USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

[WolfofStateSt]

Modern commercial used Alpha N3Bs are cheap generally over here, some big department stores sold them for a while so easily procured from flea Bay. Picked up a USA made one in black for a song. Looks good on and reasonable construction but too light for real cold use as not much insulation

I would agree, completely.

 

[Latte Way]

Read this thread a couple of years ago, and loved these jackets, i'm not sure the winters in the UK South are cold enough for them but i bought this one at a garage sale in Somerset a few months ago, the owner's father was a Royal Navy pilot at Yeovilton, flew Vixens, in the US F4s as part of an exchange deployment in the 60s and 70s, but i don't know much more about it's history. It seems to have had a bit of tailoring but still faithful to the original design. Weighs about 12lbs, it's like carrying someone on your back every time you put it on, but no body heat escapes whatsoever

 

[Harris HTM]

Read this thread a couple of years ago, and loved these jackets, i'm not sure the winters in the UK South are cold enough for them but i bought this one at a garage sale in Somerset a few months ago, the owner's father was a Royal Navy pilot at Yeovilton, flew Vixens, in the US F4s as part of an exchange deployment in the 60s and 70s, but i don't know much more about it's history. It seems to have had a bit of tailoring but still faithful to the original design. Weighs about 12lbs, it's like carrying someone on your back every time you put it on, but no body heat escapes whatsoever View attachment 713229 View attachment 713230 View attachment 713231 View attachment 713236 View attachment 713237 View attachment 713238 View attachment 713241

great find. a 1969 contract. It seems in excellent condition.

 

[Peacoat]

Read this thread a couple of years ago, and loved these jackets, i'm not sure the winters in the UK South are cold enough for them but i bought this one at a garage sale in Somerset a few months ago, the owner's father was a Royal Navy pilot at Yeovilton, flew Vixens, in the US F4s as part of an exchange deployment in the 60s and 70s, but i don't know much more about it's history. It seems to have had a bit of tailoring but still faithful to the original design. Weighs about 12lbs, it's like carrying someone on your back every time you put it on, but no body heat escapes whatsoever View attachment 713229 View attachment 713230 View attachment 713231 View attachment 713236 View attachment 713237 View attachment 713238 View attachment 713241

Skyline is one of the top rated contractors.

Mine is heavy, but I don't feel the weight when wearing it.

A good find. Welcome to the Lounge.

 

[Latte Way]

Skyline is one of the top rated contractors.

Mine is heavy, but I don't feel the weight when wearing it.

A good find. Welcome to the Lounge.

Thank you, there's a lot of interesting history and photos on here about all sorts of jackets and clothing.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Read this thread a couple of years ago, and loved these jackets, i'm not sure the winters in the UK South are cold enough for them but i bought this one at a garage sale in Somerset a few months ago, the owner's father was a Royal Navy pilot at Yeovilton, flew Vixens, in the US F4s as part of an exchange deployment in the 60s and 70s, but i don't know much more about it's history. It seems to have had a bit of tailoring, but is still faithful to the original design. Weighs about 12lbs, it's like carrying someone on your back every time you put it on, but no body heat escapes whatsoever View attachment 713229 View attachment 713230 View attachment 713231 View attachment 713236 View attachment 713237 View attachment 713238 View attachment 713241

Two way zipper is super cool, none of mine had them. That's a great find!

 

[Latte Way]

Two way zipper is super cool, none of mine had them. That's a great find!

I think it was a replacement one, none of them were issued with a two way zip as far as i can tell from reading this thread and going by all the ones on ebay, old or new, a different coloured Scovill tag to the top runner, maybe to keep the leather bit so it can be used with gloves, and two way so it doesn't puff-out in front when sitting in a vehicle while still having the top part zipped,
i've been pax on a C130 in the winter and it was pretty cold, so i presume transport aircraft in the 60s and 70s were even less comfortable, one of these jackets would have been perfect for a flight in an unpressurised fuselage for a couple of hours

 

[show_stoppa]

Amazing thread. Took me 2 days to go through everything. Great info here.

I had a question I wanted to ask. Does anyone here have experience with the Red Tornado N-3B (not the vintage issue but new ones sold today). That one seems to be made of nylon, has wool fill and has a cayote fur. Basically all the things I want from an N-3B.
Planning to buy it, but wanted to check in first, as I have never heard of Red Tornado before. Also it seems it is a store in China (which I am fine with), but there are resellers who sell items on AliExpress, Amazon and Ebay.

