I'm reproducing this from my response to a thread in the Accessories and Gear section, slightly edited.
I was a big fan of the military ECWCS system. When I was on Active Duty, I had a hard time keeping warm with the clothing we were issued; especially when we went to the field. I bought a Woodland Camo ECWCS Parka (a size too small) at a surplus store in 1991 and I was hooked. I liked their cargo capacity and water/wind resistance and had three of them when I retired from the Guard. Once I retired, though, I decided I wanted to get away from "Army Green" for my clothing.
I spotted the 5.11 Tactical Aggressor Parka at the Cav Store annex on Ft. Knox in 2009 and my indulgent wife bought it for me;this is my second winter with it. Except for "dress-up", this is my everyday wear. At 5'9"/180lbs, I'm a tad padded in the middle, so cold weather hasn't bothered me like it used to, but the combination fleece jacket and overgarment is toasty warm ( by that, I mean it hasn't been cold enough this winter to wear both pieces together, as yet).
Since I'm a "pocket-lover", I'm really pleased with the number and placement of the pockets on the parka. I use the two sleeve pockets for my mittens, which leaves room in the two side pockets for my gloves and knit hat. The two chest pockets are reminiscent of the chest pockets on the ECWCS parka and are big enough to store a book, radio, or my neck scarf, flattened out. The two "badge" pockets on the parka are large enough to contain a flashlight or small notebook, and the inside zipped pocket is large enough for an extra pair of glasses in a case. Under the arms are zippered side vents which are so unobtrusive, I tend to forget they're there (I had to check to make sure they were there). Like the GEN II ECWCS parka, the collar has a hood which folds up and zips into the collar, where three snaps on a flap cover the zipper from view. I haven't used the hood, but it looks serviceable.
The fleece jacket works well in dry cold; the inside pocket is large enough to carry a paperback book or my ebook reader. The side pockets are roomy enough for my spare gloves and another knit cap (do you see a trend here?).
About my only complaint with this combo is the side zippers tend to unzip - but this is a function of the way I wear them and what is underneath and if I put the zipper pull loop through the snap flap at the bottom of the jacket, they usually stay put. This is a great combo set and, as you can see, I highly recommend it for anyone who can afford it.
I was a big fan of the military ECWCS system. When I was on Active Duty, I had a hard time keeping warm with the clothing we were issued; especially when we went to the field. I bought a Woodland Camo ECWCS Parka (a size too small) at a surplus store in 1991 and I was hooked. I liked their cargo capacity and water/wind resistance and had three of them when I retired from the Guard. Once I retired, though, I decided I wanted to get away from "Army Green" for my clothing.
I spotted the 5.11 Tactical Aggressor Parka at the Cav Store annex on Ft. Knox in 2009 and my indulgent wife bought it for me;this is my second winter with it. Except for "dress-up", this is my everyday wear. At 5'9"/180lbs, I'm a tad padded in the middle, so cold weather hasn't bothered me like it used to, but the combination fleece jacket and overgarment is toasty warm ( by that, I mean it hasn't been cold enough this winter to wear both pieces together, as yet).
Since I'm a "pocket-lover", I'm really pleased with the number and placement of the pockets on the parka. I use the two sleeve pockets for my mittens, which leaves room in the two side pockets for my gloves and knit hat. The two chest pockets are reminiscent of the chest pockets on the ECWCS parka and are big enough to store a book, radio, or my neck scarf, flattened out. The two "badge" pockets on the parka are large enough to contain a flashlight or small notebook, and the inside zipped pocket is large enough for an extra pair of glasses in a case. Under the arms are zippered side vents which are so unobtrusive, I tend to forget they're there (I had to check to make sure they were there). Like the GEN II ECWCS parka, the collar has a hood which folds up and zips into the collar, where three snaps on a flap cover the zipper from view. I haven't used the hood, but it looks serviceable.
The fleece jacket works well in dry cold; the inside pocket is large enough to carry a paperback book or my ebook reader. The side pockets are roomy enough for my spare gloves and another knit cap (do you see a trend here?).
About my only complaint with this combo is the side zippers tend to unzip - but this is a function of the way I wear them and what is underneath and if I put the zipper pull loop through the snap flap at the bottom of the jacket, they usually stay put. This is a great combo set and, as you can see, I highly recommend it for anyone who can afford it.
