Survivalist Pro
Photo by HONG SON Pexels Logo Photo: HONG SON

Why do Marines wear silkies?

Marine silkies, or “Ranger Panties”, were first issued to U.S. Army Rangers in the 1970s. The purpose of the shorts was to give Rangers a workout alternative to a uniform. Thus, silkies became an essential part of the Army Ranger Physical Training (PT) uniform.

operationmilitarykids.org - Marine Silkies: 6 Things You Need To Know
What is the most popular bushcraft knife?
What is the most popular bushcraft knife?

The Best Bushcraft Knives of 2022 Morakniv Bushcraft Knife. ... Ontario Knife Company 8696 Bushcraft Knife. ... Boker Arbolito Bushcraft Knife. ......

Read More »
Last updated Mar 10, 2018
Are hoarders embarrassed?
Are hoarders embarrassed?

Hoarders generally experience embarrassment about their possessions and feel uncomfortable when others see them. Their clutter often takes over...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 9, 2019

Marine silkies have enjoyed a resurgence the last few years in the civilian world of all places. The infamous short shorts of the Marine Corps were recently banned following a controversy. However, it hasn’t prevented Marine silkies from experiencing a revival online thanks to their incredible comfort and practicality.

Discover 6 things You Need to Know about Marine Silkies.

#1. History

Marine silkies, or “Ranger Panties”, were first issued to U.S. Army Rangers in the 1970s. The purpose of the shorts was to give Rangers a workout alternative to a uniform. Thus, silkies became an essential part of the Army Ranger Physical Training (PT) uniform. Later, other branches of the military started to incorporate Ranger panties into their own PT uniform. Be that as it may, Marine silkies remain the most cherished for their comfort and reputation. Ironically, the short design of the shorts was more prevalent when Soffes were introduced in the 70s. However, by the start of the 21st century the design was considered offensive and prompted the U.S. Armed Forces to take action (more information, below). Now, short and snug designs are making a comeback that have fashion origins in the 70s and 80s. Thus, Marine silkies are trending in popularity online due to their unprecedented comfort and style.

#2. Purpose

Soffes. Ranger Panties. Silkies.

You’ll hear a variety of nicknames that reference essentially the same gear – Marine silkies. In general, the nickname is tied to the military branch you serve and what that branch commonly refers to as the same piece of PT training. The military-issued shorts are designed with soft and durable material, especially for jogging/running exercises. The durable material dries rapidly from moisture and also takes years to wear out. Notwithstanding, the soft cushioning of the shorts makes them notorious for being ultra comfy. Still, Marine silkies are practical since they remain some of the most versatile shorts ever developed. Athletes can essentially run a marathon or swim with silkies without feeling restricted. Of course, Ranger panties are also cozy for everyday use while making repairs on the house or other chores. When Marine silkies were first designed, it was the style of the time period for men to wear shorter shorts. Moreover, the inexpensive design made it affordable for military branches to manufacturer in large quantities.

Can I open a campsite without planning permission?
Can I open a campsite without planning permission?

You must have planning permission for the campsite before you apply for a licence. You do not need a licence to run a campsite if: the site is used...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 24, 2019
Can football end in a tie?
Can football end in a tie?

In the National Football League (NFL), a tied game occurs when a regular season game ends with both teams having an equal score after one ten...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 11, 2021

The breathable material adapts to your environment including humid and wet conditions.

As a result, you can utilize silkies as underwear, workout gear, or bathing suit.

#3. Design

Traditional Marine silkies are designed with nylon tricot fabric.

The type of material makes it elastic/expandable while feeling extremely cool and soft on the skin. It has contributed to silkies being highly desired for both comfort and practicality. The breathable fabric can adapt to a variety of conditions including directly submerged into water. The 2-inch inseam does an outstanding job of preventing chaffing – a common issue with men’s underwear. However, you need to make sure you buy the right size for your fit as the tendency is to purchase too small.

Today, you can shop for a variety of Ranger panties online.

