Think Out Loud

How the US military shaped the outdoor apparel industry

By Rolando Hernandez (OPB)
Dec. 5, 2025 5 p.m.

Broadcast: Friday, Dec. 5

From camping gear to gorpcore, consumers may not realize that the functional, tactical and practical clothing worn today has deep connections to the U.S. military. In the latest season of “Articles of Interest,” host and producer Avery Trufelman takes listeners on a journey to learn more about how civilian and military fashion intersect and the ways in which the uniforms of soldiers have influenced the outdoor apparel industry. Trufelman joins us to share more on the history of military gear, the civilian-military divide, Portland’s Functional Fabric Fair and more.

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: