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| May 13 2008, 5:46 PM EDT | lord-mortis | 49 words added, 1 photo added |
| Apr 27 2008, 8:46 PM EDT | Angel_956 | 2 words added, 1 word deleted, 1 photo added, 1 photo deleted |
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As opposed to listing out every possible combination of clothes, coats, boots and so forth, this article will discuss some of the more common do's and don'ts of zombie survival dress. We've also got some specific clothing options listed. Feel free to sound off on each item with your opinion.
Zombie Survivor Fashion Don'ts:
Trench Coat: In spite of their commonly held notion of being safe, reliable and so forth, they are in truth an utter liability. Most trench coats aren't thick enough to prevent a bite from a zombie, due to the fact that they don't just bite... They gnaw. They get their teeth in, and they pull and tug at what they bit until its in their mouth. Now, the trench coat may prevent the first bite, but it will only shred under the continued gnawing of a determined zed. Couple this with the abundant amount of material you present with the oh-so-cool but oh-so-baggy trench coat, and the fact that wearing one quickly becomes uncomfortable in all but the coldest of winters, and you have a survivor ala mode. Unless the weather dictates such dress, and even then if there is no alternative, then be wary of the vulnerabilities your presenting yourself with.
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Gloves: As above, avoid these if weather allows, and be cautious in them if you must wear them. Gloves of any thickness become a liability due to the sheer reliance that human beings have on their sense of touch. The ability to load a pistol without looking, or to feel through a pocket, or any of the other things that you don't' even realize you NEED a sense of touch to be able to do effectively. These are recommended though but not as armor it would be good to have a pair around for chores such as moving that barbed wire out of the way trenching through the unforgiving wilderness, the last thing you want to be concentrating on is how much your hands hurt from all those little cuts witch will almost kill the awareness you have with your surroundings.
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Helmet: Only to be worn if in a hazard area where there is risk of falling debris. I won't include the chance of survivor friendly fire in this due to the fact that a civilian is unlikely to own a helmet that can withstand the impact of a bullet, and those that do would likely be rendered unconscious by the impact of the blow.
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Chain Mail: With today's alloys it can be lighter than the knights endured. This is option requires a layer of water resistant cloth or leather underneath. The layer underneath the mail does two things, it stops the chain mail from breaking the skin and prevents any saliva from getting into any cuts or wounds that you may have. To save weight, avoid using chain mail to protect your chest, stick to protecting the easily bitten areas. On the downside, steel chain mail is heavy, loud, and hot. The exception to the heavy constraint is titanium mail. A shirt of welded titanium mail weighs between about two and four pounds, but will still need padding beneath it. The other downside is to titanium is the cost. Be ready to plunk down over a grand for this superior protection. Combat ready chain mail is extremely difficult to find. Even those of us in the reenactment community have a hard time finding it. Unless you're accustomed to fighting and running in chain mail, avoid it.
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Heavy Duty Steel Armor: Not very practical if you're the run and kill kinda guy. But for this there's no way a zombie can bite you! For this your probably just going to want to save your energy and don't really run while your in this, but save your energy for one of the many weapons you can use. Remember you cannot run for any length of time and if attacked by multiple zombies they will catch up with you through stamina alone and they will jump you and hold you down, if you are alone they will keep you long enough to die of dehydration. Just, from experience, try to get out of the suite before *Ahem* go to the bathroom. But on a lighter note, it goes great with chain mail if you want to be fancy.
General Clothing Guidelines:
Boots: Important to avoid ankle grabbers.. While they won't stop ALL bites to the lower legs, boots are still a good start. In addition to this, they are generally a good pick for any survival situation. However, this only applies *IF* you own a pair of boots that you've broken in and are completely comfortable in wearing. If you do not, then go with your trainers or track shoes, because the blisters that you will form from trying to break in the boots in a survival scenario will present more of a danger then the occasional ankle level zombie will.
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Tight Clothes: Seems simple, but is in fact a much overlooked defence against being grabbed and bitten. Less loose cloth = less target, and less for a zombie to drag you in by. While this doesn't mean that you should romp about in latex bodysuits, it does mean that cargo pants, over-sized shirts and the like are best left at home.
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Belt: Again, simple, but again overlooked. In addition to their original intent, which is still quite important ( You try having your trousers drop in front of a pack of zeds.. I doubt they'll see the humor! ), the belt can give you a place to hang holsters, survival packs, and in worst case scenarios can be used as a very effective tourniquet or rigging.
