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From: Army Times
Soldier PT gear will continue its drastic makeover in 2015.
Over the next few years, more and more soldiers will work out in black threads with gold lettering. Touted highlights include lightweight moisture-wicking/quick-drying fabric, tag-less design, and better fit (including female-specific sizing).
The Army Physical Fitness Uniform has already begun appearing in stores, and the rollout will continue in the coming year. The estimated wear-out date for the current Improved Physical Fitness Uniform has been estimated at fall 2017, with mandatory possession of the APFU a year later.
The APFU drops reflective materials; that addresses stealth issues while working out in a war zone as well as cuts costs. PT belts can be used when better visibility is desired.
The Army will also offer an optional high-performance fabric. It will be lighter but less durable, appear the same, and cost more.
Optional gear costs are below (next to prices of the standard counterpart). Available now:
S/S T-Shirt: $17.95 (Regular version: $6.86)
L/S T-Shirt: $19.95 (Regular version: $8.35)
Trunks: $21.95 (Regular version: $16.41)
Available December-February:
Unisex Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)
Unisex Pant: $48.95 (Regular version: $32.69)
Female Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)
Female Pants: $48.95 (Regular version: $33.37)
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/01/01/pt-uniform-army-costs/21012929/
Soldier PT gear will continue its drastic makeover in 2015.
Over the next few years, more and more soldiers will work out in black threads with gold lettering. Touted highlights include lightweight moisture-wicking/quick-drying fabric, tag-less design, and better fit (including female-specific sizing).
The Army Physical Fitness Uniform has already begun appearing in stores, and the rollout will continue in the coming year. The estimated wear-out date for the current Improved Physical Fitness Uniform has been estimated at fall 2017, with mandatory possession of the APFU a year later.
The APFU drops reflective materials; that addresses stealth issues while working out in a war zone as well as cuts costs. PT belts can be used when better visibility is desired.
The Army will also offer an optional high-performance fabric. It will be lighter but less durable, appear the same, and cost more.
Optional gear costs are below (next to prices of the standard counterpart). Available now:
S/S T-Shirt: $17.95 (Regular version: $6.86)
L/S T-Shirt: $19.95 (Regular version: $8.35)
Trunks: $21.95 (Regular version: $16.41)
Available December-February:
Unisex Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)
Unisex Pant: $48.95 (Regular version: $32.69)
Female Jacket: $59.95 (Regular version: $51.42)
Female Pants: $48.95 (Regular version: $33.37)
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/01/01/pt-uniform-army-costs/21012929/
Posted in these groups: 
Physical Training
Gear
Physical Training Gear
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 20
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I believe that the AF version incorporates integrated, multiple redundant, mono-fiber computer controlled bio-generators which will light up the waist band in the dark and flash the letters 'U' - 'S' - 'A' - 'F' when the wearer is running. (Estimated cost price $1,234,567.89 per Tee-shirt [cost of the shorts is still classified].)
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I have to get me one of those PT shirts COL Ted Mc do you have friends in high places? Would you put in a good word for me.
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FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CAN WE STOP CHANGING UNIFORMS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FASHION?!
Maybe this APFU is better. It is nice that there is an option to wear a "better" version instead of making it clothing bag. I will bet you all the gold in Ft Knox that the reflective belt will continue.
The ACU is an abortion. The beret was terrible. The new APFU was an improvement, especially when the air was cold and the ground was wet. The ASU is... well, nobody wears the darn thing regularly so who cares.
At least we are getting around to correcting the mistakes of the past.
Maybe this APFU is better. It is nice that there is an option to wear a "better" version instead of making it clothing bag. I will bet you all the gold in Ft Knox that the reflective belt will continue.
The ACU is an abortion. The beret was terrible. The new APFU was an improvement, especially when the air was cold and the ground was wet. The ASU is... well, nobody wears the darn thing regularly so who cares.
At least we are getting around to correcting the mistakes of the past.
