I changed because of a back injury. We adopted a policy that we could switch to nylon duty gear for "regular" patrol (as opposed to bicycle, canine or SWAT when in their special uniforms, etc. who were allowed to use nylon gear for their utility-type assignments) with a doctor's note specifying lightest duty gear possible as a medical necessity. Uniform Supply issued a nylon duty belt with a wide Velcro-attached back brace, and we were responsible for buying the rest. It was interesting how many folks utilized this exemption. BTW, I was injured in 1995 and still suffer the effects.