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

[bn1966]

Wearing my ‘76 N-2B today (wool and cotton fill) with a view to my 80’s N-3B (polyfill) if it gets really cold. Total cost about £100.00 for both ….

 

[JustRon]

ETA- Spiewak got back to me… it’s from the late ‘70s to mid ‘80s.
(Too big for me, unfortunately.)

I just bought a NOS Spiewak Golden Fleece (civilian) and was wondering if anyone knew when it was made. You’d think the reflective arm band would be the giveaway, but I can’t figure it out. I asked Spiewak, but they haven’t responded. (I’m just curious.)

Oh, the zipper is Scovill.

 

[barnabus]

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

We did all have them.

Standard issue for a schoolboy in 1981.

 

[itsme]

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.

Did you get any info on the Red Tornado one? I was also thinking about buying one - would be really interesting on how it is compared to Bronson.

 

[Jon Crow]

We did all have them.

Standard issue for a schoolboy in 1981

 

[Jon Crow]

I've worn my Spiewak Golden Fleece most of this winter, in green, Coyote fur trim

 

[show_stoppa]

Did you get any info on the Red Tornado one? I was also thinking about buying one - would be really interesting on how it is compared to Bronson.

Surprisingly very little info on Red Tornado N-3B.
here is what I got. Red Tornado is N-3B, the Bronson MFG is the Type N-3 (or N-3A). Type N-3 preceded the N-3Bs and has a few design differences, i.e waist clinch on the outside, ribbed cuffs on the outside.

The Red Tornado doesnt have a removable fur hood (the seller confirmed). It has 100% wool insulation and can be worn in temps down to -30C (bronson mfg is 50% wool 50% poly and can be worn down to -20C).
I was planning to grab Red Tornado N-3B on black friday as the sale price and discounts coupon combined brought it under 300$. But now the price is back up .

Red Tornado is a very well known brand in China and their jeans are well known in the US. Bronson MFG is of course very well known in the US.
Given that you can get the N-3 directly from Bronson MFG in the US, vs getting Red Tornado from a seller on E-bay/aliexpress (even though VintageSilhoutte is a very well known seller on aliexpress), I would go with Bronson MFG. Plus I think there are so many recreations of N-3Bs, but very few of Type N-3, so nice to have the Type N-3. But do note that Type N-3 on Bronson website is non-returnable (likely because it uses alot of animal fur and wolf lining, so they dont want people getting those components compromised and then returning).

 

[Jon Crow]

ETA- Spiewak got back to me… it’s from the late ‘70s to mid ‘80s.
(Too big for me, unfortunately.)

I just bought a NOS Spiewak Golden Fleece (civilian) and was wondering if anyone knew when it was made. You’d think the reflective arm band would be the giveaway, but I can’t figure it out. I asked Spiewak, but they haven’t responded. (I’m just curious.)

Oh, the zipper is Scovill.

This is my label

 

[itsme]

Surprisingly very little info on Red Tornado N-3B.
here is what I got. Red Tornado is N-3B, the Bronson MFG is the Type N-3 (or N-3A). Type N-3 preceded the N-3Bs and has a few design differences, i.e waist clinch on the outside, ribbed cuffs on the outside.

The Red Tornado doesnt have a removable fur hood (the seller confirmed). It has 100% wool insulation and can be worn in temps down to -30C (bronson mfg is 50% wool 50% poly and can be worn down to -20C).
I was planning to grab Red Tornado N-3B on black friday as the sale price and discounts coupon combined brought it under 300$. But now the price is back up .

Red Tornado is a very well known brand in China and their jeans are well known in the US. Bronson MFG is of course very well known in the US.
Given that you can get the N-3 directly from Bronson MFG in the US, vs getting Red Tornado from a seller on E-bay/aliexpress (even though VintageSilhoutte is a very well known seller on aliexpress), I would go with Bronson MFG. Plus I think there are so many recreations of N-3Bs, but very few of Type N-3, so nice to have the Type N-3. But do note that Type N-3 on Bronson website is non-returnable (likely because it uses alot of animal fur and wolf lining, so they dont want people getting those components compromised and then returning).

