Alpha Industries M65 Field Jacket

Been looking over repros and they're a mixed bag. Helikon seems to have the overall "best" configuration, but I'm not sure those are still available. Alpha has a nice version although they seem to have shrunk the breast pockets a bit and raised the hip pockets (or dropped the hem). Rothco has the cheapest version but with all the details, except their breast pockets are way too small. For me, one of the key things about these jackets is the big, very deep breast pockets. Small details in the bigger scheme of things, I guess, but this forum is all about fussing over details, haha

@Doctor Damage
Yeah, the Helikon M65 seems to be the only one true to original, including the original zipper. And made to original U.S. Army specifications.
But to me, it would be great, if they would higher the Nylon part to 75% to lower the weight. This would be a dream jacket!!

Trenchfriend said:

@Doctor Damage
Yeah, the Helikon M65 seems to be the only one true to original, including the original zipper. And made to original U.S. Army specifications.
But to me, it would be great, if they would higher the Nylon part to 75% to lower the weight. This would be a dream jacket!!

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There's always Mil-Tec, another European brand, which has the details but I suspect is a notch below Rothco (wild speculation just based on photos of used stuff I've seen). Can you comment, Trenchfriend or anyone?

edit: forgot about Brandit... anyone?

It all comes down to actually wearing it. You have to wear it, before you can judge for yourself, which jacket feels good to you. I like Alpha's liner for the pockets, extra buttons, and knit cuff. The percentage of nylon to cotton NYCO, or if it's a polyester blend, could make a difference for rain resistance. The roll out hoods are a little different on different brands. The Rothco fits me well, but finish quality is not the best. I have a Propper brand, which is good, but the cuff does not fit it adjust the same.

Fifty150 said:

It all comes down to actually wearing it. You have to wear it, before you can judge for yourself, which jacket feels good to you. I like Alpha's liner for the pockets, extra buttons, and knit cuff. The percentage of nylon to cotton NYCO, or if it's a polyester blend, could make a difference for rain resistance. The roll out hoods are a little different on different brands. The Rothco fits me well, but finish quality is not the best. I have a Propper brand, which is good, but the cuff does not fit it adjust the same.

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Yeah, you're right of course, something that works for person A might not work for person B, and vice versa. I'm sure Alpha makes the best (non-Japanese niche repro) but every time I notice they sell the liners separately I think "screw them", they're just double dipping, haha

Alpha is overpriced. But it's a free world. They can set whatever price point. You don't have to buy it. Same reason I drive a Ford & ride a Harley. I am not paying BMW prices.

Alpha makes a great jacket. But I am equally satisfied with lower price options when I am cold.

Doctor Damage said:

Yeah, you're right of course, something that works for person A might not work for person B, and vice versa. I'm sure Alpha makes the best (non-Japanese niche repro) but every time I notice they sell the liners separately I think "screw them", they're just double dipping, haha

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Doc, yes they are double dipping, but that may be rooted in Alpha's history. The Army purchased the M-65 and the liner separately. When I was issued my field jacket, I was in basic training in west central Louisiana, an area not noted for cold weather. We were not issued the liner. The liner used back then (dark ages) was much more bulky than the liner currently sold by Alpha. Several years after I got out, a friend of mine gave me his liner as he never used it. I now have it in one of my field jackets to wear when the temps are in the 30s and below. It is a warm liner.

Alpha is 50/50 nylon/cotton shell, 65/35 cotton/polyester lining. Rothco is 55/45 cotton/polyester shell, 100% polyester lining. My Propper is also 50/50 NyCo. You will not notice a weight difference when you wear it. I don't. As for wind, I don't feel it either. It's a jacket, and I have other layers. You will notice a difference in the rain. Rothco will saturate 1st, as NyCo is more rain resistant. You will have a wet jacket, over a polyester button in liner which isn't saturated, so you should still be okay.

