Analysis of the pressure comfort of ballistic vests for female police officers

This study evaluated the comfort of three types of ballistic vests for female users: unisex flat ballistic vest, cut-and-sew ballistic vest, and darted ballistic vest. This evaluation accounted for the typical postures associated with police duty and how clothing pressure varies with these postures. The study measured the pressure acting on clothing at various body points and conducted subjective discomfort assessments among female participants wearing ballistic vests. The results revealed significant differences in clothing pressure across different body points, especially in the chest area, with these differences influenced by female physical characteristics. Posture also significantly affected clothing pressure, with shooting postures causing discomfort in the shoulders. Overall, this study underscores the practical implications of pattern design variations to fit female body shapes. By conducting a pattern analysis, the study explores the effects of pattern characteristics on clothing pressure and subjective discomfort. The findings suggest that the darted ballistic vest outperforms the other two types of ballistic vests in terms of subjective discomfort, particularly for the breast and shoulders. These findings offer valuable guidance for better meeting the comfort needs of female users with respect to ballistic vests.