I've been wearing the second generation version of this nearly every cold day for the past 6 years. It was probably the single most important component of my clothing system the year I moved back to Chicago (Chiberia) just in time for the winter of the polar vortex.
I wear it everyday at work while I'm worrkin the line. But you should check out some of the other parts of that military issue cold weather gear like the waffle shirts/pants we get issued(becasue its got a grid pattern fleece liner)...some of the comfyest stuff youll ever wear. heres Amazons link www.amazon.com/Rothco-Gen-Iii-Level-Underwear/dp/B0040RWJ5S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516505840&sr=8-1&keywords=rothco+gen+III
I just used it under my 15° down bag. I started out using it as a pillow. I woke cold so I put it on and slept the rest of the night in comfort. Take it as a pillow / sleep system enhancer.
Being a civil air patrol cadet, we get the air force's old ABUs, and are allowed to wear this overtop of our regular uniform, with or without a gotetex parka. They are in short supply in my wing though, so we have to buy our own. It comes in handy for cold weather training/SAR though.
Codename Hannibal Must be gen I because the fleece is different it's not that fuzzy.Looks exactly the same as the ones that were issued to SF around 2001-2002.
For a few years I’ve been running the usmc polartec 300 fleece. In functionality it is similar to this army one that you have. It’s easily the warmest fleece I’ve ever owned. Also terrible against the wind. I use it as a stand-alone only in late spring and early fall. The usmc fleece has the mesh pouches as well. I understand that they are good places to keep gloves and hats. If it’s really cold out I’ll wear a navy poly turtleneck (it’s like under armor) then the fleece and finally an alpha industries m65 jacket.
I have the green and the coyote ones. They are comfy and warm, but def look dorky as hell in public. I like them for outdoor gear. You can see some of the guys in Alone using the green ones on a couple seasons.
I will agree this jacket is horrible for the wind unless under something. However they are not that warm, even the actual issue version again unless under other garments. And the NSN is different depending on the size.
I believe that black ones are better made and warmer. The black ones are better as a stand alone garment and warmer when used in conjunction with a outer shell garment.
however they are heavier and thicker. The green may be better in warmer weather like above freezing. Below freezing the black (bear suit) is by far a better choice.
Another awesome review Luke, I like the color, it is something I would buy, thank you for all you do, be safe and God bless you and your Family always and forever.
Odd how it has an NSN but also made outside of the US. I was under the impression that if it's made anywhere other than the US it's commercial though still made to military specification.
I love the jacket..I do have one which I use in extreme cold ( < 10F ) - of course with a down jacket underneath. I love it as an outer layer in dry cold...I got mine for $5 at a thrift store...
@@lesgrossman4636 I ordered a level 1 and level 2 from an eBay seller. Both said they were polartec. The level 1 made by Peckham and has a polartec product tag but there isn’t a polartec tag on the garment. The level 2 made by KCARC doesn’t have any polartec tag. Called both companies and they said they wouldn’t make a garment without polartec tag on the garment. I got 2 knockoffs I believe. Both have NSN #’s. I have a level 2 made by Peckham that has the polartec tag on the garment next to care label. The level 2 made by KCARC doesn’t feel the same as the Peckham one.
Polartec Thermal Pro is tops for an insulating midlayer. But yes, with the exception Polartec Powershield and Powershield Pro, wind will go right through it.
No man your totally fine bub. I took no offense at all. Always good to hear feedback. So don’t feel any type of way about it man. Hope you well in your adventures.
While you are half right unless you have a military ID you can not buy from clothing sales. How ever if you know anyone who is in the military you can have them buy it. Lucky me a veteran 23 years I still can.
EXACTLY what I was going to say - truspec is another rothco wannabe. My (legit) one was made by "Goodwill industries of south florida" and has a MUCH tighter 'shag' that that POS.
I find these "military" equipment reviews kinda funny because every soldier I ever talked to says their experience in the military was either too hot or too cold.
Great review! Patagonia has a similar jacket for about 4x the price, so this is a great deal. Fleece in general isn't great for wind. Neither the Poloartec 100 or 200 fleece jackets (by Marmot) I own don't keep wind out. Now Gore WindStopper on the other is a great fabric for that.