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I really like the new APFU. For once, the Army actually listened and made some awesome upgrades. Hoping the upcoming multicam is as good as what we had downrange - that's another uniform I really liked. Let's go back to the WW2 style class A's, and the Army would be batting 1000 for uniform upgrades over the last few years.
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Class A Uniform. 3 different uniforms since 1992. Greens, Greens with different dye, blues.
Duty Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. BDUs, ACUs, Multicams coming.
PT Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. Yellow banana suit, greys, blacks coming.
USMC. One class A uniform since 1950s.
Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we are changing just for changes sake. I would love to see someone make a coherent argument as to why the greens with different dye and the ACUs were an improvement. My guess is that local commanders/CSMs will still require a PT belt with the blacks. Old habits die hard.
Duty Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. BDUs, ACUs, Multicams coming.
PT Uniform. 2 different uniforms since 1992. Yellow banana suit, greys, blacks coming.
USMC. One class A uniform since 1950s.
Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we are changing just for changes sake. I would love to see someone make a coherent argument as to why the greens with different dye and the ACUs were an improvement. My guess is that local commanders/CSMs will still require a PT belt with the blacks. Old habits die hard.
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MAJ (Join to see)
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM Sir, I'm just glad this one was an actual improvement. After the berets and ASUs, I was skeptical. And if this new duty uniform is at least similar to the multicams, I'll again be happy.
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LTC Stephen C.
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM, I liked the PT uniforms I used when I enlisted much better. I just took off my OD cotton fatigue shirt, and started exercising!
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COL Ted Mc
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM Colonel, you say "Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we are changing just for changes sake." but you have overlooked the third reason - which is to make the Chairborne look good.
To illustrate, back in the 1980s the Canadians introduced their "Garrison Dress" uniforms. They had a really cool pseudo camouflage jacket and twelve eyelet high patent leather boots. Why everyone wearing it looked like a real spiffy paratrooper. The uniform lasted less than six months - which was how long it took for the facts that [a] the boots were incredibly likely to slide if you walked on highly polished floors (like you find in HQ buildings) and [b] you looked really dumb in the jacket if you didn't wear the boots to sink in. [The rumour that the boots were kiboshed because a statistically significant percentage of the O-5+s couldn't bend over to tie them properly is a base canard.]
To illustrate, back in the 1980s the Canadians introduced their "Garrison Dress" uniforms. They had a really cool pseudo camouflage jacket and twelve eyelet high patent leather boots. Why everyone wearing it looked like a real spiffy paratrooper. The uniform lasted less than six months - which was how long it took for the facts that [a] the boots were incredibly likely to slide if you walked on highly polished floors (like you find in HQ buildings) and [b] you looked really dumb in the jacket if you didn't wear the boots to sink in. [The rumour that the boots were kiboshed because a statistically significant percentage of the O-5+s couldn't bend over to tie them properly is a base canard.]
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The new APFU looks great, but there is something I would have added. A permanent reflective strip across the lower portion of the t-shirts, and a diagonal reflective strip from right shoulder, to left side on the jackets. You can pick what color strip you want based on your status (Jr. Enlisted, NCO, Officer). No one could ever say, "Oh I forgot my PT belt, Sarge!"
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CPT (Join to see)
Very true! And that's another perfect example of why I never waste my time with those damn surveys.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
CPT (Join to see), that's why the people who actually wear the uniform for its intended purpose, should be the ones who create it. I remember when "the big wigs" sent out a survey for the APFU, but I did not see the embedded PT belt as an option.
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LTC (Join to see)
What happens if the shirts shrink? Or if your body size is different than others? Making a strip at the bottom of the shirt would only work if the shirt was worn untucked, but then every Senior Enlisted Leader's mind would explode at the same time.
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The one thing I don't get is the lack of integrated reflection. The Army could have saved a considerable amount of money on belts if they would have made the yellow in the jacket reflective.
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MSG(P) (Join to see)
Ok funny story. APPARENTLY, and be prepared to laugh, the new APFU was specifically designed to be non reflective so soldiers could conduct PT in hostile/combat areas without being easily seen. For garrison a pt belt can be worn to increase visibility. This is NO JOKE!
