Be prepared for a cooler official Fabric Boy Scout uniform

Tag : uniform fabrics

"It's gear," is part of the marketing tag line, said aspokeswoman from National Supply Group, the Charlotte, N.C.-basedcompany that makes Scouting merchandise.
The redesign has been in the works for two years. While trousersales have decreased in recent years, officials said that wasn't afactor behind the changes.
Scoutmasters, who haven't been able to get their boys in full dressuniform in years, were pushing for changes. Two years ago, aswitchback pant was added.
Teen boys are especially sensitive about "not wanting to looklike dorks," said Mike Koenecke, scoutmaster of Troop 728 atSt. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson. "What I'veseen of the new uniform is a look that's not so in-your-face and alot more utilitarian."
Like many Scout leaders in recent years, Mr. Koenecke only requiredthat the boys wear their shirts and allowed them to wear greenpants, jeans and shorts they found to be more practical andcomfortable.
The old shirts and bottoms are made of outdated polyester, nottoday's efficient synthetics.
In Scout's Honor: A Father's Unlikely Foray into the Woods , a largely favorable book about Scouting published in 2003, authorPeter Applebome called for a new uniform.