The reasons boys do not wear the uniforms on activities outside of meeting is two fold in my mind. 1 - It is costly, Shirt get up to 30 or more one the pacthc and sudh are added.. 2 Some of it's basic componets provide little field value.
Think about it. How many leaders could do a campout wearing only the basic issue of gear (standard shirt, standard pants, standard ball cap, and red jacket). I know we can wear the felt hats but think of the boys. In the north west you be cold and wet most of the year with these standard items.
If we are trying to designe a new uniform consider the original uniform. It was based on the pre WWI army uniform of the British empire. While we need a uniform that is sharp - espirt de corps. Looking for maximun vesitility should also be a requitment.
Hats - Replace the current mesh base ball hats with one simualar to the military patrol hat with the flip up ear flaps. BSA Green for Boy Scout - Cub Scout Blue for the younger boys. Have the apporiate devise embroidered on them. Reasons - 1) Current hats are unserviceable in the field (Campouts, Hikes etc) except in warm weather. The stiff mesh and foam fronts look great for parades and indoor meetings but can get permant wrinkle if is stuffed in to a backpack or locker. I dislike oversea caps becase they provide no protection from the Sun or Rain and very little warmth. Beret have been tried before and never look right.
Pants - The current style of pants should be looked at in light of servicability and fit. Current fabric is not very abresion resistant. A heaver fabric choice might be apporiate (denim). Pehaps a rugged wool. Again we are an organization with an outdoor focus.
Shirt - This is tricker. Since this is the one item that all boy will have. Easy care is needed for the family. The permant press shirts provide little warmth but futill the requirement and can look sharp.
Sweater - Add an option pullover sweater simular to a "commando" sweater with elbow and sholder patched in either kayki, BSA Green or red. This could be worn with or with out the red jacket. It should have the same rules as the read jacket. It could be packable. This would help in the outdoor unitfor by allow the scout to wear a planner shirt under them for field use.
Please note I did not list either Gortex or Fleece. Reson - The high tech fabrics have one issue they melt when exposed to sparks (camp fires)and require more care on the part of the weare then denim or wool. These are boy and they do out do things
Ponchos - This is a little outside of the topic, but the current poncho is missing a big oportunity. Use of plastic snaps prevents its uses as a true piece of suvival gear. It could be a real contributor in the 10 estentials if it copied more from the military. If you ever get a chance to use a military poncho pay attention to the snaps and grommets. Because of the designe and strenght of the snaps and grometsyou can use a military ponch for an emergeyncy coat, rain gear,litter, leanto, tent, sleeping bag cover or even a sleeping bag. With two you can make an emergency two man tent. A BSA poncho is not desiged to work with a second poncho. Given a coice of what I need for the 10 essential I always pack a US army poncho becasue of its versility. The BSA poncho is ok for some things but I would not depend on it in the woods.
