At SOFIC, Crye Precision debuted their new Hot Weather Combat and Field Uniforms as well as Temperate Shell Jacket and Combat Pants.
I look at the HW Combat as a Desert Uniform, HW Field as a Jungle Uniform and the Temperate as a replacement for the G3 All Weather Uniform. You’ll notice some design similarities with the new G4 garments such as the internal pockets. Despite looks, that new pocket design has just as much carrying capacity as the old style.
Made from the same Burlington fabric selected by USSOCOM for hot weather uniforms, Crye utilized two different weights (3.5 and 4.5 oz) of the material to mitigate wear in high abrasion areas (knee, seat and elbows). It is very breathable at about 30 CFM.
Pockets feature button closures and the pockets are lined with mesh for drainage. Additionally, the pants integrate an internal mesh gaiter for bugs.
The Combat Shirt and Pant use similar base fabrics as the Field Uniform with the addition of VTX ripstop stretch and 3.5 oz with Polyester wicking material in the padded waist for the Pant and Polartec polyester mesh with X-static for the Shirt.
The goal was to lighten the weight, so they stripped away the back pockets and calf pocket. They also use the same buttoned shoulder pocket as in the HW Field Shirt.
Designed for for cool, windy, wet conditions, this is a super lightweight replacement for the all weather garments. It’s made from a 4 oz nylon with integrated stretch.
The Shell Jacket is a hybrid shirt/jacket replacing both Field and Combat shirts. It features Thumb holes at the sleeve cuff and Large internal front pockets.
Color Choices
The Field Uniform will be offered in MultiCam and Tropic while the Combat Uniform will be offered in MultiCam and Arid. However, as they share fabrics, special orders of the garments in Arid and Tropic will be easier. The Temperate uniform will be available in all standard Crye colors.
Availability
On a final note, last ok for these new items by the end of the year, while G4 is currently beginning production.
Tags: Crye Precision
Single button without a cover flap is an interesting choice, seems almost retro.
While I am a fan of the button closures, one thing I know is going to be a complaint down the road, is how easy those exposed buttons get ripped off when worn in the field. There was a reason why buttons had that extra piece of fabric over them on OG 107s and BDUs.
The only person who thinks exposed buttons are a good idea is a person who has never been in the field as an active soldier; even without camouflage nets, those damn things are insidious. They get caught on everything, hook vines, and are just a generally terrible idea.
It would be nice, too, if they adopted the friggin’ Canadian style of buttons with the sewn loops holding them on. The threaded style is all too prone to wearing and popping off before the uniform is unserviceable.
I’ve heard those Canadian buttons called “tape buttons”, but don’t know if that is an official term in the industry.
Tape buttons, bar buttons, NATO style, doesn’t seem to be a consensus on a name, but their should be a consensus that they are the only button that deserves to be on anyone’s clothing.
I concur 100% with above on buttons. I was a grunt for just shy of 4 years in Panama. We lived in the field and these buttons wouldn’t have lasted long. If they didn’t get accidentally torn off, we’d have cut them off ourselves from frustration.
Is the material like the Patagonia jungles or thicker? I’ve had some of the Patagonia’s here in Africa for a year and I dig the airflow.
I like them, but you absolutely have to cover those buttons before it’s officially released. They will be a nightmare in the field.
The HW Field Jacket reminds me British ’95 shirts.
I was thinking the same thing. Same size buttons and chest pockets. As long as I can buy surplus not s95 tropical weight shirts, I’m going to do that.
Hope they do a redesign to canadian buttons, have had my field pants lose their buttons even with flap covers
the arc’teryx jungle cammies have exposed buttons as well and according to them it’s because the end user feels that the extra material to cover them slows dry time.
It’s about time!! But I concur with the above, put flaps over the buttons, extra water / weight be damned. It’ll save additional heartache in the future. Slant the breast pockets too!