BDUs for Optimal Comfort and Durability

WHAT IS A BDU?

The typical military battle clothing is referred to as a BDU, or battle dress uniform, and is created for utility, durability, and concealment. The battle dress uniform, or BDU, is intended to offer soldiers maximum field protection and comfort.

The phrase “BDU” refers to the full uniform set, which normally consists of a jacket, trousers and occasionally a hat or cap. BDUs are built to resist the rigours of battle and hostile surroundings since they are comprised of durable fabrics like ripstop.

Need more info? Read our BDU breakdown.

NYCO RIPSTOP

NyCo Ripstop is designed to withstand the wear and tear of tactical and military activities, making it ideal for long-lasting BDUs. The combination of nylon and cotton ensures a comfortable fit, providing breathability and moisture-wicking properties for extended wear, and the specialised ripstop weave pattern prevents the spread of tears, ensuring your BDU stays functional and intact.

POLYCO RIPSTOP

PolyCo Ripstop is incredibly durable. For tactical and military uses, the polyester and cotton combination creates a strong, durable fabric. The ripstop weave design ensures the durability of your BDU by preventing tears from spreading.

CORDURA

CORDURA is a great material for BDU reinforcement in high-wear regions because of its remarkable strength and abrasion resistance. Despite its durability, CORDURA is nonetheless lightweight, ensuring that your BDU is still comfortable and convenient to wear. A high-performance, multipurpose BDU can be made using CORDURA in combination with additional materials like NyCo or PolyCo ripstop.

MATERIAL SELECTION

The UF PRO Striker BDU stands out for its inclusion of scholler-stretch panels. This highly durable stretch material is strategically placed to ensure unrestricted movement, enabling you to run, crawl, jump, or squat with ease.

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

Look for BDUs with reinforced stitching, double-layered fabric in high-wear areas, and ergonomic design, ensuring a durable yet comfortable uniform.

CUSTOMISATION

Opt for BDUs with adjustable waist and ankle tabs, as well as removable elbow and knee pads, to create a personalised fit that caters to your specific needs and preferences.

BREATHABLE AND MOISTURE-WICKING MATERIALS FOR ALL CLIMATES

Designed with our innovative breathable and moisture-wicking materials, UF PRO gear offers superior comfort in diverse weather conditions. Whether you’re in the humid tropics or dry heat, our clothing efficiently manages sweat by pulling moisture away from the body. This critical feature helps to keep you dry, preventing chafing and discomfort during extended wear. It also aids in maintaining body temperature, preventing overheating during strenuous activities, and promoting heat retention in colder environments.

WINDSTOPPER LINING FOR UNRIVALLED WIND PROTECTION

The WINDSTOPPER Lining, compatible with many of our products, offers robust protection against biting wind chill. This specialised technology blocks the wind, preserving your body’s warmth without compromising breathability. It’s an essential feature for those operating in windy conditions, be it on a high-altitude mission or patrolling in open areas.

VENTILATION IN TACTICAL GEAR FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT

Our tactical gear is uniquely designed with strategic ventilation zones, allowing for optimal air circulation. These areas help to regulate body temperature by allowing excess heat to escape, which is crucial during high-intensity activities or in hot climates. But it’s not just about keeping cool; these ventilation zones also work in colder weather, helping to reduce the risk of overheating and the subsequent chill from sweat evaporation.

POLICE VS MILITARY BDU: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES.

While both police and military personnel serve to protect and maintain peace, the nature of their operations and environments can vastly differ. This is reflected in their Battle Dress Uniforms (BDUs). At UF PRO, we take these distinctions into account to design and manufacture high-quality BDUs for both sectors.

ADAPTABLE DESIGN

Police uniforms often incorporate features that enable officers to transition between roles swiftly. This can include pockets for equipment, such as radios and handcuffs, and areas for clear identification.

DISCREET PROTECTION

In many urban settings, overt tactical gear can be a barrier to effective community policing. As such, police BDUs often integrate discreet protective elements.

UNIFORM COLOURS

Police BDUs typically come in solid, darker shades such as brown-grey, navy blue, or black, suitable for blending into urban environments and conveying authority.

CAMOUFLAGE PATTERNS

Unlike the solid colours of police BDUs, military uniforms often employ camouflage patterns designed for specific terrains, such as woodland, desert, or digital patterns.

ROBUST CONSTRUCTION

Military BDUs are built to withstand the rigours of combat, with robust materials that resist tears and abrasions. They often include reinforced knees and elbows for extra durability.

LOAD-BEARING DESIGN

Given the heavy equipment military personnel often carry, their BDUs are designed with load-bearing capabilities, like the air/pac, and include numerous pockets and attachment points for gear.

GET MORE INTEL ON BATTLE DRESS UNIFORMS.

