What Does BDU Mean

Military clothing is known for its durability, high performance, and functionality – and BDUs are no exception. Even though it was officially retired by the US military in the mid-2000s, BDU clothing is still widely worn by outdoor enthusiasts, law enforcement, and others who work in tactical fields. But why? And what are military fatigues? Keep reading to discover more about what BDUs and fatigues are, their components, and why they’re such an iconic uniform to this day.

What Are BDUs?

What does BDU mean? An acronym for Battle Dress Uniform, the BDU was once worn by the US military for combat and active duty. BDU clothing was first introduced in late 1981, designed as a replacement for the standard OG-107 uniforms that troops had worn in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

Though the previous uniform had served well during the Korean War and Vietnam War, the military needed a more functional uniform that provided more advanced camouflage. Research and development led to the creation of BDUs, including the now-iconic M81 woodland camo pattern. BDUs were worn for decades before being retired by each military branch at varying dates throughout the mid-2000s.

What are military fatigues? Fatigues are just another name for the battle dress uniform or combat uniform. They’re thought to have gotten their name from the tiring, hard work of fatigue duty.

BDU Clothing

Though they’ve taken many forms over the years, the BDU generally consists of four different components: BDU pants, BDU coats, BDU patrol caps and boonie hats, and combat boots.

BDU Pants

BDU pants were made to offer rugged durability and functionality in the field, featuring a six-pocket design (two front pockets, two back pockets, and a cargo pocket on each leg). Reinforcements were sewn into high-stress areas like the knees for a tough construction that soldiers could rely on without needing to sacrifice agility. Other features include adjustable waist tabs, drawstring leg cuffs, and a durable ripstop fabric construction.

BDU Coats/Shirts

Another essential component of BDU clothing is the BDU coat/shirt. Army BDU shirts are notable for their four-pocket design on the front. Like BDU pants, they’re typically constructed using durable fabrics for reliability in any situation and feature reinforced high-stress points (double-reinforced elbows). Other features of the shirt include felled side seams and adjustable sleeve buttons.

BDU coats were worn over an undershirt and served as a protective layer from the elements.

BDU Patrol Caps & Boonie Hats

What does BDU mean? As the Battle Dress Uniform, it meant that soldiers needed to be protected, no matter the elements. There were two options: the BDU patrol cap and the boonie hat. BDU patrol caps, or field caps, are kepi-style hats with a stiff, rounded visor and a flat top. They look similar to ball caps, with the main difference being the flat top design of patrol caps.

Boonie hats are lightweight, wide-brimmed hats that were first worn by soldiers looking for protection from the harsh elements in Vietnam during the war. Though often confused with bucket hats, military boonie hats have a broader and less rigid brim and have a tough construction that can be worn in almost any weather conditions.

Combat Boots

Finishing off the BDU is a pair of combat boots. Though there were never any official BDU boots, it was recommended that a sturdy, constructed pair of boots be worn with BDU clothing, such as leather boots with durable outsoles.

Construction of BDUs

If you’ve shopped for BDU-style and BDU clothing, you may have discovered that items have different fabrics and materials from one another. This gives wearers more versatility in the climates where they wear their military clothing.

Fabrics

There are two fabrics/weaves that you’ll typically see with BDUs: ripstop and twill. Ripstop is a fabric woven with a reinforced technique; synthetic fibers like nylon are woven with a double thread at intervals, creating a tightly woven square to prevent rips and tears – hence the name Ripstop.

The other fabric used in BDUs is twill. This fabric has a tight, diagonal weave, making it much stronger than others. Commonly used to make jeans and bags, twill is known for its durability and resistance to regular wear and tear.

Materials Used in BDU Clothing

BDUs usually use a few different fabric blends, including cotton/poly twill, cotton/poly ripstop, and 100% cotton ripstop. What does that mean for the quality of BDUs? Cotton offers excellent breathability, comfort, and durability. And when combined with a twill or ripstop weave, it’s made even stronger. Polyester provides clothing with added strength, flexibility, and ease of care since it dries much quicker than cotton and is virtually stain-resistant.

Is one blend better than the other? Not necessarily; you can’t go wrong with choosing BDUs in any of these fabric blends. However, we should note that polyester blends usually offer more color retention after multiple washes, while 100% cotton is especially lightweight and breathable.

BDU Clothing Today

The BDU may not be in use by the military anymore, but that doesn’t mean that it’s completely out of service. Law enforcement officers, first responders, and other professionals wear BDUs because of the utility and performance it provides for duty work. It’s also worn by outdoor enthusiasts in need of clothing made to withstand rough wilderness conditions and civilians who appreciate military-style clothing. While it used to primarily utilize camo patterns like M81, BDU clothing of today can be found in a variety of colors, including black, gray, coyote brown, purple, and even pink.

Experience the Utility of BDUs

What does BDU mean? Combat uniforms once worn by the US military are still regularly in commission by professionals and civilians alike. And now that you know what military fatigues are, you can experience their function, utility, and other benefits for yourself. If you’re heading on a camping trip or another outdoor excursion, BDU clothing is just what you need to keep you comfortable and protected. Shop for high-quality, new, and used BDUs now at Army Surplus World.