ECWCS III underlayers, green and tan

[Britboy]

Hey there,

I'm looking for an alternative to the issued Norwegian shirt. It's a decent piece of kit when its dry or you're static, but as soon as it gets wet it stays wet and cotton doesn't really give you that warm feeling inside when damp. I'd not really thought about this until I got a civvy version of a Norwegian made by North Face out of micro fleece for hiking etc... it's way better at drying out, not holding water and being warm, but bright orange is hardly 'tactical'...

So, looking for gucci cold weather stuff like this I found the military morons website and their description of the 'PCU', which seems to have been opened up to the rest of the American Army with their new ECWCS version.

There's a Norwegian top but it looks like its only available in a very pale sand-like colour, which may be fine for deserts, but is there a green version of this knocking around too?

They also have the wicking sort of T-shirts in desert colour, again, any green ones available too?

Or if theres no green versions of these, can anyone point me in the direction of something similar in green?

...Perhaps I should just get some green food colouring and soak it all...;)

Cheers
BB

[Heazy]

Under Armour and 5.11 makes wicking undershirts in OD green but are not safe as they can melt under extreme heat. I don't think the regular army wears PCU but i've seen Rangers wear it. The new ECWCS system, is mainly in the ACU pattern or foliage green. If you've got money, look at TAD gear for alternatives to the PCU. The Stealth (soft-shell) and ranger hoodie (fleece) comes in a green color. I have both and they are GREAT. not cheap though.
http://www.tadgear.com/

[Britboy]

Cheers for that, but I'm not looking for a jacket, rather a better-fabric Norwegian and T Shirts (like levels 1 and 2 of your own PCU/ECWCS) in OG to replace the cotton items issued. Looks like good kit all the same though, will take a good look...

If wicking layers burn up and cotton stays damp, whats the official answer? Is there any one super fabric that does it all, or is it just picking the right one for the occasion, i.e. no plastic materials for riot duty and AFV crews...

[nimer bortuqaal]

Britboy,

Try the American company Patagonia. Some of the US ECWCS system is made and/or designed by them. Try the mid-weight layers. They have a good foilage green color.

NB

ps. also try the company Smartwool company. They make some underlayer stuff made out of wool for any concerns of melting.

[Waterman]

X2 on the Patagonia stuff.

Of course I am sponsored by Patagonia, so I am a little biased.....but I liked their stuff before I got involved with them.

I have a few pieces that were part of the previous US Military gear. The Capilene 1 & 2 tops are part of my all the time wear stuff. I also have the R1 & R2 fleece and the puffball vest and rain shadow pants that were in "custom" or "special" colors: green or brown.

There are some pieces in those colors now in the current selection of gear.....and some leftovers of the stuff that I have that are in the clearance section on the USA website. Check there and see what you can find that may suit your needs. You won't be disappointed with their stuff.

[River3]

I use this when it's cold:
Brynje Of Norway (http://www.brynje.no/public/index.php?set_language=en&cccpage=webshop_l2&set_z_qm_product_grp1=1&set_z_qm_product=42)

Exccelent piece of kit, a bit expencive though.

[aaronlow]

If you don't mind buying civilian stuff, I highly recommend Icebreaker for baselayers - merino wool - great temp regulation. I wear it year round in different weights. IMO, they're the best out there when it comes to merino wool stuff: www.icebreaker.com