Have you tried the Helikon-Tex Patriot fleece jacket? It's very warm and does a good job of keeping the wind out. I recently bought one in coyote and one in flecktarn and I love them. (I like flecktarn, so sue me :-) )They look good too. You ought to try G7 Instant coffee 3-in-one sachets. It's very good, but you need to use two as the serving size for one packet is 1/3 cup.
The "just say no to Flecktarn" police have been notified and you should go into immediate hiking cause they don't play around. Next time keep your unlawful thoughts on the down low.
Please! No more fleece. I am fleeced-out and drowning in the stuff. I could start a fleece store. As you mentioned, wind goes through it like it is a swiss cheese.
Hi Luke. Nice review. You should also try Portwest Argyll Heavy Fleece 400. It is cheaper, warmer, thicker, denser, block some wind and comes in nicer colors - I like the red one most. It is cheap workwear but durable and great for hiking. Cheers from Europe
Galen Bird NOW It's all coyote brown for the Army. 5 years ago I was issued the sage green. That`s why it's surplus NOW. It's annoying because NOW we have to buy all the same stuff in the new color pattern...if the unit doesn't have the money to issue it to us.
Oh yeah, we're all goin coyote brown OCPs...eventually the Air Force will follow suit. but that fleece jacket despite its current color has been the Gore-Tex liner for years and years even back when we had BDUs(I've only got 16 years under my belt..) . The matching fleece pants dont completely suck either(when worn with the pant outer shell..).
Says “Make sure you get a legit piece of military surplus.” Proceeds review with a Tru-Spec copy.
I've been wearing the second generation version of this nearly every cold day for the past 6 years. It was probably the single most important component of my clothing system the year I moved back to Chicago (Chiberia) just in time for the winter of the polar vortex.
The black one?
it's meant to be a layered - hence it's horrible wind performance. It's designed specifically to be an inner layer under a gortex shell
it's still crap. The original black fleece was thicker and tougher
Absolute Veteran which one?
Who likes the Shaggy Fleece?
Have a great weekend everyone!
- Luke
I like mine, its good for a layer anyway ^^
I wear it everyday at work while I'm worrkin the line. But you should check out some of the other parts of that military issue cold weather gear like the waffle shirts/pants we get issued(becasue its got a grid pattern fleece liner)...some of the comfyest stuff youll ever wear. heres Amazons link www.amazon.com/Rothco-Gen-Iii-Level-Underwear/dp/B0040RWJ5S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516505840&sr=8-1&keywords=rothco+gen+III
I just used it under my 15° down bag. I started out using it as a pillow. I woke cold so I put it on and slept the rest of the night in comfort. Take it as a pillow / sleep system enhancer.
Being a civil air patrol cadet, we get the air force's old ABUs, and are allowed to wear this overtop of our regular uniform, with or without a gotetex parka. They are in short supply in my wing though, so we have to buy our own. It comes in handy for cold weather training/SAR though.
I love the military surplus, keep them videos coming.
I have one of the first issued black ones polartec 300. Going strong over 10 years.
Codename Hannibal Must be gen I because the fleece is different it's not that fuzzy.Looks exactly the same as the ones that were issued to SF around 2001-2002.
The fleece.
Codename Hannibal It is american sf gear look at the pics from sf in 2002-2003 on deployment they are wearing black p300 polartec fleece jackets
Codename Hannibal That's the one i have.
mine is just like he's wereing in the vid but it cae with STAFF SGt AIRFORCE RANK and U.S.AIRFORCE tap
For a few years I’ve been running the usmc polartec 300 fleece. In functionality it is similar to this army one that you have. It’s easily the warmest fleece I’ve ever owned. Also terrible against the wind. I use it as a stand-alone only in late spring and early fall. The usmc fleece has the mesh pouches as well. I understand that they are good places to keep gloves and hats.
If it’s really cold out I’ll wear a navy poly turtleneck (it’s like under armor) then the fleece and finally an alpha industries m65 jacket.
The Marines wear it under the Gortex. The Army wears it as outer wear.
