Reproducing Vietnam War Outfits: Tiger Stripe Camo, Tropical Combat Uniforms, Boots, and Helmets

December 24, 2023

Vietnam War Outfit

It’s been nearly 50 years since the Army introduced the utilitarian design of the woodland camouflage battle uniform. It was worn by troops throughout the Vietnam War.

Great Vietnam is a small team that reproduces ancient Vietnamese clothing for retail customers. Its members are young Vietnamese who love culture and creativity.

The Tiger Stripe

If you know anything about military history then the mention of tiger stripe camo immediately brings to mind images of Navy SEALs and Special Forces personnel doing their spooky stuff in the jungles of Vietnam. This camouflage pattern was embraced by military advisors working with South Vietnamese forces during the war and was credited with helping them blend in with the native jungle environment.

It consists of bold black stripes that mimic the pattern of the jungle cat it was named after. This broke up a grunt’s outline quite effectively and made it very difficult for the enemy to spot them.

The tiger stripe camouflage didn’t fall out of fashion after the war, in fact it became a distinctive trademark of elite operators such as US Navy Seals and Green Berets. Today, the tiger stripe is still worn by these elite units as well as by hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. It is also a popular choice for military veterans and those looking to get a more authentic vietnam war outfit.

The Tropical Combat Uniform

As the military entered the era of modern small arms, it became increasingly clear that the demands of jungle warfare required special equipment. In particular, there was a need for specialised field uniforms. By the end of the Korean War, troops were outfitted with the OG-107 uniform made of a fabric blend that featured aramids— synthetic polymers like Kevlar— nylon and flame-resistant cotton.

The fabric allowed a greater degree of body ventilation while also being fast-drying. It was designed to keep soldiers comfortable, so they could remain focused on their mission.

In 2019, the Army launched a new version of its tropical combat uniforms, known as the Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform. Made of a 50/50 nylon-cotton ripstop blend and treated with permethrin, this state-of-the-art clothing is meant to go from soaking wet to dry in 60 minutes. The uniforms also feature moisture-wicking technology that moves sweat from the body, helping it to evaporate. The Army plans to roll out the new uniforms to troops stationed in Hawaii and Fort Benning, Georgia, this year.

The Tropical Combat Boots

The Tropical Combat Boots are a special military boot designed for the humid and wet conditions of Vietnam. They have a unique drainage vent that allows water to escape easily and prevents mud, dirt, or sand from entering the boot. These boots are also very lightweight and can dry quickly. They are very popular among soldiers due to their comfort and practicality.

Before the ‘Jungle Boots’ came along, troops had to wear heavy leather boots that retained water and rotted easily. The new boots were a big improvement.

They were OD green with a leather toe covering and nylon sides that dried up well after getting wet. They also had a metal plate in the sole to protect against punji sticks and spikes.

The OG-107 Jungle Boots were introduced in 1962 and replaced the old leather combat boots that had been used since WWII. The boots were a great success, and they became the standard issue for troops deployed to tropical environments.

The Helmet

There were many versions of the basic US Army & Marine fatigues, as well as several jungle variations. Regardless of the branch or unit you need to check some good color photo references for your figure(s).

A helmet of this era is an encapsulated hardened steel shell with a cloth liner inside. The rounded hemisphere was designed to present glancing surfaces off which bullets and shell fragments would bounce without imparting their full force.

The headband of a helmet was often used for holding foliage to help blend the helmet into the environment, but was more frequently filled with cigarettes, matches, toilet paper or a spare magazine.

A towel was carried around the neck to wipe away sweat and protect it from the sun. The towels of this era were single banded in OG-107 and are not to be confused with the double-banded post Vietnam era ones.

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