ECWCS Gen III Level 3 - a lightweight jacket in the US Army's third generation Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), which acts as an intermediate insulation layer.
We continue to introduce you to the components of the ECWCS Gen III multilayer system and from basic thermal underwear for high levels of ECWCS Gen III Level 1 physical activity, and thermal underwear for ECWCS Gen III Level 2 static conditions, we move to the next warming layer - ECWCS Gen III Level 3 .
Unlike the previous layers, which consist of shirts and leggings, the third layer of the Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) Gen III only includes an article of clothing for the upper body and has no warmed pants or trousers. This is due to the fact that the use of the pants of the first two layers and pants of any insulating layer (ECWCS Gen III Level 5 or ECWCS Gen III Level 6) is in most cases sufficient to adequately protect the constantly moving feet from impact high winds and low temperatures. Therefore, the heating effect of ECWCS Gen III Level 3 is focused mainly on the body's core, the torso, where the heart and lungs are located. To do this, this layer is endowed with the following features.
- Warming layer to maintain temperature balance while lowering temperatures or activity levels.
- The optimum ratio of heat to weight.
- High collar.
- The areas most favorable to mechanical loading are reinforced by an additional layer of nylon.
- Four pockets.
- Main Material: Polartec Thermal Pro (100% polyester)
- Available colors: Foliage Green.
ECWCS Gen III Level 3 is the third and final layer of Polartec advanced materials. And if the two previous layers used variations of Polartec Power Dry and were designed to remove moisture as far away from the surface of the body and a slight insulation, then the third layer of the system already uses Polartec Thermal Pro for a different purpose. Structurally, Polartec's Thermal Pro material is a long-pile fleece made of polyester fibers with the highest ratio of heat to mass per unit. The long pile provides a high area where the heated body air is delayed for a long time, creating a noticeable heating effect. Because it is not a dense material, Polartec Thermal Pro products are well ventilated, removing excess heat and vapor from the body. Such products are also significantly less weight, compact and compact in small volumes, and synthetic fibers provide them with resistance to both mechanical stress (wear, abrasion), biological (sweat and odors), as well as solar (loss of color under by the influence of ultraviolet light).
The main task of ECWCS Gen III Level 3, proper insulation, is not only the choice of the basic material, but also the features of the cut, which we are going to consider.
Due to the fact that ECWCS Gen III Level 3 is used mainly as an intermediate insulation layer under other elements of the ECWCS Gen III system, especially to conceal it with the use of Desert Sand body color, or the Multicam camouflage pattern is unnecessary. This is probably why manufacturers have opted for Foliage Green for this layer. Despite this, the jacket can be used as a stand-alone outer layer during slight changes in temperature, or when switching from active movement to static. And the presence of nylon-reinforced zones only highlights this possibility. But let's take turns about everything.
As is the case with the insulation layer, the ECWCS Gen III Level 3 jacket has a two-layer collar up to nine centimeters high. It protects the wearer's neck from being blown by the cold wind and, in combination with other outer layers, acts as a seal that blocks the path of cold air from entering open areas of the body.
The volume of air circulating around the neck and chest can be controlled by the buckle in the center of the jacket. To protect against blowing all along its length, it is protected by a 2.5 cm wide windshield. At the upper point, the lightning dog hides in a small parking fold, so that the cold metal of the dog does not come in contact with your chin.
In the breast area, on either side of the zipper, there are small sections of Velcro used for fixing the marks of distinction. On the right side is a small square section measuring 5 cm x 5 cm (width \ height), where the chevron is attached to the rank of serviceman. And on two symmetrical horizontal strips measuring 13 cm x 2.5 cm (width \ height), the name (nametape) and the lineage of the troops are usually recorded.
Just below the Velcro straps, on the inside of the ECWCS Gen III Level 3 jacket, are two mesh pockets with a useful size of about 22 cm x 22 cm (width / height). The use of a grid in this area does not accumulate layers of the base material, and also allows excess heat to move freely outside. In addition, the presence of such pockets on the insulation layers I consider a very good feature.
The fact is that such pockets are underneath a layer of insulating material in the immediate vicinity of your body. Accordingly, their temperature does not fall below the temperature of the body under the influence of wind or low temperatures outside. This fact allows the use of such pockets for the transportation of digital devices and batteries, which are usually favorable for temperatures, and work poorly when the batteries are freezing. In addition, in extreme situations where ECWCS Gen III Level 3 is the only insulating layer left over, you can increase the jacket's insulating properties by filling the inner pockets with tear-proof paper, fabric, or dry leaves. This will help increase the distance from your body to the cold environment, and create an extra air gap that fills with warm air.
Below the inner pockets, there are two outer pockets in ECWCS Gen III Level 3. They can be accessed through two vertical necks, and internal dimensions of about 24 cm x 24 cm (width \ height) will be sufficient to warm the hands and accommodate small objects that you need relatively quick access to. You can get to these pockets even when a platform vest is thrown over the jacket, which is very comfortable.
The shoulder area in ECWCS Gen III Level 3 is made of Raglan style, allowing the seams to move further away from the area where all loads from shoulder straps, bulletproof vests, platformers and honor horns typically fall. A good step compared to the thermal underwear of the two previous layers, especially given the fact that the seams from the bulk Polartec Thermal Pro are much denser than the thermal underwear.
For additional protection against mechanical stress (abrasion of material, punctures, etc.) and wind, the ECWCS Gen III Level 3 shoulders are further reinforced with a nylon layer, which greatly extends the life of the product.
The armpit area, in the case of ECWCS Gen III Level 3, does not have any meshes or zippers to improve air circulation, so you will need to use a center jacket clasp to control condensation.
An additional nylon insert for anti-abrasion of the base material is located not only on the shoulders but also in the elbow area. Here it is equally good at protecting the Polartec Thermal Pro from dirt, moisture and damage, both in the field and in offices, where this area is quickly erased from the surface of the tables. So definitely a careful and thoughtful step from the manufacturers, like me.
The ECWCS Gen III Level 3 jacket cuffs are made using an elastic foot that keeps the neck tight against the body, blocking cold air from entering the sleeves. Also, elastic cuffs combine well and do not conflict with the sleeves of the outer layers of the system, as well as various accessories (watches, bracelets, etc.) and gloves.
In general, ECWCS Gen III Level 3 can be considered the most versatile layer of ECWCS Gen III for moderate temperatures, since it can be used both as a stand-alone outer layer and as an intermediate insulation that combines with other elements of the system. Functional material, light weight and thoughtful cut make this jacket the first candidate for the role of insulation as cool summer nights, during winter operations in the snowy mountains, as well as during the transition from dynamics to static.
We thank the shop punisher.com.ua, for example the ECWCS Gen III Level 3 jacket, 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