 

[Jon Crow]

I have a vintage Spiewak Golden Fleece in green, I love mine, it was in great condition when I bought it, the sizes run large, mine is labelled 38 and fits me like a 42, I have a Spiewak Golden Fleece in black though for sale, it's a 40 so is big more like a 44

 

[tydog98]

I have an Alpha Industries N3B I've physically outgrown and I'm looking to replace (I think it's an Alpine gen 1?). Currently choosing between a new AI N3B or a Greenbrier one from 83. I'm assuming the Greenbrier would be higher quality? The AI one I have keeps me warm but there's a few quality things that bug me a bit (zipper in particular, some loose buttons).

 

[Peacoat]

I have an Alpha Industries N3B I've physically outgrown and I'm looking to replace (I think it's an Alpine gen 1?). Currently choosing between a new AI N3B or a Greenbrier one from 83. I'm assuming the Greenbrier would be higher quality? The AI one I have keeps me warm but there's a few quality things that bug me a bit (zipper in particular, some loose buttons).

I would look for a pre 1970 N3-B with the wool interlining and the coyote (or wolf) ruff. Skyline would be an excellent choice. After the 1960s, in a cost cutting move, the military went with the polyester lining and the synthetic ruff. Anytime they make those efforts to cut costs,, warmth suffers.

The N3-B is, however, old technology. The modern down parkas, say from Canada Goose, are lighter and perhaps warmer. They are also much more expensive.

There is just something I like about wearing those old N3-Bs. They are heavy, but I don't feel the weight when I am wearing it.

 

[tydog98]

I would look for a pre 1970 N3-B with the wool interlining and the coyote (or wolf) ruff. Skyline would be an excellent choice. After the 1960s, in a cost cutting move, the military went with the polyester lining and the synthetic ruff. Anytime they make those efforts to cut costs,, warmth suffers.

The N3-B is, however, old technology. The modern down parkas, say from Canada Goose, are lighter and perhaps warmer. They are also much more expensive.

There is just something I like about wearing those old N3-Bs. They are heavy, but I don't feel the weight when I am wearing it.

Cost is the main concern to me, was hoping to stay around $300. Was also looking at the Baxter State parka from LL Bean.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Cost is the main concern to me, was hoping to stay around $300. Was also looking at the Baxter State parka from LL Bean.

Get a vintage one

 

[Jon Crow]

I have an Alpha Industries N3B I've physically outgrown and I'm looking to replace (I think it's an Alpine gen 1?). Currently choosing between a new AI N3B or a Greenbrier one from 83. I'm assuming the Greenbrier would be higher quality? The AI one I have keeps me warm but there's a few quality things that bug me a bit (zipper in particular, some loose buttons).

I have a older vintage Spiewak Golden Fleece here for sale in black, coyote fur is still nice, I had two, I kept the green one which label says 38, it's still roomy in a 40 chest but the black label 40 buries me if say it fits 42-44, nice parka though in great condition

 

[raf]

Cost is the main concern to me, was hoping to stay around $300. Was also looking at the Baxter State parka from LL Bean.

As to N3-B parkas, the Mil gradually cheaped-out on them over time. As mentioned above, suggest a "vintage" N3-B might be preferable to a newer one, all other things being equal. Detachable fur-ruffed hoods for GI "Fishtail" parkas (and also M-65 field jackets) similarly cheaped-out over time.

15 years (or so) ago, I got incredibly lucky and got a properly-fitting, near new LL Bean Gore-Tex and down Baxter State Parka for about $30 from local thrift store. That was before the swarms of E-Bay re-sellers scooped up the good stuff.

It lacked a zip on hood, so I contacted LL Bean Customer Service, and even more incredibly, they sent me a proper color, proper size hood with zip -in/-out real fur ruff--for free! Due to subsequent abuse of their CS, I wouldn't expect that nowadays but never hurts to ask.

The LLB BSP is incredibly warm and donning it almost feels like donning a heated garment set on "High".

If you are lucky enough to find a gently used one, launder it first, using the PROPER technique, and give the exterior a damn good spray-down with Durable Water Repellant (DWR). The DWR allows the outer shell of the garment to shed water, and for the inner GT membrane to do its job. Better to have more DWR than you think you'll need, so suggest over-buying. You'll use the remaining DWR eventually.

 

[show_stoppa]

Cost is the main concern to me, was hoping to stay around $300. Was also looking at the Baxter State parka from LL Bean.

If you want the best value and warmth better than the Alpha N-3B, get the EB Stadium Coat. I have both and the EB is as warm if not warmer and longer than Alpha N-3B. Currently going for $199. I would pick this over LL-Bean because it gives the same warmth but at a lower price.

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/10112636/mens-superior-down-waterproof-hooded-stadium-coat

You can also check out even cheaper, but as great Land's End Expedition, currently for $179.

