I lost my beloved field jacket

[Rickyrich]

Hi everyone,

I desperately require some help please in finding a replacement for a green Alpha Industries M65 jacket I lost over 2 years ago (I cannot get over the loss). I have attached pictures to help with ID.

I have spent hours searching all over the internet but cannot find the same item anywhere, so I may have to settle for something that is almost the same. I have no idea which AI M65 this was. Heck, I didn’t even take note of what brand it was until owning it for a few years and took a look when I was bored on a train.

I bought the jacket in a high street store - Urban Outfitters (UK) around 2014/15 and think it must have been a limited run (could have been a collaboration but cannot be certain). I loved this jacket so much that I still think about it 2 years after losing it.

It was slim fitting, so not as loose as most field jackets I’ve seen but I could still easily fit a hoody / sweater underneath. The size I believe may have been medium. There was no removable liner (which meant less bulk). The thin lining was orange. It was very light and less rugged finish (more smooth) so I think at least 50% nylon.

Does anyone know which AI model this jacket was and also if there are any available that are similar? The slimmer fit is most important because I’m 5ft 9 and very slim. As I’m struggling to replace with an identical jacket, I’m open to other finishes / materials but not keen on patches or extra details. Finding a jacket I will love the same or a nicer jacket that I love even more is my goal.

I’m also happy to consider other brands, as long as the jackets are similar.

I’ve waffled a bit so in summary:

- which style AI M65 was my jacket?
- slim fit, nylon mix/light material, no thick detachable lining. Built in thin lining was orange. Poppers (no buttons), built in hood, adjustable cuffs.
- what are suitable AI replacements?
- any styles from other brands worth considering?

I’m never getting that jacket back but a suitable replacement would make me a very happy man.

 

[Seb Lucas]

You may have tried this but perhaps contact AI to see if they can help work it out.

The key to getting a trim fit in these is getting a smaller size than you would normally wear. I can fit an AI small and I am six two and 185 pounds.

I just bought a Helikon-Tex M-65 n medium and it fits trim and is not too long and is reasonably well made. Like most things you can spend a fortune on repro M-65's.

There are literally dozens of M-65 styles, from Carhartt to Orvis and also the various repops and issued versions, so your options are massive.

 

[Monitor]

@Rickyrich , I'm there, too.

Used to wear an M-65 all the time some 15 years or so ago, got rid of it after I lost weight. Few years ago, figured I'd get a new one and began looking for it. Stumbled upon one just like what you describe it in a thrift store, only it didn't have an orange lining. Also Alpha, size Small. Tried it on & it was absolutely perfect; narrow sleeves, slim, form fitting, etc. but the price was steep and I thought I'd just find a cheaper one over the classifieds. Five M-65's later, no dice. They're all mega baggy, even size S. Body is okay but they have gigantic sleeves while one I tried on was almost like a dress coat.

Real McCoy promises theirs is very slim but that's too much money to test that theory. Although it does look nice, in any case. I'd also check out Iron Heart's version which, while not being most accurate, looks great and seems to fit trim (at a size S, at least).

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/jackets/ihm-27-olv.html

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12289.180

 

[Rickyrich]

You may have tried this but perhaps contact AI to see if they can help work it out.

The key to getting a trim fit in these is getting a smaller size than you would normally wear. I can fit an AI small and I am six two and 185 pounds.

I just bought a Helikon-Tex M-65 n medium and it fits trim and is not too long and is reasonably well made. Like most things you can spend a fortune on repro M-65's.

There are literally dozens of M-65 styles, from Carhartt to Orvis and also the various repops and issued versions, so your options are massive.

Hi Seb,

I did contact AI last year and this was their response:

“I think the jacket on the pictures is the M-65 Heritage or the M-65.

The M-65 comes in an oversized fit and the M-65 Heritage in a slim fit which includes also a liner, while the ALS liner for the M-65 has to be bought separately.”

So, M65 is ruled out due to the very loose fit. To me, the Heritage looks quite different in pictures and also comes with a thick detachable liner (link below). The only place it seems to be available is on the US AI site:-

https://www.alphaindustries.com/products/mjm24000c1-m-65-field-jacket-heritage-m

I actually quite like the look of the Huntington but again it’s not really the same as has that more rugged / canvas cotton finish.

which Helikon Tex did you buy? Nyco or Covert? I wonder which would be most like my AI M65.

