ECWCS Gen III Level 7 is a third-generation Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), a 3-generation Extreme Cold Weather Clothing Kit, currently available for US Army personnel.
Like ECWCS Gen III Level 6 from our previous review, the seventh layer of ECWCS Gen III is a specialized kit for protection against a specific negative environmental factor. And if ECWCS Gen III Level 6 is aimed at protecting against high-intensity winds and thunderstorms, today's hero of the review is designed to combat temperatures of -30 ° C and below. So if you have to be outdoors at such temperatures, especially with low levels of physical activity, then ECWCS Gen III Level 7 will be of interest to you.
The ECWCS Gen III Level 7 Kit from Sterlingwear of Boston includes warmed jackets and trousers that resemble ECWCS Gen III Level 5 in some ways, but are not designed for wind or rain isolation but for maximum air, warmed by your warmth, between your body and the environment. The outer material is even somewhat similar to the fifth layer tactile, because it has a water repellent treatment of encapsulated silicone, but this similarity ends. Other features of this kit include the following.
- Warming layer for protection against extremely cold temperatures.
- Lightweight and compact.
- The optimum ratio of heat to weight.
- Adjustable collar, which folds into a collar.
- The areas most favorable to mechanical loading are reinforced by an additional layer of nylon.
- Four pockets.
- Ability to wear \ remove pants without removing shoes.
- Main Material: PrimaLoft Sport.
- Available colors: Urban Gray.
To perform the tasks of keeping heat at extremely low temperatures, the synthetic heater PrimaLoft Sport was selected as the main material for ECWCS Gen III Level 7. PrimaLoft (formerly Albany International Corp.) has been working with the US defense complex as a developer and supplier of cutting-edge materials since the early 1980s, and their "artificial fluff" once revolutionized the military's first multilayered clothing systems and subsequently civilian market. PrimaLoft Sport is a two-component synthetic heater in structure very similar to goose down, which is due to its thermal insulation qualities with a coefficient of heat transfer R-value - 2.15, but which due to the use of synthetic fibers has no disadvantages of true down: no less important from the body and from the environment, does not absorb sweat and odors, does not cause allergic reactions, quickly restores volume after prolonged compression, dries quickly and warms even in the wet state.
PrimaLoft Sport has a thicker fiber structure (compared to PrimaLoft One, for example), which slightly reduces thermal insulation performance by reducing the air space between the fibers, but increases the durability and performance of the product. So you can rest assured that ECWCS Gen III Level 7 will not lose its thermal insulation qualities over time, it will not collapse and will warm up every time it is removed from the shoulder pad as it was folded and compressed.
Despite all of the insulation properties listed above and the highest figure of seven in ECWCS Gen III, this layer is rarely used as a standalone. In most cases, its properties are combined with the thermal underwear of the first and second layers, and, if necessary, the intermediate insulation of the third layer. The most effective use of it will be in the transition from dynamics to static, when the constant low temperature dramatically reduces the level of physical activity, when the temperature drops rapidly to extremely low, as well as as a heater during sleep, when you are not moving at all, and the protective properties of the bedroom systems may not be sufficient to maintain the body's temperature balance.
If the materials and purpose are clear, consider the ECWCS Gen III Level 7 cut in more detail.
Extreme Cold Weather Park Jacket
The ECWCS Gen III Level 7 jacket looks very voluminous, especially when compared to the rest of the ECWCS Gen III layers, but in spite of this weight is not much different. This is not a cotton swab that shackles movements, and even weighs. In contrast, the look and volume of the jacket seems surprisingly light. If necessary, it can be compressed several times to reduce the size, and it will not lose its thermal insulation properties, and quickly recover to its original size when put on. The jacket's design includes four pockets, adjustable cuffs and a hood that folds into a collar, as well as reinforcement with nylon at the elbows.
