USGI ECWCS PrimaLoft PCU Level 7 Pants

Who knew Gucci gear could be this comfy?

When it comes to cold weather gear, the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) is some of the best your dollar can get. Designed to be functional for all kinds of activities and climates, special forces have been swearing by it’s excellent seven-layer system since the early 2000s.

the US military contracted talented manufacturers with decades of experience such as Patagonia, Wild Things Gear, Massif, and a few others. Some of the designs were spun off and sold to civilians at outrageous prices, and often with reduced features and slightly impaired design — But this is the real deal.

This specific piece is the Level 7 Pants, the crown jewel of the layers you’ll put on when you’re really, really cold. Featuring PrimaLoft Sport thermal insulation (later replaced with another product called Climashield Apex), it blankets you in extra-cozy insulation that can’t be beat. Meant to be used during static operations in the extreme cold, it keeps as much body heat in as possible to keep you warm. The outer shell is water-repellent, and the insulation even works soaking wet, meaning a dramatically decreased risk of hypothermia and little to no “soak in” like other garments. 

It additionally features nylon reinforced knees, full-length side zipper openings for easy donning and doffing without removing your boots, a rip-stop inner lining, and an elastic waistband with provisions for suspenders.

ECWCS/PCU

The protective combat uniform or PCU is a prominent, versatile, and fantastic bang-for-buck US surplus goldmine of incredibly useful clothing. You can read more about the rest of the system in an article here, and see an excellent use guide here.

Specs

• Made in the USA
• Water-resistant Nextec style no. 1161 outer shell
• PrimaLoft Thermal high-loft insulation
• Ripstop inner layer
• Nylon reinforced knees
• Zippered fly with hook and loop storm flap
• Elastic ankle cuffs
• Suspender compatible

Sizing

The sizing follows the US army’s standardized sizing system, which will stay the same across all other uniform pieces you purchase. If you know your US Letter Pant size, that will typically work for the main size, but just in case, here’s the sizing in waist circumference

‘Small’ — 27″-31″
‘Medium’ — 31″-35″
‘Large’ — 35″-39″
‘X-Large’— 39″-43″
‘2X-Large’— 43″-47″

For the length portion, this is mostly determined by your height.

‘Short’ — 5’5″ – 5’8″  (typically 29-30″ inseam)
‘Regular’ — 5’8″ – 5’11”  (typically 32″ inseam)
‘Long’ — 5’11” – 6’2″  (typically 34″ inseam)
‘Extra Long’ — 6’3″ – 6’6″

A vast majority of people will choose the “regular” length, which changes slightly across garments to keep desired proportions. Taller folks with shorter legs may wish to stick with “regular” length as well. 

Condition:
Pants are in excellent condition with all hardware intact, and with no stains, blemishes, cuts, or tears on the pants.