Digital BDU pattern fading?

[morugatu]

Has anybody noticed their Digital BDU fading?  Because mine's been fading pretty heavily, but my mom's tellin' me it's probaly because of the high cotton content and the complex digital pattern is probaly fading the same rate as any other pattern would on cotton, it's just more noticible.

I've never had this problem with any of my old Desert or Jungle BDU, but then again, those patterns were nowhere near as tightly bunched or as varied as a pixelated pattern.

My Desert Digital BDU however, seems to be fading quite a bit when compared with my brother's which has been washed less.  Additionally, I noticed that an old surplus ARPAT hat my Aunt's boyfriend gave me seemed to be displaying simlar fade.  Also, about a year ago, I borrowed a friend's Digital Desert Shirt and noticed his had faded quite a bit over the year or so he had owned it.

I was reading somewhere that a brand called 'Proper' is more fade resistant than the brand I use 'Tru-Spec', however, Proper has a higher cotton content, so I don't see how this is possible.  I've also heard that real MARPAT is more fade resistant than clones like 'Proper' or 'Tru-Spec'.  Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. I was also thinking, would Multicam be more fade resistant than Digital patterns?

[chainsaw]

Has anybody noticed their Digital BDU fading?  Because mine's been fading pretty heavily, but my mom's tellin' me it's probaly because of the high cotton content and the complex digital pattern is probaly fading the same rate as any other pattern would on cotton, it's just more noticible.

I've never had this problem with any of my old Desert or Jungle BDU, but then again, those patterns were nowhere near as tightly bunched or as varied as a pixelated pattern.

My Desert Digital BDU however, seems to be fading quite a bit when compared with my brother's which has been washed less.  Additionally, I noticed that an old surplus ARPAT hat my Aunt's boyfriend gave me seemed to be displaying simlar fade.  Also, about a year ago, I borrowed a friend's Digital Desert Shirt and noticed his had faded quite a bit over the year or so he had owned it.

I was reading somewhere that a brand called 'Proper' is more fade resistant than the brand I use 'Tru-Spec', however, Proper has a higher cotton content, so I don't see how this is possible.  I've also heard that real MARPAT is more fade resistant than clones like 'Proper' or 'Tru-Spec'.  Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. I was also thinking, would Multicam be more fade resistant than Digital patterns?

TRU fades very badley I have a set myself, I dont wash them unless they get really dirty (or start to smell) when I do I use cold cold wash which helps. The tru multicam fades too, but not nearly as bad. I think its TRU's dyes, because real MARPAT or even PROPER  dont fade nearly as much and with TRU you get white lines if its washed and creased. if you have anyother questions you can PM me.

[Ghostsequel]

I've heard that Tru-Spec digies fade pretty bad.

I've got Propper MARPAT, and it's held up pretty well.  What I do is turn the clothes inside out when washing them, and use less detergent.

[Kurn]

BDUs will fade differently depending on the overall quality, type of fabric, and how you wash them.

however, Proper has a higher cotton content, so I don't see how this is possible.

Propper uses several different types of fabrics (100% cotton, 60% cotton / 40% polyester, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 50% Nylon / 50% Cotton) each with their own advantages.  The one set of Tru-Spec BDUs I had faded very quickly.  So far all of the Propper BDUs I have had have held up very well.

[deathbydanish]

I've heard that Tru-Spec digies fade pretty bad.

I've got Propper MARPAT, and it's held up pretty well.  What I do is turn the clothes inside out when washing them, and use less detergent.

Same here, I use Woolite Dark to keep my stuff (mostly Propper, but some Tru Spec) looking new. But like Kurn said, any kind of uniform will fade if given enough wear and washing. If you intend to airsoft for a while, get used to the idea that you may have to get more than one set of a particular uniform.

[Sergeant First Class Keenan]

the updated "care for guide" from AR 670-1 states:

Proper washing of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is to turn uniform inside out, and wash in cold water, using a mild detergent, and no fabic softener. Line dry.

It goes on to say not to use a dryer to dry them, But I don't know anyone that has time for that. I turn 'em inside wash in cold, and dry on low. And I wear mine every day.

Personally I like my uniforms faded. Its a sign of being salty. Plus the ACU's don't breath very well 'till they've been washed like 10 times.

Oh not washing them is a great way to get mold build up. and thats just gross.

[LaserRacer]

As far as Tru-Spec goes, From my experience, they fade quite rapidly no matter what you do to them. One of the guys I play with here in Prescott got a set about a month and a half ago... after three weekends of play (and never washing them) his MARPAT looked a lot like ACU. Another guy up here has both Propper and Tru-Spec... After a couple of washings his Tru-Spec is also turning to ACU. His Propper has held up quite well for the month he has had it. As for me, I saved up and got some surplus MARPAT on eBay.  For about $50 you can get the blouse and trousers, and If you want to spend another $25 or so you can get two covers. This is surplus issue MARPAT and I can say that for the two and a half months that I have owned it I have not seen it fade any.

[deathbydanish]

the updated "care for guide" from AR 670-1 states:

Proper washing of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is to turn uniform inside out, and wash in cold water, using a mild detergent, and no fabic softener. Line dry.

It goes on to say not to use a dryer to dry them, But I don't know anyone that has time for that. I turn 'em inside wash in cold, and dry on low. And I wear mine every day.

Personally I like my uniforms faded. Its a sign of being salty. Plus the ACU's don't breath very well 'till they've been washed like 10 times.

Oh not washing them is a great way to get mold build up. and thats just gross.

What kind of detergent do you use? I've read that I should avoid detergents that contain "optical brighteners" and fabric softeners. That's the reason I use the Woolite Dark, so I can keep them from fading as much as possible.

Although I do notice that it does start to look better if they've been in sand/dust.

[Sergeant First Class Keenan]

Dreft Laundry Detergent is recomended. Its for baby's clothing.

[Farslayer]

Just don't wash them.

[VanillaGuerrilla]

I've tried a couple of different ways to prevent bdu's from fading. Almost all bdus have a cotton content, so they will slightly fade no matter what, but before your initial wash, soak them in white vinegar to "lock in" the dye.
Also, turn your bdu's inside-out and use Cheer Dark.I read somewhere that it has a "chlorine scavenger agent which neutralizes the chlorine already in your water"and"it also has a dye transfer inhibitor which traps dye on the fabric."
Don't know how true this is, but it seems to work well for me.
Also hang dry them if possible, seems like poly/cottons fade from the heat of the dryer more than anything.
I think a small amount of fade is good though. It gives a "dirty" look. Brand new bdus just dont seem to blend as well.

[Vince]

I just don't wash them.

[djmtott]

Only wash them in cold water and hang to dry. Helps avoid fading and shrinking.

[Vince]

As an addendum to my initial post, I found a maggot crawling on my Crye combat pants when I went to put them on for the first time in 8+ months on Saturday.

A badge of honor, there.

[Airsofter1]

As an addendum to my initial post, I found a maggot crawling on my Crye combat pants when I went to put them on for the first time in 8+ months on Saturday.

A badge of honor, there.

This is why I never ask to ride with you anywhere anymore.