Like the fifth and sixth layers, an 8 cm high collar in ECWCS Gen III Level 7 is formed of two layers of base material between which a cavity is contained. In this cavity is an insulated adjustable hood that can be pulled out by opening a special slot in the lower outer seam that is fastened with Velcro. Once pulled, you will have a spacious hood with adjustments to the oval face and fullness. Adjustment on the oval of the face is carried out with the help of shock cords and plastic cordlets, but for the adjustment of the fullness is responsible for the hinge and Velcro 13 cm high, located on the nape of the user.
As you understand, adjusting the hood at extremely low temperatures is quite high because it not only adjusts to the headwear you use but minimizes the contact of the head with cold air and protects against heat loss through convection and radiation.
The front ECWCS Gen III Level 7 buckle opens to the full height of the jacket and has a 3.5 cm wide windshield on the inside. The strap is not warmed, but its main task is to protect the lightning from blowing with cold air.
At the chest level, on either side of the central clasp are two symmetrical Velcro straps measuring 13 cm x 2.5 cm (width / height) for nametape attachment and the lineage. On the right side just above the strip is also an additional Velcro platform 5 cm x 5 cm. (width \ height), where the chevron with the title is fixed. If you are not a clerk then these stickers can be used to place a variety of IDs, badges and moral patches.
Just below the Velcro, on either side of the center clasp, there are spacious inner pockets with a mesh lining on the inside of the jacket. These pockets, measuring 26 cm x 28 cm (width / height) and elastic neck (19 cm wide), allow you to transport a variety of essentials and, if necessary, dry wet clothing and accessories (hats, gloves, etc.).
In extremely cold temperatures, these pockets will be very useful for transporting all kinds of gadgets and electronic devices, whose batteries are quickly discharged by cold. So putting smartphones, GPS navigators, radios, and other gadgets here will allow you to, firstly, isolate them from the environment with a layer of PrimaLoft Sport, and secondly, keep them in space not with negative temperatures, but close to the temperature of your body. Therefore, the batteries and batteries of your devices will not discharge as quickly as outdoors in extremely cold temperatures.
Just below, two outer pockets measuring about 19 cm x 33 cm (width / height) are located on either side of the central clasp, with the zip locks. Since the front wall of these pockets also has a layer of insulation, they can be used to heat the palms and fingers, especially if you have to use gloves that are not adapted to the ambient temperature to keep your hands sensitive.
I have already noted that as the outer layer of ECWCS Gen III Level 7 it is most often used mainly in cold weather without precipitation. But even in such conditions, snow, which has to move while standing, kneeling or lying, through its abrasive structure exerts a rather strong influence on the main material of the kit. For this reason, the elbow region, which is subject to such enhanced mechanical effects, is further enhanced by a layer of dense nylon. So you can rest assured that when you have to crawl, your ECWCS Gen III Level 7 will get wet and wear out not so fast.
To control the air circulation in the ECWCS Gen III Level 7 sleeves, the cuffs have a 9.5 cm adjusting lug and a 13 cm length of velcro to help you keep a small gap between the arm and the sleeve to combat excess heat buildup and formation. and completely block the gap between the jacket sleeve and the gloves to protect from cold air or wind.
Extreme Cold Weather Trousers Pants
The ECWCS Gen III Level 7 trousers cut is the same as the jacket's task - to create a gap between your legs and the environment that will be filled with air that has already warmed up with the warmth of your body. Accordingly, they are as plump as the jacket, but very light and compact when transported. In the case of trousers, the manufacturer did not include a large number of pockets in his design, but instead focused on the ability to quickly wear or remove warm trousers with other layers of ECWCS Gen III. As it is done - see a little further.
ECWCS Gen III Level 7 pants have a softened 4 cm high waistband. A distinctive feature of this layer is the complete absence of belt slots that were in all previous layers. Instead, if the elasticity of the belt to hold your pants is suddenly missed, the manufacturer recommends using straps that are attached to the pants with loops of textile sling, located on the inner surface of the belt along its diameter.
