What's the diff?

MSgt Van · May 15, 2009, 05:40:24 PM

Ok, I give up...
What's the difference between the utility uniform and the dark blue flight suit? Other than not being Nomex I can't see a difference.
What am I missing here?

arajca · May 15, 2009, 05:49:31 PM

Nothing, besides the cost.

Eclipse · May 15, 2009, 05:50:49 PM

One's Nomex^®, ones not.

With the flight suit you wear the regular flight cap, with the utility no cover is required.

One is ~$185, one is ~$35.

That's it - insignia, grade, nametag, cut, pockets, etc., are all the same.

The only reason I could see why anyone would spend the big buckos for the Nomex^® would be in states that require Nomex^® for aircrews.

Otherwise, my personal experience has been that the Nomex is a richer blue and tends to hold the color better when cleaned properly, but I'd rather have 4-6 jumpsuits than one flightsuit.

AlphaSigOU · May 15, 2009, 06:48:33 PM

And even then, you can't really tell the difference except for some minor changes. The utility uniform (buy the Tru-Spec, not the cheap crap from Rothco, which is what Vanguard and Hock sells) design is a mix between the current flight suit and the short-lived McPeak flight suit with no utility knife or upper thigh pockets, but adds a penlight pocket on the lower right leg pocket and 'happy pockets' on the sides - which is great for allowing you to adjust your undershirt.

Eclipse · May 15, 2009, 06:59:42 PM

The one I have from VG is identical in pockets to my light blue Nomex^® flight suit,including the knife pocket, except it didn't have a flap over the pen pockets.

AlphaSigOU · May 15, 2009, 07:12:31 PM

Quote from: Eclipse on May 15, 2009, 06:59:42 PM
The one I have from VG is identical in pockets to my light blue Nomex^® flight suit,including the knife pocket, except it didn't have a flap over the pen pockets.

That's gotta be the Rothco one - they use nylon zippers; the Tru-Spec uses metal zippers.

Eclipse · May 15, 2009, 07:21:57 PM

Quote from: AlphaSigOU on May 15, 2009, 07:12:31 PM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 15, 2009, 06:59:42 PM
The one I have from VG is identical in pockets to my light blue Nomex^® flight suit,including the knife pocket, except it didn't have a flap over the pen pockets.

That's gotta be the Rothco one - they use nylon zippers; the Tru-Spec uses metal zippers.

I'm sure it is. I have to look into the other one - the one I have is great, but I had to move the Velcro^®, and its thin as tissue (one reason, actually, I like it).

pixelwonk · May 15, 2009, 07:37:05 PM

Quote from: AlphaSigOU on May 15, 2009, 06:48:33 PM
which is great for allowing you to adjust your undershirt.

+1
exactly what I use them for.

dbarbee · May 16, 2009, 12:55:44 PM

Thanks for the information on the Tru-Spec coveralls, I'm going to look into getting some.

I bought the Vanguard coveralls and didn't mind the thinner material because I thought it'd be an advantage on hot summer days. However, The first mission I wore them on the left breast pocket zipper broke. (Tab goes back and forth, but zipper teeth don't stay together)

Anyone had any success getting a zipper fixed on a flight suit without spending more than the flight suit's worth?