The Silkie — A History of the Ranger Panty and Why It Endures
Few pieces of clothing have achieved the cultural status of the Ranger Panty. Known formally as the Soffe M020, informally as the Silkie, and with great affection by generations of U.S. military personnel, this short-inseam athletic short has been a fixture of military training culture for decades. Here's the story of how it got there — and why it's never going away.
Origins
M.J. Soffe Company was founded in 1946 in Fayetteville, North Carolina — home of Fort Bragg, one of the largest and most storied military installations in the United States. From the beginning, Soffe's proximity to the military shaped its product line. The company became a primary supplier of physical training gear to the U.S. Army and developed close relationships with the units training at Bragg.
The Ranger Panty — named for the Rangers who adopted it enthusiastically for PT runs — became standard issue athletic wear across the military for a simple reason: it worked. Lightweight 100% nylon tricot that dried fast, moved freely, and didn't restrict the explosive movement demands of military training.
Why It Became a Cultural Institution
The Silkie is more than a training short. In military culture, it became a marker of identity — the preferred PT wear of operators, Rangers, Special Forces, and anyone who trained hard and didn't need their gear to make a statement. The short inseam (2–22.5 inches) is functionally superior for running and ruck marching, allowing full leg extension without restriction.
The brief liner adds comfort for high-mileage use. The inside key pocket — just enough for a room key, ID, or single card — addresses the one practical problem with minimal training gear. The self-covered elastic waistband sits comfortably regardless of how long you wear it.
Generations of service members have done their hardest training in Silkies. That history is part of what the garment carries.
The Civilian Crossover
As veterans transitioned out of service and into civilian fitness culture, the Silkie came with them. CrossFit communities adopted them. Yoga practitioners discovered them. Runners, hikers, and anyone who valued unrestricted movement over aesthetic convention found that the Ranger Panty was simply better than most of what the civilian athletic market offered.
The "Silkie hike" — a community event where veterans and supporters hike in Soffe shorts to raise awareness for veteran mental health — has spread the garment's visibility further and tied it explicitly to veteran culture and community.
Why Proto Carries Them
We carry the Soffe Ranger Panty because we're a veteran-owned brand and we wouldn't have it any other way. These are the authentic article, made by Soffe — the original manufacturer. Not a knockoff, not an approximation. The real thing, with the brief liner, inside key pocket, and 2.5 oz nylon tricot that generations of service members have trusted.
If you know, you know. If you don't, you're about to find out.