Nike NFL Pro Combat Uniforms, ECWCS clothing systems for the military are based on a system of layers. From FREE to GEN III to PCU, Nike NFL Pro Combat Uniforms each one involves various base, insulation, and shell levels. The PCU, or Protective Combat Uniform, is clothing system designed for colder weather. Developed earlier this decade, PCU came about when soldiers in Afghanistan complained of colder temperatures in 2002. By 2003, the system of seven levels for insulation and moisture wicking was developed. The Army Rangers, Marine Force Reconnaissance, Special Forces, and Navy SEALs all tested the clothing in Alaska before it became an official ECWCS apparel system. Since its creation, the system has introduced antimicrobial fibers and a stretch shell into its design.
Formally referred to as the U.S. Special Operations Command Custom Protective Combat Uniform Cold Weather Layering System, PCU protects soldiers in temperatures ranging from -50°F to 45°F. As a replacement for LEP, PCU uses 15 pieces over seven layers to keep the wearer warm and to wick away moisture. The garments themselves range in color from grey to Nike NFL Pro Combat Uniforms MultiCam, but the protection and fabrics are no different. Polartec offers moisture management properties, while silicone-encapsulated fibers by Nextec Applications give wind and water resistance.
Much like Nike NFL Pro Combat Uniforms GEN III, PCU begins with base layers. Levels 1 and 2, for example, reduce sweat and odor with breathable materials. On top of this are insulation layers, such as Level 3, a Polartec layer with a high warmth-to-weight ratio and moisture management. Level 4 is also lightweight and is versatile as an insulation or shell layer. For the latter, Level 4 assists with cooling but it can also accompany higher layers for insulation purposes.
The top three levels are shell layers with variable forms of protection and insulation. Still lightweight, Level 5 is made of abrasion-resistant materials, while Level 6 uses Gore-Tex for waterproof protection. Level 7 of the
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