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The United States military spares no expense when preparing
our troops for Cold weather. Let their cold weather clothing technology work
for you.
The New ECWCS Generation III Extended Cold Weather System
use by the military
has 12 components.
The lighter and warmer green
fleece jacket, is the favorite piece of gear which
offers a snuggly replacement for the
old Army’s heavy black fleece jacket.
Cold days, top the fleece with a lightweight, waterproof
windbreaker
or a breathable soft shell set.
During the coldest days, add a puffy, extreme-cold-weather parka
with high-tech insulation quilted into it and
matching pants that zip over
other layers in the system. The material in the parka and trousers includes a nylon lining, nylon inner and outer layer,
and a knitted, plastic intermediate layer in a camouflage print. The fleece shirt and trousers of the Fleece Bib and Jacket serve as an
insulating layer.
The insulating shirt has a full front opening with two-way zipper,
wind-proof
flap,
pit zippers, and hand warmer pockets.
The bib overalls are similar to the current style but are less bulky;
liners are
100 percent polyester fleece.
The Lightweight Cold Weather Underwear System (LWCWUS)
provides lighter
weight underwear with wicking capability.
The polypropylene underwear layer serves as a moisture-wicking layer worn next
to the skin.
The shirt has a zippered turtleneck collar, and drawers
have an elastic
waistband and standard front fly opening.
The system provides environmental protection in temperatures from 0 degrees to
50 degrees Fahrenheit when worn with standard clothing items; it also wicks moisture to the
outer garment layers.
The Cold Weather Coat and Trouser Liner is an
insulating layer for cold weather clothing.
Modifications to the standard coat liner allow Soldiers to
wear it independently
of their respective field clothing, as buttons and
buttonholes have been added
to the coat front.
The liner is made of polyester batting and rip-stop quilted nylon.
The Wool Winter Sock is a knitted seamless sock worn with the ski mountain boot. The inside of the wool sock has terry tuft stitches throughout.
It is made of merino wool in a natural color.
The Fleece Cap is a synthetic microfleece cap that is a bell-shaped, pull-on
style cap.
Extended Cold Weather Polypropylene
Underwear includes a turtleneck with a center front zipper that extends
to the
middle of the chest area and allows for ventilation at the neck and chest area.
The drawers serve as a base layer to protect the lower extremities.
The brown underwear is knitted, brushed multifilament polypropylene.
The Black Fleece Bib and Jacket consists of a black fleece shirt with
full front
opening and a two-way zipper, windproof flap, pit zippers, hand warmer pockets, and black fleece bib overalls that are similar to the current style but less
bulky.
Together, the Black Fleece Bib and Jacket reduce the bulk of the original liners
by 40 percent.
Silkweight Underwear is treated polyester knit to wick moisture away from the
body. The undershirt has a crew neck, contoured longer tail in back and long sleeves with a thumb hole to aid in donning and add protection to the hand/wrist area.
Flat seam construction reduces chafing.
Seven levels of the
Protective Combat Uniform
Level 1
A durable, silkweight Polartec Power Dry fabric worn next to the skin wicks away
moisture and dries fast. It consists of a crew neck T-shirt and boxer shorts, or
is available in long-sleeve top with invisible zipper and pants, built for
comfort and minimal weight.
Level 2
A long-sleeve shirt and pants made from Polartec Power Dry fabric are worn next
to the skin for extra warmth in extreme conditions, but still wicks away
moisture quickly from skin and dries fast. An inserted side panel of Polartec
X-Static fabric enhances fit and flexibility.
The top has a front 15-inch zip for extra venting and a soft lining around the
collar. Comfort features include an articulated side seam on the pants to
minimize chafe on the kneecap.
Level 3
An insulative mid-layer jacket made from Polartec Thermal Pro fabric is
water-repellent yet breathable. It is worn as an outer jacket in mild
temperatures or as a heavy insulative layer in extreme cold. Seamless shoulders
minimize chafe, which are then lined for extra warmth and padding for heavy pack
straps.
Level 4
The soft windshirt is made from an encapsulated microfiber that repels water but
also breathes for a variety of conditions. It's designed to pair with a
next-to-skin layer for intense activity in cooler temperatures or with the Level
5 soft shell as a mid-layer. It stuffs into its own pocket for easy packing.
Level 5
The key to the entire system, this soft shell fabric jacket and pants are made
with fibers encapsulated with silicone that are highly stretchable, windproof,
water repellant and breathable. They are paired with Level 1 or 2 next-to-skin
layers, ready for any cold weather aerobic activity.
Level 6
A lightweight waterproof and coated nylon hard shell is slightly oversized to
fit easily and quickly over gear. The jacket features water-resistant zippers
and armpit zips for maximum ventilation, pocket openings to quickly access
inside layers and a hood that incorporates a stiff brim. The pants borrow the
same design from Level 5 but provide waterproof protection.
Level 7
For extreme conditions, this lightweight, loft-insulated level in a jacket, vest
and pants has the feel of down but retains its warmth when wet.
Silicone-encapsulated fabric sheds water and is paired with Primaloft insulation
for maximum warmth while the liner pulls away moisture.
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