Materials
What IR Remission (NIR-Compliant) Fabric Means for Body Armor
· updated · 5 min read · Andrey Sokolov
At night, IR remission (NIR-compliant) fabric looks like the grass and bushes around it in optics, while by day it looks like ordinary camouflage. It is a property of the dyes and cannot be seen by eye. It matters most for an assault kit used at night in the field.
IR remission: the short answer
| Device | What it sees | Does IR remission help |
|---|---|---|
| Eye in daylight | colour and camouflage pattern | no, the pattern does the work |
| Night vision device, IR illuminator | reflected near-infrared light | yes, the fabric looks like the background |
| Night optics with an IR torch or laser pointer | an object lit by an IR beam | yes, the fabric reflects the beam like the background |
| Eye at night without a device | a silhouette against the sky and lights | no, darkness and pattern do the work |
What IR remission means in plain words
In optics, remission means diffuse reflection. Fabric reflects both visible light and near-infrared light invisible to the eye. At night the source is the moon, stars, the glow of towns and the illuminator switched on on the device itself.
A night vision device amplifies reflected near-IR light. Foliage looks bright in this band, while many dyes look either dark or too bright. IR remission fabric is dyed so that each colour of the pattern reflects near-IR roughly like the natural background.
Why ordinary fabric stands out in night optics
Two pieces of fabric of the same colour look identical to the eye. In night optics one looks like a bush and the other like a white or black patch. The reason is the dye: camouflage without IR remission hides you by day and gives away your silhouette at night.
The whole kit matters, not one jacket. Uniform, vest, pouches, straps and hook-and-loop should reflect near-IR the same way, otherwise the brightest detail becomes a bright patch in the device.
Who needs IR remission
The property works at night and only against optics that see in the near infrared. So it matters to those who operate in the field after dark: on positions, on patrol, when moving out. By day this fabric hides you only with its pattern, like ordinary camouflage.
A concealable vest does not need IR remission: it is covered by civilian clothes. For a tactical vest worn in the city and on patrol it is not essential either. An assault kit does need it: it covers almost the whole body and is used at night in the field.
How IR remission is tested
In a laboratory the fabric is measured with a spectrophotometer: what share of light it reflects at each wavelength in the near IR, roughly 600 to 860 nm. Each colour of the pattern has its own range of allowed values. That is why there is no single figure like "IR remission 30%": you look at the reflectance curve.
| Method | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Laboratory spectrophotometer | the reflectance curve by wavelength, data for a test report |
| Night vision device | whether the fabric blends with the background in practice |
The device check is done at dusk or at night against grass and bushes, with the IR illuminator off and on. An item known to have IR remission is placed next to it, so you can see which fabric stands out. | Phone camera | almost nothing: most cameras have a filter that cuts IR |
Does IR remission survive washing
It depends on the dyes and fabric finish. Research shows that after many washes the near-IR reflectance of some colours changes. Without a test report no one can promise the property never washes out.
To keep IR remission longer, wash the vest cover according to the label, without bleach or detergents with optical brighteners. Remove the panels and plates before washing.
How to choose IR remission gear
- Ask the seller for a specification or a measurement report on the fabric: the words "IR remission" without a document guarantee nothing.
- Check the hardware: straps, hook-and-loop and thread should also be IR remission.
- Look at the whole kit through a night vision device, together with the uniform and pouches.
- Ask how to wash the item so the property lasts longer.
IR remission in our body armor
An assault kit covers almost the whole body: fabric that glows would make a large patch in night optics. That is why IR remission is mandatory on all our assault models: OBSIDIAN MAX and OBSIDIAN Basic. Their contents and weight are covered in our article on assault body armor. What to check in webbing, hardware and uniforms is covered in our article on IR remission fabric.
Call 8 800 101-76-37 and tell us about the task and the time of day you will work: we will choose the configuration. All models are on the "Tactical and assault" page.
FAQ
What does IR remission on body armor mean? The cover is made of fabric that blends with nature in night optics. It does not change bullet protection: the class comes from the panel and plates.
What is MultiCam with IR remission? Fabric in a MultiCam-type pattern made with dyes that have the right near-IR reflectance. By eye it is indistinguishable from ordinary MultiCam; the difference shows in night optics or in a test report.
Why is there a VKPO uniform with IR remission? So the kit looks uniform in night optics. A glowing uniform under a dark vest gives away the silhouette.
Why does an IR remission vest have zones for IR patches? It is the opposite task: a patch with an IR reflector is visible in night optics so friendly forces can recognise each other. OBSIDIAN Basic and MAX have hook-and-loop zones for such patches.
Can IR remission be applied with paint? Paints for gear with the right near-IR reflectance exist, but how even and durable the coating is depends on the application. Factory-dyed fabric is more reliable than home painting.
