I donht think the Velcro looks a bit smart...
I’m from the pre-velcro age of USMC “utilities”. [the Army calls them “fatigues; we Marines don’t fatigue.... ;-) ]
Actually, if the truth be told, I am from the pre-zipper age. We had buttons on our utilities, even the “fly” was button.
I never could understand why anyone decided to put velcro on a combat uniform. Sure, buttons break or the thread lets go, but buttons are SILENT! Opening a velcro pocket is a dead giveaway (literally), like jingling dog-tags or banging metal canteens.
I guess it may not have been much of an issue, but it's something I've thought about before when playing with various bags and pockets that use the velcro fasteners.
Where are they finding buttons so cheaply ? Even at wholesale warehouses, buttons are costing me more than velcro.
And on top of that, $1 per uniform cheaper ? Sounds like an $80,000 pair of pliers to me.
I never did like the velcro - cant get into the pocket unless you make a sound. A sound that can give away your position.
Velcro be gone ping.
Buttons are great because they’re quiet.
Velcro is great because it is idiot simple and requires no dexterity - just pull.
Both can break, and Velcro can clog.
Seems to me the obvious solution is a pair of small magnets - one in the flap (inside the fabric), one in pocket (inside the fabric). Works great for cell phone and laptop carriers, and it’s how I secure my scope to my folding carbine (I can pick up the carbine and carry it by the scope, no problem - two 0.25” diameter magnets on the scope rail and two 0.375” diameter magnets in the handguard of the carbine - holds up to 15 pounds, easily holds 5 pounds with LOTS of shaking).
Never clog, never die, never break, no button hole or button to catch on anything, and silent (the fabric between the two keep it silent).
Who do I talk to at the DOD to make this obvious suggestion?
Velcro was the most stupid idea ever. Proof the Army is lead by non-warriors.
Velcro is a pain in the tuckus, and it does lose its effectiveness over time.