Extended Cold Weather Clothing System
Encyclopedia
The Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS; ) is a protective clothing system developed in the 1980s by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts
. The first generation ECWCS consisted of parka
and trousers plus 20 other individual clothing, handwear
, headwear and footwear
items which are used in various combinations to meet the cold weather environmental requirements of the US military (and others). The Gen III ECWCS is designed to maintain adequate environmental protection in temperatures ranging between +40 and −60 Fahrenheit (about +4 and −51 Celsius)
(1) undershirt and (2) drawers, polyester
fiberpile (3) shirt and (4) bib, (5) nylon/cotton trousers, Gore-Tex
(6) parka and (7) trousers, liners for the (8) parka and (9) trousers, (10) white (snow camouflage) parka/trousers cover, (11) gloves, (12) glove inserts, (13) mittens, (14) mitten inserts, (15) mitten shells, (16) white mitten shells (snow camouflage), (17) cap, (18) balaclava, (19) nylon socks, boots—both (20) cold weather vapor barrier boots
and (21) extreme cold weather vapor barrier boots—and (22) M-1950 trouser suspenders. The system is to be used in an insulated, triple-layering fashion, with the polypropylene undergarments as Layer 1, the polyester shirt/bib, liners and cotton/nylon trousers as Layer 2, and the Gore-Tex outer garments as Layer 3.
The parka and trousers (which have been adapted to the civilian outdoor clothing market) are themselves constructed in a three-layer fashion consisting of an outer layer of abrasion-resistant taslan nylon, an intermediate layer of durably waterproof, windproof, and breathable Gore-Tex membrane (protected with a layer of nylon tricot and originally in a four-color camouflage
print), and a hung inner layer of unlaminated nylon. The whole is seam-sealed with Gore-Seam
tape.
) with woven nylon drawstring
adjustable pulls and an attachment piece that allows fastening of a fur ruff
(early models of the parka lacked this attachment piece). There is a two-way, full-front slide fastener to provide full-face protection, leaving only the eyes uncovered. The parka has Raglan shoulders/sleeves
, a non-freezing, double-pull zipper with storm flap and seven snap closure, a flap-covered pocket on the left sleeve with hook and loop (Velcro
) closure, adjustable hook and loop wrist cuffs, armpit ventilation zippers and double reinforced elbows. A badge/insignia tab with snap is located on the storm flap. There is an interior back ventilation opening, two slash (handwarmer) cargo pockets on the lower front (with extra large flaps and double hook and loop single snap closure on each) and an inside draft skirt (windskirt) with elastic drawcords and barrel-locks at the waist (without pulls). There are also two concealed map pockets at the front zipper with hook and loop closures that can be opened without unzipping the parka.
fabrics: the Polartec Classic 300 shirt and the Polartec Classic 200 overalls. When used in combination with other layers in the ECWCS system, the system provides protection between +40 °F and −40 °F (+4 °C and −40 °C). 2G ECWCS is currently being worn by US Special Forces, US Army and US Air Force soldiers stationed in extreme environments from Norway and Bosnia to Afghanistan.
is a radical re-design of the system. It features seven new layers of insulation including three Polartec fabrics: two layers of Polartec Power Dry and a layer of Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft. The 12 components of the GEN III ECWCS include a lightweight undershirt and drawers, midweight shirt and drawers, fleece cold weather jacket, wind cold weather jacket, soft shell jacket and trousers, extreme cold/wet weather jacket and trousers, extreme cold weather parka and trousers. Initial fielding of the system began in August 2007 to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment
in Afghanistan.
The Official GEN III ECWCS authorized for U.S. Army Issue is currently only available exclusively through ADS and Tactical Distributors.
Natick, Massachusetts
Natick is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Natick is located near the center of the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, with a population of 33,006 at the 2010 census. Only west from Boston, Natick is considered part of the Greater Boston area...
. The first generation ECWCS consisted of parka
Anorak
An anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
and trousers plus 20 other individual clothing, handwear
Glove
A glove is a garment covering the hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless gloves with one large opening rather than individual openings for each...
, headwear and footwear
Footwear
Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet, for fashion, protection against the environment, and adornment. Being barefoot is commonly associated with poverty, but some cultures chose not to wear footwear at least in some situations....
items which are used in various combinations to meet the cold weather environmental requirements of the US military (and others). The Gen III ECWCS is designed to maintain adequate environmental protection in temperatures ranging between +40 and −60 Fahrenheit (about +4 and −51 Celsius)
Components
The entire ECWCS ensemble (1st generation) consists of polypropylenePolypropylene
Polypropylene , also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications including packaging, textiles , stationery, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes...
