Yet another BDU question

JAlexander

JAlexander

Joined
Oct 16, 2003
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And it doesn't appear to be addressed in the archives.

So I'm preparing to go into full mall ninja mode and buy a couple pairs of Propper BDUs. Okay, I'm really buying them so I'll have something relatively durable to wear while cutting down brush and building new fence. I was gonna wear jeans, but the extra pockets will come in handy, and I figure the BDUs will be looser.
My question is this: How much can I expect the cotton ripstop to shrink with the initial washing? I can live with a bit, but I'm on the borderline between one size and another. I don't want to buy the smaller size (which would fit fine, as listed) and have them shrink so much that I can't button them. And alternatively, I don't want to buy the larger size if they won't shrink somewhat to fit.

H*ll, maybe I'm overthinking it all. Help?

James
 
I know this isn't a direct enough answer for you, sorry.

It depends on what they are made of. BDUS are come in many different flavors of polyester and cotton, depending on what conditions you're expecting (heat, water, abrasion, etc.)

So, I don't think polyester will shrink. If you get a pair thats a high percentage of polyester I bet you can still wash with warm water and put them in a dryer and never tell a difference. Cotton shinks a lot, though.

Also, BDU's have metal/elastic bands within the beltline, so if your pant were say, an inch or maybe two too big for your waist, you'd be able to cinch it down.

Hope this helps.
 
Is not a tough material. It light and comfgortable but if you want rugged go with the regular weight BDU.
 
I've only been wearing Propper 60/40 BDUs and they shrink a bit, but I always wash them in cold when I first get them to minimize that.

You'll probably find yourself wearing them all the time though. I used to only wear Levis but now rarely ever wear the Levis anymore. With all the pockets of the BDUs, the comfort, and price, I can't see wearing anything else.

Levis are $40+ per pair, BDUs are $21. Levis are tight, restrictive, and have (IMHO) useless pockets. BDUs on the other hand have great pockets, are durable (double knees), and I can tie the cuffs at my ankles to keep the bugs from crawling up my legs.

I hardly ever wear anything else, even in a professional office setting.
 
Originally posted by pcnorton
Is not a tough material. It light and comfgortable but if you want rugged go with the regular weight BDU.
Click to expand...

Hm. Well, considering that I'm gonna be traipsing through cedar brakes and building bobwahr fence in central Texas starting in April... Yeah, I do want light and comfortable. *grin*
However. Got a link to the regular weight BDU? These are the ones I was thinking of getting, since I was having trouble with the tactgear.com site.
http://www.outinstyle.com/page/ois/PROD/BDU001US/SESSION_ID/c95f6c214c660c3cf4a124489ac14dfc

And I really appreciate all y'all's help and input.

James
 
All cotton will shrink a little, poly cotton not at all. I'd buy the larger size anyway, since most BDU's seem to run a little small. And, as already mentioned, there are takeup tabs in the waistband to adjust the fit a little.
 
Originally posted by kinzli

Levis are $40+ per pair .... Levis are tight, restrictive, and have (IMHO) useless pockets.
Click to expand...

You must be refering to the 500 style.
Have you looked at the 560 or looser styles? My Levis 560s are the only pants that fit me properly.
I have a big butt but only a 32 waist, so when shopping for any other pairs of pants I have to go to size 34 to get enough room in the seat! Not so with the 560s. The pockets are functional on these looser styles.
 
James, what size do you wear??? I may be able to hook you up with a couple pair of BDU trousers. ;)
 
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