Zombies are notorious for their persistence, an attitude which, combined with their usual habit of gathering into large groups, can bring down all but the strongest of bastions in time. On the streets, your vulnerability is in its greatest amounts. They are easily attracted to movement, the scent of blood, bright lights, loud noises etc. A light, easy to carry, and resilient armor is required to navigate the streets of any city with any degree of safety. For this purpose, I give you the T-Armor

Turtle-Armor V1.0

The T-Armor is designed so that when the wearer crouches into the fetal position it creates a protective layer around their body that defends against attack. However, it is not a perfect system and should be combined with calm, quiet breathing, extremely little movement, and a large dose of patience.

Components:

1. 1 strong steel trash cans, with at least 2 lids, and as strong and undamaged as possible
2. 1 motorcycle helmet or similar headgear, as strong as possible. The smoother the better, as this will deterr attack from anything that cannot bite or claw into it easily
3. 2 hinges complete with nails.
4. 1 strong pair of trousers, as thick and breathable as possible whilst remaining light. A similar jumper is also required.

Tools:

1. 1 hammer
2. 1 screwdriver capable of removing the bolts securing the handles of the trash cans
3. A strong cutting tool, strong enough to cut a straight line through one of the trash cans

In addition, the construction of the armor requires an area that is well contained, and not at risk from incursion by zombie or enemy forces.

Step 1 – The Shields
The secondary portion of the armor is the two shields held by the user that protect the vulnerable sides of the body. To create the shields, take two of the trash can lids and remove the handles, then re-attach them on the interior of the lid, the side which usually faces inside of the cans when closed. The curvature of the lids allows little for the zombies to grab onto, a primary factor in defense, and the handles provide a good grip to keep it in position for as long as possible.

Step 2 – The Main Spine
The largest part of the armor is the steel coating running from the spine to the buttocks of the user, which defends vital bodily organs and the delicate spinal cord. To create the main spine of the armor, cut the trash can down the side and remove the base to create a long strip of -preferably flexible- steel sheet.

Cut a strip of this sheet large enough to cover the buttocks of the user in a rectangular shape. Then cut the remainder into a rectangle capable of covering the entire back of the user.

Then, take the hinges and attach them roughly 1-1/2 inches away from the edge to both of the rectangles, the second rectangle should be connected on its side to the top of the first rectangle, to create a flap of steel at the base of the second rectangle that can move with the user for mobility. Bend the nails/screws inward and blunt the points as much as possible to prevent injury and ensure effectiveness so that the spine does not disconnect easily.

Finally, attach the second rectangle to the jumper and the first rectangle to the buttocks of the trousers as best as possible. Use a combination of nails inserted from the exterior and the interior and bend the nails as with the hinges to create a sturdy, albeit ad hoc, connection between the three articles. If possible, weld the external nails to the rectangles as best as possible to prevent them being ripped out.

Final Step – Optional Additions
The combined armor should feature the helmet protecting the head of the user, the jumper and trousers protecting the back, spine, and buttocks of the user, and the two lids protecting the vulnerable sides. Strength is paramount when under heavy siege to prevent the head being ripped off and the shields being disarmed.

Due to zombie's common ability to sniff out living creatures, aerosols and other unguents should be applied to the spine and shields to confuse scent trails, as with some hunting methods which uses scents to drive off predators. Of particular note is that zombies rarely eat dead material, and thus applying the stomach acids etc. of the deceased to the shields should assist. Beware, however, that it is not unheard of, and may in fact attract zombies to eat the user by mistaking it for a wounded living person.

Remaining calm ensures that the heart rate and breathing is slow and steady, meaning that if the zombies hunt by sound or heartrate, they will be less able to detect the user. Walkmans and other portable music devices could be installed into the helmet to play calming music to aid in this method, as being surrounded by those out to kill and devour you is indeed a traumatic experience and many will find it hard to remain calm. It should be noted that the music should not be played loud enough to be heard through the helmet or it will attract zombies, and batteries will be difficult to find in a dystopia. Also, the music should not deafen the user to the exterior world, or it will prevent them from remaining alert to their surroundings and the often silent zombies.

Note: This armor is not designed to defend against sustained assault, if the zombies do not lose interest or are unaware of the user, the best option is to attempt escape by any reasonable means. It is designed to deterr attack and protect against some level of threat, not to allow you to walk through an entire horde.