The significance of a well-crafted uniform is best captured U.S. football star Deion Sanders’ words: “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good.”¹ Although Sanders spoke of athletics, his words resonate deeply within the policing profession as well. A uniform is not merely a piece of clothing; it’s a powerful symbol of authority, discipline, and dedication. When an officer takes pride in their appearance, it can boost their confidence and performance.

However, traditional fabrics like wool and cotton have caused several restrictions for today’s officers. They lack the stretch and durability for dynamic movements, retain heat and moisture, and are prone to wear and tear. Traditional fabrics often require more maintenance to keep them looking professional, which can be time-consuming and costly. Modern fabrics and technologies are addressing many of these issues to provide officers uniforms that are more comfortable, functional, and durable.

Supply and Demand

For 60 years, Galls has become a well-established name in police uniforms by offering the best gear possible to the profession. The company’s industry-leading customer portal, eQuip, skyrocketed them to the top of the supply chain. It allows an officer to log in and order anything that’s been approved by their agency; however, eQuip is mostly used by midsize and large agencies, leaving a gap in services for smaller agencies. That was the impetus for the Galls Custom Uniforms (GCU) portal.

The online portal was developed to be a one-stop shop for command staff. “We’re trying to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible for those small agencies to manage their uniform program,” said Mike Fadden, chief executive officer of Galls.² A user would be able to go to Galls.com and click on GCU. Once logged in, they would be presented with a curated offering of the most popular brands in police uniforms, including 5.11, Fechheimer, and Elbeco.

In the GCU portal, users would be able to find 5.11’s Apex Pant, which was originally developed in collaboration with a federal agency seeking a discreet, low-visibility option for domestic and international operations. The pant seamlessly balances function and discretion because it was designed to accommodate essential gear, such as rifle magazines, restraints, and escape-and-evasion tools.

Flying Cross, a division of Fechheimer, is also a recognizable name found in the GCU portal. Known historically for their Class A dress uniforms, the brand also offers functional on-duty uniforms for daily patrol use. The company’s Flex collection can be found in Gall’s portals, and the line has expanded with the new Prime Flex collection. “Everything we’re doing right now is moving toward stretch fabrics,” said Tim Freischmidt, vice president of public safety at Fechheimer.³ To accomplish that goal, developers at Flying Cross have created a poly-wool material that resembles a golf pant or jogger. It has a more athleisure feel to provide maximum comfortability. The Prime Flex line includes common uniform styles, such as 4- and 6-pocket and external cargo pocket uniform pants, short and long sleeve Class A uniform shirt, and an undervest shirt designed to be worn under external body armor carriers. Each of these options are available in women’s and men’s sizes and available in navy and black. Prime Flex is expected to launch in late summer 2025.

In-house customization for patches and badges is also available through GCU.

Galls will ship orders completed through the online portal within three business days.

Modernizing the Uniform

Modernizing police uniforms goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about equipping officers with the tools they need to perform their duties safely and efficiently. They often work in unpredictable and physically demanding environments where comfort, mobility, and durability can directly impact their effectiveness and safety. From enhanced comfort and functionality to integrated tech solutions, uniform upgrades can play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the well-being of both officers and the communities they serve.

Burlington Fabrics (Burlington) has been at the forefront of textile innovation with specialized fabric solutions. Through Burlington’s Raeford division, engineers have revolutionized police uniforms by developing and utilizing materials that accommodate the increased physicality of modern policing. RAEFLEX represents a groundbreaking innovation in uniform fabrics by bridging the gap between performance and professionalism. It is the first wool fabric featuring proprietary Power Stretch Recovery (PSR) technology. By integrating PSR technology, Burlington created a fabric that offers stretch, climate control, and wrinkle resistance without sacrificing the classic qualities of worsted wool. The fabric’s resilience even minimizes the need for frequent replacements.

Developers at Burlington believe that the future of policing lies in smart textiles and enhanced fabric technologies. While it is expected that fabrics will continue to evolve toward higher performance with lighter weights, greater stretch capabilities, and improved moisture management, the designers anticipate greater integration of sensors and wearable tech, such as built-in health monitoring and communication systems.⁴

Collaborating closely with large agencies—both domestic and international—5.11 has been working to bring these anticipated features to fruition. For example, 5.11 developers have partnered with international agencies that require discreet authentication features to be woven into the fabric. The integration of this technology ensures that only authorized personnel can access official uniforms. “The company’s end-to-end control over its products—from fabric creation and in-house prototyping to real-world user feedback—ensures that every uniform delivers the highest level of performance,” said 5.11 Senior Director of Professional Field Sales Will Ayres.⁵

Although it may not seem like an advancement at first, the new lines from 5.11, Flying Cross, and Burlington are all machine washable. Dry cleaning has been a long-standing practice to keep uniforms in pristine conditions, but this can be expensive and inconvenient. By simplifying and modernizing maintenance, these companies have reduced the costs associated with commercial laundering while also providing more durable and reliable materials.

Conclusion

The journey to modernize police uniforms is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. It is a commitment to performance, professionalism, and safety. A new era of police attire is being ushered in by industry leaders like Galls, 5.11, Fechheimer, and Burlington Fabrics.

The integration of advanced fabrics and cutting-edge technologies has ensured that officers are well-equipped to face the challenges of their demanding profession. Enhancements in comfort, functionality, and durability can increase officers’ confidence and performance, reinforcing the pride they take in their duty to serve and protect.d

Notes:

¹Matt Sebra, “Your Morning Shot: Deion Sanders,” GQ, August 14. 2013.

²Mike Fadden (chief executive officer, Galls), phone interview, January 30, 2025.

³Tim Freischmidt (vice president of public safety, Fechheimer), phone interview, January 28, 2025.

⁴Marketing team (Burlington Fabrics), email interview, February 5, 2025.

⁵Will Ayres (senior director of professional field sales, 5.11), email interview, February 9, 2025.

Please cite as

“Uniformed Excellence,” Product Feature, Police Chief 92, no. 3 (March 2025): 70–73.