ECWS III the new layering system

[Gliderinf]

Following on from the discusion on ACU / Marpat Parkas - It apears that the ACU Gore-tex Parka has now been superseeded by a Raincoat and Seperate "soft shell" and "Wind" jackets.

 

can anyone give us the full run down on the layers and what order they go in ? from T-shirt upwards ?

[VMI88]

Here's what the Army's Program Executive Office has to say on the subject:

 

http://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_ECWCS.pdf

[Gliderinf]

Hey thanks VMI88 Good stuff

[Bob Hudson]

Here's what the Army's Program Executive Office has to say on the subject:

 

http://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_ECWCS.pdf

 

 

Thanks for that link. I pulled the photo from that. What's especially interesting is what appears to be a "polar fleece" jacket.

 

 

[VMI88]

What's especially interesting is what appears to be a "polar fleece" jacket.

 

That's exactly what it is! The first generation was plain black fleece jacket and trousers manufactured by Polartec, virtually identical to what you buy from an outdoor clothing supplier. The black fleece is still authorized, but the newer generation is foliage green and has velcro for attaching rank, name, and US Army tapes. The current wars have finally made the Army get smart and start buying high-tech, off-the-shelf supplies.

 

Bill

[M60 Driver]

It is pretty pricey stuff. Propper already has most of this available in their catalog and you might find it online. The total system appears to be what every skier understands well, a 3-layer system based upon polypro next to the skin for wicking away sweat, an insulating fleece layer for cold and the barrier layer to protect against wind and rain.

 

The soft shell garments, already worn by some SF units, would retail well over $200 at the moment. The polypro shirts would retail at around $100. The ultralight waterproof breathable jackets would retail for around $300 with the pants around $200. Prices will remain high as long as the government is paying to outfit all the "private contractors". Prices may drop when it becomes general issue for the average grunt.

 

According to many rumors in the industry, expect the ACU pattern to be retired well before its time .