Ten types of shape memory fabrics were fabricated using shape memory alloys to evaluate the thermal protective performance of these temperature-responsive smart fabric systems. Tests with these fabrics studied the effects of the shape memory alloy spacing, the shape memory fabric density and the aramid yarn type of the fabric on the thermal protective performance. The results demonstrate that the smart fabric systems significantly reduce the temperature rise, specifically prolonging the times for temperature rises of 12℃ and 24℃. The smart fabric systems provide the best thermal protection with 2 cm shape memory alloy spacings and shape memory fabrics woven using aramid 1414 with a fabric density of 20 wale/cm.