The original article was published in Dutch by PersVeilig and can be found here: https://persveilig.nl/artikelen/reportage-engarde 

Protective gear is no longer just a necessity for journalists in war zones. In the Netherlands, risks are also on the rise during demonstrations and riots. EnGarde, a company based in North Holland, is providing an increasing number of journalists with protective vests.

“If you just hold this strap and lift that flap, I’ll fasten this around your waist,” says Marije Poelsma of EnGarde as she works with Velcro closures. “Is that comfortable? Good, now I’ll attach the neck protector.” Marloes from PersVeilig, who is being fitted by Marije in a navy blue vest with “Press” emblazoned on the chest, takes it all in stride: “It reminds me of the first time you have to learn how to put on a baby carrier.”

Body Armor

EnGarde’s office in Heiloo overlooks the North Holland countryside. Inside, enlarged photos of stern-looking men in protective gear hang on the walls. EnGarde sells body armor ranging from stab-resistant vests to hard plates capable of stopping Kalashnikov rounds. Their armor is used worldwide, from Spanish police to municipal enforcement officers in the Netherlands. It is also used by journalists; the company supplies outlets such as Reuters and NPR in the US, ZDF in Germany, and NOS and ANP in the Netherlands.

“I always ask: where are you going?”

“When journalists contact us, I always ask: where are you going?” Marije says. “Football riots carry different risks than the front lines in Ukraine.” Most of the journalists she assists work in the Netherlands, where protective clothing has become almost indispensable for photographers and reporters. Marije picks up a flexible panel that fits into a high-visibility-style vest. “This protects against scissors, awls, needles, screwdrivers, or kitchen knives. You wear it under your clothes, so it stays invisible.”

Bulletproof Panels and Plates

The visible vests labeled “Press” are worn in conflict zones where snipers, for instance, are active. They carry names like Panther, Leopard, and Rhino. Bulletproof panels and plates can be slid into the chest and back of these vests, and a groin protector can also be attached. “All together, you’re carrying about 20 to 22 pounds of extra weight,” Marije says. Some vests feature storage pouches—even pen slots—and a handle to drag a colleague to safety in an emergency.

Lightweight, Flexible Comfort

Owner Edgar Stek explains how he started EnGarde in 2003 with two friends. “We heard that after 9/11, airplane cockpit doors were being made from lightweight bulletproof material from DSM in Heerlen. We thought: what if we made body armor out of that?” As a Dutch company, they were able to establish contact easily. “And with the advent of the internet, we could sell our products globally.”

Edgar and Marije often hear that journalists are relieved to be done with the “loaner vests” found at newsrooms. “Those old vests are heavy, shift around too much, and fit like a sack,” Edgar says. EnGarde offers vests in various sizes. The latest bullet- and stab-resistant panels are lighter and more flexible, and can better adapt to the female form, Marije adds. “That significantly improves wearer comfort.”

If you need to head out tomorrow, you can stop by today

EnGarde does not have a traditional storefront or webshop, but the company makes an exception for journalists. “If you have to head out the day after tomorrow, you can stop by today to fit a vest, and usually, you can take it with you immediately.” A carrying bag, maintenance manual, and assistance with assembly and fitting are all included. Poelsma says with a laugh: “And feel free to call if you forget how it works—we once saw a reporter on TV wearing their vest backward.”

Text: Jolanda van de Beld

Photos: PersVeilig