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Hat: Preferably a baseball cap. Assuming that your survival is spent out of doors, a simple hat will work wonders to help prevent sunburn. This is a mere inconvenience in most situations, but a nasty sunburn on the back of ones neck can limit the range of motion to the head and make for a generally distracting bit of easily avoided discomfort. Consider a Gore-Tex sombrero-style hat, available from REI or the like. Not only will it keep you dry, but you can actually carry water in it.
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Watch: Keeping track of time can be important, especially if one is trying to coordinate with over survivors. Also, being able to know what time it is can actually do quite a bit to prevent one from having distopic, pessimistic thoughts that come from feeling as though the ordeal with never end.
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Bandanna: In lieu of a hat, one could settle with a bandanna of any color or pattern. Even if not worn, a bandanna can make for an excellent signaling tool, bandage or a number of other uses that may present themselves. If you're trying to keep track of your team, consider color coding them. It's easier to avoid shooting the heads of survivors if they are clearly differentiated from a Z.
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Weather Appropriate Attire: in addition to these specifics, remember to dress according to where you're going to be. Wear a heavy coat and dress in layers if your going to be staying in the frigid Canadian north, but don't dress like you would there if one is heading for an island in the Pacific. The regional dress that works best will not be covered for now, though it may be added at a later date.
Specific Clothing:
Canvas: Very sturdy, light weight and reliable clothing, protecting against abrasion and providing reasonable bite protection. Look to brands like Carhartt.
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Leather Jacket: You should have a leather jacket with long sleeves, making it less likely for a zombie to bite through. This being a fairly common item, I see no difficulty in procuring it in a timely manner. Look no farther than your neighborhood motorcycle shop to find a variety of upper-body zombie resistant armor. sure it may be hot. Yet, nothing is going to bite through that. I would rather deal with heat than death. You can also get skin tight leather as well. Trust me it will work. I tried biting through the stuff myself to see if it would work. Leather is definitely a material to steer clear of though because I bit right through it and made my arm bleed.
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Stab/Bullet-Proof Vest: Stab and bullet proof vest's are issued to firemen,paramedics and police men so all you need to do is find a dead or infected paramedic and steal there vest.they are good at stopping raider's bullets and knifes and zombie's bites and claws.although they give great protection they can reduce mobilityand slow your movement,reaction time and speed.they are also available in short sleeve and long sleeve versions.there are also shorts,pants,knee pads, elbow pads,gloves,helmets and shoulder pads.most of the leg versions severely reduce your speed.
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Leather Gloves: The best type of gloves to wear are Kevlar hard knuckle style gloves. They can most likely be found in military surplus stores or motorcycle shops.
Note: This is up for debate (see Fashion Dont's above)
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Denim Jeans: Denim Jeans is tough and hard to bite through, making it a good tool to hold off bites. Just remember to wear jeans that are thick and comfortable, as opposed to stylish ones. A good trick is to put your pant leg into your boot to prevent any zombies getting at your exposed ankles.
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Snake-Bite-Proof Chaps: As mentioned by one of the survivors courageous enough to tell his story in the oral history of the dark times, these work well at keeping both poisonous serpents and undead crawlers from getting under your skin. These can be found in boot form, as gaiters, or as full-length chaps (pictured).
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Steel-Toed Boots: Steel-toed boots are the way to go. These boots are easy to acquire and will give you plenty of protection from zombies. They hold up well and if you get a good pair will still allow you to make a quick getaway. Military combat boots are probably going to be a good bet as well. They'll hold up in combat and they're extremely comfortable.
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Kevlar cover: Light and practically bite proof, but Kevlar is designed to protect against bullets so is put on the larges area of your body the chest (not in much danger when dealing with zombies) it would be best to take these vests and cannibalism them for use in sleeves and leggings both more easily bite able targets.
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Wet-Suit: Tight, waterproof, a little less flexible but almost bite proof. Specifically the shark-divers suit. It's made to withstand shark bites, so it will stand up to a bite from the undead.
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Helmet (Optional): A good full-faced motorcycle helmet, for example, does not hinder your vision in any way and provides protection against all sorts of apocalyptic dangers the zombie holocaust is sure to produce.
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Tarp: A thick plastic tarp protects against bites and can also be useful as a shelter.
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Motorcycle Gear: Good motorcycle gear is an often overlooked full body zombie resistant armor solution. Easy to obtain from most motorcycle shops and dealerships, it is strong enough to protect the body from a fall at 60 mph, so it is definitely strong enough to protect against a zombie 1-on-1. Most think that this means leather; this is simply not the case as many manufacturers have developed textiles that are inherently breathable, vented, light and just as effective as leather. On top of that the jackets, pants and chaps often have armor built right in that adds a negligible amount of weight, but could be lifesaving. Coupled with a full-face helmet, thick gloves and boots, riding gear is the perfect addition to a zombie survival kit.
