Outerwear
Our military outerwear covers every layer that goes on over your uniform or work clothes: field jackets, flight jackets, parkas, soft shells, rain gear, coveralls and vests, almost all of it from Rothco. Start with the section that matches the job you need the garment to do.
- Military jackets – M-65 field jackets and liners, MA-1 and CWU-45P flight jackets, N-3B and M-51 fishtail parkas, wool pea coats and an ECWCS Level 3 fleece.
- Tactical jackets – Special Ops and Covert Ops soft shells, 3-in-1 systems, a waterproof hard shell and canvas work jackets.
- Concealed carry jackets – soft shell, fleece, woobie and MA-1 styles with internal carry pockets.
- Rainwear – G.I. type rip-stop ponchos, PVC rainsuits, reflective rain parkas and Shadow Ops waterproof jackets.
- Flightsuits and coveralls – one-piece flightsuits, insulated coveralls, a workwear coverall and kids' sizes.
- Vests – recon, ranger, safari, travel, breakaway safety and concealed carry vests.
Most of these pieces are built for layering, so a fleece can go under a shell, a liner can come out of a field jacket, and a poncho can go over everything when the weather turns.
A note for service members: DA PAM 670-1 lets commanders authorize ECWCS jackets, including the Level III fleece, as outer garments with the OCP uniform. Our outerwear is commercial, so color and pattern matter, and your unit's cold weather policy has the final say. The guide below the products explains the details.
How to Choose Military Outerwear
Pick outerwear by the weather you face and what you'll be doing in it, then by style. A garment that is perfect for standing a cold gate shift can be too hot on a two-mile walk to the airsoft field.
Cold and Dry: Insulated Jackets and Parkas
For steady cold, look at the military jackets: an M-65 field jacket with its quilted liner buttoned in, an N-3B parka, a wool pea coat, or insulated coveralls if you work outside all day. Fleece jackets and fleece vests are the flexible middle layer, warm on their own on a cool morning and under a shell when it drops further.
Wind and Light Precipitation: Soft Shells
Soft shell tactical jackets block wind and shed light rain while still letting moisture out, which makes them the best all-round choice for active use. If you carry a handgun, the same soft shell and fleece designs come as concealed carry jackets with internal holster pockets.
Real Rain: Ponchos, Rainsuits and Rain Jackets
When the forecast says steady rain, go to rainwear. A rip-stop poncho covers you and your pack and doubles as a shelter; a PVC rainsuit seals out water for long hours outdoors; and reflective rain jackets keep road crews and security staff visible.
Sizing Military Outerwear for Layers
Size outerwear for what goes under it. If you plan to wear a fleece or hoodie beneath a field jacket or parka, try the jacket on over that layer, or size up one if you are between sizes. Check that you can raise your arms without the hem riding up, and that the sleeves still cover your wrists when you reach forward. Many styles in this section run from XS into 4XL and beyond, and several come in kids' and women's cuts.
Military Outerwear and Uniform Regulations
For the Army, DA PAM 670-1 (January 2021) lists the ECWCS Generation III coat among the accessories normally worn with the combat uniform. Paragraph 4-7f lets Soldiers wear ECWCS jackets and trousers, including the Layer III fleece jacket, as outer garments when the commander authorizes it. Paragraph 4-7e says the hood of the cold weather coat or wet weather jacket may be worn up or down; when it is down, it is stowed inside with the zipper closed.
Color, Pattern and Commercial Items
The Gen III fleece for the OCP uniform is coyote brown, and cold weather items worn with OCP need to be OCP pattern or a matching solid such as coyote. Paragraph 4-7q makes Soldiers who buy uniform items commercially responsible for making sure they meet military specifications. Our Rothco pieces are commercial, non-issue items, so a coyote fleece is a reasonable match for a unit that allows it, while black, woodland and other patterns are for off-duty, training and civilian wear.
Service Uniform Coats
The all-weather coat is a separate case. Under DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 20-9, the heritage green coat is a clothing bag issue item, the black coat is an optional purchase, and both are worn with the service uniforms. Once grade insignia is removed, the coat may be worn with civilian clothes.
The Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps and Navy have their own outerwear rules, and every service leaves room for local policy. Check with your chain of command before wearing a commercial jacket in uniform.
Complete the Cold Weather Kit
Outerwear works best as part of a system. Add base layers for moisture control, winter hats and winter gloves, and you have a full set of layers you can adjust through the day.