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Black uniform for 4am runs... brilliant. I'm sure they'll fix the issue of formations getting run over by cars by requiring everyone to wear a "road guard vest" over it and carry "chem sticks".
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MAJ (Join to see)
How many formations have been run over that you know of? And every unit I've seen no requires some sort of reflective vest or belt.
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They look nice but those things are FREEZING in the winter here at drum... They seem to have half the warmth retention of the older PT's.. Its nice that there is a thinner version for the heat, but where is the thicker version for Drum and Alaska,?
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WE DID THIS!!!. not long ago, AKO sent out an email and had a survey about what uniform looked better. we all put the prettiest new uniform on ther and the big army considered that a vote. they didnt give us the option to stay with what we had. there is a similar study going around about changing the name of PLDC, or WLC now. the new names are ridiculous. whats the point of changing it again. i just bought a brand new set of PT uniforms in June. all brand new. and now i receive messages that it is highly encouraged that senior NCOs have the new stuff. quite honestly, i am tired of digging into my posckets to offset the money for new unforms. if it hurts a MSG that is dual mil, i know it hurts the Soldiers. we got to make another change. a change to stop chaniging things just because. now that im off my box, i will admit the change looks nice.
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SSG (Join to see)
What is the unmet requirement that necessitated this change? Change for the sake of change is a big part of our spending problem. Something looking a bit nicer and adding a few nice to have's shouldn't ever be enough to drive any acquisition, not without a valid requirement.
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LTC (Join to see)
These are the most succinct comments in the thread. We are in a resource constrained period; we are constantly being told about having to reduce pay, retirement benefits, housing benefits, closing of PXs and Commissaries, and there is a definite reduction of funding for unit office and barracks areas as well as some impacts on training for units not slated to imminently deploy. So how can anyone justify the new costs for the PTs or even the uniforms? Uniforms for depolying troops I understand, but now is not the time to expend scarce dollars to purchase new PT gear! As with the other discussion on the fitness of the force, while I personally wear and believe in high-performance gear, but I also do more than a slow walk and stretching when I do PT. If the force was as fit as we want it to be, maybe we'd all need new high-performance gear. More disappointing is that some of the senior folks commenting here do not tie in the reduction of benefits as a factor in deciding whether or not to spend money on another change! Protect pay, protect retirement, protect benefits -- all things we have earned that are at threat to be "reduced". Until you can do that, don't spend another time on another unnecessary change, which won't make us faster, make us fight harder or go farther than we can go now.
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MSG (Join to see)
Absolutely agree sir. I was on duty last night and an NCO came in with the new PT gear on. Looked great. But he was freezing. It was below 30 this morning and he said it was horrible. I felt the gear and it felt thin. Way too thin. Looked great though. Lol.
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Alright, another new uniform that they spent a ton of money on for "R&D". They probably walk to the local sports store and just look at old Nike, Under Armor, etc. then decide which one to throw an Army logo on.
Who knows, maybe in 2025 the Army will wear both hot and cold weather PT's that are actually in the same decade. Seriously, that 1992 "Fresh Prince of Nowhere" Grey PT jacket was funny as hell. The performance was below the standards of anything in the sportswear market. From the sweat wicking, to the airflow & control, it was pretty outdated.
Who knows, maybe in 2025 the Army will wear both hot and cold weather PT's that are actually in the same decade. Seriously, that 1992 "Fresh Prince of Nowhere" Grey PT jacket was funny as hell. The performance was below the standards of anything in the sportswear market. From the sweat wicking, to the airflow & control, it was pretty outdated.
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MSG (Join to see)
The "Fresh Prince of Nowhere" look I feel was the military "ballin on a budget" look. I still have those things somewhere. Best use for them is as pajamas or a house cleaning uniform. No more no less. As for the new ones, as long as they issue the first set when they are released instead of myself buying them I'll see what happens.
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