Why can protective gear reduce soldiers' effectiveness in conventional combat?

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American soldiers in World War I uniforms, some wearing gas masks, advance with rifles during a simulated gas attack exercise on a rocky battlefield. — chemical weapon American soldiers participating in a simulated gas attack exercise, World War I.

Protective gear, while essential for survival against chemical agents, significantly hampers a soldier's ability to perform in conventional combat. Operating in gas masks, protective clothing, gloves, and boots can reduce combat effectiveness by 25 percent or more.1

This decline in performance is driven by several critical factors:

Physical Stress and Fatigue: The weight and design of the gear, combined with the physical exertion of combat, lead to rapid heat buildup, dehydration, and heat stress, particularly in warm weather.1
Psychological Impact: Prolonged use of protective equipment often results in disorientation, confusion, frustration, and irritability, which can degrade decision-making and morale.1
Operational Limitations: The necessity of remaining sealed in protective gear for extended periods limits a soldier's agility and sensory awareness, making them more vulnerable to conventional weapons fire.1

Ultimately, military forces face a difficult trade-off: they must balance the absolute necessity of chemical defense with the reality that such measures inherently diminish their capacity to engage effectively in traditional warfare.1