Alpha N3-B parka VF59 (slim fit) ?

[Raul]

As my vintage (1969 issued) N3-B has a rather bulky fit, I was thinking to get a slimmer one for everyday use. It seems that modern Alpha are good quality for the price but I need some advice here.
In the Alpha US website there is a slim fit version:
https://www.alphaindustries.com/col...ns-slim-fit-n-3b-parka?variant=31082272423991
But I am in Europe and on the Alpha Industries european website there is no "N3B slim" version but there is this VF59 from the description should be the slim fit version of the classic N3B: https://www.alphaindustries.eu/uk/n3b-vf-59-2919?c=65
While both have orange lining I see that the US version has a black fake mouton in the hood while the VF59 has a brown one. If this is the only difference is not a big problem.
I also am not sure about sizing, I am 5'11" and 163lbs so I am indecise between a small or a medium.
Anyone who owns or knows this jacket can give an advice?
Thanks

 

[Harris HTM]

I own both a 1982 Greenbrier issued N3B and the slim fit Alpha version (looks the same as the vf59 in the link you've sent). I'm a bit shorter than you, my Greenbrier is sized S and my Alpha sized M, the Alpha has definitely a slimmer fit. Keep in mind that the Alpha is much lighter and less warm compared to the issued Greenbrier. Nice winter jacket though, less bulky.
Modern Alpha's are not good quality for the price though, the quality has dropped significantly the past years, while their prices went up and they seem to have changed into fashion items.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Modern Alpha's are not good quality for the price though, the quality has dropped significantly the past years, while their prices went up and they seem to have changed into fashion items.

Alpha nylon jackets from the 1990s and 2000s are actually worse than ones from the 2010s, so I disgree.

 

[Doctor Damage]

But I am in Europe and on the Alpha Industries european website there is no "N3B slim" version but there is this VF59 from the description should be the slim fit version of the classic N3B: https://www.alphaindustries.eu/uk/n3b-vf-59-2919?c=65

The english text version of that site says the VF59 is "slim fit".

The EU sites gets a much wider range of colours than in the US (the dark green looks especially nice with the orange lining).

 

[Harris HTM]

Alpha nylon jackets from the 1990s and 2000s are actually worse than ones from the 2010s, so I disgree.

I own 3 nylon Alpha's: a 1992 made in US MA-1, a 2011 made in China MA-1, and a 2012 made in China N3B slim fit. The MA-1's are almost the same regarding quality of materials and stitching; the 2012, while the same material, came with countless loose threads. The current Alpha's I come across today at the mall's are inferior regarding the nylon material (significantly thinner), and by taking a look at their EU website it is clear that they now have a much different target audience (which probably cares less for quality). I have to correct my statement for the prices though: the VF N3B the OP posted costs 245 pounds according to the provided link (around 300e); however in the German site it only costs 220e (https://www.alphaindustries.eu/de/n3b-vf-59-2919?c=65).

 

[Raul]

... I have to correct my statement for the prices though: the VF N3B the OP posted costs 245 pounds according to the provided link (around 300e); however in the German site it only costs 220e (https://www.alphaindustries.eu/de/n3b-vf-59-2919?c=65).

On the italian site it's 230 €, but a few online shop in Italy have some of them on sale at 170€ (black mainly), so I was wondering if it's worth considering the declining quality, and also which size I should buy, I was thinking more to an M eventually...

 

[Harris HTM]

On the italian site it's 230 €, but a few online shop in Italy have some of them on sale at 170€ (black mainly), so I was wondering if it's worth considering the declining quality, and also which size I should buy, I was thinking more to an M eventually...

If you can return them then I'd advise to order one (Medium will do I beileve) and see for your self, maybe you will like it, and 170e is a very good price.

 

[Raul]

...The current Alpha's I come across today at the mall's are inferior regarding the nylon material (significantly thinner)...

Are they still warm or they offer scarce protection against winter cold? Here we go down to - 5 -6° C (23-21 F)

 

[Harris HTM]

Are they still warm or they offer scarce protection against winter cold? Here we go down to - 5 -6° C (23-21 F)

Yes, they are warm but not as warm as your original N3B. For such low temps I'd stick with my original, or invest money on a shearling lined long coat.

 

[Edward]

The vf59 range are slimmer, but also inaccurate. I turned down the MA1 version because the inner pockets were wrong.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Given that no one is every satisfied around here (roll eyes), I've more or less arrived at the point where I think the best advice is "go buy a good quality civilian parka". In most cases, it'll be far better than anything military, new or old.

 

[Harris HTM]

Given that no one is every satisfied around here (roll eyes), I've more or less arrived at the point where I think the best advice is "go buy a good quality civilian parka". In most cases, it'll be far better than anything military, new or old.

Totally agree. I think that a good, expensive, ski-grade parka will be far warmer and lighter than any vintage or modern N3B.

 

[Edward]

Totally agree. I think that a good, expensive, ski-grade parka will be far warmer and lighter than any vintage or modern N3B.

POssibly..... but if practical utility was all that mattered, would any of us be here?