Yeah, these things are for serious cold weather, unless one wants to wear nothing more than a T-shirt underneath.
The truth is I've been looking at these parkas for a while now. The Goose has served me well through the years, but I thought I switch things up a bit and not wear the standard issue Can Goose.
My advice is to get the best you can since getting a cheap-o version first will be disappointing and will be a waste of money. Keep in mind these things have a wonky fit, especially the mil-spec ones (old and recent). If you are going to be out in proper winter weather, like the Canadian or US prairies in January, then there are much better options than N3B parkas, old or new, luxury or cheap.
This is an excellent post and I commend it to everyone. Not that I was ever in the USAF or issued one, but yeah, the design of these things is weird and best worn over 10 other layers. Ironically, the N3 and N3A parkas were probably better than the N3B since the earlier designs had zippers that came down much, much lower than the N3B, including a wind flap that buttoned right to the hem. It's the knits on the N2B that kept you warmer by keeping out the wind. The N3B has no such capacity to keep the wind from blowing right up your skirt, so to speak. And it's the wind that does you in, more than the general temperature.
Extra points for the reference to TG and Coil. Didn't expect to see that on a Fedora Lounge thread!Did you know famous and interesting people wear N3B too ?
John Carpenter (him again !) and Kurt Russell for a publicity still of "The Thing" !
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And on the left of this picture of the cult industrial music band Throbbing Gristle, Peter Christopherson, the late musician who worked for other cult bands such as Psychic TV or Coil. He was also one of the main member of the famous Hipgnosis collective, who designed famous record cover for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black sabbath...
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And second from the right of this other picture of the same band, it is Chris Carter who wears a N3B
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I own a recent navy N3B "Heritage" of Alpha Industries (made in China). It is not the greatest jacket ever, it is very puffy and it is not as warm as a big shearling jacket. I agree that the wind may come up in the jacket. The buttons tend to fall very easily (i have resewn at least three of the big buttons on the front), the fake fur is rather ugly and its smell is not pleasant. But it keeps the warmth well enough most of the time. You can layer as much as you want and with a good sweater under the jacket, it keeps me warm around 0°c in Paris France, sometimes very warm ! I like the hood because it is very large, and i have a long neck and a long face and hoods of parkas and coats are sometimes too small/short for me.
I have one of these USA civvy models and the "fur" lining the hood is as good as the old military parkas, and the "fur" ruff is probably the best looking synthetic fur I've ever seen, and the overall fit/design is accurate to the old military parkas. But you're quite right, the insulation in the parka's body and sleeves is wafer-thin and pretty much useless (although in dry cold it's not too bad), plus the super-roomy fit doesn't trap heat at all. It's obvious to me the originals were always intended to be worn over the matching insulated pants, even if they usually weren't. See Jimmy Stewart in Strategic Air Command for an N3A worn with matching pants when his bomber crashes in the arctic.
Gustin Vintage Heavyweight Sweatshirt - Natural Rainbow Nep - $119 Rugged 14oz cotton that gets better with every wear. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Iron and Resin - Buffalo Shirt - $119 Classic, yet modern. 6.5oz yarn dyed cotton flannel with a warm micro polar fleece lining.
Great photo finds, and a useful review of the recent Alpha parkas, Manolito.Did you know famous and interesting people wear N3B too ?
John Carpenter (him again !) and Kurt Russell for a publicity still of "The Thing" !
And on the left of this picture of the cult industrial music band Throbbing Gristle, Peter Christopherson, the late musician who worked for other cult bands such as Psychic TV or Coil. He was also one of the main member of the famous Hipgnosis collective, who designed famous record cover for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black sabbath...
And second from the right of this other picture of the same band, it is Chris Carter who wears a N3B
I own a recent navy N3B "Heritage" of Alpha Industries (made in China). It is not the greatest jacket ever, it is very puffy and it is not as warm as a big shearling jacket. I agree that the wind may come up in the jacket. The buttons tend to fall very easily (i have resewn at least three of the big buttons on the front), the fake fur is rather ugly and its smell is not pleasant. But it keeps the warmth well enough most of the time. You can layer as much as you want and with a good sweater under the jacket, it keeps me warm around 0°c in Paris France, sometimes very warm ! I like the hood because it is very large, and i have a long neck and a long face and hoods of parkas and coats are sometimes too small/short for me.