The width of the trousers is closed with a zipper, the position of which in the closed state is further fixed by a small diagonal valve on the Velcro. This valve protects the lightning from mechanical influences, as well as from wind and cold air blowing, which is very important in this field.
The back of the ECWCS Gen III Level 7 trousers belt does not have any slots, pockets and other structural elements. Only an elastic waist section for a more tight fit to the body, and two diagonal flaps on the sides that need attention.
Behind these valves, 12 cm wide, located on the sides of the pants of ECWCS Gen III Level 7, there is a zipper that runs the entire length of the pants. This clasp has two sliders, so the diagonal valve and the wide Velcro on the belt do not allow one of them to unfasten under the action of gravity, or mechanical loads (jerks, clamps, etc.) on the base material of the trousers.
The length of this side zipper is about 96 cm and it allows you to fully open the side seams of the pants. In this way, both legs only connect in the crotch area, allowing you to lift or remove ECWCS Gen III Level 7 pants, even when you are wearing. This is done as follows: first you unzip the side zippers on the pants of ECWCS Gen III Level 7, then remove the trousers of the outer layer without removing the shoes (we have already discussed this in separate reviews of the respective layers), then skip the crotch of the Level 7 pants between the legs, fasten both zippers and close the zipper and clasp. All of you have just successfully warmed your pants with ECWCS Gen III Level 7 without having to take off your shoes and tread on the snow, losing the precious warmth of your own body.
Why is it so important? Well, first of all, because it has brought you to extremely low temperatures and every extra second in dressing is unlikely to please you, and secondly, in such circumstances, US military personnel most often do not go out in the snow just like that. Extreme Cold Vapor Barrier Boots, which are worn on top of a demi-season pair of shoes, or oversized ski boots, protect the feet from the cold in such cases. And, most likely, crampons, snowshoes or skis are attached to them, removing which you will immediately fall to the knees, or even deeper. So, as you can see, lightning on the sides of your pants makes life much easier.
Like the elbows of the jacket, which is most often in contact with snow, the knees of the trousers are also reinforced with a layer of nylon that protects ECWCS Gen III Level 7 from abrasion and mechanical stress. Also, at the expense of nylon, the knees of your pants will get wet for a bit longer than if only the basic material was present here.
The second side zipper has the ability to unzip the zipper from the bottom, allowing you to throw your pants over your regular or ski boots. With a tight lock here, you will also be helped by a 10 cm wide flypaper and a flypaper of the same width.
Instead, I would say that ECWCS Gen III Level 7 is a specialized layer, just like ECWCS Gen III Level 6. And if the first 5 layers of ECWCS Gen III can be advised for a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts, you will definitely find a use for them. and you can take full advantage of their benefits. I would advise you to choose specialized layers more carefully and carefully. This is due not only to the fact that these are up-to-date materials and the corresponding cost of the kits, but also to how profitable you will be to purchase them and how often you will use them. Agree that it will be rather insulting to invest a considerable amount of money in them, and at the same time to wear them no more than once or twice a year, or to spoil such a valuable thing by improper care or storage.
With the right shoes and accessories (hats, gloves, buffs, etc.) and high levels of physical activity of -30 ° C you may not notice using the elements of the first five layers of ECWCS Gen III, but all the benefits of ECWCS Gen III Level 7 you will not only feel when it is cold, but when it is already extremely cold. When you have to spend a few days in this cold, mostly in static conditions, day and night, with fluctuations in humidity levels, or in an open space that is blown by all winds. So think for yourself: how often do the temperatures in your place drop so low and how often do you stay outside in these conditions? If Often - ECWCS Gen III Level 7 will serve you faithfully and justify the cost of comfort and well-preserved health, if not, its protective properties may just be superfluous to you. In any case, I hope that our reviews of ECWCS Gen III Level 7 and the entire ECWCS Gen III system will help you better understand the purpose and features of each layer.
Thank you to punisher.com.ua for the sample ECWCS Gen III Level 7 kit 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