Thanks a lot for the detailed info! The wool filling is a big plus for the Red Tornado jacket in my opinion. I don’t really care that much about the wolf fur — it’s mostly just decorative anyway
I also like that the Red Tornado comes without an arm insignia.

I’m still a bit unsure about the size, though. With the lining, the measurements aren’t really that reliable. XL should work, but with Asian sizing I always get a bit nervous — especially with a 45-inch chest.

Is the fur hood removable on the Bronson? That would be the only thing I dislike about the RT.

 

[show_stoppa]

Thanks a lot for the detailed info! The wool filling is a big plus for the Red Tornado jacket in my opinion. I don’t really care that much about the wolf fur — it’s mostly just decorative anyway
I also like that the Red Tornado comes without an arm insignia.

I’m still a bit unsure about the size, though. With the lining, the measurements aren’t really that reliable. XL should work, but with Asian sizing I always get a bit nervous — especially with a 45-inch chest.

Is the fur hood removable on the Bronson? That would be the only thing I dislike about the RT.

Fur hood non-removable on Bronson too. Both staying true to the og designs.
Bronson doesnt have the insignia either.

Another reason I haven't pulled the trigger on either is with my 38inch chest and 5'11, I am worried it might look too wide on me. I have been eyeing the Buzz Rickson William Gibson Slim fit, but damn that thing is $1500+. Right now just hanging out in my Alpha N-3B slim fit.

 

[Jon Crow]

ETA- Spiewak got back to me… it’s from the late ‘70s to mid ‘80s.
(Too big for me, unfortunately.)

I just bought a NOS Spiewak Golden Fleece (civilian) and was wondering if anyone knew when it was made. You’d think the reflective arm band would be the giveaway, but I can’t figure it out. I asked Spiewak, but they haven’t responded. (I’m just curious.)

Oh, the zipper is Scovill.

My Zipper is a Ideal marked Ideal USA I on the back Ron

 

[bn1966]

Today … Wore my black with faux fur ruff made in USA Alpha civvy N -3B parka, with nylon outer and poly fill interlining …. Nice shape if not the warmest when the numbers drop significantly. Got that covered in spades should low temperatures occur ..

 

[udt]

well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought USGI N-3B parka made in 1986 by Greenbrier, size Large. I am 6.1 ft (185cm) tall, 163 lb (74kg) weight, so tall and thin thorso. Parka has short sleeves, but it is huge to the body - chest. Main zipper is too short. One thing on the parka is great - the hood. I went outdoors with it wearing T-shirt + long sleeved shirt underneath at 32F (0C) with chilly wind, so no serious cold weather. I was cold. Probably like Dr. Damage wrote here due to no air insulation because of the improper fit to the body - too roomy. I have decided for 25+ years to buy genuine US military N3B parka /never wanted a civi reproduction or slim fit.../ and finally did it, but it was a mistake (I have not had a chance to wear it before purchase, it was order). N3B is definitely not for tall + thinny people. For me, it is definitely some nostalgia of cold war era, but that is all...my Snugpak jackets do better job at winter, because they fit better. What a pity...

 

[Harris HTM]

but it is huge to the body - chest.

This is because these jackets are part of a layering system. Supposed to be worn over uniform.

 

[udt]

I tryied the third layer underneath - some ecwcs level III fleece jacket, but the result was the same and there was not space inside sleeves for other layers like BDU uniform. So I had 2 shirts (one with long sleeves), fleece jacket and still had a room over chest that I feel cold. The temp was only 32F (!) with some wind...

edit: I can´t imagine wearing N3B in really cold winter and some chilly wind at my "rachitic" body.