The button in liner is adequate from Alpha, Rothco, and Propper. To me, they are pretty much the same. It is just like the poncho liner "woobie" that so many people love. Even in rain, as the jacket gets wet, moisture will not saturate and penetrate the button in liner. The Alpha liner is better than other models because of the knit cuffs, extra buttons to wear it as a separate jaxket, and the pockets. If I am wearing the jacket with the liner, it's cold enough that I am also wearing more than just a t-shirt. With other insulating layers, the jacket is fine.

Being of a certain age, I prefer wearing a Pendleton shirt and/or a hooded sweatshirt under the M-65. Eddie Bauer sells a light weight, down filled, pullover hoodie. A guy at "the company" still wears Cosby sweaters. Depending on your personal preferences, wear what makes you comfortable. In 1965, the soldiers probably had those wool sweaters.

The M-65 is not a raincoat. You need a raincoat or poncho over it. If it's raining, use the poncho and poncho liner as the soldiers did, and you don't worry about the jacket being wet.



Depending on what you are doing, and your climate, the button in liner isn't needed. I have a green Rothco & a black Alpha: with the liner removed, all the buttons and draw cords removed, epaullettes stitched down, sleeves rolled up, which I wear with a T-shirt, when it's above 40°F. It is all the jacket that I need in Hollywood. Good for riding around in the car, and getting from the car to a climate controlled building. But not for hours of outdoors activity, where there is wind and rain. If you are camping, or sleeping outdoors, you will want the button in liner.

Button removed and epaulette stitched down so that it doesn't interfere with backpacks, seat belts, gear suspenders, etc.

Great comments, gents. I always enjoy hearing observations that come from real-world experiences, it's very valuable.

Every time this thread pops up I'm reminded of this jacket I have from Alpha so I've just taken a couple of photos.



From memory it was sold as the Alpha M65 Surveillance Jacket and I bought it around 20 years ago. I've had a normal Alpha M65 since but I always preferred this model. Its much lighter and less bulky than the traditional M65 but just as warm and maybe a little more water resistant.

The outer is a synthetic mix, its light but quite tough, the jacket outer is lined lightly and has a zip in, quilted liner with a higher neck than the traditional M65 liner, also has a zip pocket. Jacket doesn't have epaulettes, the zip in liner has poppers at the sleeve ends rather than buttons and is a lot more wearable than the normal liner I think. They sold them in grey, black and this olive green. Can't find a model number anywhere on the jacket, just the normal Alpha label.

I've ended up with three of them as my first was involved in an accident with some battery acid, then I got a black one and then picked up this one for hardly anything on eBay. I was doing a lot of travelling when I first bought one and it made a great all round jacket and they've all held up well, a couple of zip pulls have broken and I did have one pocket I had to restitch a seam on but the material on all of them, save the acid damage, all still looks great.

I thought I'd mention it here as there doesn't seem to be any info online about this model any more and like I say, for me its been my favourite of this style of jacket.

They sell this waterproofing for campers. I think it is by Nikwax? You put it and warm water in a bucket. You soak the garments for X amount of time. You rinse it out. I did this to my fashion M-65. It worked pretty well.

Quarpel would probably be what was originally used. I like spray on DWR for convenience. The wash in Nik Wax is a better treatment. I am lazy. Put it on a hanger, a couple of sprays, and it's done.

Nothing special about these jackets. Simple. Functional. Comfortable. And even the lowest price Rothco versions works.

The only way to figure out if this is a jacket for you, is to wear it. Get 1. Wear it. You can figure out sizing when you try it on. Order 2 from Amazon, and return the size you don't like. After several decades, and countless adventures, I have 4 from 3 manufacturers. To me, these are good jackets.

Old Navy has something similar for a very low price.

^^^Or just get an original issue one.
They are all over eBay and Etsy at very reasonable prices. The size person they are meant to fit is right on the label.
B

This 1 didn't make it to the Smithsonian.