Silver Hot Pants For Desert Troops

Ain't science wonderful, just a few years since silver threads started appearing in outdoor baselayers for their antimicrobial properties, the British Army has finally cottoned onto the idea.

As a result, our boys out in Iraq and Afghanistan are about to be kitted out with baselayer trunks which seem to have caught the meeja's imagination - cue endless tired jokes about going commando - the pants were apparently designed in Northern Ireland and manufactured in China.

It's the first time soldiers have been issued with underpants as 'part of army rations' claims the Guardian, which seems to be under the impression that they're food...

"They are state of the art and certainly welcome," one Defence Ministry spokesman is quoted as saying.

The pants will have flat-locked seams to reduce chafing and are made from a synthetic fibre for decent moisture transfer qualities and according to the Mirror, the pants could last up to two years. Which is nice.

Other additions to army issue desert kit include a hands-free hydration system. In many ways it's not surprising, squaddies have been supplementing their army issue kit with superior outdoors gear for years, but it's nice to see it being done on a formal basis.

One thing never changes, the poor old women are stuck with the 'unisex' trunk design for now...