Who Makes the Best Lead Aprons? A Practical Guide for Healthcare Facilities

Medical facilities committed to protecting staff from occupational radiation exposure must carefully evaluate personal protective equipment (PPE), including radiation protection garments worn during diagnostic imaging, fluoroscopy, and in interventional  and cath lab procedures. Because radiation exposure accumulates over time, selecting the right protective garment is an important safety decision. One of the most common questions facilities ask us is:

“Who makes the best lead aprons?”

The answer depends on several factors—including clinical application, comfort requirements, customization needs, and budget considerations. Each manufacturer offers distinct advantages, and the best choice is often the one that aligns most closely with your department’s workflow and user preferences.

Leading Radiation Protection Apron Manufacturers

Several well-established manufacturers produce high-quality radiation protection garments used across healthcare facilities nationwide. Below is a general overview of commonly selected brands.

Burlington Medical

is widely recognized for its custom-fit apron programs, offering a broad range of sizing options designed to improve fit, comfort, and coverage. Custom sizing can help reduce garment shifting during procedures and support long-term ergonomic comfort for clinicians who wear protection for extended periods.

INFAB

focuses on ergonomic garment design and material transparency, providing detailed information about shielding compositions and apron construction. Many of their garment styles emphasize comfort features such as flexible shoulder construction and durability-focused pocket and seam design.

Guardian

radiation protection garments are designed to provide reliable protection and simplified ordering options, with a user-friendly sizing system. Their garments are engineered for routine clinical use across imaging departments and offer a FREE THyroid Collar with every garment purchase!

Protech

offers a selection of traditional apron styles, including vest-and-skirt combinations and front-protection garments. Their range of configurations allows facilities to match protection styles to procedural needs and staff preferences.

Shielding International

is known for producing radiation protection accessories and specialty shielding products, including dental aprons, thyroid collars, half aprons, and protective shields used in a variety of clinical settings.

How to Compare Lead Apron Quality Across Brands

When evaluating radiation protection garments, healthcare facilities should focus on performance, durability, and user comfort rather than selecting a manufacturer based on name recognition alone. Key factors to review include:

Testing and attenuation data
Manufacturers should provide documented shielding performance across different energy levels to ensure effective protection during a range of imaging procedures.

Construction quality
High-quality stitching, reinforced seams, and proper material distribution help maintain protection integrity over time.

Outer material durability
Abrasion-resistant outer coverings improve garment longevity and reduce premature wear.

Fit and ergonomic design
Proper fit is essential for protecting critical organs while maintaining clinician comfort during long procedures.

Choosing the Right Apron for Your Facility

Rather than searching for a single “best” manufacturer, many facilities find the best approach is to evaluate multiple brands based on:

• Clinical use and procedure type

• User comfort preferences

• Weight and material selection

• Customization requirements

• Budget and replacement cycle planning

At Z&Z Medical, we work with leading radiation protection manufacturers and help facilities compare options side-by-side so departments can select garments that best match their staff’s needs and procedural environments. Because when radiation protection is comfortable, properly fitted, and appropriate for the procedure, compliance improves—and safety follows.  Reach out to us today at info@zzmedical.com to help you choose the right garments from top notch manufacturers.