#4. Benefits of Marine Silkies

There are several benefits to considering Marine silkies as a man in the 21st century. For starters, short shorts are coming back with a vengeance, especially with the younger crowds. Meanwhile, they still serve as a form of hilarity for pranksters that want to get one over on a wife or girlfriend.

More importantly, there are several practical uses to Ranger panties.

Let’s consider some of the highlights of Marine silkies:

Extremely comfortable

Versatile and adaptive

Breathable material adapts to environment

Material gets wet and dries quickly

Extremely affordable

It’s difficult to imagine how shorts that are considered this comfortable and versatile would land among controversy. …But that is exactly what happened nearly 50 years after silkies were first introduced to the PT uniform:

#5. Marine Silkies Controversy

In 2011, the Marine Corps officially banned silkie shorts from physical training (PT). Furthermore, one of the primary military bases for Marines – Camp Lejeune – banned silkies outright. The response was triggered by some military personnel finding the snug design inappropriate and revealing. However, loopholes in the order still allow for Marines to wear silkies in protest. It was recently announced in 2021 that the U.S. Marines are testing new PT uniform options. For this reason, some are optimistic that silkie shorts will make a comeback with a more appropriate design.

What assets are inflation proof?
What assets are inflation proof?

Common anti-inflation assets include gold, commodities, various real estate investments, and TIPS. Many people have looked to gold as an...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 2, 2020
How do you survive a night alone in the woods?
How do you survive a night alone in the woods?

Below are ways on how to survive a night alone in the woods. Smart Packing. Having reliable gear that you can easily pack will be a great start to...

Read More »
Last updated May 15, 2022

Nevertheless, the civilian world has also discovered a fascination with Ranger panties.

Marine silkies and other types of military PT gear are popular sellers online.

#6. Where to Buy Marine Silkies?

Silkies have become popular shorts for working out and swimming.

As a result, you can shop for Marine silkies just about anywhere online. These include cheap Ranger panties knockoffs that are available on Amazon to ones manufactured by Veteran-owned operations like Semper Silkies.

The great thing about silkie shorts is the affordability.

You can land a legit pair for $12-$20 which might just transform your world.

Conclusion: 6 Things You Need to Know About Marine Silkies

Marine silkies feature an intriguing history that is continuing a new chapter in the 21st century. Ranger panties were originally developed as cozy and adaptive shorts for PT exercises. They breathable material quickly became popular among recruits that feel in favor with the design. Later, the notorious short design of Marine silkies contributed to their reputation while also igniting controversy. The design, which is revealing for both the legs and crotch, made some military personnel feel uncomfortable. As a result, the Marine Corps and other branches shifted away toward using sofes as part of the PT uniform. Nevertheless, the arguments for still using silkie shorts during physical training is valid.

These shorts are notorious cool, comfortable, and flexible.

Finally, Marine silkies will not set you back much with an average pair ranging between $12-15. USMC Silkies 4.7 out of 5 (39 Ratings) Marine silkies have experienced a resurgence after being banned in the military in the early 21st century. Learn interesting facts here.

Related Articles You Might Be Interested In:

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally vetted. Learn more

operationmilitarykids.org - Marine Silkies: 6 Things You Need To Know
Is pizza halal or haram?
Is pizza halal or haram?

Pizza is a dish with many optional toppings, and some of these are halal while others are haram. Vegetable toppings are halal unless they have been...

Read More »
Last updated May 7, 2018
What are the 10 survival items?
What are the 10 survival items?

10 Items to Add to Your Wilderness Survival Kit Map & Compass. Technology can be a great tool, especially with GPS, however it's important to not...

Read More »
Last updated May 19, 2018
Why did SAS get rid of ant?
Why did SAS get rid of ant?

Ant, who had hosted SAS: Who Dares Wins since 2015, was axed from the Channel 4 show last year due to 'personal conduct'. The news came after some...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 28, 2018
What mental illness causes isolation?
What mental illness causes isolation?

For example, a person's isolation may be a sign of depression or an anxiety disorder. In addition to identifying underlying issues, a therapist can...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 16, 2020