REVIEW: Carinthia LIG Generation 3

When it gets cool and cold, we like to think back to CARINTHIA. Then the jacket comes out of the closet and gets worn. Light Insulation Garment (LIG) ensures our safety down to around minus 5 degrees, says the manufacturer. We think there is more potential for layering. We already know this from the first set of LIG – HERE in the SPARTANAT Review – which we have been using for years. The new LIG of Generation 3 is only a year old. We wouldn't want to be without it.The third generation is somehow the same, yet quite different. But let's first go through the details together. In cold autumn and winter, it is important that the collar is well closed. This works perfectly with the LIG Gen. 3, which closes tightly and high. The collar can be adjusted with a drawstring at the neck, so there are no drafts. Like the earlier model, LIG does not have a hood, as found in its warmer comrades MIG (usable up to -15 degrees), HIG (-20), and ECIG (-30).Instead, the collar is lined with fleece, which is so cozy that you don't need to wear a turtleneck sweater under the jacket. However, there is enough room to wear clothing all the way up and finish with the jacket.

The zipper is the big opening to the world, even with this jacket. You can see the new attention to detail here as well. The strip that is meant to prevent anything from coming through when the zipper is closed is reinforced with an extra fabric band to withstand heavy wear and tear.

The opposite side of the zipper has an attached zipper pull.

Click and it gets warm. Naturally, YKK quality zippers are used. The zipper is two-part, so the wearer can also open it from the bottom when closed. That's always very practical...

In the LIG Gen. 3, the in-house G-Loft is also used. It is the synthetic filling that ensures you stay warm in the garment. This material is also used in the sleeping bags from CARINTHIA. Nice detail inside: the lining is now also adorned with the logo of the Carinthian world brand. In the hand on the right: the drawstring for adjusting the bottom edge of the jacket is operable with one hand.

Never change a winning Napoleon pocket. This feature has been retained from the old Generation LIG. The most important things are easily accessible at chest level.

The previous Generation LIG had large, diagonally placed chest pockets. Good, but difficult to put hands in. That has changed. The pockets have now moved down and become smaller. This is very practical because the wearer can now really put their hands in.

And for good reason, as the inside is lined with a fine, warming fleece in the belly pockets. You don't always need to have gloves with you.

The new choice of material is also exciting. It is a ripstop plastic that is used as the water-repellent outer material. The fine waffle pattern gives the LIG Gen. 3 structure, the material in the gray jacket is not only functional, but also beautiful and attractive.

The sleeve cuffs have also changed: they are now normally round without elastic.

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
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