Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System
Overview
The Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS) was designed to be functional in multiple cold weather climates and activities. It consists of a versatile, multi-layered insulating system that allows the Soldier to adapt to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions.
Components
Based on layering systems currently utilized by mountaineering professionals (PCU), the Generation III ECWCS incorporates seven new levels of insulation. It is composed of twelve garments.
- Level I
- Lightweight undershirt and drawers.
- Level II
- Midweight shirt and drawers.
- Level III
- Fleece jacket.
- Level IV
- Wind jacket.
- Level V
- Soft shell jacket and trousers.
- Level VI
- Extreme cold/wet weather jacket and trousers.
- Level VII
- Extreme cold weather parka and trousers.
Configurations
Clothing combinations shown below represent both recommended and optional configurations.
| Activity | Temperature | Items | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV | Level V | Level VI | Level VII | |||
| Active | Cold: 0° to 30°F | Top | • | • | • | ||||
| Bottom | • | • | • | ||||||
| Active | Wet/Intermittent Wet: 40°F (±10°) | Top | • | • | |||||
| Bottom | • | • | |||||||
| Active | Cold/Wet: 35° to 45°F | Top | • | • | |||||
| Bottom | • | • | |||||||
| Active | Extreme Cold: -25° to 0°F | Top | • | • | • | • | |||
| Bottom | • | • | • | ||||||
| Static | Cold/Wet: 30° to 45°F | Top | • | • | • | ||||
| Bottom | • | • | |||||||
| Static | Wet: Above 45°F | Top | • | • | • | ||||
| Bottom | • | • | |||||||
| Static | Cold: 0° to 30°F | Top | • | • | • | ||||
| Bottom | • | • | |||||||
| Static | Extreme Cold: -50° to 0°F | Top | • | • | • | • | • | ||
| Bottom | • | • | • | • | |||||
References
- TM 10-8415-236-10 "Operator's Manual for Extended Cold Weather Clothing System Generation III" [pdf]
- http://www.usarak.army.mil/publications/PDF_Pubs/USARAK_Pamphlets/Pamphlet%20600-2.pdf
- https://peosoldier.army.mil/newpeo/Equipment/DisplayXMLTable.asp?id=38
- Gen III ECWCS factsheet @PEO Soldier [2008] [May 2009] [October 2009]
- https://peosoldier.army.mil/docs/ECWCSInfantryMagOct08.pdf
- http://www.army.mil/-news/2006/12/15/996-excitement-heating-up-over-new-extended-cold-weather-gear/
- http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/04/10/8407-cold-weather-clothing-system-increases-survivability-comfort/
- http://www.adstactical.com/about_ads/gen3_ecwcs.htm
- http://www.adstactical.com/about_ads/press_releases/010307_genIII.htm
- http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ecwsiii-dressed-for-the-cold-02941/
- http://65.108.202.216/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=002-ACU-GENIII