In a surprising twist, the Army’s iconic black and gold physical training (PT) gear is sticking around despite recent speculation of a redesign. Last week, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer sparked a whirlwind of rumors after hinting at changes to the PT uniform at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition. But, on Monday, he set the record straight: the black and gold isn’t going anywhere.
“We’re redesigning the Army PTs,” Weimer said, referring to offering more comfortable options rather than overhauling the current design. He emphasized the Army’s commitment to giving soldiers more freedom of choice without forcing a massive redesign of their beloved PT uniforms. “It’s really about fit and functionality,” Weimer explained, noting that soldiers had voiced concerns about the comfort and performance of the current gear.
The potential for new workout clothing options comes on the heels of continuous feedback from soldiers, many of whom have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the existing PT clothing—most notably the fit of the shorts and the lack of pockets. “Small features mean a lot,” Sgt. Maj. Rob Haynie remarked, as soldiers lament the inconvenience of not having pockets for items like ID cards.
Haynie, senior enlisted soldier at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, is currently leading a review of the PT uniform options and will continue to gather soldier input through next year. The goal? Provide the comfort and performance improvements soldiers are asking for while maintaining the uniformity the Army demands.
Despite all this, one thing is clear: the beloved black and gold scheme is here to stay. Any approved adjustments will be presented to Army leaders by the end of 2025. The final list of gear could offer a variety of PT clothing choices without straying from the iconic colors soldiers have worn for years.
This development is reminiscent of the Army’s last uniform change in 2017 when the black and gray PT gear was swapped for the current black and gold design. However, Weimer reassured soldiers that while they may soon have more options, the days of basic black and gold PTs aren’t over.
In the future, soldiers may still receive standard-issue black and gold PT gear during basic training and Advanced Individual Training, but could soon have the option to pick more tailored, comfortable alternatives once they join their units. These options would likely include items that adhere to the Army’s regulations and standards but offer better performance features like improved fit and practicality.
For now, soldiers continue to don the existing PT uniform, which includes black and gold short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, and jackets, along with socks, shoes, and a reflective belt for those early morning or late-night runs. Optional items such as compression shirts, fleece caps, and athletic shoes will still be allowed to keep soldiers comfortable during training in various conditions.
With the 2025 review on the horizon, soldiers can look forward to enhanced PT gear that prioritizes their comfort and performance while holding onto the black and gold color scheme that symbolizes their commitment to excellence. Whether the tweaks are big or small, the Army’s focus remains on giving soldiers the tools they need to succeed in both fitness and function—while staying true to tradition.
