Question about 3/4 length Winter Coats

[leatherneck]

After watching some World War II documentaries and Band of Brothers I was wondering why most armies have moved away from 3/4 length winter coats? They look a lot warmer and give extra protection for rear and thighs. I think the Swedes still have something close to a 3/4 length winter coat, but I don't know of any others. Anyone know why most armies have moved away from using them?

[HoboWithAK]

Clothing technology has taken leaps forward. You also have to consider that the length may pose mobility problems, and interefere with gear that must be worn or carried.

They do look damn warm, though, don't they?

[hammerlock]

I'll add their very heavy as well. I wore a WW2 British trench coat for a few years in high school and they were warm as hell... but also just as heavy.

[N0B]

I have always heard that a good cold weather coat is like a good Lawyer - covers your ass.

[oldsoak]

They are also expensive. The old coats were made from woollen cloth and may have had a lining depending on grade ( officers had the gucci stuff with a cloth lining - sometimes silk or rayon ). They also belong to an era where everyone had a 3/4 length or longer overcoat to keep out the cold, so troops were expected to be similarly dressed while on duty. Woollen cloth is actually not cheap or that easy to come by now, but before synthetics, it was the most readily avialiable material for making into warm coats and sweaters. however, you cant compare a modern parka for warmth, weight or price to an old fashioned wool trench coat. The parka wins hands down.
OOI, my grandfather told me that in WWI, he was issued with a blanket, a rubberised groundsheet and an overcoat for sleeping out in France in winter. I am informed that together with the combination of string vest, wool shirt, wool jumper and woollen tunic, he actually slept tolerably well in snow.

[SamHamam]

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[Hollis]

Before they were called "Trench Coats", they were frock coats (maybe Great coat). Yes, better clothing via better weather proof fabric changed things. My avatar, I am wearing a Frock Coat.

Being warm and wet was about the best in the old days. Boot tops came to about the bottom of a frock coat.

[shocker1]

I have a long coat my friend in the Navy gave me. It was his, still has his name and number on it. The liner is removable, very warm and a tornado could not blow through the thick canvas. Best of all it keeps your hinney warm. I love the coat but would not want to wear something like that in combat unless I was on a ship in the North Atlantic.

[Sabre]

I remember reading that someone demonstrated the protective capabilities of the greatcoat with a sten.

Because it was double breasted, had linings and extra wool insulation, the front of the torso was actually protected by twelve layers. The demonsration involved the wearer holding the coat out from his body and being shot by the sten. The round failed to penetrate the coat all the way through. Not sure if the same could be said for .303 or 7.92!