Suspenders have one job: Keep your pants from falling down on the job.
But many of the suspenders on the market fail to do even that one job. Firefighters frequently complain about suspenders slipping off their shoulders, twisting uncomfortably, being too complicated to tighten quickly, and, worst of all, not actually keeping their pants from falling.
An often-overlooked piece of gear, a good pair of suspenders allows you to move freely while keeping your pants firmly in place. Firefighters shouldn’t settle for gear that doesn’t work.
There are three things every firefighter should look for in a good pair of suspenders.
It’s important that suspenders meet these criteria. Here are the features that make your simplest piece of equipment work.
The most common complaint firefighters have about suspenders is that they fall off easily.
Good suspenders should stay up. After all, that’s the whole point of suspenders!
There are several ways to ensure that suspenders stay put in the heat of battle.
One option is to add shoulder pads that prevent slippage. Pads make it more difficult for suspenders to slide around, as they create more friction than a regular fabric band.
Good suspenders will be measured (see below) to ensure that shoulder pads land where they should on your body. That ensures that the pads are in the correct place to maximize stability and prevent slippage.
A second option is a back plate. For example, the Fire-Dex FlexBack suspender is designed with a Y-Back. Inspired by athletic wear, this back prevents slippage by moving naturally with your body—no pads required.
Another factor to consider is how easy it is to adjust your suspenders. If they can’t be adjusted, they’re more likely to slip. That’s why Fire-Dex offers a cam lock system that lets you pull up to pull up your pants.
Some suspenders make you pull down to adjust, a more complicated (and counterintuitive) method that can make it more difficult to get your suspenders adjusted.
Whatever choice you make, make sure your suspenders include features that prevent slippage and make them easy to adjust.
You shouldn’t ever notice your suspenders. A good pair will do its job without ever getting in your way or reminding you that they’re there.
Good suspenders will provide comfort while reducing slippage.
For some, that means the padding doesn’t slide around and provides cushioning.
For others without padding, proper fitting and a lack of twisting means that they won’t cause you discomfort.
No matter what you choose, ensure that your suspenders fit correctly and don’t dig into your shoulders or back.
On the fireground, your focus should be on fighting the fire, not your gear. Your suspenders should give you a full range of motion.
Look for design features like a racerback design (found on FlexBack suspenders) that let you move where you need to.
Firefighting often involves a lot of strange positions, from reaching up to crawling around. Your suspenders should accommodate all of that.
Even the best suspenders won’t work if you don’t get the right size.
Measuring for suspenders can be tricky, but it’s key to make sure you get the right measurements.
When measuring for suspenders, measure over the top, go from the waist, over the shoulder, and then back down to the waist.
Next, check the padding (if there is any). Look for balance over the top of the shoulder, where the padding falls. If padding falls down the back, it needs to go up a size. If the padding falls on the chest, the suspenders are too long.
Finally, make sure that suspenders don’t pull the pants up too high and take your fasteners into consideration for fit.
Suspenders might not be the most exciting piece of your gear, but they are among the most important! By choosing suspenders that won’t slip, are comfortable, allow a full range of motion, and actually fit, you’ll make your job that much easier.