COG armor is practical. Over the chest, a thick flak vest over insulated thermal fabric; around the legs, military cargos and a standard issue boots; and on the head, one of three military grade infantry helmets. Unless you’re Marcus Fenix, in which case you swap the helmet for a grossly ineffective poly-fiber do-rag. When a Locust stomps his skull in, he deserves none of our sympathy. Real men wear helmets.