Posted: 11/18/2005 3:22:20 PM EDT
| Does anyone like the ECWCS field coat? Is it worth $200+ or are there better commercial alternatives? I'm looking for something that will keep a person warm from 30F down to -40 |
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I think there's a 1st gen Hylat and a 2nd gen Gortex parka. The Gortex always seems to be $150-$300+ while the 1st gen stuff is $100-$130. I did see the bear suits for sale, they look like fleece jackets though. I have the standard issue field jacket and even with the liner, it's practically useless below 30F. Some of the other guys have the Gortex parka and seem to like it, but it doesn't look warm at all - just very noisy (swish swish swish) 
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I can personally attest that the bear suit is very warm, but does not block wind at all, so you need to have the outer layer over it. It is bulky and cumbersome though. The new system looks like it has some potential, and I'm looking forward to when it comes out. -K |
Any of the higher-end offerings from companies such as The North Face, Marmot, Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear will out-perform the ECWCS gear any day of the week and twice on Sunday. There's a reason you'll see the TNF logo on the peak of K2...... ETA: I have a Mountain Guide (Gore Tex) and Mountain Light (Gore Tex XCR) shells from TNF that I wear with a TNF Denali fleece liner. The ML/D is warm enough for just about anything, but if I use the MG instead I sweat like a son of a bitch if the temperature is above 10 degrees. I also have 3 Mountain Hardwear Wicked T wicking shirts that kick so much ass it isn't funny, and a Mountain Hardwear Alchemy soft-shell that's the best thing since sliced bread. VERY water repellant, 100% windproof, warm enough to wear even if the temps are in the 20s if you're active, and form-fitting and thin enough to wear even during the most strenuous activites. I'm looking to replace my TNF stuff this winter (it's 3 years old and doesn't fit that great anymore) with Mountain Hardwear. |
As others have said ECWCS does NOT keep you warm. It does stop the wind and water which is half the battle. You will need layers under the ECWCS to keep you warm. Try a thin layer like polypro close to your skin to wick away sweat with an insulating layer like polyester fleece for insulation and the ECWCS as an outer layer.
ZakK Wilde nailed it. All great choices, but be prepared to pay for the best. The biggest improvement I saw when I got my TNF parka (Mountain Guide) was the weight. It's probably 1/3rd the weight of the ECWCS. You might want to look at Cabellas, Bass Pro and Gander Mountain too. Some of their gore-tex shells look good and might save you a little money. |