Men's Expedition Waterproof Down Parka

Shop our Men's Expedition Waterproof Down Parka at Lands' End. We fit every body

www.landsend.com

And if you truly want to go the vintage N-3B look, then go for the Bronson's Type N-3. They currently have 20% black friday sale.

1945 Type N-3 Parka

In 1945, the U.S. Army Air Force issued the "Jacket, Aircrew, Heavy, Type N-3", the first of a long line of very successful N-3 style parkas.

bronsonshop.com

Been wanting to buy the Bronson one, but wife wont let me. lol.

As for Alpha Industries, you can check out these 3 (non Heritage/slim-fit N-3B options), which look really good. If you end up buying any one of these 3, do let me know how they compare. They have a 30% sale right now, so all should be less than 300$.

Sergeant Puffer Parka

The Sergeant Puffer Parka is designed for superior warmth in extreme cold weather while maintaining a timeless military-inspired look. Crafted with a water resistant, durable polyester shell and filled with RDS-certified 80/20 down, this parka delivers lightweight insulation and lasting comfort...

www.alphaindustries.com

Seal Long Puffer Parka

Conquer the cold with the Seal Long Puffer Parka, a heavy-duty outerwear piece built for extreme cold weather. Designed with a matte polyester shell and insulated with RDS-certified 80/20 down, this parka combines lasting warmth with sustainable materials. The relaxed fit and thigh-length cut...

www.alphaindustries.com

N-3B Alpine Parka Gen II

Shop N-3B ALPINE PARKA GEN II at Alpha Industries—the leader in U.S. military style & fashion apparel. Free shipping on orders $100+. at Alpha Industries.

www.alphaindustries.com

And finally, if you want something which is warmer than any other coat out there (barring the canada goose big red and similar), then you should get the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka. They have lifetime warrenty. It is $500, but currently discounted to $349 at Public Lands:

https://www.publiclands.com/p/fjallraven-mens-nuuk-parka-24kczmmnkprkxxxxxmou/24kczmmnkprkxxxxxmou

P.S: I spent last 3 month researching the warmest winter jackets/parkas out there. Leaving aside all the overpriced and hyped items or the super puffy michellin man looking ones, some of the good ones I found are listed above.

 

[NAB]

I would look for a pre 1970 N3-B with the wool interlining and the coyote (or wolf) ruff. Skyline would be an excellent choice. After the 1960s, in a cost cutting move, the military went with the polyester lining and the synthetic ruff. Anytime they make those efforts to cut costs,, warmth suffers.

The N3-B is, however, old technology. The modern down parkas, say from Canada Goose, are lighter and perhaps warmer. They are also much more expensive.

There is just something I like about wearing those old N3-Bs. They are heavy, but I don't feel the weight when I am wearing it.

Second this if it's possible for you. I have an N3-B I picked up cheap a while back (unsure of manufacturer as the label was missing but it's has a wool interlining and coyote ruff) and it's kept me warm in some very rough weather. I've since handled the newer Alphas as well as a Real McCoy repro and the original is head and shoulders above either.

 

[show_stoppa]

The thing with N-3Bs is, the earlier Vietnam war and 50s and 60 versions had nylon shell and wool fill, which was amazing, but they were quite short and wide. The newer 80s and onwards are longer, but have a cotton shell and polyfill, which I am not a big fan of.
My idea N-3B is the one which is longer (gets to mid thigh atleast), with nylon shell and wool fill. Not sure if there was any version which had that. I think Buzz makes the William Gibson Slender version, which is exactly what I need, but spending north of 1500$ for a jacket is just not financially responsible. Not to mention that if I ever buy a jacket over 500$, I am never wearing it as I would be too conscious getting even a speck of dirt on it. So that probably leaves me with the Alpha Industries modern slim fit versions. I think United Carr has the "Wind Protex" version which looks really good, has close to Buzz's quality is a tad bit expensive then Alpha, though it is hard to find one, which is brand new, in the US.

Edit: The draw string being outside on the Type N-3, as opposed to inside in the N-3B, was dope too.

 

[show_stoppa]

In case if anyone didn't catch it, the just released "Man and Baby" series on Netflix, starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) heavily features him wearing an N-3B parka.
Not sure which N-3B it is, it has orange liner like Alpha Slim, but had diamond quilt and has 4 buttons instead of 5 seen commonly in the new civilian version.

 

[Jon Crow]

In case if anyone didn't catch it, the just released "Man and Baby" series on Netflix, starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) heavily features him wearing an N-3B parka.
Not sure which N-3B it is, it has orange liner like Alpha Slim, but had diamond quilt and has 4 buttons instead of 5 seen commonly in the new civilian version.

Haha that reminds me of the old 70,s/80s snorkel parkas, we all had them, green with orange lining