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scuba gear: You need to worry about more than just biting you know, if you need to go under water for any reason (Sunken treasure anyone?) than you definitely need this to breath. yes breathing is good.
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Hazardous Environment Suit: Now it may be a bit fictional but it could be made. It comes with a helmet so you
you wont get infected. It offers good protection, Its armored with heath monitors and armor monitors. It has automatic morphine administration,
laceration detectors, and is fully movable so no stiff movement. The armor charges with normal D/C Cells so you can instantly recharge it. It has a built-in HUD that monitors your ammunition and extra ammo. The ultimate zombie defense armor its sort of fictional but it could possibly be made when it is needed.Note this armor is used in Half-life 1 and 2.
General Notes: Short hair and tight clothes are the best protection, as this leaves the least possible amount of area a Zombie can grab.
THOUGHTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE WIKI:
One thing I think people are forgetting to worry about is the damage a zombie can do without biting you. The protection list above me is a great list but no where does it state what a zombie can do to you without biting, A zombie cannot bite through most of that stuff but it cant still bite hard enough to break or fracture a bone. So yes, chain mail will not let the bite puncture the skin but once someone, zombie or not, clamps its teeth on you there can be severe muscle and bone damage. Just giving everyone a heads up :). EnriqueB
That's actually pretty smart, I never would have thought of that. ZombieSlayerRC
In my experience, zombies were of the same strength as your average human, and endowed no extra strength, just the fact no pain is felt. So to say that it will fracture a bone, goes a bit to far, maybe some muscle damage through armour, true. But its teeth, now also rotting, and so forth, will most likely break before breaking your bone, unless you suffer from some form of calcium deficiency, or the zombie is biting you with his molars, then it would be feasible that he could break a bone, but as he would have to have no cheeks to bite with a molar, that, though not infeasible, is highly unlikely. So just imagine a strong pinching pain through leather, probably stopped pretty fast if you use a small hand pick axe as a weapon.. everyone forgets, that its shape will pierce hard rock, so therefore a structure such as a skull is no problem, it would break through, and in most cases damage the brain. causing a fatal, or paralysing shot to your foe, living, or non living . deathsrising
A very good item to have is the "FX-1 FlexForce Riot Control Suit". It is nearly indestructible and is impervious to zombie attacks. You can find them for $429.99 and up (maybe less). They provide protection from blood entering your mouth and eyes, they are a dark color to prevent you from being seen (just remove the white front label), all you need to do is buy the boots, the gloves, face mask, and the helmet. These are a great thing to have in your closet for Z-Day. As soon as I raise me some cash I'm buying me a suit. I recommend you buy one too.
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Also, in regards to clothing and protection of this sort... Leather is nearly always a fantastic choice. The only problem is lack of breath-ability, which may cause dehydration and fatigue. Using leather should be done carefully, and layering of other materials (synthetic in particular) should also be considered for personal protection. And a final note on footwear. Steel toed boots are always a fantastic idea, but if you are worried about fatigue or durability, a standard military issue pair of boots can be a good alternative. These boots may be purchased at any military outlet, and even on line for rather cheap.
-EvacMedic
Something that doesn't seem to have been noted on this page so far is sound. Some of that armor, while also being heavy, constraining and generally impractical, will also make a lot of noise to alert the zombies to your presence. This could be true of leather, trench coats, tarps(who really listed that?), and some of the weather appropriate stuff(though rain should create a louder masking sound). Shoes with a loud footfall should also be avoided. Remember, you are surviving, and that requires stealth in many cases. -McSkullcracken
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Here is my input. You can read a little about me in my profile.
Armor- I definitely like the looks of the Flex-Force Riot Control Suit listed above. I would definitely like to have one of these suits available for certain activities, such as when z-contact is expected in close quarters. However, I would not wear it at all times, as it would cause earlier fatigue. I have a couple pros and cons:
Pros: Bite protection (cut and crush resistant), maintains tight fit of clothing, high flexibility, designed for the closest thing to z-combat, protects from falls and accidents
Cons: Can be grabbed onto and possibly ripped off (Velcro straps), lacks neck and back of legs protection
Clothing- This suit it designed to fit over BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform) or a similar uniform (ACUs, TDUs, ABUs, etc.). I prefer ACUs or TRUs, due to better pocket placement and accessibility.
Boots- Military combat boots are a definite necessity. They are made for heavy use in a variety of terrain. Black leather or tan suede, either one is good. Other people have discussed the benefits of leather over canvas, so I won't discuss it other than to say that leather is hotter, but much more waterproof. Blousing (tucking in) your pants into your boots also will provide less fabric to snag on things and for Z's to grab.
