A common complaint about the existing PT uniforms is that they do not fit well—and are made of absorbent materials that do not “wick” moisture like civilian running clothes.

The United States Navy is known for its dark blue service dress uniforms, but it also wears white summer dress uniforms. On ships, officers and chief petty officers (CPOs) wear khaki uniforms that have become iconic symbols of leadership and authority.

However, one fairly recent type of uniform is getting scuttled.

This month, the US Navy confirmed that it will phase out its physical training uniform (PTU), which consisted of a distinctive gold cotton shirt and blue shorts. Instead, moisture-wicking blue short-sleeve shirts and matching shorts, each sporting gold US Navy logos, are being introduced. The shirts feature the words, “America’s Navy Forged By the Sea” on the back.

According to the Military Times, the new fitness gear is still optional, but will become mandatory in calendar year 2027, and the gold shirts will be gradually phased out.

Sailors were questioned about which uniforms they preferred, with the better-fitting blue-on-blue winning out.

“By 2027, it will be one PT uniform,” Rear Admiral Jennifer Couture, director of Military Personnel Plans and Policy, told the Military Times. “That makes sense. And it is also higher-quality. It is more in line with, if you were to go to a running store out in town … the kinds of clothing you would find there.”

The goal has also been to reduce the amount of attire sailors need to carry in their seabags. Currently, most US Navy personnel can expect to pack at least six uniforms.

The Military Has Spent a Lot of Time Thinking About PT Gear

It isn’t just the US Navy that has introduced changes to its PT uniforms. Both the US Army and US Air Force have seen similar updates and explored alternative options.

In late 2025, after years of development and input from soldiers, the Army Physical Fitness Uniform (APFU) was introduced to standardize PT gear. The changes were meant to replace the traditional gray and black Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU) that was developed nearly a decade ago. As with the US Navy’s PT uniform, it will tone down the colors but retain some gold accents, including the word “ARMY” on the front of the long-sleeve shirts.

Modesty concerns were addressed with the shorts, notably after some soldiers resorted to purchasing spandex-like undergarments to wear under the trunks. Likewise, the cut is more tailored and athletic, replacing the baggy PT uniforms of the past.

The US Air Force is now rolling out the new Physical Training Gear (PTG) unveiled in March 2021. It was the first update to the PT uniform in more than 16 years and was only finalized after more than 150 Airmen participated in its testing. It would be wrong just to suggest it is a pair of sweats and shorts.

The PTG also offers a better fit and incorporates many of the features found in commercial athletic wear.

As with the Navy’s new kit, the Army’s and Air Force’s uniforms feature fabric made from lighter, moisture-wicking, quick-drying materials to help keep soldiers cooler and drier during workouts. Antimicrobial agents were incorporated into the fabric to reduce odor.

There are fewer color options than the local running shop may offer—but that is also by design, with all the branches of the military when it comes to PT gear!

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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