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Posted: 4/22/2006 1:38:59 PM EDT
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On BDU.com I see Poly/Cotton Ripstop, Nylon/Cotton Ripstop and 100% Cotton Ripstop. Which is the mil-spec? or are they all mil-spec for different applications? Thanks. |
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The military issued(s) nylon/cotton as "temperate", and enhanced nylon/cotton and 100% cotton ripstop as "hot weather". All I ever wore I the Marine Corps was the 100% cottons, but when my wife was in the Army (mid-90's), her initial issue was two pairs each of the enhanced ny/co and the ny/co. I can't speak for the Army, but after initial training, as long as they looked good, you could wear whatever fabric you wanted, although I recall some obscure regulation about not wearing a shirt of one with pants of the other. I bought ripstops (10 pairs total in seven years), and wore them everywhere from the desert to Norway in January. The normal nylon/cottons, or 50/50's, are visibly heavier, and to me at least, hotter. The enhanced nyco's were supposedly brought on to fill the role of the ripstops but be more durable, but that was debatable. After wearing ripstops forever, EHWBDU's seemed like a solution in search of a problem. |
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In the Army you can't mix the temperate weather and hot weathers together. No temperate weather top, and hot weather bottoms or the other way around. I don't know if the enhanced Hot weather were any more durable in terms of rip resistance, but they definately were a lot less prone to fading. Even using a good color safe detergent, and washing inside out in cold water, the old 100% cotton faded in less than a dozen washes. |
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Since I finished BCT where the DS's made you wear certain BDU's, I've only worn my hot weathers. Why? They're lighter and more comfortable. If it's cold, that's what I've got poly pro's, a wool sweater or a Gore-Tex jacket for (which I hardly use any of this 'snivel gear' anyways but that's beside the point). For BDU's, get the hot weathers. You'll be much happier especially come summer time. I've seen and treated WAY too many heat casualties. [Major Edit before posting] SPC (P) Richard A. White, Senior Medic 249th MP Detachment (EACF) Camp Humphreys, ROK |
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bdu.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=FC Nyco ripstop is the military stuff, unfortunately it only comes in woodland and desert camo. The 100% cotton stuff isn't that great, the colors fade quickly. The poly/cotton ripstop is not military issue, I think. I think propper sells it to police departments and so on. It is heavier than nyco but not as heavy as twill. |
That's exactly the reason that the ACU's only come in the lighter weight material. They also dry faster than the temperate weight ones. That little bit of extra thickness won't really make you that much warmer when it's cold, but it does seem a lot more noticeable in the heat. |
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Thanks for the help guys. Looks like 1 pair nyco ripstop for SHTF - still deciding detween desert or woodland. Im thinking a couple pairs of solid color cotton ripstop for work / keep in truck to get home from work if necessary. You guys think these would fade too fast for that use? Im a supervisor in a factory, so I pretty much just walk around. (hope boss isn't reading)  ETA - I am borderline between L and XL and Short/Regular. 38w 29l loose fit jeans give me room for IWB Carry fairly comfortable. Any suggestions on which size? L Short or XL reg? |
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I LIKE my woodlands to fade a little bit. My cotton woodlands look closer to multicam and blend better in AL than woodland while my 50/50 still look brand new. BTW the 50/50 don't get as wrinkled but are definitely hotter in the summer. I was always under the assumption that the 50/50 were for folks driving a desk and needed to look nice while in the office...might just be someone's BS though? |
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