After more than three decades since Canada granted women the opportunity to serve in combat roles, the military is now customizing uniforms and body armor to better suit female soldiers. Female military personnel have long been wearing gear tailored mainly for men, which has led to challenges, injuries, and lowered morale for some. Retired major Sandra Perron, the first female infantry officer in Canada in 1990, recalls being issued an extra-small men’s uniform that did not fit properly. This mismatch in gear has resulted in injuries and caused many women to leave the military over the years.
To address staffing shortages and enhance gender diversity, the Canadian military is revamping its combat clothing system with tailored cuts for women for the first time. The goal is to increase female representation in the forces to 25% by 2026. Despite a surge in female recruitment in 2024-25, the military also witnessed its highest female attrition rate in a decade. As part of the modernization efforts, merino wool base layers with tailored cuts for women and maternity wear are being introduced across all bases in the coming year.
New camouflage combat uniforms are scheduled to launch in 2027, featuring straight cuts for men’s bodies and contoured cuts to accommodate women’s chest, shoulders, hips, and waist. Additionally, the army’s light forces will receive the first body armor system in 2026 designed with darting around the chest, shorter plates, and tapering for women. Plans are in progress to procure more female-specific personal protective equipment.
Emma Moon, leading the human factors support cell at the Defence Department, emphasized that this initiative marks the first time such items have been specifically tailored from the onset based on the anatomical differences of women. Moon highlighted the significance of this move as a substantial show of support for female military personnel. While some believe these changes should have been implemented earlier, the current push for improved gear is a step in the right direction to support and retain women in the military.
Defence Minister David McGuinty expressed his disappointment over the lack of appropriately fitted uniforms for female service members. The Defense Department clarified that historical combat uniforms were primarily designed for a male demographic, with gradual advancements made in sizing over the years. Moon emphasized the necessity of modernizing body armor and equipment to ensure equal protection and comfort for all military personnel.
The initiative, spearheaded by Serge Côte, has secured significant government funding over the next decade to modernize operational clothing and equipment for better fit and functionality. Canada’s proactive stance on gender-specific cuts in military gear is setting a precedent internationally. The move is seen as a crucial step in enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness while prioritizing the safety and well-being of all service members.