USGI ECWCS PrimaLoft PCU Level 7 Parka

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 Parka, 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. It’s front storm-flapped double zipper, cinchable hood and elastic wrist cuffs means that precious body heat you radiate is going nowhere. The outer shell is water-repellent, making this an overall amazing set of winterwear that will make your buddy’s Canada Goose down jacket look like a K-mart special.

It additionally features nylon reinforced elbows, a hood-hideaway collar, rip-stop inner lining, elastic corded bottom hem, two front zipper pockets  and the typical name/rank tapes you’d commonly find on other ECWCS pieces.

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 Sport Thermal high-loft insulation
• Ripstop inner layer
• Nylon reinforced elbows
• Double-zipped main zipper with storm flap
• hook and loop name/rank tapes
• Stowable drawcord hood in collar
• Elastic cuffs with velcro adjustment
• Elastic corded bottom hem
• Two front zipper pockets

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 shirt size, that will typically work for the main size. For the length portion, this is mostly determined by your height.

‘Short’ — 5’5″ – 5’8″
‘Regular’ — 5’8″ – 5’11”
‘Long’ — 5’11” – 6’2″
‘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 torsos may wish to stick with “regular” length as well. 

Condition:
Parkas are in excellent condition with all hardware intact, with no cuts, or tears on the jacket. Parkas may however exhibit minor stains or cosmetic blemishes, but parka retains full functionality regardless.