M-65 Field Jacket

[Doctor Damage]

A few months ago, I picked up a Chinese made Rothco for cheap. The seller had washed it with those scent crystals. I do not care for strong laundry smells, so this was awful. I ran it through a couple front-loader delicate cycles, and that pretty much did the trick. Here's the thing: though the fabric feels stiff and tough, I have concluded it is not very durable. I noticed two small tears after the washing that were not there before. Probably a sharp part of the brass zipper was the culprit. I've washed my jackets in this manner hundreds of times, and I've never had any fabric have a new tear like this. I've felt around the zipper a few times, and I could not find anything particularly sharp. No metal burrs found. Just your standard brass zipper. I have these same size metal zippers on a number of other jackets, all of which have gone through the wash. I can't help but conclude the Rothco material is not nearly as tough as it seems it would be. I have several M-65s from various makers, and two of those are vintage from the 60s and 70s. No material has torn/been cut like this.

That explains the flowery smell on a few used jackets I got recently!!

About the Rothco, I got one back in 2020 and wore it each winter during the worst of covid. All the pockets were useful for masks, etc, junk, random stuff. It was made of a medium weight poplin, which held up well. It wasn't windproof though, which was a prob. I thrifted it last summer. It did it's job for the 4 years I wore it. I've posted about it in this thread. Not a bad choice if you're budget constrained, it will do the job, but yeah it's the low-tier M65 option and probably best interpreted as a heavy duty safari jacket rather than a utility jacket for bad weather.

 

[Trenchfriend]

From the weight perspective, the Brandit would be okay to me, with it's 80% polyester shell. But if someday I might see an "army store" anywhere, offering the Helikon, I will grab it. I just would wear it without the liner as EDC jacket.

 

[MrProper]

From the weight perspective, the Brandit would be okay to me, with it's 80% polyester shell. But if someday I might see an "army store" store anywhere, offering the Helikon, I will grab it. I just would wear it without the liner as EDC jacket.

I have tried Helikon, Brandit, Mil-Tec, Rothco and Propper in addition to my original from 40 years ago and I have to say that Helikon is the best in terms of price/performance and closest to the original.
Ordering in Europe directly from Helikon works wonderfully, including returning wrong sizes. Black Friday and so on, there is up to 50%.

 

[Trenchfriend]

You know, what's funny?
In Germany, the wildlife/outdoor chain stores in the bigger cities currently offer the M51 Parka, althought I believe the M51 jacket to be much more popular. I don't see people in the classic parka style, these days, but there are a lot fieldjacket friends in Europe, I tell you!
I wonder, if anyone here really wants to prefer the Parka?

Sure, the versatility, but as far as I know us Germans, the majority loves classic fieldjacket's flap pockets.

 

[Preppy Climber]

Navigating the Surf City USA jungle in an appropriate ensemble.

Vintage U.S. military issue M-65 field jacket*; RL Polo OCBD, tie, and chinos; Clarks Wallabees; Fox River wool socks.

*This is the smallest size in the M-65: Extra small, extra short. I'm 5'1", 102 lbs. A bit oversized on me, but I love it!

 

[PeterRocco]

Navigating the Surf City USA jungle in an appropriate ensemble.

Vintage U.S. military issue M-65 field jacket*; RL Polo OCBD, tie, and chinos; Clarks Wallabees; Fox River wool socks.

*This is the smallest size in the M-65: Extra small, extra short. I'm 5'1", 102 lbs. A bit oversized on me, but I love it!

View attachment 687440 View attachment 687441

You have the Hole Look Going On. Very Nice. Thanks for Posting.

 

[Preppy Climber]

You have the Hole Look Going On. Very Nice. Thanks for Posting.

Thank you, @PeterRocco! I would love to see others rocking their military field jackets!

 

[Trenchfriend]

You have the Hole Look Going On.

I wanted to write the same!

 

[Preppy Climber]

I wanted to write the same!

I need to be more active on this forum. You are all so friendly and pleasant!

 

[agrocrag]

Is there an easy way to tell if your m65 is nylon/cotton or 100% cotton? It's not marked on the label

 

[CatsCan]

Is there an easy way to tell if your m65 is nylon/cotton or 100% cotton? It's not marked on the label

If it is original US military issue, and if I am correct, only the one without epaulettes (not cut off but didn't have 'em in the first place) from 1965 to early 1966 were 100% cotton. So: no epaulettes, additional piece of triangular cloth sewn into the sleeve cuffs, "aluminum" zippers, and it's realistic to assume that it is 100% cotton. 1966 to late 1970 or very early '71: NYCO, aluminum zippers, epaulettes, triangular piece at cuffs. 1971 and later: NYCO, epaulettes, brass zippers, no additional triangular piece of cloth at cuffs.