Firefighters today are asking more questions about what’s in their gear, how it performs, and how new, non-PFAS options stack up. Both Assure™ and CROSSTECH® Innovate were engineered to give firefighters trusted liquid and pathogen protection without relying on intentionally added PFAS.
This guide breaks down their key features so you can understand what they do, why they matter, and how they compare.
Non-Fluorinated Moisture Barriers: What Firefighters Should Know
New NFPA standards (specifically NFPA 1970, 2025 edition) update how moisture barriers are tested, labeled, and evaluated—including composite level UV testing, a restricted substances list, and the option to indicate total fluorine content instead of using “PFAS-free” wording.
Both of these barriers meet and exceed the NFPA requirements needed for use in certified turnout gear and help departments transition to materials without intentionally added PFAS.
Side by Side: Comparison
Although described differently by their manufacturers, Milliken Assure™ and GORE-TEX CROSSTECH® Innovate are both advanced, NFPA-compliant, non-fluorinated moisture barrier technologies built to protect firefighters under real-world conditions.
- Assure™: Tested for hazardous liquids with “No Penetration” under ASTM liquid barrier testing and meets NFPA viral resistance requirements.
- Innovate: Engineered to block blood, body fluids, NFPA common chemicals, and water, meeting NFPA 1971/1970 barrier requirements.
- Assure™: Designed for strong durability and breathability, thanks to a lightweight, non-PFAS 3-layer structure.
- Innovate: Built to help regulate core temperature with high breathability; maintain liquid protection even after repeated wash/heat cycles.
- Assure™: Claims 3× the strength required by certain NFPA tests and no liquid penetration after 10,000+ abrasion cycles, demonstrating long-term wash and wear resistance.
- Innovate: Barrier and seams remain liquid tight after 25 wash/dry cycles and 5 convective heat exposures—about 2.5× the NFPA requirement.
- Assure™: Certified to NFPA 1971-2018 and NFPA 1970-2025.
- Innovate: Certified to NFPA 1971-2018 and NFPA 1970-2025.
- Assure™: Fully non-PFAS and non-halogenated FR barrier.
- Innovate: Made without intentionally added PFAS and tested to have ≤100 ppm total fluorine per NFPA’s optional labeling method.
What Firefighters Should Focus On
- Both barriers keep you protected. You can trust either one to block blood borne pathogens, water, and NFPA common chemicals under intense conditions.
- Both support the fire service move toward non-PFAS materials.
- THL/TPP performance is tested on full composite - not the barrier alone. So, if you want to understand breathability or heat protection differences in real gear, you must review the combined outer shell + moisture barrier + thermal liner (composite) your department is considering. NFPA sets the THL minimum at 205 W/m², measured only on the composite—not on the moisture barrier alone. High THL performance (>275) is still attainable in many different non-PFAS combinations (composites).
The Bottom Line for the End User
- Trusted liquid, chemical, and pathogen resistance
- Breathability to help reduce heat stress
- Durable protection under real-world use
- Compliance with the newest NFPA standards
- A path forward for departments reducing PFAS exposure
Material Specifications
Milliken Assure™
CROSSTECH® Innovate