Shorts
Rothco BDU shorts take the six-pocket battle dress pattern and cut it for hot weather, keeping the cargo pockets and tough fabric that make military pants so useful. This section also includes vintage cargo shorts, EMT shorts, sweatshorts and a 3/4 pant for anyone who wants a little more leg.
Choose from a wide spread of BDU shorts styles:
- Camo BDU Shorts, Colored Camo, Digital Camo, Midnight Camo and Two-Tone Camo
- Rip-Stop BDU Shorts and Tactical BDU Shorts for hard use
- Long Length BDU Shorts and Long Length Camo BDU Shorts for more coverage at the knee
- Zipper Fly BDU Combat Shorts if you'd rather skip a button fly
- The Rothco X Bear Archery Fred Bear Camo BDU Cargo Shorts for bowhunters
- The 6-Pocket BDU 3/4 Pants, which end below the knee
Beyond BDU styles, you'll find Vintage Infantry Utility Cargo Shorts and Vintage Paratrooper Cargo Shorts with a broken-in look, Camo Accent Shorts, Womens Shorts, EMT Shorts with extra pockets for medical tools, and Camo and Solid Color Sweatshorts for lounging and workouts.
These shorts suit summer airsoft games, camping, yard and shop work, festivals, and anywhere you want pockets without long pants.
A note for service members: no current duty uniform under AR 670-1 includes BDU shorts. The combat uniform calls for trousers, and Army PT has its own black APFU trunks. Treat these as off-duty and recreational shorts, and see the guide below for details.
How to Choose BDU Shorts
All BDU shorts share the cargo layout, so your choice comes down to length, fabric, closure and pattern.
Regular vs. Long Length BDU Shorts
Standard BDU shorts hit around the knee or slightly above. The long length styles drop lower for more sun protection and a modest fit, and they cover the knee better when you kneel. The 6-Pocket BDU 3/4 Pants go further, ending below the knee, which makes them a good middle ground for warm mornings and buggy trails.
Fabric: Rip-Stop vs. Standard Weave
Rip-stop BDU shorts use a grid weave that keeps a snag from turning into a long tear, which helps in brush and on rough fields. Standard weaves feel softer from day one and suit casual wear. The vintage infantry and paratrooper shorts are made for a washed, broken-in feel.
Button Fly or Zipper Fly
Traditional BDU shorts use a button fly like issue trousers. If you prefer a zipper, the Zipper Fly BDU Combat Shorts give you the same pockets with a quicker closure.
Choosing a Camo Pattern
Match your team or your terrain. Digital and two-tone patterns stand out on airsoft fields, midnight camo works for night games and a darker look, and colored camo is a fun choice for casual wear. The Fred Bear camo BDU cargo shorts suit hunters and archery fans.
BDU Shorts Sizing
BDU shorts are sized by waist and cut with room in the seat and thigh, like the pants they come from. Most have waist adjusters, so pick the size that fits comfortably with a belt. If you're between sizes, the larger size with the adjusters snugged is usually the more comfortable choice, especially once the cargo pockets are loaded. Long length styles fall lower on the leg, so taller wearers who want the hem at the knee often prefer them, while shorter wearers may find the regular length sits where they like it. Try a pair with the gear you normally carry in the pockets before cutting tags.
Specialty Shorts in This Section
EMT shorts carry the same extra leg pockets as our EMT pants for summer shifts and event medical work. The Camo and Solid Color Sweatshorts are soft, casual shorts for lounging, and for running and PT in a military style see our P/T bottoms.
BDU Shorts and Military Regulations
Service members ask whether BDU shorts can be worn on duty. They can't. AR 670-1, paragraph 4-2, lists trousers, not shorts, as part of the combat uniform, and DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 4-1, makes the ACU and Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform in OCP the daily field uniform. For PT, DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 10-2, specifies black APFU running trunks with gold "Army" lettering. The BDU pattern itself left Army service years ago, and the UCP digital pattern was retired on October 1, 2019.
That leaves BDU shorts for what they do best: off-duty wear, summer field days, camp chores and casual weekends. If you're heading to a unit organization day or family event, ask your chain of command what dress is expected; unit policies can be stricter than the regulation.
Pair Your BDU Shorts
Pair camo shorts with a moisture-wicking or camo tee from our T-shirts, and see BDU pants when the weather turns.