Gloves- Gloves are a necessity. Picking the right glove is very much a matter of choice. Personally, I feel that long cuff gloves made with Kevlar fabric (for cut/tear resistance) with high dexterity are ideal. Wiley X Tactical Assault Gloves are perfect, but expensive.
Headgear- As for a helmet, a riot helmet with face shield would be great for the usage I mentioned for the Riot Suit, but not everyday wear. I don't think a ballistic helmet would be necessary, unless you expect renegade human groups trying to steal your supplies, but that is a whole different story. A bike helmet could be good when travelling in case of falls, crashes, etc. A Boonie style hat would be good in sun and rain. A short brimmed BDU style cap would be better than a baseball cap, because the latter can obstruct vision. Bandannas are excellent. Have plenty of them. Or just make them from discarded shirts and the such.
Eye wear/Face Protection- I do not agree with the paint ball mask idea. It would greatly reduce peripheral vision, unless you go for a high end, fog proof, wraparound visor design. Even then, some vision obstruction will be likely. Eye wear is important though. Tactical sunglasses offer a variety of styles, but a wraparound, minimal frame design is good. Look for the kind with some type of padding around the lenses that prevents wind, dust, and fluids from entering your eyes form the sides. Make sure you have a few pairs, because no matter how good they are, they will probably break. Also get some clear lens shooting glasses in a similar style. Some brands offer detachable earpieces that you can replace with a goggle strap. This is very good. Do not get glasses with swappable lenses. You think it sounds good, but it just means they are easier to lose the lenses out of. For the sunglasses, get orange or yellow tint, grey or dark green tint will only limit the acuteness of your vision.
Accessories- Kevlar sleeves with thumb holes can be worn under or over clothing. They provide cut/tear resistance, but do not offer crushing or blunt trauma. Neck gators are EXTREMELY versatile and useful in all climates. If you don't have one, get one now. Even for everyday, non-Z related use, they are great. You can wear them in a dozen different ways, and use them for a variety of things like bandannas. They can cover your mouth and neck to prevent blood splatter getting around your mouth or on your skin.
If anyone wants to discuss this further, you can e-mail me. Check my profile.
-TEBBEN
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A suggestion for someone who's got limited access to proper helmeting, I'd recommend obtaining a paint ball mask and several pieces of cloth such as bandannas. The paint ball mask itself will protect most of your face from hazardous fluids splattering all over you, as well as having the benefit of designating friendlies from friendly fire as previously noted with bandannas. Granted, the portion around the mouth is still open enough to allow fluids to fly in, which is where the cloth comes in. Simply place the cloth over your mouth area, it should act as a perfectly breathable filter and protect you from a splatter or two so long as you switch out the cloth almost as soon as it comes into contact with the fluids. While not perfect it may save your skin a couple times from the inherit danger of fluids getting in your mouth, nose, eyes or other open facial wounds. Also in the event of a military force using chemical weapons simply piss on the cloth, place it over your mouth and nose and run for it (preferably to the north or south where the wind is less likely to blow). While not perfect, and only provides limited protection against gases attacking the respiratory system, the technique did save quite a few lives on the French side during World War I. -Piratelord78
This page is for Protective Clothing only. The other categories that where on the Weapons and Gear page with this category are listed as following:
codeman
i myself would cut up a trampoline and use the material to make a suit.....or at least put it under my regular clothes...
Thrawn5
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If I could not find any protective clothing whatsoever I would put several layers of duct tape on any clothing that I would be wearing, duct tape does not allow your clothing to breath and it can severely inhibit flexibility/speed but it would stop a zombie from puncturing your clothing for a while (have you ever tried to bite/cut through 20 layers of duct tape? it takes a long time).
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Spraymachine
I have designed an ideal bite proof suit with my 2 hours of spare time between classes today.
Hal-5 robo suit
This device has made its way around the Internet and back, but luckily the technology has yet to fall into the Wrong Hands. Weighing about 33 pounds, the suit will nearly double your strength autonomously by tracking electrical nerve impulses through your skin via electromyogram sensors.