When it comes to Battle Dress Uniforms (BDUs), having the right information at your fingertips can make all the difference in your operational readiness and performance. Don't leave your gear selection to chance. Equip yourself with the necessary intel to understand the nuances of BDU design, materials, and usability.

BDU BREAKDOWN - KNOW YOUR BATTLE DRESS UNIFORM

BDU stands for Battle Dress Uniform. A BDU is the garment worn by armed forces personnel during active duty and while undertaking combat missions.

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THE EVOLUTION OF THE UF PRO STRIKER BDU

The Striker BDU has set the industry standards in reliability, functionality and comfort.. In this blog post we'll walk you through the whole evolution of this outstanding uniform.

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POLICE UNIFORMS VS. MILITARY UNIFORMS

On the surface, clothes that “look tactical” seem to have only minor differences. But do they really? In this post, we dive deep into the differences between police and military clothing.

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE STRIKER BDU.

Our Striker combat gear represents an ideal fusion of advanced technology and innovative materials, meticulously designed to keep you agile, comfortable, and combat-ready in even the most demanding situations. Delve into the science behind these high-performance garments and explore how they're precisely engineered to handle the toughest operational conditions.

Tactical Gear Durability vs Comfort

Why Ergonomic Design Matters in Tactical Clothing

FAQ's:

What’s in a UF PRO BDU?

Our UF PRO BDU is a three-piece set encapsulating our Striker Combat Shirt, Combat Pants, and high-quality, functional Cap or Boonie Hat. Our BDUs—like everything we make—derives from a mindset of creating high-end tactical clothing designed to help you to accomplish your mission under even extraordinarily difficult conditions.

Is the UF PRO BDU fire resistant?

The version sold to the public is not fire-resistant. The BDU version we sell to governments is indeed fire-resistant. If you’re interested in learning more about buying the FR version as a governmental purchase for yourself and your unit, please contact us here.

Are UF PRO BDUs NIR-compliant?

All of our camouflage BDUs are NIR-compliant. However, BDUs in unicolour variations are not NIR-compliant.

Can I buy BDUs in a pattern/colour which isn't listed on the site?

You can’t currently order our gear in a custom colour if all that you’re purchasing is a quantity of one (or even a dozen). The only way to get our BDUs in a non-listed pattern or colour is if you put in for a large-quantity run (orders need to be sufficiently sizable for us to manufacture custom clothing). Contact us here for more info.

Are knee and elbow pads included?

No. Our 3D Tactical Knee Pads and Flex Elbow Pads are sold separately.

When did the term BDU come into usage?

Operators began speaking of BDUs in the 1980s. BDUs were seen as a stepping stone toward fulfillment of the need for tactical gear with greater functionality and advanced camouflage patterns.

Initially, BDUs were designed to accommodate a range of body shapes. They also featured special pockets with multiple easy access openings. As well, they were constructed to permit wearers to enjoy ample freedom of movement. Later, these same BDU characteristics served as building blocks for other types of tactical garments that became mainstays in all branches of the U.S. military before making their way in the mid-2000s to law enforcement and various special units.

What materials are UF PRO BDUs made of?

We use high-quality PolyCo (Polyester/Cotton) blends. They’re woven using Ripstop technique and form the base material of our BDU gear.

Our Combat Pants incorporate in key locations a schoeller®-dynamic stretch material made of 92% Polyamide and 8% Elastane to give the wearer more freedom of movement.

To our Combat Shirts we add Merino/Polyester fabric, which increases their moisture-wicking properties and reduces drying time. They also have a reinforced mesh armpit made from a type of durable nylon, which helps them last far longer than you’d expect.

Our Winter BDU gear employs top-class G-Loft thermal insulation set apart from the pack by its optimal weight/insulatio

What's the difference between ACU and BDU?

BDU stands for battle dress uniform, while ACU stands for army combat uniforms. In the U.S. military, the two are distinguished by various features.

BDU:

Jacket has four pockets arranged in a square
Button-down frontal closure
Requires nametape be sewn on, while badges can be either sewn or pinned
Cuffs are closed by buttons
Standard collar and lapels

ACU:

Two upper-body slash pockets at an angle (for easy access while wearing a plate carrier and any load-bearing equipment)
Trouser has cargo slash-pockets at an angle (for easier access)
Nametapes, badges, and other insignia are attached with Velcro (the exception is skill badges which must be pinned)
Shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) is affixed to a Velcro strip (the SSI is a permanent IR reflective patch)
Pen pockets on the arms
Cuffs are closed/adjusted with Velcro
Front closure is a combination zipper and Velcro strip
Mandarin collar

EXPLORE THE UF PRO BDU.

At UF PRO, we understand these unique requirements and design our BDUs accordingly. Our tactical gear combines comfort, functionality, and durability to meet the specific needs of both police and military personnel. Each uniform is a testament to our commitment to supporting those who serve, providing them with the gear they need to perform at their best in any situation.