Armory Sponsor
Posted: 11/6/2006 3:42:31 AM EDT
Does anybody know what fleece jacket this is?  |
|
To add another note, after using a soft shell for a year I don't think I would go back to a strait up fleece for a possible outter layer like the spear fleece is worn. I would wear lighter weight fleece layers that would go under a "soft-shell" but I think a soft shell serves the roll of the spear fleece much better. Polytech |
are you talking about windstopper fleece? at least for mountaineering companies, softshells are waterproof breathables that are more stretchy and softer than nylon. the 300wt polartec is issued as part of the ecws, and not to be worn alone (in normal units). eta, they issue you two up here. and all kinds of other crazy stuff. |
I understand that its issued as a part of a layering system, but alot of people use it as a stand alone in moderat temps which it works for and is nice, BUT a softshell works alot better and is an advance in technology since the ecwcs stuff was developed. I've had a 300 wt polartec fleece (didn't have the nylon wear patches) and 99% of the situations that I wore it in, a softshell would serve (and has) better. You can find quite a few softshells, in black and other subdued colors on sale right now at places like campmor I think the softshells fill the roll much better. Polytech |
I would agree, except I believe the fleece fits its intended roll a mid layer better than a softshell. It transports moisture better. BTW, I love the farmer john fleece bottoms that go with it. |
i dont think they transport moisture better, its a mid layer not a base layer. it does not have a waterproof membrane, but it is much thicker. as far as breathability under a shell, they run about the same. im still stuck on the windstopper fleece, havent had the need to upgrade to a waterproof yet. |
|
It's not just SF and Ranger issue anymore. Not after some general was wearing it for a news briefing and said how warm it was. The questions about why it wasn't issued to everyone, and I'm sure a few letters to Congress from family sort of helped move that along. Mine (issued at the RFI on Ft. Lewis in Dec- ish- of '04) was made vby Peckham Inc. I'm wearing it right now and just checked the labels. They are 300 weight fleece, mostly likely Polartec 300. Brigade Quartermaster and US Cavalry sell them or something very close. |
It sort of depends on how cold or wet you are talking about. In someplace like Western Washington, you need a real waterproof material for the outer shell. For someplace like Alaska or Korea in the winter, you definately would prefer the fleece as a middle or insulating layer over a lighter soft shell. Of course the Army is already in the process of replacing this fleece with a lighter weight one, and adding to the ECWS a soft shell jacket and pants, and a different outer shell. More, but lighter layers for greater flexibility in various conditions. |
| I was thinking about buying one at the exchange the other day, however, is there anywhere I can get one that looks like this but has windstopper in it? I like fleece and all (and may need it on my next deployment) but do like stuff with the windstopper much more. |
got any links or info on the new gear. |
they have some other ones that arent black as well, ie tan. www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21082-cat601805&id=0031129922575a&navCount=3&podId=0031129922575&parentId=cat601805&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601805&hasJS=true |
|
I'm not a high-speed low-drag SOF type, but I spend a lot of time outdoors and, FWIW, I much prefer something like THIS to fleece. It breathes better and dries faster, IMO. Here's what I use: LINK. I prefer a Merino wool base layer, a puffy synthetic mid layer and a wind and water resistant or waterproof breathable outer layer (depending on conditions). It's a light, compact and comfortable SYSTEM. There's my $0.02, FWIW... |
i have a mtn hardware synthetic fill jkt that i always carry on winter trips. feels too bulky when moving, warm as hell when stopped though. |
It's important to select the appropriate garment for your purposes. There are a lot of vendors selling lightweight synthetic filled garments in a variety of weights. For example Wild Things sells sweaters and jackets in various weights. My next puffy top will have pit-zips though - that's my only beef with Wild Things' offerings. Here in WA, it is rarely cold enough for me to need more than two wool undershirts and a wind-shirt while I am moving in any case. BTW, wind shirts are a really great piece of kit. If you get sweaty, you can throw it on when you stop and it will keep the sweat from "flashing off" and chilling you. FWIW, I really like the Merino (non-itchy) wool undershirt and windshirt combo. It's got me thinking about buying an ARKTIS 1023 FLAME RETARDANT SWAT SHIRT (near bottom of page on right). Here's some MORE INFO. |
Armory Sponsor