These pages are filed under Other kinds of Weapons and Gear and under Weapons and Gear
Zombie Survivor Fashion Don'ts:
Trench Coat: In spite of their commonly held notion of being safe, reliable and so forth, they are in truth an utter liability. Most trench coats aren't thick enough to prevent a bite from a zombie, due to the fact that they don't just bite... They gnaw. They get their teeth in, and they pull and tug at what they bit until its in their mouth. Now, the trench coat may prevent the first bite, but it will only shred under the continued gnawing of a determined zed. Couple this with the abundant amount of material you present with the oh-so-cool but oh-so-baggy trench coat, and the fact that wearing one quickly becomes uncomfortable in all but the coldest of winters, and you have a survivor ala mode. Unless the weather dictates such dress, and even then if there is no alternative, then be wary of the vulnerabilities your presenting yourself with. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gloves: As above, avoid these if weather allows, and be cautious in them if you must wear them. Gloves of any thickness become a liability due to the sheer reliance that human beings have on their sense of touch. The ability to load a pistol without looking, or to feel through a pocket, or any of the other things that you don't' even realize you NEED a sense of touch to be able to do effectively. These are recommended though but not as armor it would be good to have a pair around for chores such as moving that barbed wire out of the way trenching through the unforgiving wilderness, the last thing you want to be concentrating on is how much your hands hurt from all those little cuts witch will almost kill the awareness you have with your surroundings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Helmet: Only to be worn if in a hazard area where there is risk of falling debris. I won't include the chance of survivor friendly fire in this due to the fact that a civilian is unlikely to own a helmet that can withstand the impact of a bullet, and those that do would likely be rendered unconscious by the impact of the blow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chain Mail: With today's alloys it can be lighter than the knights endured. This is option requires a layer of water resistant cloth or leather underneath. The layer underneath the mail does two things, it stops the chain mail from breaking the skin and prevents any saliva from getting into any cuts or wounds that you may have. To save weight, avoid using chain mail to protect your chest, stick to protecting the easily bitten areas. On the downside, steel chain mail is heavy, loud, and hot. The exception to the heavy constraint is titanium mail. A shirt of welded titanium mail weighs between about two and four pounds, but will still need padding beneath it. The other downside is to titanium is the cost. Be ready to plunk down over a grand for this superior protection. Combat ready chain mail is extremely difficult to find. Even those of us in the reenactment community have a hard time finding it. Unless you're accustomed to fighting and running in chain mail, avoid it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy Duty Steel Armor: Not very practical if you're the run and kill kinda guy. But for this there's no way a zombie can bite you! For this your probably just going to want to save your energy and don't really run while your in this, but save your energy for one of the many weapons you can use. Remember you cannot run for any length of time and if attacked by multiple zombies they will catch up with you through stamina alone and they will jump you and hold you down, if you are alone they will keep you long enough to die of dehydration. Just, from experience, try to get out of the suite before *Ahem* go to the bathroom. But on a lighter note, it goes great with chain mail if you want to be fancy.General Clothing Guidelines:
Boots: Important to avoid ankle grabbers.. While they won't stop ALL bites to the lower legs, boots are still a good start. In addition to this, they are generally a good pick for any survival situation. However, this only applies *IF* you own a pair of boots that you've broken in and are completely comfortable in wearing. If you do not, then go with your trainers or track shoes, because the blisters that you will form from trying to break in the boots in a survival scenario will present more of a danger then the occasional ankle level zombie will.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tight Clothes: Seems simple, but is in fact a much overlooked defence against being grabbed and bitten. Less loose cloth = less target, and less for a zombie to drag you in by. While this doesn't mean that you should romp about in latex bodysuits, it does mean that cargo pants, over-sized shirts and the like are best left at home.
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Belt: Again, simple, but again overlooked. In addition to their original intent, which is still quite important ( You try having your trousers drop in front of a pack of zeds.. I doubt they'll see the humor! ), the belt can give you a place to hang holsters, survival packs, and in worst case scenarios can be used as a very effective tourniquet or rigging.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hat: Preferably a baseball cap. Assuming that your survival is spent out of doors, a simple hat will work wonders to help prevent sunburn. This is a mere inconvenience in most situations, but a nasty sunburn on the back of ones neck can limit the range of motion to the head and make for a generally distracting bit of easily avoided discomfort. Consider a Gore-Tex sombrero-style hat, available from REI or the like. Not only will it keep you dry, but you can actually carry water in it.