I have the green and the coyote ones. They are comfy and warm, but def look dorky as hell in public. I like them for outdoor gear. You can see some of the guys in Alone using the green ones on a couple seasons.
I will agree this jacket is horrible for the wind unless under something. However they are not that warm, even the actual issue version again unless under other garments. And the NSN is different depending on the size.
I believe that black ones are better made and warmer. The black ones are better as a stand alone garment and warmer when used in conjunction with a outer shell garment.
however they are heavier and thicker. The green may be better in warmer weather like above freezing. Below freezing the black (bear suit) is by far a better choice.
Another awesome review Luke, I like the color, it is something I would buy, thank you for all you do, be safe and God bless you and your Family always and forever.
Navy has these too, they're in black but no nametapes on the outside.
Ive been testing these mil-surp jackets for 10+ years. Ive tried them all, the french alpine fleece jacket is BY FAR THE BEST ONE IVE EVER TRIED.
Odd how it has an NSN but also made outside of the US. I was under the impression that if it's made anywhere other than the US it's commercial though still made to military specification.
I absolutely love this thing but as you've stated the wind protection sucks. Gotta wear it with a goretex shell.
I love the jacket..I do have one which I use in extreme cold ( < 10F ) - of course with a down jacket underneath. I love it as an outer layer in dry cold...I got mine for $5 at a thrift store...
Good review Luke. For the money, it cannot be beat.
Nice review. Tru-Spec makes good stuff. Nice day!!!
Luke you should get some Velcro nametapes for that jacket. They're only a few bucks. I love my gen III layers.
Myself and my family have the fleece jacket. We love ours.
Tru-Spec is not official issue. Huge difference in quality.
What companies are official issue? I noticed on the label made in Dominican Republic. Wouldn’t they be made in the USA?
No NSN# ...No dice
@@lesgrossman4636 I ordered a level 1 and level 2 from an eBay seller. Both said they were polartec. The level 1 made by Peckham and has a polartec product tag but there isn’t a polartec tag on the garment. The level 2 made by KCARC doesn’t have any polartec tag. Called both companies and they said they wouldn’t make a garment without polartec tag on the garment. I got 2 knockoffs I believe. Both have NSN #’s. I have a level 2 made by Peckham that has the polartec tag on the garment next to care label. The level 2 made by KCARC doesn’t feel the same as the Peckham one.
@@MarcP5267You are a mогоn
Of course it’s Not wind proof. It is part of a 7 layer system. It works exactly as designed.
I have a Russian copy of this which seems basically the same. Great under a softshell.
How do these compare to modern day fleece from say... Patagonia? regards to warmth?
Polartec Thermal Pro is tops for an insulating midlayer. But yes, with the exception Polartec Powershield and Powershield Pro, wind will go right through it.
Like many said, not standard issue. However it is within (older) regs.
Would it be pretty warm with a small wind breaker jacket over it, Luke?
Scott Taylor yes. Any shell over top that blocks wind will make it 100% better.
Scott Taylor Absolutely. It's issued with a rain/windproof goretex jacket
Sorry man didn’t mean to kill your question. I just have personally had one issues figured ide say something.
Peelin Drag
I’m wrong, man. I deleted my comment. Sorry about that. You were trying to help and I should not have commented like that.
No man your totally fine bub. I took no offense at all. Always good to hear feedback. So don’t feel any type of way about it man. Hope you well in your adventures.
Luke, it's actually issued to USAF as well.
Hey Luke would Love to see a review on the Gen II VS Gen III ecwcs shell jackeds L6. Thanks for all your reviews buddy
You can also get them at clothing sales on any military base if you can get on one.
While you are half right unless you have a military ID you can not buy from clothing sales. How ever if you know anyone who is in the military you can have them buy it. Lucky me a veteran 23 years I still can.
I live in Denmark. Do you have an address in Denmark? A shopping store from which I can buy directly
Love it. I have a Canadian military fleece which I wear all the time & US military bear shirt fleece when it gets real cold.
That bear jkt under a windbreaker = WARM !!
Sorry dude, that is not a LEGIT piece of military gear. That's a knock off manuf one. Sorry man
EXACTLY what I was going to say - truspec is another rothco wannabe. My (legit) one was made by "Goodwill industries of south florida" and has a MUCH tighter 'shag' that that POS.
