Since my last visit I have added another Alpha In Rep Blue and 2 New 100% Cotton N-3B's with the White Fur Ruff by DJ Industries, and a Couple of Days ago I bought another New one by DJ Industries and One by GreenBriar that is 50% Cotton and 50% Nylon which feels very much like Canvas to touch and the shell feels thicker than the DJI 100% Cotton version, I bought both of them brand New in size Large and across the chest the measure around 28/28.5" the Back seem is correct and the Arms measure a fraction over 19",It's got nothing to do with wanting a fitted garment. If you have too much room between your body and the coat it doesn't keep you warm. No amount of layering will fix that. In fact, too much layering is bad because it means the coat never warms up and stays cold, thus acting as a heat sink, which is bad.
I have had a 1950s N3B go through my hands, and now own an Alpha USA N3B (which has the same measurements as the vintage parka), and I can assure you these parkas are not good for anyone who's tall and thin... and most young airmen are thin. Both parks are size Large. The vintage one had a 28" chest and the Alpha 29" chest. I had a Greenbrier 1990 military N3B in size Medium which I flipped since it was too short for me: the chest on that one was 26.5". The Medium was the proper chest for me and would have still allowed layering; the Large chests are ridiculously huge and I could literallly wear an MA-1 jacket underneath without problems. And raglan shoulders, which the N3B has, are not ideal for arm movement since because of how they are shaped they pull up the coat when you put your arms up. I know we've had this discussion before, but trust me, the N3B design is simply not suitable for Tall/Long people, which is I'm sure why it's been dumped and replaced by the modern winter gear which comes in a variety of lengths. When the N3 series was originally designed I'm sure it was fine for the average sized airman of the time... it's worth remember that time was the late 1940s, a million years ago in terms of average body sizes, etc. Also, the zipper and windflap on the N3B model are too short which means they don't actually close up around the bottom of the parka but the parka's skirts flap open in the wind; you need to wear insulated overalls with the N3B for proper protection.
I know we like to idolize classic USAF clothing, but it was never that awesome, although it was the best they had at the time. These days it's obsolete. Sad but true.
If only you were my size!Thanks for taking the time to do the above review which is very thorough and useful. I’m two years in, trying to find an N-3B for the brief UK winters. Early ones were too warm and an Alpha 90’s Civvy version I’ve just picked up is so thin as to be a waste of time and looks like a ‘Cosplay’ item. Thinking Greenbrier or Propper Industries with the poly fill type lining. My 50’s N-3A was so warm that even standing still in winter I overheated.
Silvermans in London have DJ Industries N-3B's and they might have some Greenbriar ones left in stock, In size medium and small, I bought their last 2 in size Large, but they did say they will order another Batch at some pointThanks for taking the time to do the above review which is very thorough and useful. I’m two years in, trying to find an N-3B for the brief UK winters. Early ones were too warm and an Alpha 90’s Civvy version I’ve just picked up is so thin as to be a waste of time and looks like a ‘Cosplay’ item. Thinking Greenbrier or Propper Industries with the poly fill type lining. My 50’s N-3A was so warm that even standing still in winter I overheated.
Also if you do end up buying any brand of N-3B, Buy your self an pair or 2 of the N-4B Flyers Mitts with the wool lining pictured below because they were designed to wear with the N-3B, These are not the USGI Square Cuff Mitts, and with the N-4B Mitts you can order a couple of pairs of Black wool/Thinsulate gloves from Go Outdoor made by Hi-Gear for a couple of quid because the US Green woolen finger gloves are not available in the UK so the Hi-Gear ones will do the Job only better because of the thinsulate lining in them, These Mitts with normal wool finger gloves are rated down to -60*f or -51*c, Anyways I hope that helps, Heres a pic of the N-4B Mitts and the Wool Liners also please note that the Brown Fur on the backs of them is Not fake fur or Lambs wool it is Actually Alpaca Wool which is softer and Tougher than Labs wool Ok,
With the Liners they come with In the picture below, Crews were also issued a Green wool finger glove, But something like these Thinsulate Lined gloves should work even better than the Issued gloves because the thinsulate gloves have 3 layers where as the issued gloves only had one layer, Using these thinsulate wool gloves they have a fleece type lining so they will Not Itch and Your N-4B Mitts will be the warmest and most comfortable Mitt's / Gloves you will ever wear and they will keep your hands warm down to -60*f and Below because the Military rate them down to -60* but with the Thinsulate Layers as well will boost that even more and if you put the mitts laying on the Fur side and slide in one of those throw away hand warmers as well you have extremely warm hands, The N-4B Mitts were meant to be worn with woolen type finger gloves so by wearing just the outer and the Grey/Green lining you are missing the important part, Get some of those type thinsulate Gloves and you will not believe the results.I have a pair of these in medium and even with my medium-large hands they're so big as to be almost unusable. What do you recommend wearing underneath?
