developed through extensive wear trials and ergonomic research, the methodologies reflect Hohenstein’s long-standing commitment to ensuring textile performance aligns with real-world user needs.

“It is in Hohenstein’s DNA to get as close as possible to the user’s reality,” said Dr. Jan Beringer, Senior Scientific Expert at Hohenstein. “Through dedicated field trials, we identified key conditions that contribute to discomfort and restricted movement. This collaboration enabled us to design tests and equipment that accurately simulate these conditions, offering meaningful insights into performance under active duty scenarios.”

The new testing approach also supports DuPont’s ongoing development of advanced materials such as Kevlar EXO fabrics, which are engineered to offer improved flexibility while maintaining high-level protection.

“It is our intent to drive the industry toward body armor solutions that deliver both protection and comfort,” said Steven LaGanke, Global Segment Leader at DuPont. “With these standardized comfort and mobility evaluation protocols, manufacturers can now design body armor that helps improve performance and safety outcomes for those who serve in demanding environments.”