Oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (OPF) containing fabrics when used in the fire service, either in a NFPA 1971 or NFPA 1951 compliant protective garments, offer exceptional comfort and protection characteristics that ensure firefighters can safely perform their duties in structural fire, overhaul, urban search and rescue, and other various missions. OPF containing fabrics used in turnout gear outer shells and compliant with NFPA 1971, provide the best combination of protection as tested by the thermal protective performance test and comfort as tested by the total heat loss/resistance to evaporative heat transfer test.