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/ku-c65-dc-covert-m-65-jacket.html

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/ku-m65-ny-m65-jacket-nyco-sateen.html

 

[Rickyrich]

@Rickyrich , I'm there, too.

Used to wear an M-65 all the time some 15 years or so ago, got rid of it after I lost weight. Few years ago, figured I'd get a new one and began looking for it. Stumbled upon one just like what you describe it in a thrift store, only it didn't have an orange lining. Also Alpha, size Small. Tried it on & it was absolutely perfect; narrow sleeves, slim, form fitting, etc. but the price was steep and I thought I'd just find a cheaper one over the classifieds. Five M-65's later, no dice. They're all mega baggy, even size S. Body is okay but they have gigantic sleeves while one I tried on was almost like a dress coat.

Real McCoy promises theirs is very slim but that's too much money to test that theory. Although it does look nice, in any case. I'd also check out Iron Heart's version which, while not being most accurate, looks great and seems to fit trim (at a size S, at least).

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/jackets/ihm-27-olv.html

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12289.180

I am definitely considering going down to a small judging by most of the jackets I’ve seen online. I think Urban Outfitters may have downsized their Ai jackets for a modern fit which is why I believe mine was a medium. The arms were not baggy and it was very light.

the Iron Heart looks perfect to my eyes but it’s way over my budget (max £160)

I’m going to limit my options to used M65 slim fit small or maybe even xs? New Helikon Tex Covert/Nyco (small, maybe medium). Or possibly even a new AI Huntington, link below:

https://www.alphaindustries.eu/uk/huntington-3471

If all else fails, I’ll break the budget, grab the Iron Heart and he done with it. And won’t lose the jacket.

I understand that it’s ultimately my decision and I really need to try them on to see how they fit but I would still really appreciate thoughts and opinions from you guys on which direction to take

 

[Blackadder]

Take a look at Polo or Denim & Supply Field jacket. Those are slim fitting.
This one also looks slim but has removable liner so you may wanna go down one size without the liner
https://e-militaria.eu/6511-brandit-m65-classic-fieldjacket-black.html

 

[Jin431]

Maybe if you can find one try to get a small in short version

 

[Pandemic]

I wore my dad’s Viet Nam M65 when I was a teenager. It’s still hanging in his closet.

If you want a good looking, trim jacket (not historical accuracy type stuff) then I think the Helikon-Tex sateen will be good. I wear their slimish fatigue pants to work every day.

 

[Jin431]

I have the m65 from cockpit USA, the XS fits me well but I wished they offered the XS short version

 

[El Marro]

I have not tried the Iron Heart M65 but I own a number of other items from them. I have found everything I’ve bought from IH to be very well made and trim fitting. If you were unable to find what you were looking for elsewhere I think that you would not be disappointed with the jacket from IH.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Hi Seb,

I did contact AI last year and this was their response:

“I think the jacket on the pictures is the M-65 Heritage or the M-65.

The M-65 comes in an oversized fit and the M-65 Heritage in a slim fit which includes also a liner, while the ALS liner for the M-65 has to be bought separately.”

So, M65 is ruled out due to the very loose fit. To me, the Heritage looks quite different in pictures and also comes with a thick detachable liner (link below). The only place it seems to be available is on the US AI site:-

https://www.alphaindustries.com/products/mjm24000c1-m-65-field-jacket-heritage-m

I actually quite like the look of the Huntington but again it’s not really the same as has that more rugged / canvas cotton finish.

which Helikon Tex did you buy? Nyco or Covert? I wonder which would be most like my AI M65.

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/ku-c65-dc-covert-m-65-jacket.html

https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_eur/ku-m65-ny-m65-jacket-nyco-sateen.html

Interesting. I bought the Helikon nyco version. It doesn't have trendy slim cut sleeves but they are fine - 9 inches across at the bicep and 23 inches pit to pit. No idea which jacket would fit like your old one. I agree with you about the sky-high price of the Ironheart. Kind of misses the point of a daily knock around jacket once it hits over $150 for me. But I am sure it is well made. It would have to be.

There are very cheap unissued Austrian military M65's going which are even better quality but I have no idea about the fit. They cost around $50.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

$225? What in the heck is going on there? Millennial pricing. 65s are readily available on ebay for $30 a whack. You could try seven for poops and giggles at that price. Shoot for a smaller, Short size. I love these jackets, but I wouldn't pay more than $50...because as it goes as of today, it wouldn't be necessary. Sorry for being negative, but I don't understand. You could buy "vintage" all day long in several colors at that price.

