Our buying guide featuring the best men’s field jacket matches up perfectly with our style ethos of buying quality classic silhouettes that fit into a modern wardrobe. The U.S. military field jacket is one of the most enduring pieces ever in men’s fashion. Having been featured in great movies like Al Pacino’s ‘Serpico’, Robert De Niro’s ‘Taxi Driver’, and Sly’s ‘First Blood’, for better or worse the jacket has been branded into the American psyche.
The Military Field Jacket was first worn by US Army soldiers on the battlefield during World War II. The first version of the field jacket was the M-1941, shortly followed by the M-1943. The modern version of the field jacket can trace its roots back to the most well-known and popular version, the M-1965 or M-65. The M-65 features additional elements over its predecessors which include extra lining and adjustable waistband drawstrings.
When looking for an authentic M-65 field jacket there are some elements you’ll want to keep in mind. Some of these include a concealed hood, buttoned epaulets, and interior liner, a shell that is both wind and water-resistant, and brass front zipper behind a snap-closure storm flap, a drawstring waist & bottom, velcro adjustable cuffs, two front top snap-flap cargo pockets and two front reinforced pockets. The offerings in this buying guide will have a majority of these attributes, but some may differ. No matter which jacket you choose you can rest assured that it is a quality jacket built to hold up over time and age beautifully.
If you’re going to buy an authentic field jacket, why not go directly to the source. You can buy the U.S. Army Vintage M-65 Field Jacket ($70) right from the Army and it’s dirt cheap. Their jacket is offered in a multitude of colors including Woodland Camo, Black, Olive Drab, and Russett Brown. It features a super soft shell and lining made from 100% washed cotton. It also checks off many of the features found in authentic field jackets. These include a concealed hood in the collar, heavy brass zipper, and snap-up storm flap, four snap-up outside pockets, and drawstrings at the waist, hood, and bottom. One thing to note, for the price it does not include a removable button-in quilted liner which can be purchased at Amazon.
The Cockpit M-65 Field Jacket ($333) is one of our most expensive military spec offerings, but it is a truly authentic field jacket. The Cockpit M-65 was made to the 1965 military specs of the original design down to the original OG107 olive color. Not surprisingly it is completely made in the USA and is virtually indestructibility. It doesn’t come with a liner, but it will accept the Alpha ALS Liner sold on Amazon. It checks off every one of the elements of a great field jacket.
These include:
The Brandit M-65 Field Jacket in Camel ($105) is another inexpensive offering that checks off a bunch of the main features. It comes with a 100% cotton shell that has a full-length zipper with press studs on the storm flap. It has a hood hidden by a velcro closure, a removable internal lining that is reported to be much thicker than a standard military issue, and four outside pockets (two cargo, and two hand pockets). Adjustments include bottom drawstrings, velcro adjustable cuffs, and pleated shoulders with press stud epaulets.
The Orvis Rover Field Jacket ($250) is one of my favorite fashionable men’s field jackets. The jacket checks off a number of the technical elements of a military spec field jacket, but it also comes in a nicely tailored package. Some excellent features include a two-way center front zip with a snap storm flap, classic four front pockets with button flap closures, snap cuffs, and an adjustable waist drawstring with leather trim details. A great everyday jacket, it’s just not made for a torrential downpour or really cold weather.
The Timberland DryVent 3-in-1 Waterproof Field Jacket ($300) is made up of a separate waterproof outer and an inner fleece jacket, that can be worn separately or combined for a complete cold weather solution. The seams of the outer shell are sealed for complete waterproof protection. It also features four front zip pockets and one internal zip pocket. The honeycomb quilted inner jacket is 100% polyester and features a removable hood with a built-in brim for added protection.
Of course, J. Crew has their very own version of the iconic military field jacket and they call it the J. Crew Field Mechanic Jacket ($198). Their version is actually based on the vintage military mechanic’s jacket. It is garment-dyed and built to handle those chilly morning commutes. Additional features include a foldable zip hood, standing collar, zip closure with snap storm flap, four front button flap pockets, waist drawstrings and adjustable flaps at the cuffs.
Rather than a military field jacket, the L.L. Bean Original Field Coat ($119) is more along the lines of a hunting jacket. It features a heavy-duty Nor’easter cotton canvas which has been treated to provide excellent protection against, wind rain and snow. The lining is sewn in and is made of a cotton body with nylon sleeves. Additional features include underarm gussets, bi-swing shoulders, five pockets for all of your everyday carry essentials. Not made for extreme cold weather conditions, but great for any moderate conditions.
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