Anyone have any experience with this http://www.amazon.com/Tru-Spec-Level-ECWCS-Weather-Shirt/dp/B002DRSIVG/ref=pd_sim_a_2 or any other competitors with the R1? On a bit of a budget and don't want to spend 150 bucks on an R1..

It's on sale right now for $70 http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-mens-r1-pullover-special?p=19012-1-984

If you are on a really tight budget http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300590365623&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:CA:1123 Best $9 I ever spent.

Oh snap, thanks for the patagonia link.

Now that I'm googling around a bit this pseudo (actual?) military stuff looks interesting.
http://www.armynavyshop.com/prods/rc69030.html Thumbholes and all!
Anyone know what the Gen III Level II nomenclature means? I'm not at all familiar with the military world.

http://www.adsinc.com/solutions/clothing-programs/gen-iii-ecwcs/

Interesting--the military's layering system. Curious what the BPL experts make of this system, and the gear.

Hey paul,
Do you know how much that military pullover weighs? I checked out Patagonia and only the men's version in on sale which would cause extra fabric bunch on my waist.

i believe the waffle pattern army ones are powerdry ... more or less the same as the pataguccis

mec also makes a copy for a reasonable price if yr in canada

EB FA makes one that you should be able to find on sale once boxing day rolls around ...

REI as well ... and cabela ... and ll bean ... almost everyone makes a non hooded version for around $50-$60 reg price ... cheaper once the EOY coupon codes start rolling in

just search their sites for "powerdry" ...

as an example ..

http://www.llbean.com/llb/search?init=1&freeText=powerdry

ben ...

i believe that the army consulted with mark twight ... author of extreme alpinism, the holy bible of alpine climbing ...

the gear selection is very similar to what climbers use ... for example yesterday i used base/R1-copy/softshell while cragging in ~35-40F temps in squamish ... add a belay parka ,,, and a hardhsell in the pack on longer climbs ... and its more or less the same system

Edited by bearbreeder on 12/02/2011 22:19:23 MST.

I believe those military systems are made by Patagonia.

Melanzana has a great made-in-USA (CO) copy, but doesn't have the zip.

NW Alpine may have one, I forget, also USA-made (WA, OR?).

IMO, Patagonia has the complete feature set - grid fleece, balaclava hood, deep zip, thumb loops, elastic ends for the hands and waist. Everything else offers less of these features, but at a price discount.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=51304

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=51665

Great information. Looks like the I and II layers are worth it, after that maybe not as much in terms of weight.

For an ounce or two more you can get an R2 which is alot warmer especially if you are using a shell and it has a full zip that you can vent heat with.

The Gen III ECWS (Extreme Cold Weather System) is pretty darn good, especially the "waffle shirt" with zipper, but it is all pretty heavy and much of it doesn't pack with a darn, especially when you start talking about the outer layers. In other words, it is better in a military capacity than UL often times.

Seperate from teh ECWS layer system is what is called the Spears system, which is worth a google and includes pieces made by Patagonia.

Here is a good link w/ more info: http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/clothes.1.html

I would actually checkout the entire MM site if you have never seen it.


Reason for Edit: To make my post gender-neutral :)

Edited by air2mud82 on 12/03/2011 08:30:19 MST.

The NW Alpine Spider is a nice piece, runs $90, and the zipper doesn't go over your mouth!



http://nwalpine.com/black-spider-light-hoody

6pm has pullovers and full zips:

http://www.6pm.com/patagonia-womens-r1-pullover-prickly-pear

http://www.6pm.com/patagonia-womens-r1-full-zip-jacket-ultramarine

If you want a deal on a PowerDry top, REI has a v-neck for $20 and a zip for $23 :)
http://www.rei.com/product/824828/rei-midweight-polartec-power-dry-v-neck-top-womens-2011-closeout

http://www.rei.com/product/824828/rei-midweight-polartec-power-dry-v-neck-top-womens-2011-closeout

They have the "heavyweight" zip for $32. Screaming deal and you get 20% on any one outlet item right now too:

http://www.rei.com/product/824827/rei-heavyweight-polartec-power-dry-zip-t-womens-2011-closeout

FYI, my military pullover XL is 12.9oz.

Edited by dwambaugh on 12/03/2011 10:29:58 MST.

Just ran into this review of Cabela's version, which comes in larger sizes than Patagonia for those who need them:

http://jolly-green-giant.blogspot.com/2011/11/big-boy-replacement-for-r1-hoody.html

That MEC piece looks pretty good to me. I have a tough time finding stuff that fits me being very tall and thin. The Cabella's looks like it's not such an athletic cut. Edit: and no thumbholes?

Edited by tekhna on 12/03/2011 11:04:34 MST.

Koppen matrix 1/4 zip grid fleece at Dicks sporting goods. $55

The micro grid hoodie is one of the best purchases I've ever made. $65.

http://melanzana.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/34

I ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Underwear-Level-Rothco-Black/dp/B0040RWI22/ for 31 bucks shipped, as well as an R1. Might try to post a comparative review. That Melanzana looks nice though!

Just got back from a great day wearing an r1 hoody. Such a versatile piece in the cold. Get one or get a knock off, but get one and love it!

What about this at STP?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/terramar-geo-fleece-base-layer-top-zip-neck-for-men~p~2726m/?filterString=mens-underwear-and-base-layer~d~155%2F&colorFamily=01

I bought one for under $20 with a coupon I had, and really like it.