Once you’re in the military, there’s a specific uniform that should be worn for training, and everyday service. You’re going to be wearing this article of clothing quite a bit, but you might be wondering if there are there some limits to its uses.
Military combat uniforms can be worn during physical activities, including running, climbing, and biking. These clothes are designed to provide good mobility and will hold up well. Service and dress uniforms should be kept clean and neat, and so are not advisable for biking.
There are several rules and guidelines to keep in mind when it comes to military uniforms. In some circumstances, it may not be socially appropriate to wear a uniform in public, so for more information about mobility, dos and don’ts, and biking tips, read below.
Military Uniform Mobility
There are generally different types of uniforms that members of the military can wear in day-to-day circumstances. The main 3 types that are available to most military members are combat, service, and dress uniforms.
All military uniforms are designed to be comfortable for long-time use, but each type has a different purpose.
Combat uniform:
These are designed for combat and offer a good range of mobility. They’re often used during military training, drills, and other physical outdoor activities. The average soldier you might pass on the street will probably be wearing a combat uniform.
These uniforms typically consist of a long-sleeved jacket, baggy pants, and brown leather boots. The fabric also has a grey/green camouflage design. This type of uniform is well suited for running, climbing, and exercise drills.
If you’re considering wearing a military uniform while biking, a combat uniform would be your best bet.
Service uniform:
These uniforms are more on a business casual level. These come in a wider variety of designs, but some service uniforms are called “military greens”, and consist of an olive green jacket over a button-down shirt and dress pants.
Service uniforms are better worn for indoor activities and are often worn around offices. These could potentially be used while taking short bike trips around a city, but they aren’t designed for a lot of physical activity. After all, button-down shirts and dress pants aren’t the most comfortable clothes to exercise in!
Because these uniforms are more formal and professional than combat uniforms, there’s also a higher risk for them to get noticeably dirty along the way.
Dress uniform:
The most formal level of military uniforms is the dress uniform. These should only be used for special events and military ceremonies.
The use of dress uniforms is highly regimented, as they are quite elaborate and include many different accessories. You should avoid physical exertion as much as possible when in a dress uniform. After all, you don’t want to look sloppy or drop an important pin!
Uniform Dos and Don’ts
Now that we’ve covered some of the different types of military uniform, let’s talk about some do’s and don’ts.
First of all, it should be noted that civilians should never wear military uniforms if they aren’t currently serving/have never served. It is illegal for a citizen to wear any distinctive pieces of a U.S. military uniform, including a uniform jacket, pants, cap, or medal.
Soldiers are also forbidden from mixing their distinctive uniform pieces with civilian clothing, even when they’re off-duty. So if you want to wear part of your uniform to bike, it’s best to stay on the safe side and wear the whole thing.
On the other hand, uniform elements that are not immediately recognizable are fine for both soldiers and civilians to wear. Military boots, socks, undershirts, belts, etc. are all fine for everyday use.
Finally, soldiers should always consider the context and the potential consequences of their actions when they’re wearing a uniform in public. Whether they’re attending a meeting, grabbing lunch, or biking around town, people tend to notice when someone is wearing a military uniform.
The action of biking is socially fine, but you should always make sure that you are acting in a way that reflects well on yourself and the values you stand for. Don’t wear a military uniform if you’re attending controversial events or purely recreational activities.
The uniform represents a certain level of respect for your position in the military, so as long as you’re wearing it, you should act in a way that demonstrates that respect.
Bike Tips While In Uniform
So you’ve picked out the best uniform for biking and have chosen a bike route that won’t cause any problems. Now what?
Well hold on a second before you take off down the road! Just because you can bike in a military uniform, that doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. The long sleeves, sturdy material, and thick boots of a combat uniform can get very hot if you’re spending a long time on a bike.
If you’re dealing with a short trip around the city or a daily bike commute, military uniforms could work fine. But if you’re planning a day of mountain biking, you might want to wear civilian clothes and change into a uniform afterward.
If biking is going to be your whole day and you’re off-duty, I would recommend using bike-specific clothing and not wearing a uniform at all! After all, it’s easier to bike if you use the clothing and gear that was designed for that purpose.
But maybe you want or need to wear a uniform while biking anyway. So be it! It should still work well enough for your needs. However, there are still a couple tweaks you can try to make the experience a little easier.
For example, your footwear could be worth looking into. Combat uniforms are typically complemented by a pair of long, leather boots. While military boots are not always ideal for biking, there are some models that could be more comfortable for cycling.
If your commanding officers think it’s acceptable, you could look into buying a pair of shorter boots that would offer a greater range of motion. There are also military footwear available that resembles running shoes, such as Danner’s line of FullBore shoes.