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Watch: Keeping track of time can be important, especially if one is trying to coordinate with over survivors. Also, being able to know what time it is can actually do quite a bit to prevent one from having distopic, pessimistic thoughts that come from feeling as though the ordeal with never end. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bandanna: In lieu of a hat, one could settle with a bandanna of any color or pattern. Even if not worn, a bandanna can make for an excellent signaling tool, bandage or a number of other uses that may present themselves. If you're trying to keep track of your team, consider color coding them. It's easier to avoid shooting the heads of survivors if they are clearly differentiated from a Z.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weather Appropriate Attire: in addition to these specifics, remember to dress according to where you're going to be. Wear a heavy coat and dress in layers if your going to be staying in the frigid Canadian north, but don't dress like you would there if one is heading for an island in the Pacific. The regional dress that works best will not be covered for now, though it may be added at a later date. Specific Clothing:
Canvas: Very sturdy, light weight and reliable clothing, protecting against abrasion and providing reasonable bite protection. Look to brands like Carhartt.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leather Jacket: You should have a leather jacket with long sleeves, making it less likely for a zombie to bite through. This being a fairly common item, I see no difficulty in procuring it in a timely manner. Look no farther than your neighborhood motorcycle shop to find a variety of upper-body zombie resistant armor. sure it may be hot. Yet, nothing is going to bite through that. I would rather deal with heat than death. You can also get skin tight leather as well. Trust me it will work. I tried biting through the stuff myself to see if it would work. Leather is definitely a material to steer clear of though because I bit right through it and made my arm bleed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stab/Bullet-Proof Vest: Stab and bullet proof vest's are issued to firemen,paramedics and police men so all you need to do is find a dead or infected paramedic and steal there vest.they are good at stopping raider's bullets and knifes and zombie's bites and claws.although they give great protection they can reduce mobilityand slow your movement,reaction time and speed.they are also available in short sleeve and long sleeve versions.there are also shorts,pants,knee pads, elbow pads,gloves,helmets and shoulder pads.most of the leg versions severely reduce your speed.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leather Gloves: The best type of gloves to wear are Kevlar hard knuckle style gloves. They can most likely be found in military surplus stores or motorcycle shops. Note: This is up for debate (see Fashion Dont's above)
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Denim Jeans: Denim Jeans is tough and hard to bite through, making it a good tool to hold off bites. Just remember to wear jeans that are thick and comfortable, as opposed to stylish ones. A good trick is to put your pant leg into your boot to prevent any zombies getting at your exposed ankles.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake-Bite-Proof Chaps: As mentioned by one of the survivors courageous enough to tell his story in the oral history of the dark times, these work well at keeping both poisonous serpents and undead crawlers from getting under your skin. These can be found in boot form, as gaiters, or as full-length chaps (pictured).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steel-Toed Boots: Steel-toed boots are the way to go. These boots are easy to acquire and will give you plenty of protection from zombies. They hold up well and if you get a good pair will still allow you to make a quick getaway. Military combat boots are probably going to be a good bet as well. They'll hold up in combat and they're extremely comfortable.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevlar cover: Light and practically bite proof, but Kevlar is designed to protect against bullets so is put on the larges area of your body the chest (not in much danger when dealing with zombies) it would be best to take these vests and cannibalism them for use in sleeves and leggings both more easily bite able targets.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wet-Suit: Tight, waterproof, a little less flexible but almost bite proof. Specifically the shark-divers suit. It's made to withstand shark bites, so it will stand up to a bite from the undead.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Helmet (Optional): A good full-faced motorcycle helmet, for example, does not hinder your vision in any way and provides protection against all sorts of apocalyptic dangers the zombie holocaust is sure to produce. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tarp: A thick plastic tarp protects against bites and can also be useful as a shelter. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motorcycle Gear: Good motorcycle gear is an often overlooked full body zombie resistant armor solution. Easy to obtain from most motorcycle shops and dealerships, it is strong enough to protect the body from a fall at 60 mph, so it is definitely strong enough to protect against a zombie 1-on-1. Most think that this means leather; this is simply not the case as many manufacturers have developed textiles that are inherently breathable, vented, light and just as effective as leather. On top of that the jackets, pants and chaps often have armor built right in that adds a negligible amount of weight, but could be lifesaving. Coupled with a full-face helmet, thick gloves and boots, riding gear is the perfect addition to a zombie survival kit.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
scuba gear: You need to worry about more than just biting you know, if you need to go under water for any reason (Sunken treasure anyone?) than you definitely need this to breath. yes breathing is good.
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Hazardous Environment Suit: Now it may be a bit fictional but it could be made. It comes with a helmet so you you wont get infected. It offers good protection, Its armored with heath monitors and armor monitors. It has automatic morphine administration,
laceration detectors, and is fully movable so no stiff movement. The armor charges with normal D/C Cells so you can instantly recharge it. It has a built-in HUD that monitors your ammunition and extra ammo. The ultimate zombie defense armor its sort of fictional but it could possibly be made when it is needed.Note this armor is used in Half-life 1 and 2.
General Notes: Short hair and tight clothes are the best protection, as this leaves the least possible amount of area a Zombie can grab.
THOUGHTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE WIKI:
One thing I think people are forgetting to worry about is the damage a zombie can do without biting you. The protection list above me is a great list but no where does it state what a zombie can do to you without biting, A zombie cannot bite through most of that stuff but it cant still bite hard enough to break or fracture a bone. So yes, chain mail will not let the bite puncture the skin but once someone, zombie or not, clamps its teeth on you there can be severe muscle and bone damage. Just giving everyone a heads up :). EnriqueB
That's actually pretty smart, I never would have thought of that. ZombieSlayerRC
In my experience, zombies were of the same strength as your average human, and endowed no extra strength, just the fact no pain is felt. So to say that it will fracture a bone, goes a bit to far, maybe some muscle damage through armour, true. But its teeth, now also rotting, and so forth, will most likely break before breaking your bone, unless you suffer from some form of calcium deficiency, or the zombie is biting you with his molars, then it would be feasible that he could break a bone, but as he would have to have no cheeks to bite with a molar, that, though not infeasible, is highly unlikely. So just imagine a strong pinching pain through leather, probably stopped pretty fast if you use a small hand pick axe as a weapon.. everyone forgets, that its shape will pierce hard rock, so therefore a structure such as a skull is no problem, it would break through, and in most cases damage the brain. causing a fatal, or paralysing shot to your foe, living, or non living . deathsrising
A very good item to have is the "FX-1 FlexForce Riot Control Suit". It is nearly indestructible and is impervious to zombie attacks. You can find them for $429.99 and up (maybe less). They provide protection from blood entering your mouth and eyes, they are a dark color to prevent you from being seen (just remove the white front label), all you need to do is buy the boots, the gloves, face mask, and the helmet. These are a great thing to have in your closet for Z-Day. As soon as I raise me some cash I'm buying me a suit. I recommend you buy one too.
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Also, in regards to clothing and protection of this sort... Leather is nearly always a fantastic choice. The only problem is lack of breath-ability, which may cause dehydration and fatigue. Using leather should be done carefully, and layering of other materials (synthetic in particular) should also be considered for personal protection. And a final note on footwear. Steel toed boots are always a fantastic idea, but if you are worried about fatigue or durability, a standard military issue pair of boots can be a good alternative. These boots may be purchased at any military outlet, and even on line for rather cheap.
-EvacMedic
Something that doesn't seem to have been noted on this page so far is sound. Some of that armor, while also being heavy, constraining and generally impractical, will also make a lot of noise to alert the zombies to your presence. This could be true of leather, trench coats, tarps(who really listed that?), and some of the weather appropriate stuff(though rain should create a louder masking sound). Shoes with a loud footfall should also be avoided. Remember, you are surviving, and that requires stealth in many cases. -McSkullcracken
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Here is my input. You can read a little about me in my profile.
Armor- I definitely like the looks of the Flex-Force Riot Control Suit listed above. I would definitely like to have one of these suits available for certain activities, such as when z-contact is expected in close quarters. However, I would not wear it at all times, as it would cause earlier fatigue. I have a couple pros and cons:
Pros: Bite protection (cut and crush resistant), maintains tight fit of clothing, high flexibility, designed for the closest thing to z-combat, protects from falls and accidents
Cons: Can be grabbed onto and possibly ripped off (Velcro straps), lacks neck and back of legs protection
Clothing- This suit it designed to fit over BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform) or a similar uniform (ACUs, TDUs, ABUs, etc.). I prefer ACUs or TRUs, due to better pocket placement and accessibility.
Boots- Military combat boots are a definite necessity. They are made for heavy use in a variety of terrain. Black leather or tan suede, either one is good. Other people have discussed the benefits of leather over canvas, so I won't discuss it other than to say that leather is hotter, but much more waterproof. Blousing (tucking in) your pants into your boots also will provide less fabric to snag on things and for Z's to grab.
Gloves- Gloves are a necessity. Picking the right glove is very much a matter of choice. Personally, I feel that long cuff gloves made with Kevlar fabric (for cut/tear resistance) with high dexterity are ideal. Wiley X Tactical Assault Gloves are perfect, but expensive.
Headgear- As for a helmet, a riot helmet with face shield would be great for the usage I mentioned for the Riot Suit, but not everyday wear. I don't think a ballistic helmet would be necessary, unless you expect renegade human groups trying to steal your supplies, but that is a whole different story. A bike helmet could be good when travelling in case of falls, crashes, etc. A Boonie style hat would be good in sun and rain. A short brimmed BDU style cap would be better than a baseball cap, because the latter can obstruct vision. Bandannas are excellent. Have plenty of them. Or just make them from discarded shirts and the such.
