What Are Ballistic Trousers and Who Needs Them?

For workers operating around waste, sharp materials or other demanding environments, standard workwear may not always provide enough protection. This is where ballistic trousers can play an important role.

Despite the name, ‘ballistic’ in this context does not mean protection against bullets. Ballistic workwear uses reinforced materials over vulnerable areas of the legs to help reduce the risk of injury from sharp or hazardous objects, such as broken glass, metal edges and other materials that workers may encounter during their working day.

They have traditionally been associated with waste management, refuse collection and recycling, but the principle applies anywhere workers are exposed to environments where additional leg reinforcement may be beneficial.

What should you look for in a ballistic trouser?

Adding protection should not mean simply making a garment heavier.

Workers still need to bend, climb, kneel, drive and move throughout the day, so a good ballistic trouser needs to balance durability, protection and wearer comfort.

There are several things worth considering.

Reinforcement in the right places
The most vulnerable areas need tougher materials capable of coping with abrasion, wear and exposure to sharp objects. Strategic reinforcement allows protection to be concentrated where it is most valuable rather than increasing the weight of the entire garment.

Freedom of movement
Heavy reinforcement can make traditional protective trousers feel restrictive. Stretch fabrics, articulated shaping and flexible components can help a garment move with the wearer instead.

Fit and sizing
Protective clothing also needs to fit the person wearing it. A well-designed trouser should provide enough choice to accommodate different body shapes and heights, without compromising movement or protection. This is particularly important for organisations specifying PPE for a diverse workforce.

Weight and comfort
PPE only performs properly when people are willing and able to wear it correctly. Keeping unnecessary weight and bulk to a minimum can make a significant difference during a full working shift.

Durability
Protective workwear is subjected to repeated movement, abrasion and laundering. Materials should therefore be selected not simply for their initial performance but for their ability to withstand demanding everyday use.

What is Cordura®?

One material frequently used where additional durability is required is Cordura®.

Cordura® is a family of advanced performance fabrics developed for demanding applications and is particularly associated with resistance to abrasion, tearing and scuffing.

That makes it particularly useful in workwear when designers want to reinforce high-wear areas without constructing an entire garment from much heavier fabric.

The key is using that durability intelligently.

Protection without unnecessary bulk

The Leo Workwear Hawkcombe Ballistic Stretch Trouser takes this targeted approach.

Rather than using heavyweight fabric throughout, Hawkcombe combines a lightweight 190gsm EcoViz® 4X stretch main fabric with tougher 300gsm Stretch Cordura® panels positioned on the outer legs, where additional protection from sharp or hazardous materials is most valuable.

The reinforced knee areas also incorporate stretch Cordura® featuring Sorona® plant-based polymer, helping maintain flexibility in one of the areas of a trouser subjected to the greatest movement and wear.

This means reinforcement does not have to come at the expense of mobility. Four-way stretch throughout the garment, articulated legs, a flexible waistband and Retromax®+ stretch reflective tape allow Hawkcombe to move more naturally with the wearer.

Fit has also been considered. The Hawkcombe is designed to work comfortably for both male and female wearers and is available in regular and short leg lengths, helping organisations provide a better fit across a varied workforce.

The result is a ballistic trouser designed around a simple principle: durability where it matters, without adding weight and restriction where it doesn’t.

For high-visibility environments, Hawkcombe is certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 1, while the orange/navy version also meets RIS-3279-TOM requirements for use within the rail industry when worn as specified. It is also certified to maintain its protective performance through 50 wash cycles.

When specifying ballistic workwear, protection will always be the starting point. But comfort, mobility, fit and durability matter too. Modern materials mean employers no longer necessarily need to choose between tougher workwear and garments that people can move comfortably in throughout the working day.

Discover the Leo Workwear Hawkcombe Ballistic Stretch Trouser at Lyreco Intersafe →

Content created in partnership with Leo Workwear.