BDUs question

[USAF385]

I'm looking to pick up some BDU pants / tops for bummin' around this fall and winter. I have old woodland BDUs from the Air Force, and also the new ABUs, but I want to get some plain olive drab, khaki, brown, and black. I've already located a few places online where I can get them.

My question:

The fabric.. what's what?

They have:

100% cotton rip-stop
poly/cotton twill
poly/cotton rip-stop

Which is winter weight and which is summer? I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fabric. I'm thinking the poly/cotton rip-stop is light weight.. but I've been wrong once or twice before.

 

[Bob R]

Which ever one you go with, you want the rip-stop.

I have mostly poly-cotton, that way I can wear them year round, if it gets cold I wear longjohns, if it gets really cold I will wear polypropylene thermal underwear. If it gets really, really, really cold (below 0F) I will put a shell over the top of the pants.

I am a firm beliver in layering and because of that I can get away with the lighter weight pants.

If all you want to do is wear them around while doing normal activities, the 100% cotton may be the way to go for a little heavier material. I don't know how much they shrink so make sure you take that into consideration.

bob

 

[MrJT]

The 100% cotton would be the heaviest / warmest I believe.

 

[snakeman32]

The all cotton will be the heaviest ones. Like was already said, get the rip-stop fabric.


snakeman

 

[JcMack]

I vote for cotton in summer. Poly holds in heat. In in the cold if there's any chance of getting wet cotton is out. Cotton will not hold in body heat when wet. I don't know about poly. The armies of the world wore wool because it breaths and yet retains body heat when wet. I can't wear poly which is shame because at my age I should be wearin Hawaiian shirts.

 

[safearm]

Poly/cotton ripstop is the material that the summer weight BDUs are made from. The winter weight BDUs are the 100% cotton or poly/cotton twill (non-ripstop).

 

[GatorFarmer]

I'd be more concerned about country of origin than the exact composition. Many are "U.S. components", but are in fact sewn in Haiti, Honduras, etc. These tend to have inferior stitching. If you can find ones that are U.S. fabric and U.S. sewn, you'll probably be happiest.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I've worn many different types/brands of utilities. My personal favorite is the poly/cotton rip-stop.

100% cotton shrinks too much and they fade out twice as fast as the poly/cotton ones.

Whichever you decide on, make sure they are of the rip-stop material and not the twill.

You'll thank me later.

The best brand for the money I've found are made by a company called Propper. Avoid the Tru-Spec brand like the plague.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I'd be more concerned about country of origin than the exact composition. Many are "U.S. components", but are in fact sewn in Haiti, Honduras, etc. These tend to have inferior stitching. If you can find ones that are U.S. fabric and U.S. sewn, you'll probably be happiest.

I think he'll have a better chance of winning the lottery...getting struck by lightning...or stumbling across the Hope Diamond.

 

[Bob R]

Another option for "bumming around" pants are 5.11 pants. They make several different styles.

LA Police gear usually has a sale going on with them and they are often cheaper than BDU's. You also get a choice of colors.

bob

 

[Glock 'em down]

Another option for "bumming around" pants are 5.11 pants. They make several different styles.

LA Police gear usually has a sale going on with them and they are often cheaper than BDU's. You also get a choice of colors.

bob

The 5.11s are awesome pants, very functional, tons of pockets.

However...

They are the HOTTEST damned pants I ever wore in my entire life!

Of course...here in Oklahoma in the summertime, it's only 157 degrees in the shade!!!

 

[robotoid]

+1 for Propper, I bought a bunch from BDU.com recently, check out their clearance section. I got some shirts for about $5 each. I personally prefer the 100% cotton. I do not like the feel of the blend fabrics. I have one pair of Propper BDU 100% cotton pants that is about 10 yrs old and still going.

 

[USAF385]

Thanks for all the input, guys!

I knew I could count on the forum for good advice.