Eye wear/Face Protection- I do not agree with the paint ball mask idea. It would greatly reduce peripheral vision, unless you go for a high end, fog proof, wraparound visor design. Even then, some vision obstruction will be likely. Eye wear is important though. Tactical sunglasses offer a variety of styles, but a wraparound, minimal frame design is good. Look for the kind with some type of padding around the lenses that prevents wind, dust, and fluids from entering your eyes form the sides. Make sure you have a few pairs, because no matter how good they are, they will probably break. Also get some clear lens shooting glasses in a similar style. Some brands offer detachable earpieces that you can replace with a goggle strap. This is very good. Do not get glasses with swappable lenses. You think it sounds good, but it just means they are easier to lose the lenses out of. For the sunglasses, get orange or yellow tint, grey or dark green tint will only limit the acuteness of your vision.
Accessories- Kevlar sleeves with thumb holes can be worn under or over clothing. They provide cut/tear resistance, but do not offer crushing or blunt trauma. Neck gators are EXTREMELY versatile and useful in all climates. If you don't have one, get one now. Even for everyday, non-Z related use, they are great. You can wear them in a dozen different ways, and use them for a variety of things like bandannas. They can cover your mouth and neck to prevent blood splatter getting around your mouth or on your skin.
If anyone wants to discuss this further, you can e-mail me. Check my profile.
-TEBBEN
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A suggestion for someone who's got limited access to proper helmeting, I'd recommend obtaining a paint ball mask and several pieces of cloth such as bandannas. The paint ball mask itself will protect most of your face from hazardous fluids splattering all over you, as well as having the benefit of designating friendlies from friendly fire as previously noted with bandannas. Granted, the portion around the mouth is still open enough to allow fluids to fly in, which is where the cloth comes in. Simply place the cloth over your mouth area, it should act as a perfectly breathable filter and protect you from a splatter or two so long as you switch out the cloth almost as soon as it comes into contact with the fluids. While not perfect it may save your skin a couple times from the inherit danger of fluids getting in your mouth, nose, eyes or other open facial wounds. Also in the event of a military force using chemical weapons simply piss on the cloth, place it over your mouth and nose and run for it (preferably to the north or south where the wind is less likely to blow). While not perfect, and only provides limited protection against gases attacking the respiratory system, the technique did save quite a few lives on the French side during World War I. -Piratelord78
This page is for Protective Clothing only. The other categories that where on the Weapons and Gear page with this category are listed as following:
codeman
i myself would cut up a trampoline and use the material to make a suit.....or at least put it under my regular clothes...
Thrawn5
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If I could not find any protective clothing whatsoever I would put several layers of duct tape on any clothing that I would be wearing, duct tape does not allow your clothing to breath and it can severely inhibit flexibility/speed but it would stop a zombie from puncturing your clothing for a while (have you ever tried to bite/cut through 20 layers of duct tape? it takes a long time).
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Spraymachine
I have designed an ideal bite proof suit with my 2 hours of spare time between classes today.
- Under layer- Class A bio-hazard suit, under $50 and breathable (don't want zombie liquid getting on me) [Found in chemical supply stores]
- Headgear- Depending on the situation, Kevlar hood with a gas mask and a neck racing collar, or a lightweight full face racing helmet with racing collar [Kevlar hood-Army Surplus, Gas mask-Chem/Army supply store, Helmet+Collar-motorcycle shop]
- Torso/legs- Mild fire resistant jacket and pants. They are tough, cut proof (to an extent), and won't let Zack bite through [Some racing shops, Janitor supply shops, Uniform shops]
- Gloves- Damascus tactical gloves are made to not restrict, offer more cut protection than Kevlar, and are fireproof to boot [Army surplus/motorcycle store]
- Knee Pads- Damascus pads provide amazing protection for your knees (you need to be able to run), and are non-slip for grip [motorcycle store]
- Boots- BlackHawk Warrior Wear boots, these are some of the best tactical boots out there in my opinion. They provide good ankle support, can support a lot of weight well, and you can run in them too. [Outdoor stores/Army surplus]
- Accessories- Tactical vest, hip holster, baton holster, hydration pack, backpack, etc. [Outdoor/Army supply stores]
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- Just a thought, what about if you used the hard parts of elbow pads and sewed them together for armor? Maybe?randomcooper
- Equipment
- Weapons and Gear
- TrapsDressing For Success
Hal-5 robo suit
This device has made its way around the Internet and back, but luckily the technology has yet to fall into the Wrong Hands. Weighing about 33 pounds, the suit will nearly double your strength autonomously by tracking electrical nerve impulses through your skin via electromyogram sensors.
These pages are filed under Other kinds of Weapons and Gear and under Weapons and Gear
