ECWCS Gen III Level 2 is a thermal underwear for static conditions and the second layer of protection for the Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) Gen III multilayered clothing included in the personal outfit of U.S. Army personnel.
As I said in our previous article on ECWCS Gen III Level 1 thermal underwear, the total number of items and the weight of the whole system during the transition from previous generations of ECWCS to Gen III has been reduced mainly due to the use of advanced materials and rethinking the functions of some of the layers. So, if ECWCS Gen III Level 1 has reached the role of a basic body layer for high levels of physical activity, then ECWCS Gen III Level 2 will come in handy under static conditions when your body does not produce excess heat as it moves.
According to its objectives, ECWCS Gen III Level 2 has a slightly modified material structure and additional design features. with whom we will be acquainted in today's review, while we consider the brief characteristics.
- Base layer for static conditions that are not associated with intense sweating.
- Good moisture removal qualities and high drying speed.
- Flat seams, do not cause discomfort.
- Zipper for additional control of thermoregulation.
- Ability to use on its own, as well as in combination with other layers of ECWCS Gen III.
- Main material: Polartec Power Dry (100% polypropylene).
- Available colors: Desert Sand.
Just above I mentioned the advanced materials and the modified structure, so let's start with them. As with the previous layer, ECWCS Gen III Level 2 uses Polartec Power Dry, but instead of thin and smooth Silkweight designed to absorb moisture and distribute it over a larger area, there is another challenge here. In addition to sweat removal, thermal underwear for static conditions should provide better insulation, because without active movement, the body produces significantly less heat.
In order to reduce the negative impact of the environment, it is necessary to increase the distance from the warm surface of the body to the cold air, and it is desirable to fill this space with already warm air, which, in turn, will reduce heat loss by radiation and convection. The structure of the Polartec Power Dry fits this function, since the inner surface has villi in which the air temp is trapped in the voids. The villi are divided into equal segments by transverse air channels. Through these ducts, excess moisture contained in the warmed-up air of your body is able to flow out through the material, reducing condensation problems inside ECWCS Gen III Level 2. At the same time, the ducts provide better air circulation, thereby allowing thermal underwear to " the wafer structure dries faster and also has less weight compared to samples without air ducts.
Now that we are familiar with how the material works, let's move on to a visual introduction to the features of ECWCS Gen III Level 2 cut.
Similar to the base layer, ECWCS Gen III Level 2 is executed in a close-fitting Desert Sand color. Cutting is largely similar to thermal underwear for high activity levels.
In addition to changing the material properties, the most significant difference between ECWCS Gen III Level 2 is the presence of a high collar and the presence of a front zipper that takes up about half the length of the shirt (halp-zip). The collar provides better protection against wind, rainfall and mechanical influences, but lightning - on the contrary, allows to increase the air circulation in the neck, thus controlling the output of excess heat and moisture.
The shoulder seams are identical to those in ECWCS Gen III Level 1 and are placed exactly in the middle of the shoulder. Although the seams, as well as fit underwear, flat, and the material is much softer due to the villi, however, prolonged wearing of backpacks or platform vests, such placement can cause discomfort.
Under the armpits, too, little has changed - the same point at which four seams converge, as in ECWCS Gen III Level 1. Through it, I would advise to carefully select the size of the ECWCS Gen III Level 2. shirt. The reason is the same - if the shoulder strap will press this point against your body - be prepared for discomfort and even damage when worn for a long time.
But the sleeve cuffs are not so simple anymore, because, first, they have small bends of the base material, which are stitched with a flat seam.
And, secondly, ECWCS Gen III Level 2 also has a thumb hole similar to the previous layer, allowing you to lock the placement of the thermal underwear sleeve before putting other outerwear on top of it. At the same time, the use of this hole will further protect the outer surface of the brush from negative environmental factors (low temperatures, wind, precipitation).
The lower edge of the shirt in all ways mimics the ECWCS Gen III Level 1 cut and also has a relatively low back. This solution allows you to keep your shirt inside pants or underpants when leaning forward and to the side, and also provides a double layer of base material in the lumbar region.
Speaking of the low back of the shirt, it is also worth mentioning the elastic waistband of the pants, which. in fact, the backrest sticks in most cases. The width of the belt does not cause clamping, while holding the shirt securely inside.
A little below the waistband, in front of the pants, is a bar, which allows you to "walk in the wind" without removing the thermal underwear, which is very important at low temperatures. The plasterboard on ECWCS Gen III Level 2 is ideally compatible with the same design element on ECWCS Gen III Level 1, allowing these layers to be used together, as well as in combination with other elements of the ECWCS Gen III system.
As with ECWCS Gen III Level 1, there is an additional insert in the crotch area, which eliminates you from the point of convergence of the four seams (both under the armpits), and also has a positive effect on comfort during prolonged wear, as well as on the mobility of the feet as a whole.
The lower edges of the leggings repeat the ECWCS Gen III Level 2 cuff solution: base material folded, sewn and sewn flat. Accordingly, you can not worry about conflicts with shoes. In particular, to predict the latter, the length of ECWCS Gen III Level 2 pants is slightly smaller than the first layer of the system, so that they can not actually overlap with each other inside the boot.
Now that we're done with the visual acquaintance, a few more words about using ECWCS Gen III Level 2. This layer can be worn alone and in combination with ECWCS Gen III Level 1 thermal underwear. long-term stay in cold conditions with low levels of physical activity (ambushes, docks, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, motorcycles, etc.). The high density of villi and air ducts on the inner surface of the base material will be useful here. But over the top of ECWCS Gen III Level 1, this thermal underwear should be worn when you need extra warming or when it is difficult to predict the likely level of activity and exercise. In the event of bursts of activity, excess moisture will be better distributed by ECWCS Gen III Level 1, and the second layer will keep warm air longer between the body and the environment.
We thank the shop punisher.com.ua for the ECWCS Gen III Level 2 thermal underwear provided for review. You can always find out about the size and current cost of the kit on the store pages.
Source: secretsquirrel.com.ua
Author: secretsquirrel.com.ua
