Troop Activity Uniforms:
Relative Advantages of Official Boy Scout Pants
vs. BDUs vs. Nylon Zip-Off Cargo Pants
(Click
on Photos to View Details Close-Up)
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Official BSA "Boy Scout Trousers" |
BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform) |
Quality Nylon "Zip-Off" Convertible Cargo Pants. Various Brands Available in Clothing & Outdoor Stores |
Budget Generic Nylon "Zip-Off" Cargo Pants. Similar Styles Available in Most Discount Stores | |||||
| Color | Olive Drab |
Olive Drab |
Olive Drab |
Olive Drab |
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| Durability |
|
Single layer of a loosely
woven polyester blend. Note rip at stress point.
Note seam stitching method and compare with example at right. Click on photos to enlarge.
|
|
Heavy-duty polyester blend. A SECOND LAYER is added to the knees, seat, and other high wear areas! Seams are folded under before stitching. |
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Extra Fabric for Movement Tightly woven 100% Nylon. Good for shell layer, even in the winter. Promotes group cohesiveness in the woods, where the Uniform Method belongs. Seams are very strong. |
|
Tightly woven 100% Nylon.
Good for shell layer, even in the winter. Seams are very strong. Olive drab color is usually a closer match than indicated here.
|
| Purpose | Designed for indoor Troop meetings and
to be worn in a car on the way to a campout. Its main purpose is
symbolic, to indicate
membership in the BSA.
To use the Uniform Method with rugged outdoor activities, look for a "Troop Activity Uniform." We suggest nylon. |
Designed to withstand rough use in
battle during a war.
Still contains 40% cotton because 100% polyester can melt in some combat situations. Nylon can not be used in battle because it makes some noise with leg movement. |
Very well thought-out design. This
was
the choice of the Scouts in my Troop. Look for similar features in other brands available near you. Breathable nylon is the best choice for camping due to 0% cotton content. |
Designed to withstand rough use by kids. Nylon is the best choice for camping due to 0% cotton content. Cheap nylon that appears to be glossy or shiny is reported to retain body moisture (may not "breathe"). Scouts in my Troop that use them do not agree. |
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| Other Uses |
The 1980 Oscar
de la Renta design is not
popular with 21st Century boys.
Seldom (if ever) worn except to indicate membership in BSA. Considered by most people to be too expensive and impractical for campouts. |
Our Scouts wore them during the 1990s
at meetings,
year-round high adventure camping, at the mall, school, and for rough after-school
play.
Unlike nylon "Zip-Off" styles (right), you still need to buy both long and short pairs, according to season. |
Zip-off feature makes
them most convenient for a game period at meetings, and to quickly
remove a layer to avoid overheating while hiking. Zippered mesh sides in pockets for drainage and ventilation. Can be used for swimming and canoeing. Good for wind shell year-round, including winter. |
Zip-off feature makes
them most convenient for a game period at meetings, and to quickly
remove a layer to avoid overheating while hiking. Drain holes in pockets for swimming and canoeing. Good for wind shell year-round, including winter. |
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| Waist Size |
|
Sold by individual waist sizes |
|
Sold by waist size-ranges. As Scout grows, he adjusts the straps on the waistband himself. |
 |
Sold by general sizes such as
Small, Medium, Large. Includes a built-in belt, but look for styles with belt loops. |
 |
Sold by child sizes. Expandable elastic waist. Sometimes also have belt loops for a Scout belt. |
| Length |
|
Must be hemmed. As the Scout grows, the cuff must be let down and hemmed again, leaving a "high water" mark (click detail on left). Not convenient for growing boys. |
|
Drawstring cuff is adjusted
with each wearing. The drawstring helps guard against the ticks that carry Lime Disease. |
 |
Adjustable shock cord is adjusted
with each wearing. This feature is superior to the BDU drawstring
(left). The shock cord helps guard against the ticks that carry Lime Disease. The removable lower leg portion is wide enough to pull over large hiking boots (check this feature when buying other brands). |
|
Cuff is hemmed with elastic. A hidden zipper on the leg converts the long pants to shorts for strenuous activity or water sports. |
| Pockets |  |
2 small front pockets, 2 small
rear pockets without flaps.
Note rip at stress point due to poor seam design (see above). "White pocket" visible from side when you sit down (check your photo album). Tiny "Merit Badge" front cargo pockets are proof to some that National listens.
|
|
2 roomy front pockets, 2 roomy
rear pockets with buttons. 2 large pleated cargo pockets on side of legs, rather than the fronts (see left). A BSA Handbook fits OK, but the weight is annoying. Pockets have flaps with buttons. Note the superior styling. |
 |
4 roomy front pockets (1 pair zippered, 1 pair with flap &
snap).
1 average rear pocket with Velcro flap. 4 cargo pockets (1 pair with Velcro flap. A BSA Handbook fits OK, but the weight is annoying. 1 smaller pair of "cell phone pockets"), 1 accessory loop, 1 loop with D-ring. Extra "cell-phone" pocket on side of right leg below knee. Very small "key" pocket inside the waistband. Pockets have zippered ventilation mesh. |
 |
2 average front pockets.
2 small rear pockets with flaps and secure Velcro closures. 2 average cargo pockets on front of legs. Small extra pocket on side of left leg below knee. Drain holes to let out water after swimming.
|
| Fit | Tight fit is out of style, and uncomfortable for many Scouts and Scouters. | Comfortable, practical, roomy fit. Constantly updated and used by various NATO armies. | Perfect fit, shows the genius of a market economy. | Comfortable, practical, roomy fit. Otherwise, kids won't buy them. | ||||
| Availability | Most child sizes
available at your local Scout Shop.
Call ahead in September (and before summer camp) to confirm availability. |
Local military supply stores
may require that very small child sizes be ordered a week in advance.
|
Subject
to the whims of style. This particular Nesi brand was offered a couple of years ago, and is featured here for comparison purposes only. Try www.campmor.com or www.ems.com or other outdoor stores. |
Subject
to the whims of style. This pair was purchased at Kids-R-Us. Similar models sometimes available through Walmart, Target, other discount stores, and www.campmor.com |
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| Tag |
|
USA origin said to be the justification for price. |  |
Made in USA.
Note that American product is significantly cheaper than BSA product. |
Made in Taiwan.
|
 |
Made in China. | |
| Price | Child sizes: $34.20 |
Child sizes: $19.95 |
Child Sizes: $24.99 |
Child sizes: $19.95 |
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