M65 field coats

[Stephengiles]

Anybody hunt in these. I haven't worn one in years but thought about buying one. I just wonder about the pocket catching on the string and things like that. Thanks

[Lefty]

The liners are great for layering.

[Stumpkiller]

Used one for years, but the modern polypro or wool offerings are loads better.

[NIGEL01]

Had one in the early 90s, but for some reason it's shrunk since then?

[Ruff Hewn]

Don't bother, there much better things out there. And yeah that pocket will catch the string.

[Izzy]

Ive hated them since the 1st day I was issued one. Not much more than a thick, noisy, cotton shirt imho.    :rolleyes:

[centaur]

I always said that the Army could screw up a camping trip, and the same goes for much of their issue clothing. Kind of with Izzy on this one.

[Paul/KS]

Yep, only good as a work jacket.
Besides, they shrink badly after 40 years or so...   :eek:  
   

[Sam McMichael]

Since the 70's and still feel it is a great garment.

[Bladepeek]

Definitely with Izzy. One of the coldest I can remember being was during basic training in '63 in Kentucky of all places. Uniform of the day was field jackets without the liner. We stood around for hours at the rifle range in freezing weather and they wouldn't let us take the liners out of our day packs and put them in because that was not the prescribed uniform that day. That day taught me a lot about the Army and the M65 field jacket  

[BUCKY]

Was in the Navy and we had blue ones. Remember being on night watch out at sea in December and freezing my a$$ off. Never even tried it for hunting.

[Stephengiles]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll look elsewhere. I don't really use camo but I was thinking of getting some . I just don't want that stuff from wal mart and that's all that's available locally.

[achigan]

Hey 'Bama. I don't know what your price range is, or your temperature range for that matter. There is a lot of archery oriented clothing talked about all over this forum. There is a huge range offered by the sponsors at the top of each page. Since starting trad hunting this summer, I've purchased an Asbell wool zip up, a First Lite Labrador jacket and am waiting on another piece of merino I got online, half price, from an Outfitter. Plenty of stuff out here wo/ having to go to wallyworld.

[Roger Norris]

I wore an issued one lots.....ok for garrison duty, but brutal in the cold. The liner is ok, but overall not a bowhunting garment, in my opinion.

[Roadkill]

Wore one often in my 30 years.  Gets wet, stays wet. Not wind proof, better than nothing.  Still have a cammo and the standard green issue in the garage, and used in the garage!

[Bladepeek]

I am pretty well convinced that if I can get a soft, quiet outer shell that is water resistant, I can put a lot of wool layers under it. With maybe an Under Armor undershirt, a wool shirt over that and if necessary a wool sweater over that, I'm pretty darned comfortable in any weather we get here in Michigan. Currently I'm wearing a Cabellas outer shell that has Gore Tex (or something similar). Its a very soft polyester and attracts burrs and sticktights, but is very light weight and quiet. Mine is a camo design, but I think most of the camo designs are a bit too dark. Having said that, I've had deer look right straight at me when I was wearing a blaze orange jump suit and I know they saw me. They just didn't recognize me as a danger because my silhouette was masked by the tree I was leaning against and there was no movement.

[Mike Mecredy]

With the liner, they're hard to beat.  When the Air Force switched to gortex, I kept wearing my field jacket much warmer and not as noisy. I've had OD green, a woodland camo I've had since about 1990, and I've had a desert camo one.

[Bear Heart]

The jacket is junk. The liner, on the other hand, is a cherished item.  The liner is often called a smoking jacket by those who have worn one on uncles sams camping trips.