WASHINGTON, DC – The Chief Financial Officer and National Forest System Deputy Areas co-lead the National Uniform Program. This program and the National Technology and Development Program would like to announce revised Field Ripstop Pants (FS270 and 271). The Uniform Program and NTDP introduced field ripstop pants in late winter/early spring 2023. During late winter/spring of 2023, NTDP sent a survey to everyone who ordered the pants during that timeframe. Each person who received the survey also received a summary of the survey results.

From the survey results, the Uniform Program heard the pants needed revision to meet the fit, comfort and durability needs of our employees. Here is some of the survey results and how the program revised the pants in response to the field’s concerns.

• 41% of the women who answered the survey indicated they need a relaxed cut. As a result, the program added a relaxed cut style pant for women (FS271R) that offers more room in the hip and thigh. The dimensions of the new relaxed cut pants are very similar to the current fire pants which employees have indicated they find quite comfortable for field work. The original field ripstop pant sold in 2023 will become the standard cut sold under FS271S. 

• 71% of men and 31% of women indicated the front pocket of the pants was too small to be useful. As a result, the program increased the front pocket depth by several inches. 

• In the comment section of the survey, numerous employees indicated the gusset needed double stitched to last longer, the cargo pockets needed more Velcro to keep the pockets closed and the back pockets needed flaps instead of just buttons to keep dirt and debris out. As a result, the program double stitched the gusset, added Velcro to the cargo pockets and changed the back pocket closure to flaps.

• Finally, numerous employees indicated in the survey the pant zipper was malfunctioning or breaking. As a result, the program changed the zipper manufacturer.
   

Pants with these changes are currently available in the catalog.

The uniform program is also addressing several other employee concerns from the survey, but these changes will not be available until later in FY 2024.  

• Adding an option to the pants that allows for cinching the bottom. 53% of women and 47% of men want this “value added” option.

• Adding stretch to the fabric. 76% of women and 54% of men want stretch added to the fabric The manufacturers estimate they will be able to add 2% stretch to the ripstop fabric in late 2024.

The Uniform Program and NTDP would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Your voice is important to us, and we will continue to conduct surveys and make changes as we hear your feedback. We are dedicated to improving the pants and all the uniform components in alignment with This Is Who We Are and as an embodiment of our core values.