(1) undershirt and (2) drawers, polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
fiberpile (3) shirt and (4) bib, (5) nylon/cotton trousers, Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
(6) parka and (7) trousers, liners for the (8) parka and (9) trousers, (10) white (snow camouflage) parka/trousers cover, (11) gloves, (12) glove inserts, (13) mittens, (14) mitten inserts, (15) mitten shells, (16) white mitten shells (snow camouflage), (17) cap, (18) balaclava, (19) nylon socks, boots—both (20) cold weather vapor barrier boots
Bunny boots
Bunny Boots is the widely-used nickname for the Extreme Cold Vapor Barrier Boots used by the United States armed forces. The liner-less bulbous boots retain warmth by sandwiching up to one inch of wool and felt insulation between two layers of rubber and are typically worn with one heavy wool sock...
and (21) extreme cold weather vapor barrier boots—and (22) M-1950 trouser suspenders. The system is to be used in an insulated, triple-layering fashion, with the polypropylene undergarments as Layer 1, the polyester shirt/bib, liners and cotton/nylon trousers as Layer 2, and the Gore-Tex outer garments as Layer 3.
The parka and trousers (which have been adapted to the civilian outdoor clothing market) are themselves constructed in a three-layer fashion consisting of an outer layer of abrasion-resistant taslan nylon, an intermediate layer of durably waterproof, windproof, and breathable Gore-Tex membrane (protected with a layer of nylon tricot and originally in a four-color camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
print), and a hung inner layer of unlaminated nylon. The whole is seam-sealed with Gore-Seam
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
tape.
The ECWCS parka
The parka — which is a particularly popular component — is characterized by a cobra hood (which fits over a combat helmetCombat helmet
A combat helmet or battle helmet is a type of personal armor designed specifically to protect the head during combat. Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by the Akkadians/Sumerians in the 23rd century BC, Mycenaean Greeks since 17th...
) with woven nylon drawstring
Drawstring
A drawstring is a string, cord, or rope used to "draw" or tie closed an opening in fabric or other material...
adjustable pulls and an attachment piece that allows fastening of a fur ruff
Ruff (clothing)
A ruff is an item of clothing worn in Western Europe from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-seventeenth century.The ruff, which was worn by men, women and children, evolved from the small fabric ruffle at the drawstring neck of the shirt or chemise...
(early models of the parka lacked this attachment piece). There is a two-way, full-front slide fastener to provide full-face protection, leaving only the eyes uncovered. The parka has Raglan shoulders/sleeves
Raglan sleeve
A raglan sleeve is a type of sleeve whose distinguishing characteristic is to extend in one piece fully to the collar, leaving a diagonal seam from underarm to collarbone. It is popular in sports- and exercise wear, and named after FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, the 1st Baron Raglan, who is said to...
, a non-freezing, double-pull zipper with storm flap and seven snap closure, a flap-covered pocket on the left sleeve with hook and loop (Velcro
Velcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
) closure, adjustable hook and loop wrist cuffs, armpit ventilation zippers and double reinforced elbows. A badge/insignia tab with snap is located on the storm flap. There is an interior back ventilation opening, two slash (handwarmer) cargo pockets on the lower front (with extra large flaps and double hook and loop single snap closure on each) and an inside draft skirt (windskirt) with elastic drawcords and barrel-locks at the waist (without pulls). There are also two concealed map pockets at the front zipper with hook and loop closures that can be opened without unzipping the parka.
2nd Generation
The second generation (2G) ECWCS includes two different layers made with PolartecPolartec
Malden Mills Industries is the original manufacturer of Polartec polar fleece and manufactures other modern textiles. The company is located in Lawrence, Massachusetts and also has operations in Hudson, New Hampshire.-Fire and rebuilding:...
fabrics: the Polartec Classic 300 shirt and the Polartec Classic 200 overalls. When used in combination with other layers in the ECWCS system, the system provides protection between +40 °F and −40 °F (+4 °C and −40 °C). 2G ECWCS is currently being worn by US Special Forces, US Army and US Air Force soldiers stationed in extreme environments from Norway and Bosnia to Afghanistan.
3rd Generation
The third generation 3G or GEN III Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing SystemExtended Climate Warfighter Clothing System
The Extended Climate Warfighter Clothing System, or Gen III ECWCS; ) is protective clothing created in the 1980s as an exclusively cold weather system by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts, but has been radically redesigned to...
is a radical re-design of the system. It features seven new layers of insulation including three Polartec fabrics: two layers of Polartec Power Dry and a layer of Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft. The 12 components of the GEN III ECWCS include a lightweight undershirt and drawers, midweight shirt and drawers, fleece cold weather jacket, wind cold weather jacket, soft shell jacket and trousers, extreme cold/wet weather jacket and trousers, extreme cold weather parka and trousers. Initial fielding of the system began in August 2007 to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment
73rd Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 73rd Cavalry Regiment is a Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army first formed in 1941.-History:The 4 squadrons of the 73rd Cavalry Regiment provide reconnaissance, surveillance, & target acquisition to the Brigade Combat Teams of the 82nd Airborne Division...
in Afghanistan.
The Official GEN III ECWCS authorized for U.S. Army Issue is currently only available exclusively through ADS and Tactical Distributors.