The uniform was produced in two main versions - Summer weight, which is made from a lightweight cotton material, and was worn with the traditional Pilotka hat - and Winter weight, which is made from Wool Gaberdine, and worn with the Ushanka and often a ‘Shinel’ greatcoat.

Additionally, a 'tropical' or desert version of the uniform was produced for soldiers stationed in the southern regions of the USSR, made of a slightly different material.

This version of the uniform also lacks the knee reinforcements, and features green felt insignia positions, similar to Shinel greatcoats.

Warrant officers wore a version similar to this, but these uniforms did not have gold piping around the collar tabs.

One possible reason for the change was the likelihood of Chemical and Nuclear Weapons being used in a possible future war with the United States and NATO - If the Gymnastorka, which was a pull-over design, became contaminated with chemical weapons or radioactive particles, it could not be removed without pulling it over the wearer's face, which would be highly undesirable.

These were sewn on and in full color, and while in the field, the shoulder boards had “СА” ciphers from 1973 onwards, standing for “Soviet Army”.

A slight revision would come in 1973, when the uniform's green plastic buttons were changed to polished brass ones, which were more durable and had a sharper appearance.

The trousers themselves, which were breeches and were designed to be worn with tall Kirza jackboots, also became unpopular once more and more soldiers in Afghanistan began to acquire lace-up combat boots.