I have an 1982 M65. It’s a really good jacket. It’s perfect in any condition and holds me really well. I don’t know how rare, but I know these vintage jackets are hard to come buy. Best 53$ I’ve ever spent.
I have one that looks just like the two you just showed. It is from Alpha Industries made in 1979 and I would say it's in used very good condition. It has a grease stain on the inside that is hidden from the outside. The zipper is kind of funky though. I own a 3 color desert one from 1989 and a woodland one from 1991. My absolute favorite of all my m65 jackets is my pride and joy which is an OG-107 one from 1987 by So-Sew Styles. The last olive green ones were made in 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1991. I have two from 1987 one had some sharpie on the back and a scratch on the sleeve. It was in overall great condition when I got it. It was my workhorse of a jacket last senester when I went back to college. It helped me get through cold and windy days as well as air conditioned classrooms. I hope it will get me through college. I really enjoy its twin from 1987 that looks brand new and has a ripstip liner. I found a 1978 m65 medium long for cheap online. If I had the money I would get it. Great video you should wear a medium because these jackets were meant to have a baggy fit for layering.
Hi, what a collection you have. I love learning about these from those more experienced in them. Yes the Medium regular fits me perfectly I believe. Thank you for watching!
New "heritage" models are made in China. Retail for $225. They are not to spec and are more like fashion jackets. Cockpit and some Japanese brands are the only ones who don't cut corners in their reproductions, but you're shelling out $400-600 for those. Used milsurp is floating around, but good luck finding one in good condition.
I love those M65 jackets, must say not only since the iconic "First blood" Rambo or Taxi Driver movie. They're very practical. I do know many things about it. And have to say, i bought recently another one, perhaps my 5th or 6th M65, but from alpha, and it was subtle >20 bucks only, so i can't complain. I got exactly, what i was looking for, and i won't ever pay >=230 EUR for these. I have one which says fabric made into the US, not from the nam era, but i have a military standard issue with camouflage look, which is according to the label from 1985.
They're fantastic jackets. I don't know much about the repros, but there are so many originals left they're still somewhat easy to find. Not so much the Vietnam era ones, but still they're out there.
I had one a long time ago and been wanting one again. I saw one last week but it was too long for me. It was Alpha too and I wondered if it was a repro or is Alpha made the military ones too. It certainly looked vintage, thanks for letting me know how to find the dates on M-65 jackets. BTW The M-51 Fishtail parka is wonderful too, but sadly only two pockets.
Can you double up on the liners and hook 2 together inside the jacket one inside the other for when its extra cold and able to still button both of them to the inside cuff so the arms dont slide out?
Generally they fit like any jacket. Slightly over sized, not tight. But probably go 1 size smaller than what you’d normally buy as they’re made to go over a lot of clothing. I’m a 42/44 and wear a medium. So if you’re a 44/46 go with a large. 38-40 go with a small.
Hi Derek. Thanks for treating us to another field jacket video - I love learning about those. I have a question, though. Perhaps you can shed some light on the sizing of these garments. I’m a Medium in t-shirts, sweaters and hoodies, but I fit comfortably into a Small Regular M-65. Would a Medium be too big for me? And what about the suffix “short”, or “long”. Does that refer to shoulder to waist length? I find it all a bit confusing
Hi, keep in mind these jackets are made to go over other clothing and uniforms so they’re made bigger than the size we are use too. And the short, regular and tall is like suits. Short is shorter in the sleeves and length, tall is longer. But these are big anyway so it doesn’t make a huge difference for the most part. Alway go a size down generally in a military jacket.
@@CorSmit if you are '5 11" or taller wear a long. I'm a medium long because I'm over 6 feet. I tried a regular but the sleeves are way too short for me.
Real M65 jackets are usually made 50/50 in terms of Nylon & Cotton. Current Alpha "Heritage" M65 is made out of this: SHELL: 50/50 Nylon/Cotton LINING: 65/35 Cotton/Polyester I'd recommand getting a Helikon-Tex M65 jacket. Why? Because the polish brand does have the *original* license to made the US M65, its very decent, costs only around 90-100 bucks, and comes also with the incl. Liner, for the colder days. Alpha costs 230% more, and the liner also costs a whopping (at least) 100 bucks on top....so into the End, it's like 330 vs. 99 EUR...go figure. And *not* better quality, that comes from a guy which owns a original (black) M65 Helikon-Tex, and a green standard issue M65 Alpha, as well as the "fabric made in usa" M65 green alpha, a black heritage M65, and a blue M65 heritage alpha, to say it bloody honest.
I've got an olive green Alpha Industries from 73, a Woodland Camo Alpha Industries from 83, another olive green Golden MFG from 85 and a dessert cammo Golden MFG from 99, now I'm just looking to get a Choco Chip dessert cammo and maybe a Navy Blue one 😅
I'm sure you're correct. Velcro came out right about that time, and I bet the government had first dibs on using it. It would be interesting to research that and find out.
@derekdoeschannel ok sir I'm looking that M65 olive green I have Parka coz I'm working before inside us military base in Iraq and Afghanistan but that M65 I don't have I hope someday I have my own than k you very sir god bless..
I'd guess an XL but do a search for one online and see if you can read the size tag as it list height/weight and measurements that you could use to figure out what size you need, but I think an XL is probably what you need.
Yes it is, albeit the one from "John Rambo" was perhaps (any) standard military issue M65 into First blood, with that USA patch onto it. There have been at least some 10-15 brands, back into the Nam era, which all produced the M65 jacket. But one thing for sure - whatever brand, every genuine military standard issue is better from quality, than any M65 "fashion" jacket, for sure. In terms of quality, in terms of wear & tear.
@@derekdoeschannel Thank you for your quick reply. I'm 5'7" so guessing size SHORT would work? Weigh same as you, would you suggest regular medium or small, sorry not very familiar with the sizing combo way to go. Won't be wearing anything bulky underneath. Oh and am in UK, do you have a partner company here, many thanks.
Hi, hope this message finds you well, great video by the way, I’m looking for this jacket, already verified on your website unfortunaly not available, it’s possible to get one for me? Plis!!!
Not something I would wear around town much. Just looks a little hard core maybe? As far as in the bush/field I would wear it absolutely. When weather gets bad, it is nice with the liner. Not too many coats better really.