I find these "military" equipment reviews kinda funny because every soldier I ever talked to says their experience in the military was either too hot or too cold.
Just picked one up made by Polartec for $6. Seems nice. I like the look
it will go with the level 5 gen II shell jacket #NSN: 8415-01-543-5040 I have two of the shaggy carpets in coyote they are awesome great video Luke
Tru-spec made in Dominican Republic is not USGI though.
Great review! Patagonia has a similar jacket for about 4x the price, so this is a great deal. Fleece in general isn't great for wind. Neither the Poloartec 100 or 200 fleece jackets (by Marmot) I own don't keep wind out. Now Gore WindStopper on the other is a great fabric for that.
Have you tried the Helikon-Tex Patriot fleece jacket? It's very warm and does a good job of keeping the wind out. I recently bought one in coyote and one in flecktarn and I love them. (I like flecktarn, so sue me :-) )They look good too. You ought to try G7 Instant coffee 3-in-one sachets. It's very good, but you need to use two as the serving size for one packet is 1/3 cup.
The "just say no to Flecktarn" police have been notified and you should go into immediate hiking cause they don't play around. Next time keep your unlawful thoughts on the down low.
Please! No more fleece. I am fleeced-out and drowning in the stuff. I could start a fleece store. As you mentioned, wind goes through it like it is a swiss cheese.
I wore mine today 😊.
Great video, Luke 👍🏼
Hi Luke. Nice review. You should also try Portwest Argyll Heavy Fleece 400. It is cheaper, warmer, thicker, denser, block some wind and comes in nicer colors - I like the red one most. It is cheap workwear but durable and great for hiking. Cheers from Europe
Army doesnt wear it due to OCP coyote brown version. The sage green is all Air Force.
Galen Bird NOW It's all coyote brown for the Army. 5 years ago I was issued the sage green. That`s why it's surplus NOW. It's annoying because NOW we have to buy all the same stuff in the new color pattern...if the unit doesn't have the money to issue it to us.
Oh yeah, we're all goin coyote brown OCPs...eventually the Air Force will follow suit. but that fleece jacket despite its current color has been the Gore-Tex liner for years and years even back when we had BDUs(I've only got 16 years under my belt..) . The matching fleece pants dont completely suck either(when worn with the pant outer shell..).
Looks Cool
How warm is it ?
Would the level 7 jacket in size small regular fit someone about 5" 8?
That makes no sense. You could be 5 foot 8 and 110 pounds or 5 foot 8 and 260 pounds. Lol
With all do respect. It’s not original. The clothing tag should be more than that. This fleece is mimicked extensively.
Kinda like the Shagmaster hoodie by Triple Aught Design
U will be very shape with ROTHCO ones
Is true spec polar tec?
i have the gen three fleece for obvious reasons there stupid comfy for no reason
Which fleece jacket do you like better?
Polaris genIII
Sorry it is Polartic
No pit zips?
Well if it is that loose on wind it's a loss in my opinion. Which is a shame. Cause it looks so cozy.
^ This
It's designed to be warm and very breathable. Making it windproof or resistant defeats the purpose.
Yea definitely not issued in the Marine Corps
no just the brown ones are
5 years later, Luke never wears this jacket in his cold weather videos.🤓
I just found your channel
How tall you are? I mean... that thing is medium regular and i eant to know how tall you are just to know :)
I'm fairly short; 5'4"/5'5"
- Luke
TheOutdoorGearReview hoo thanks my friend you have a new suscriber :)
I'll stick with my M65
Love thoughs jackets
Genuine muppet skin.
Also, the USN receive the same one in black.
wheres are adventure video.😰
Weight, please.
It might be quality, but it looks like a Halloween costume. For the furries.
When I was in only Pogs were allowed to wear that thing
It looks too loose fitting for serious insulation. To many areas where warm air can escape..
When combined with the outer shell you can be quite toasty. Don't let the looseness fool you.
I like it!
sweet
Marine's use coyote
Yeap I still have my Peckham cover aka watch caps and tops.
Austin lol that's right. U forgot
Fuck $17 those cost like 80 on base..
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