 

[show_stoppa]

well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought USGI N-3B parka made in 1986 by Greenbrier, size Large. I am 6.1 ft (185cm) tall, 163 lb (74kg) weight, so tall and thin thorso. Parka has short sleeves, but it is huge to the body - chest. Main zipper is too short. One thing on the parka is great - the hood. I went outdoors with it wearing T-shirt + long sleeved shirt underneath at 32F (0C) with chilly wind, so no serious cold weather. I was cold. Probably like Dr. Damage wrote here due to no air insulation because of the improper fit to the body - too roomy. I have decided for 25+ years to buy genuine US military N3B parka /never wanted a civi reproduction or slim fit.../ and finally did it, but it was a mistake (I have not had a chance to wear it before purchase, it was order). N3B is definitely not for tall + thinny people. For me, it is definitely some nostalgia of cold war era, but that is all...my Snugpak jackets do better job at winter, because they fit better. What a pity...

I ll be honest with you, most discussion here around N-3B and vintage N-3Bs is more sentimental, styling and collectors discussion as opposed to actually winter wear discussion.

As someone who is tall and slim, and who gets -20F temps regularly, a vintage N-3B isn't something I will ever use to keep myself warm. They are very oversized and N-3B is 1950s tech, and things have come a long way since then.

If you really want something that will keep the cold out and still has some connection to military heritage, then you will have to look into Alpha Industries N-3B Slim fit sold today for civilians. I personally use it and can comfortably wear it over a T-shirt in temps down to 0F.

I have tested tons of jackets with the "t-shirt" test (wear just a T-shirt underneath and see if you will get cold or not). The warmest jackets, for -20F temps, I can recommend are Eddie Bauer Superior Down, Fjallraven Nuuk and LL Bean Maine Mountain. All these 3 brands are heritage with a long history, though not as involved with military heritage as say N-3Bs.

 

[bn1966]

well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought USGI N-3B parka made in 1986 by Greenbrier, size Large. I am 6.1 ft (185cm) tall, 163 lb (74kg) weight, so tall and thin thorso. Parka has short sleeves, but it is huge to the body - chest. Main zipper is too short. One thing on the parka is great - the hood. I went outdoors with it wearing T-shirt + long sleeved shirt underneath at 32F (0C) with chilly wind, so no serious cold weather. I was cold. Probably like Dr. Damage wrote here due to no air insulation because of the improper fit to the body - too roomy. I have decided for 25+ years to buy genuine US military N3B parka /never wanted a civi reproduction or slim fit.../ and finally did it, but it was a mistake (I have not had a chance to wear it before purchase, it was order). N3B is definitely not for tall + thinny people. For me, it is definitely some nostalgia of cold war era, but that is all...my Snugpak jackets do better job at winter, because they fit better. What a pity...

I’ve got a military issue N-3B which works fine in the UK, my usual go to however is an N-2B with the wool / cotton insulation, knit at the waist keeps the cold out.

 

[show_stoppa]

This is because these jackets are part of a layering system. Supposed to be worn over uniform.

Yes, but with layering pretty much any jacket would work and the N-3Bs from the later years isn't any warmer than other jackets. Especially the 70s and onward N-3Bs which use cotton shell are even less warmer as they don't cut wind as well as the tight weaved 100% nylon shell N-3Bs from 50s and 60s. With cotton and cotton blend it has to have some wax coating atleast (like used by the jackets from Filson and Kuhl), to keep the wind from penetrating.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Are the real McCoys repros cut differently? My sleeves on my N3A from 1951 always ride up my forearm.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Regarding some of the posts above, I have found with my USA made Alpha civvy N2B and N3B coats with the thin (and useless) polyfill insulation that the N2B is actually a lot warmer because although it's overall shorter than the N3B the knits at the waist keep the wind and cold out. Reminder that both designs were originally intended to be worn over matching insulated overalls so the issue of wind/cold getting in via the bottom was less of an issue. If you're just wearing the jackets over jeans or whatever, then the N2B will almost certainly be warmer in practice.