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

Spiewak Golden Fleece... I love the shell, looks like great cloth.

This parka arrived yesterday. It's one of the civilian Alphas, made in USA, with the metal zipper. This particular example is in near-mint condition, so I'm pleased. It's at the dry cleaners and I'm looking forward to wearing it. These obviously do not have the wool insulation, so they're not extreme cold weather parkas, but they're heavy enough for moderately cold temperatures. The synthetic fur lining the hood is really thick and dense, while the synthetic fur on the ruff is a nice whispy salt-and-pepper coloured fur not the cheap white scratchy plastic stuff that's on the current military parkas.

I found these images on my hard drive... Spiewak N3B parkas from (apparently) 2012, from the company's website.

Spiewak Golden Fleece (Made in the US) N3B Parka (Picked it up in 2013)

^ very nice, please post a front photo if you get a chance

Ralph Lauren did a really good looking N3B at some point, it seems.

Doctor Damage said:

^ very nice, please post a front photo if you get a chance

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Of course!

For anyone not caught up in the details of being a collector, I have an Alpha & a Rothco. Both are okay if you wear appropriate intermediate layers. Just an N-3B over a t-shirt? No. But with the generous sizing, it is meant to be worn over your other layers. And if you are wearing other layers, this will work. The polyester and nylon are not exactly modern waterproof technology. I use a poncho over it when it's really raining. For the urban survivalist, this coat does fine as you are ducking the rain from awning to doorway, from lobby to parking lot, et cetera. Don't wear it in the shower. Don't stand in an open field in a rain storm.

Fifty150 said:

For anyone not caught up in the details of being a collector, I have an Alpha & a Rothco. Both are okay if you wear appropriate intermediate layers. Just an N-3B over a t-shirt? No. But with the generous sizing, it is meant to be worn over your other layers. And if you are wearing other layers, this will work. The polyester and nylon are not exactly modern waterproof technology. I use a poncho over it when it's really raining. For the urban survivalist, this coat does fine as you are ducking the rain from awning to doorway, from lobby to parking lot, et cetera. Don't wear it in the shower. Don't stand in an open field in a rain storm.

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Useful comments about the weather. How does the Rothco compare to the Alpha in terms of quality, etc?

LaymanX said:

Of course!

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Hey, thanks for posting that photo! These parkas always impress when I see them in photos. It's too bad they don't make them anymore.

Doctor Damage said:

How does the Rothco compare to the Alpha in terms of quality, etc?

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The 1st issued to me was the Rothco. I wore it for 2 years. It was still good, and is still good to this day. Then the Alpha was issued, as the place of employment issued a new coat every 2 years. I show up, they check your measurements, look at what's authorized on the purchase order, then they hand you whatever is in stock in your size. I got the coat from a box marked "XL". They gave me the 1 on top. I couldn't ask for the clerk to dig down further for the 3rd or 4th, to see if it was a different manufacturer or from a different brand. It's not mall shopping. No endless hours of trying things on, looking in a mirror to see it from behind, and browsing the other stores. In & out in 15 minutes. You don't like it, come back in 2 years, if you still have a job.

As for function, they both fit about the same. Generous cut to fit over other layers of uniform and equipment. I felt warm in both jackets. Both stood up to wind. Double row stitching at the seams like a pair of jeans. Neither jacket is "waterproof" but will be resistant to a light mist. In real rain, I used a poncho over it, and it was fine. The Alpha appears to have a better quality feel to the shell fabric and the fake fur trim. Alpha has a YKK zipper. Rothco zipper is of unknown origin. Alpha buttons feel like they are sewn on better. They just feel more secure and don't have any play to make you think it's about to break loose from the thread. Rothco buttons don't inspire confidence, and a seat belt could probably snap on 1 and rip it loose. I would not close the coat with just the buttons, on either jacket, as any motion or movement is likely to rip the button loops or rip the buttons off. It should be noted that with both jackets, none of the buttons broke off.

As for a civilian purchase, you have to weigh the cost factor vs what you can live with. Big price difference. I've worn both on helicopter flights, and in cold, wet weather. The Rothco is "cheap", but was just as warm, fit just as well, and just about equal in rain repellency. The Alpha will probably last a little longer. Alpha says removable fur trim, although I've never needed to take it off. For me, since I no have that particular duty assignment, the coats are not daily wear items. I still wear them whenever I feel like it. Both are now into 2 decades of ownership.

So as I look at the current market rate, I would buy the lower cost jacket. If a button pops off, sew it back on. If some threads come loose, stitch it back. Put a little wax on the zipper, and it will be fine. If you're a "collector", then by all means, indulge yourself into getting whatever satisfies your requirements, and don't buy either of these.

I can probably fill in some of the questions I saw on this thread as I was issued a parka when I flew Operations out of north eastern Canada. As a C130 pilot, I only wore it when I was outdoors. I took it off inside buildings and before I strapped into the cockpit as it would be too bulky and hot to fly with. The aircrew wore them while working outside and sometimes in the cargo compartment, especially when the ramp and door were open in flight. I was issued the newer style with white synthetic fur. I think the white would be fine in an evasion survival situation because it would likely be in the snow where white is a natural color. Camouflage is most effective when there are no defined lines of contrast to attract attention which is accomplished by fur.
Unfortunately I didn't keep my parka so I recently got a used one off ebay. I was hoping someone could tell me more about the specific cost I purchased. It only has one label that reads "arctic parka flight type style n3b furred hood not endangered species". I attached a photo.

Here is another picture of the zipper.
Too be honest, the quality seems a little less than what I remember besides the real fur, but it is in excellent condition. Probably only worn a few times. Thank you!

Raider47 said:

I can probably fill in some of the questions I saw on this thread as I was issued a parka when I flew Operations out of north eastern Canada. As a C130 pilot, I only wore it when I was outdoors. I took it off inside buildings and before I strapped into the cockpit as it would be too bulky and hot to fly with. The aircrew wore them while working outside and sometimes in the cargo compartment, especially when the ramp and door were open in flight. I was issued the newer style with white synthetic fur. I think the white would be fine in an evasion survival situation because it would likely be in the snow where white is a natural color. Camouflage is most effective when there are no defined lines of contrast to attract attention which is accomplished by fur.

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Great info, thanks for posting. Canada in the winter can get really cold so I totally understand how you and your aircrew would have been wearing parkas a lot.

Unfortunately I didn't keep my parka so I recently got a used one off ebay. I was hoping someone could tell me more about the specific cost I purchased. It only has one label that reads "arctic parka flight type style n3b furred hood not endangered species". I attached a photo.

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That's not a military parka, it's a civilian one, hence it doesn't "feel" the same as what you remember. But it looks solid and the hood looks particularly well made and appointed (better than any civilian coats I've seen, except maybe Spiewak). I suggest tying a piece of leather or a strip of heavy cloth to the zipper pull to make it easier to use. If it's possible for you to take a photo of the entire coat please post.