Throwback Thursday: The Fire Critic Reviews the Capt. Jim Fire Hood

This review was originally posted on FireCritic.com--thanks for the review, Rhett! 

TheFireStore.com recently sent a Capt. Jim Fire Hood for me to review. My first thought was this was a little bigger than the hood I am issued at my department. The Capt. Jim Fire hood is 20″ long, my issued hood is shorter. Sometimes, when donning gear I have wished my hood were a little longer to insure that it is seated properly under my coat. This one has plenty of material to make sure that happens, yet not too much that it adds bulk or gets in the way. The hood is double-layered 60% 6 oz. Micro Carbon Fiber / 40% Kevlar blend. The  If you are in the market for a new hood, you should definitely check this one out!

Specs:

The Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood offers firefighters tremendous durability and a high level of protection against intense heat and flames.

• Fire hood is made of a double-layered 60% 6 oz. Micro Carbon Fiber / 40% Kevlar blend
• 20” long hood features an expandable face opening
• Wicks away moisture (perspiration and water) and steam
• Can tolerate and protect against 34 calories of heat per square centimeter
• Can be washed with plain soap and warm or cool water; air dries in approximately 2 hours
• Has an initial TPP rating of 36, which increases with washings
• UL certified to NPFA 1971 for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting Clothing and NFPA 1975 for Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services

Pros: High quality, Made in the USA by FireDex

Cons: The 20″ length might be too bulky for some firefighters. 

I would recommend this hood to others, and I will give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

More info:

The Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood offers firefighters tremendous durability and a high level of protection against intense heat and flames.

The Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood was created by Kevin F. O’Donoghue, the president and CEO of Response Protection Corporation. O’Donoghue drew on his 38 years of experience in the fire service field, including his 25 years of service in the FDNY as a firefighter in the South Bronx, a lieutenant in Harlem, a captain in lower Manhattan, and a chief in Harlem, to help develop a safer and more comfortable hood for firefighters. The Capt. Jim Fire Hood is named in honor of O’Donoghue’s father, James J. O’Donoghue, who was a captain in the FDNY and served there for 34 years.

Manufactured in conjunction with Fire-Dex, the Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood is made of a double-layered 60% 6 oz. Micro Carbon Fiber / 40% Kevlar blend that wicks away moisture (perspiration and water) and steam and provides advanced thermal protection. The fire hood has an Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) rating of 34, meaning that it can tolerate and protect against 34 calories of heat per square centimeter.

The Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood measures 20” long and features an expandable face opening.

This fire hood is easily washable with plain soap and warm or cool water, and air dries in approximately 2 hours. The fire hood has an initial TPP rating of 36, which increases with washings.

UL certified to NPFA 1971 for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting Clothing and NFPA 1975 for Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services, the Capt. Jim Spentex Fire Hood is an excellent piece of PPE to help protect your head from intense heat and fires.