This study asserts the potential of Mycelium-Based Leathers (MBLs) in protective textiles for emergency response, sports, and safety equipment. MBLs uniquely combine leather-like qualities with foam characteristics, delivering exceptional fire performance and thermal insulation due to their open mycelium structure. By enhancing the layered structure of turnout coats without synthetic materials, MBLs effectively meet several protective textile standards across Abrasion, Tear Strength, Thermal Insulation and Weather Resistance and offer comparable performance to Animal-Based Leathers (ABL) and Industrial Textiles (PBI and Airlock Thermal Liners) situating fungi as a novel material category worthy of further exploration.  

Testing in accordance with NFPA 1971 standards for multi-layered turnout gear demonstrates that MBLs achieve a Heat Release Rate of 85 kW/m and boast a tensile strength of 24N/22N, classified as non-combustible and self-extinguishing with superior abrasion resistance (>50,000 cycles) with water and air resistant qualities. While MBLs match the performance of Thermal Liner Layers (TLLs) in thermal insulation, further development is essential in areas like fire performance and tensile strength for a full understanding of their industrial applications. 

The findings highlight the need for ongoing research into various feedstocks and cultivation processes to fully exploit mycelium’s variability. MBLs stand poised to redefine protective textiles, offering sustainable and innovative solutions that enhance fire protection and performance standards in turnout gear, whole offering alternatives to Animal-Based Leathers. 

Figure 5

O’Donnel, E. Fungi Solutions Mycelium Materials, Wall Panel Installation, Product Display and Events Solutions, Eli May Photography, 2024.