I wear an XL in the Alpha's and I prefer the extra Neck room of an XL, the 2 Canvas ones are Large, The reason I have both is because I am right on the cusp of a Large and the XL,I need an XL to be comfortable in the N-3B, TBH as far as rain goes, I have a waxed Barbour Border to deal with that
Those were military issue and are just as heavy (arguably heavier) than the vintage parkas. You will overheat.Thanks for taking the time to do the above review which is very thorough and useful. I’m two years in, trying to find an N-3B for the brief UK winters. Early ones were too warm and an Alpha 90’s Civvy version I’ve just picked up is so thin as to be a waste of time and looks like a ‘Cosplay’ item. Thinking Greenbrier or Propper Industries with the poly fill type lining. My 50’s N-3A was so warm that even standing still in winter I overheated.
That Alpha ALASKA is about twice the weight of the military N-3B's and The Canada Goose LE/ MIl is even heavier again, I really Like the Two Military N-3B's The DJ Manufauring one is a work of art, but the Greenbriar is rustic but it is an awesome Coat just the same,Those were military issue and are just as heavy (arguably heavier) than the vintage parkas. You will overheat.
Sorry my mistake DJ Manufacturing is the Correct Company Name,I just want to be clear on this. It's DJ Manufacturing and not DJ Industries?
I find my Mil Spec CG just too big and too heavy, It's twice the weight of a Canvas N-3B and about 3X the weight of a Nylon N-3B, I I put either of them on Indoors and just sit still I feel the heat in the N-3B's, I bought the CG coz they were meant to be the best but they have very limited use,I have been interested to see how the N3-B compares to my Canada Goose in warmth, so back in the winter I did a little unscientific experiment. My N3-B is a 1970 Skyline with the 100% wool interlining, the mouton hood with coyote ruff. A very nice coat. Thank you Regius.
The first day was 35° to 36°. I sat outside wearing my CG while I smoked my cigar. Under it I wore a cotton T-shirt and a long sleeve cotton shirt. Wanted to see how the jacket performed with no layering. After 1 1/2 hours, my trunk was still warm. My legs were, however, cold.
The next day was a little colder at 32° to 33°. I wore my N3-B. After 1 1/2 hours, same result. Trunk was warm, but my legs were cold.
My conclusion was that the old technology works well in keeping us warm, but the new technology is much lighter and more comfortable to wear.
On cold days I will wear the N3-B around the farm. It is in like new condition, and I don't want to damage it any. So, I will have to be careful with it. But it is a work coat, after all.
On Sunday afternoons I will wear the CG in those always cold NFL stadiums. No problem keeping me warm.
When you store them beit Down or Synthetic don't compress them because once you loose the Loft they won't keep you as warm, A lot of TV adverts show you those Vacuum bags storing puffa jackets in them but the truth is that is the worst thing you can do to any insulated Coat.I am really interested in a N-3B now. FWIW, I find that synthetic fill or wool fill winter jackets smell a lot less than my down ones. I just put away my winter stuff into storage now and I know when I open the boxes up next fall, I'd have to air out the down pieces.
That's good tip thanks. I just fold mine up and put them in the big rubbermaid crate boxes. The down ones I switched things up this year and just use laundry basket. Trying to get some air moving through them. I keep them in the basement so the temp don't change much.When you store them beit Down or Synthetic don't compress them because once you loose the Loft they won't keep you as warm, A lot of TV adverts show you those Vacuum bags storing puffa jackets in them but the truth is that is the worst thing you can do to any insulated Coat.
I've got 4 X N-3Bs now being 2 Alpha Nylon ones and the DJ Original Canvas one and the Greenbriar Canvas on plus the Alpha ALASKA version and it is my Go To Parka purely because how it works in all cold weather conditions, My North Face McMurdo Parka I never wear because of the stupid Hood design Plus I have a CG and although they are good they have very limited use.
If anyone buys an Alpha just make sure you Sew the buttons on properly and they will last for years, My ALASKA is over 24 years old, For non Military use the Alpha's work better due to the longer storm flap and the extra Button But you can feel safe in buying your normal size because they have a bit of extra room for layering Unlike the CG which is way way over sized.
Sounds like a plan, My CG being their LE / Mil version does not have the round disc patches on it but it is the same as the Snow Mantra, Having worn the Alpha ALASKA in wind chills of -24*c with 80mph winds and below without it done up I just don't see any use of my CG, I bought it because it was the LE / Mil version and that it was a CG but the truths is it is a pointless Item where the ALASKA that I bought 24+ years ago is still the one I always choose in winter.That's good tip thanks. I just fold mine up and put them in the big rubbermaid crate boxes. The down ones I switched things up this year and just use laundry basket. Trying to get some air moving through them. I keep them in the basement so the temp don't change much.
I am gonna look for a mint condition N-3B repro this summer. Usually the prices are better in the off season. And give it a try this coming winter. And if it works out I will move my down coats on. I also find my CG to be a bit bulky and heavy, really not necessary in Vancouver. I think the lighter weight N-3B will do the job, and it will look cooler.