Posted: 7/31/2008 3:46:12 AM EDT
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I have kind of an odd question for you guys that wear underarmor, well, under your armor. Do you guys notice that your body odor is worse using underarmor vs. cotton shirts? I'm all about cotton shirts, but i'm a little fed up with them bunching up so I thought I'd try UA. The first day, I took my vest of, and I smelled like I had run a marathon every day for a month without a shower. the smell isn't focused in any particular area, either. it's the whole damed shirt. I've never experienced this with cotton. FWIW, I tried it with both the "cotton feel" UA shirts and the heat gear and had the same problem |
Under Armor is simply not for long term wear. it was developed originally - and likely most appropriate for - athletics. You want my opinion - find some nice tight fitting 50/50 blend thin t-shirts and drive on. <--- Not a cop, but have spend many long days in body armor. |
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I find that the odor gets into the Under Armor fabric and stays there. It does not easily was out. I have one of the nice Underarmor shirts, and while I feel a bit more sexy with it on...it friggin' stinks. I also have a couple knock of Target brands...same...I don't wear them anymore. I go with the cotton now. It is soaked at the end of the day...but stinks less during the day. |
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i've worn UA compression crew necks under my soft body armor for 2+ years now exclusively. 8+ hour days. no stink, no problems. i spray down the inside of my vest after shift with Febreeze Antimicrobial and lay flat to dry. i wash the vest cover at least every 5 days and wipe down the panels with mild soap at the same interval. BO comes from naturally occurring bacteria+body oil+heat+moisture. you may need to shower up better, change soaps, or look at your vest/cover as a source of the bacteria contributing to cooking up the stink. UA may just not be for you. no biggie. |
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I wore the tan compression underarmour t shirts everyday in Iraq for a 13 month deployment, a lot of the guys that wore cotton shirts got heat/sweat rashes. I wore it for hours and hours at a time and over night. Who ever says it isn't for long term wear I beg to differ. I wear black ones everyday at the academy. I think they are top notch. Your under armor stinks because it is allowing the sweat to evaporate rather then just stay wet. The Marine Corps isn't issuing underarmour and I don't think they every have, though plenty of guys buy it on their own. USMC is issuing potomac field gear shirts. Which are fire resistant no drip shirts, their wicking properties aren't as good as underarmour in my opinion but then I am presently not concerned with burning to death when a IED hits my humvee. |
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It's transfer from the vest. Working in 110 degree heat on the bike in the summer, the cat-piss smell is inevitable. Some detergents work better than others on the shirts and carrier. About the best you can do for the vest is Febreze and a weekly once-over of the panels with soap and water. |
+1 on that I just dropped 125 bucks on 5 white ones since we have gone to a Class A uniform for all shifts. But they last for years! |
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They have a new shirt ]www.underarmour.com/shop/mens/apparel/underwear-and-socks/underwear/pid1000884-Men-s-HeatGear-Relaxed-Crew/1000884-001[/url\ Relaxed crew fit shirt. Not as tight as the original. Doesn't seem to smell as bad. and only 19.99. The only drawbacks is that it only comes in black or white and no v-necks. I've been using Underarmour for 7 years now. went from the original heat gear to the UA teck shirts. For a while I tried the 5.11 shirts. These shirts so far are working out great. |
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I love UA under my cop armor and also when i was overseas in Iraq, i feel a lot more comfortable with that than with some soaking wet t-shirt rubbing the shit out of me. And yes, i too have notice that BO is pronounced w/ UA, but all it takes to fix that is a quik shower. |
That was me. I said they weren't designed for long term wear - they weren't. If your skin can handle it - more power to you. The fact remains that the fabric / design was originally for football - and way too many people let the brand name make them think these were purpose built for police / military. Add that to the melting and stench problem - and people shouldn't automatically assume that the stiff price makes them the "best" for their particular application. |
If it really smells like ammonia, try some vinegar in the water. Vinegar neutralizes ammonia smell. |
I thought the military stopped issuing UA because it melts to the skin when on fire or something to that effect? But anyways I love my UA, Yeah they stink but thats why they get changed |
Because UA was designed for football I don't see how that automatically equals it is unsuitable for long term wear? Because a technology is devised for one application does not automatically mean it is unsuitable for other applications. Velcro was designed for outerspace and works just fine here on earth. If you have a better alternative to underarmour what is it? |
No branch has ever issued underarmour to my knoweldge. But lots of soldiers, Marines, etc buy it on their own. Potomac Field Gear is melt proof and is current USMC issue. |
They also melt in a dryer. Air dry is your best bet. if the UA gets pressed up against the wall of the dryer for any length of time, it'll melt it. I've got waffle patterns on multiple shirts from the dryer stopping with the UA next to the vent. |
1-184th INF (AASLT) CAARNG I moved to KY when I got back from OIF III |
I heard it was not allowed, but no one seems to be buying tons of flash-resistant UA (probably because of expense). I'll probably buy it and wear it just outside the wire. |
It isn't as comfortable. Its made of a nomex blend. |
I'm also not comfortable with the price tag, these flash shirts are almost twice as expensive! |
Again, I just use the 50/50 blend 10 dollar PX specials. I find a brand that fits right in the pits, etc. - and stick with it until something changes again. I asked around - and learned about Potomac Field Gear shirts. I came back here to share my discovery and... I guess you were already familiar  .They don't appear to be any more expensive that UA. |
Potomac field gear t-shit is $30. www.potomacfieldgear.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=174 |