The Air Force’s new physical training uniforms will hit shelves in July, an official said May 1.
The Air Force’s new workout apparel has been a long time coming. The clothing set was first unveiled in 2021, with a promised 2022 debut. But supply chain issues delayed its arrival multiple times, according to the Air Force. But finally, Airmen are expected to be able to buy the new uniforms in July, Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) spokesperson Chris Ward told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
In the meantime, the new PT gear has been rolled out to Airmen at Basic Military Training, an Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
The new Air Force PT uniform consists of a jacket, pants, and two types of shorts—one for running, and the other for all-purpose wear. The workout T-shirt is grey with the Air Force logo on the upper left chest and a stylized “Air Force” pattern across the back.
Air Force Uniform Office member 2nd Lt. Maverick Wilhite demonstrates wear of the updated Air Force physical training (PT) uniform at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021. The Air Force Uniform Office is part of the Human System’s Division in the Air Force Life Cycle Managementr Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate. This is the first update to the PT uniform in more than 16 years, and over 150 Airmen participated in testing the new gear. The new ensemble currently consists of a jacket, a pair of pants, a T-shirt and two types of shorts; a lined runner’s short and a longer unlined multipurpose short. A long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie are in development. The ensemble features improved fabrics that are softer and quick drying, and have antimicrobial technology, which helps with moisture and odor control. The new uniform items are entering the production phase and will be available to Airmen sometime in 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)
Air Force Uniform Office member 1st Lt. Avery Thompson wears the updated Air Force phyisical training (PT) uniform t-shirt and running shorts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021. The Air Force Uniform Office is part of the Human System’s Division in the Air Force Life Cycle Managementr Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate. This is the first update to the PT uniform in more than 16 years, and over 150 Airmen participated in testing the new gear. The new ensemble currently consists of a jacket, a pair of pants, a T-shirt and two types of shorts; a lined runner’s short and a longer unlined multipurpose short. A long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie in development. The ensemble features improved fabrics that are softer and quick drying, and have antimicrobial technology, which helps with moisture and odor control. The new uniform items are entering the production phase and will be available to Airmen sometime in 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)
Air Force Uniform Office members 1st Lt. Avery Thompson and 2nd Lt. Maverick Wilhite put updated versions of the Air Force phyisical training (PT) uniform through their paces at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021. The Air Force Uniform Office is part of the Human System’s Division in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Agile Combat Support Directorate. This is the first update to the PT uniform in more than 16 years, and over 150 Airmen participated in testing the new gear. The new ensemble currently consists of a jacket, a pair of pants, a T-shirt and two types of shorts; a lined runner’s short and a longer unlined multipurpose short. A long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie are in development. The ensemble features improved fabrics that are softer and quick drying, and have antimicrobial technology, which helps with moisture and odor control. The new uniform items are entering the production phase and will be available to Airmen sometime in 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi)
The new uniform looks much like the old PT uniform, introduced two decades ago. But like most civilian workout attire that has come along in the years since, the new Air Force gear is less bulky and features “performance” fabric that is billed as softer, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking. It also comes in men’s and women’s styles, unlike the old unisex uniforms which were criticized as noisy and heavy.
The military began modernizing PT uniforms about a decade ago when the Army introduced new workout gear that was more in line with civilian attire. The Navy soon followed in the late 2010s. The Space Force recently debuted its first PT uniforms for Guardians in the life of the young service. The Air Force’s introduction of its new PT uniforms leaves the Marines as the only service without a new PT uniform after the USMC ditched plans for a redesign in late 2023.
Airmen still have time before having to purchase the new workout attire, as the Air Force has promised a four-year transition period before the uniform becomes mandatory.
