REVIEW: PCU Level 7 vs. ECWCS Gen III Level7

There is no bad weather. There is only bad equipment. - The saying rings true in winter with the American gear that makes subzero temperatures bearable (well, almost). The Special Operation Forces of USSOCOM wear the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Level 7 in massive subzero temperatures. The Army now has a similar system: Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) Gen III has been around since 2007 and is occasionally seen with Special Forces as well. Both are often confused. SPARTANAT has brought the two together and compared them.THE JACKETS

Two fighters against the cold in the snow: PCU Level 7 (right) and ECWCS Gen III Level 7 (left) differ significantly in color. The Alpha Green of the PCU is much darker and could almost be called Field Gray. The Urban Gray of the ECWCS jacket actually resembles a light foliage. Otherwise, the concept is very similar (and has probably been copied by the Army based on the PCU): Water-repellent (synthetic) fabric contains an excellent heat-insulating fiber from Primaloft - the Primaloft® 5 oz. Sport fibers. Apart from the color, the jackets can also be distinguished by details in craftsmanship. The PCU L7 has a detachable hood (Caution: when it snows: If it is not unzipped or worn, the hood absorbs moisture on the exposed inside, which is facing upwards at the back. It is not water-resistant there.), Abrasion protection inserted on the shoulder, and the pockets on the abdomen lie at a 45-degree angle. ECWCS Gen III L7 has a provisional hood rolled into the collar, Velcro on the chest in Urban Gray for attaching name tags and badges. The pockets on the abdomen are vertically aligned.

The main difference in the jackets is also in the colors of the non-water-resistant fabric here. The mesh pockets are positioned differently: on the PCU at the lower edge of the jacket, on ECWCS Gen III L7 more in the chest area. Both jackets feature the Primaloft logo.

THE PANTS

The two pants side by side in the snow: ECWCS Gen III L7 has reinforced knees, while PCU L7 does not. Both pants have zippers that allow them to be fully opened on the legs on the right and left sides. On one hand, this is practical for ventilation if it gets too hot in the pants, but mainly good because it allows for easy entry with boots and clothing already on.

In the PCU pants, the Orc Industries logo, in ECWCS Gen III the logo of ADS Tactical, and once again Primaloft. Not much else new in the pants. ECWCS also has a "classic type label" with washing instructions.

Conclusion: If you like it fluffy in the winter, you're in the right place. The high-winter clothing of USSOCOM and the Army is wonderfully warm, so it can get really cold and the wearer won't freeze. The PCU is slightly thinner and in our opinion therefore more practical to wear because it doesn't warm as brutally as ECWCS Gen III. But the Army colleagues have also noted that the good clothing should be worn during "static operations," because if you move too much in it, the wearer will sweat heavily. The hood of the PCU is warmer, but susceptible to moisture.

Considering that there are six more layers that can be worn under L7, you know that with this clothing system, you can really handle extreme conditions well. A problem common to both suits lies in the nylon fabric they are made of. When walking, you can hear a slightly revealing noise from the rubbing fabric of the pant legs. A nylon problem that, for example, hunters deal with by wearing fleece. In addition, Level 7 is water-repellent, which it does very well for both. In snowfall, it's sufficient, but it won't keep out sleet indefinitely. But for that, there's Level 6. And if the jacket is too hot: just take Level 7a, the sleeveless vest that guarantees a warm body and plenty of freedom of movement.

PCU and ECWCS can both be found on eBay, with the former being rarer. Both cost between 150 and 300 dollars, with prices varying greatly. There are also retailers selling individual pieces for 250 dollars successfully. A set of ECWCS L7 in Large Long for 150 euros is available here.

Here, Military Moron shows the PCU L7 worn. You shouldn't be fooled by the thick appearance, as the jacket and pants can be considerably compressed and easily fit into a daypack.