Canada’s Military Introduces Gender-Specific Combat Uniforms

The Canadian Armed Forces is set to overhaul its combat uniforms and body armour to better accommodate female personnel. This significant change comes more than 30 years after women were first allowed to serve in combat roles, addressing long-standing concerns that previous uniforms, primarily designed for men, contributed to injuries and impacted morale.

Retired Major Sandra Perron, the first female infantry officer in Canada, recalled her experience of wearing an extra-small men’s uniform when she joined the military in 1990. “It sends a message that you are an afterthought,” said Perron, highlighting the struggles many female soldiers faced. She emphasized that inappropriate fitting has led to injuries and even caused women to leave the military.

As part of an initiative to modernize and combat staffing shortages, the Canadian military is introducing uniforms tailored specifically for women. Officials aim to increase the proportion of female personnel to 25 percent by 2026. Despite a decade-high recruitment of women in the 2024-25 period, there was also a record attrition rate among female soldiers.

New designs will feature merino wool base layers being rolled out across military bases over the next year, along with specially contoured combat uniforms set to debut in 2027. These garments will have cuts designed to fit women’s bodies, addressing concerns about comfort and effectiveness. The body armour system, which includes tailored features for women, is scheduled for introduction in 2026.

Emma Moon, the human factors support cell lead at the Defence Department, described this initiative as unprecedented. “This is the first time these items are being specifically designed from the start based on the morphology of women’s bodies,” said Moon. She noted that this change is a significant step towards supporting female service members. In fact, one officer at CFB Petawawa was reportedly moved to tears upon learning of these advancements.

Nevertheless, some experts argue that these changes should have been implemented much earlier. Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, a military culture expert with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, pointed out that more women leave the military than men due to musculoskeletal injuries, a situation exacerbated by ill-fitting equipment. “You end up with equipment that is less effective at protecting them against bullets and that can create a higher rate of casualties in combat,” she stated.

In a response to these concerns, Defence Minister David McGuinty has communicated to female service members that it is “unacceptable” they have not had access to properly fitting uniforms. Historically, combat uniforms were designed based on data from a predominantly male demographic, leading to significant gaps in fit and functionality.

Moon’s team has worked for five years to identify necessary changes. Through surveys and body scans, they have gathered diverse measurements, and extensive testing has been conducted on prototypes. Feedback from female soldiers indicated the need for more tailored options, as many had to adjust their uniforms to fit properly.

A study revealed that female military recruits experience higher levels of knee stress when carrying heavy equipment compared to their male counterparts. Another survey of almost 100 female soldiers in the Australian Defence Force found that a significant percentage reported discomfort and injuries related to body armour.

Former Air Force reservist Christine Woods shared her story of receiving a $38,000 lump sum disability payment from Veterans Affairs Canada due to a foot injury she believes was preventable. She attributed her injury to ill-fitting military boots and rucksacks designed for men, which did not distribute weight properly.

The project manager for the Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization initiative, Serge Côte, announced that this summer, the government secured $440 million over ten years for the project. This initiative aims not only to improve combat clothing but also to enhance equipment for aircrew and load carriage systems across the board.

The evolution of military science and the experiences of women serving in conflict zones, such as Ukraine, have spurred other nations to consider gender-specific cuts. Canada is now viewed as a leader among its allies in this regard, with other countries taking note of the changes being implemented.

Lt.-Col. Melanie Lake, who has deployed to Afghanistan and Ukraine, tested the new combat uniform and body armour system. She noted that previous designs limited her mobility, while the new system allows for greater flexibility and ease of movement. “This isn’t a woke issue. This is a war-fighting issue,” Lake emphasized, underscoring the operational effectiveness these changes aim to achieve.

The uniforms will be manufactured by Logistik Unicorp, a Quebec-based company, which is also developing naval enhanced combat uniforms. The comprehensive approach means that the military is not merely offering one item but an entire wardrobe tailored for individual service members.

Perron expressed her satisfaction with the forthcoming changes, stating that the introduction of gender-specific uniforms signals to women that they are integral to the military’s operational readiness. “If you are designing equipment and ballistic protection for women, it says to them you’re part of the team,” she remarked, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity within the armed forces.