 

[Rickyrich]

It’s hard to argue against that and the link AI provided (unfortunately in the USA) is not really the same jacket - looks much bigger and has a thick detachable lining as opposed to the thin built in.

I can’t remember the cost of the jacket I purchased on sale in Urban Outfitters but it did not cost as much as that and it looked a lot nicer. For me, it’s all about the short and slim fit. I’m not particularly bothered which brand I go for, as long as it fits similar to my old jacket and doesn’t have large baggy sleeves.

 

[Rickyrich]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. My search has now ended.

This quest actually started again recently because my wife surprised me with a replacement from Debenhams high street closing down sale but it was a waxed Mantaray jacket. It’s quite nice but it’s not an M65, fit is different, also padded and no hood. I may keep it seem as the store has now closed down and I was impressed with the quality.

link:
https://images.app.goo.gl/yPfa9LZrn3jmdhRH6

The Helikon seems to be a great jacket and there were some really good discounts (between £50 - £70). Probably would have been my first choice but unfortunately everywhere was sold out in my size except for the official Helikon store in Poland which is just over 90 euros plus shipping.

I ended up purchasing a grade 1 Austrian M65 from a UK surplus store. After educating myself on the Austrian sizing I went for a small chest (88/92), regular length (III/IV). The cost was £44 including shipping.

Appears to be a heavier jacket but I’m more than willing to give it a shot.

link to my replacement jacket:

https://forcesuniformandkit.co.uk/c...fs/products/austrian-army-m65-gore-tex-jacket

 

[l0fielectronic]

Alpha were really pushing their fashion line here in Europe about that period and there were lots of varients of there traditional jackets in all kinds of different materials, they did tend toward slimmer fitting so I'd guess your original jacket was one of those.

Hope the jacket you've bought fits how you like.

 

[Blackadder]

Well, not just Europe, they were doing exclusive orders and crossovers for fashion stores. I have seen at a local fashion store a N-2B that I have never seen anywhere else. It was a N-2B without the interlining, (just two pieces of nylon) with raccoon fur trim hood.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Just curious, how did you manage to lose it?

 

[Rickyrich]

Hey, I took it to a band rehearsal during Spring 2019 (gets chilly in the evening).

Must have been on a warmer night and I forgot to put it on before driving home. Most likely, I was rushing to pack all my guitar gear away and the jacket was probably behind a big speaker.

Then my band split up, a few weeks went by and I was convinced my jacket was at home. When I decided to wear the jacket again but couldn’t find it, I contacted the studio and they said they couldn’t see it anywhere. Which means someone probably took it.

The grade 1 Austrian M65 has arrived. In great condition. Not quite fashion fitting but it’s close enough. Fits my body well, only the arms are a little baggy. It’s a very well made jacket.

I’ exchanging it for the shorter length size because I felt it was too long. Hopefully the arms won’t be too short. It’s much longer than my Urban Outfitters Alpha.

For £38 it’s a bargain and even includes a Goretex lining.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Hey, I took it to a band rehearsal during Spring 2019 (gets chilly in the evening).

Must have been on a warmer night and I forgot to put it on before driving home. Most likely, I was rushing to pack all my guitar gear away and the jacket was probably behind a big speaker.

Then my band split up, a few weeks went by and I was convinced my jacket was at home. When I decided to wear the jacket again but couldn’t find it, I contacted the studio and they said they couldn’t see it anywhere. Which means someone probably took it.

The grade 1 Austrian M65 has arrived. In great condition. Not quite fashion fitting but it’s close enough. Fits my body well, only the arms are a little baggy. It’s a very well made jacket.

I’ exchanging it for the shorter length size because I felt it was too long. Hopefully the arms won’t be too short. It’s much longer than my Urban Outfitters Alpha.

For £38 it’s a bargain and even includes a Goretex lining.

Nice one. I ended up buying one too. Unissued mint. Mine's a regular 108 chest. I'm six two and 185 pounds. They do sit longer. Fits well and the fabric is better than I remember. Pity it is 99 degrees (37C) tomorrow.

 

[Rickyrich]

I think the short will be perfect (apart from loose arms, which I can live with).

The site I bought from do have large and extra large sizes new/unissued for £75

Its -1c degree here today, for which I use a warmer winter jacket