PCU Buyer's Guide

If you are looking for a piece from the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) system, this list is for you. I’ve included items that were part of the prototype phase (Block 0), all the way up to what is currently available commercially. Some items are not available anymore, but for completeness I’ve decided to keep them on the list for reference because they pop up on eBay from time to time. ReadyOne produces PCU, but unfortunately they do not sell to the public.

If you are interested in a background on PCU and a short history, please follow this link!



If you feel I've missed anything please comment below, and I'll be sure to update this list.

Level 1
Insport - no longer in production
$53.00 ($19.20 Sale) Wild Things Shirt
$42.00 ($15.60 Sale) Wild Things Boxer
$18.99 Sekri Boxer
$36.00 Beyond Breif
$37.99 Propper APCU T-Shirt - no longer in production
$20.00 Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt - no longer in production
$18.00 Patagonia Capilene Boxer - no longer in production

Level 1 (Long)
Insport - no longer in production
$58.00 ($20.80 Sale) Wild Things Shirt
$65.00 ($23.60 Sale) Wild Things Pant
$23.99 Sekri Shirt
$20.99 Sekri Pant
$51.00 Beyond Shirt
$56.00 Beyond Pant
$49.99 APCU Propper Shirt - no longer in production
$44.99 APCU Propper Pant - no longer in production
$18.00 Patagonia Capilene Pant - no longer in production

Level 2 Sweat-wicking long sleeve
Insport - no longer in production
$82.00 Wild Things Shirt
$88.00 Wild Things Pant
$36.99 Sekri Shirt
$29.99 Sekri Pant
$86.00 Beyond Shirt
$72.00 Beyond Pant
$44.99 Propper APCU Pant - no longer in production
$49.99 APCU Propper Shirt - no longer in production
$139.00 Patagonia R1 Shirt - no longer in production
$50.00 Patagonia R1 Pant - no longer in production

Level 3 Insulated Mid-Layer
Insport - no longer in production
ORC - no longer in production
$61.99 Sekri Thermal - no longer in production
$89.99 Steps Inc. - no longer in production
$229.00 Wild Things Jacket
$385.00 Wild Things Pant
$69.99 Propper APCU Pullover - no longer in production
$99.99 Propper APCU Fleece - no longer in production
$149.00 Patagonia R2 - no longer in production

Level 4 Wind shirt
$109.00 Wild Things Jacket
$109.00 Wild Things Pant
$57.25 ORC PCU
$154.00 Beyond Bora
$79.99 Propper APCU - no longer in production

Level 5 Softshell
ORC PCU Jacket - no longer in production - Ontario Geardo Review
$289.00 ($115.60 Sale) Wild Things Jacket
$399.00 Wild Things Pant
$90.99 ORC MCU Pant
$229.00 Blackhawk! ECWCS Jacket - no longer in production - Ontario Geardo Review
$164.99 Propper APCU Jacket - no longer in production
$149.99 Propper APCU Pant - no longer in production
$100.00 Patagonia Slingshot - no longer in production

Level 6 Hardshell
$45.80 ORC Parka
$355.00 Beyond Jacket
$220.00 Beyond Pant
$254.99-259.99 Propper APCU Jacket - no longer in production
$149.99-154.99 Propper APCU Pant - no longer in production
$90.00 Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket - no longer in production
$119.00 Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket - no longer available in Alpha Green - Ontario Geardo Review
$89.00 Patagonia Torrentshell Pant - no longer available in Alpha Green

Level 7 Type 1
$450.00 Massif Jacket 
$350.00 Massif Pant
$209.00 Wild Things Pant
$174.99 Sekri Jacket
$106.99 Sekri Pant
$179.99 Propper APCU Jacket - no longer in production
$159.99 Propper APCU Pant - no longer in production
Level 7 Type 2
$219.99 Sekri Parka
$209.00 Wild Things Parka

Level 7 Vest
$79.99 Sekri
$189.00 Beyond PL5


27 comments:

  1. Thanks...this info is helpful

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    Replies
    1. My pleasure. Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything you want me to write about.

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  2. Excellent and very informative!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Glad you could take something from the list.

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  3. Thank you mate, I'm going to buy a pcu and I'm interested in the Beyond one because I'm 78inches tall, so I'm sure it will fit well.
    The problem is that I've read bad reviews about beyond work, sizing and customer service.
    What can you tell me about this?
    Best,

    Norman

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  4. Hey Norman,
    I've put my Beyond Jacket through as much hell as a civilian could give it and it's held up pretty well. The only complaint I can honestly say is that there are some loose threads from time to time that don't effect the integrity of the jacket, and that where parts of your gear rub the jacket, it will pill. I had some issues with fitment when I first got the jacket but Beyond fixed it all up for me.

    The overall performance of the jacket has been great for what I needed it for. It keeps me warm, and it breathes when I am exercising. It's not waterproof, but that's why I like to carry a hardshell when the forecast calls for rain. Check out my First Impression Review of the Beyond Level 5 for a more in depth look at the jacket. Thanks for posting! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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  5. Very informative.Thanks, man!
    However, I would have added Arc'teryx to this list :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting! As far as I know Arc'teryx doesn't make PCU, but I could be wrong! Do you have any links?

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    2. Yes, you're right. Arc'teryx doesn't make PCU set as such, nevertheless, they make some clothing which could be considered as some levels of PCU.
      For example:
      LEVEL 1
      Eon SLW Crew LS and Eon SLW Bottom
      Eon SLW T-Shirt and Eon SLW Boxer
      LEVEL 2
      Rho Top and Rho Bottom
      LEVEL 3
      Naga Hoody
      Atom AF Jacket (for cold climates)
      Atom LT Jacket and Atom LT Pant (for cold climates)
      LEVEL 4
      Minotaur Jacket
      Wraith Jacket and Wraith Pant (extremely lightweight)
      Minotaur Halfshell (Armour Compatible Hybrid. Could be equated to level 4)
      Fusion Jacket and Fusion Pant (for cold climates)
      LEVEL 5
      Combat Jacket
      Drac Jacket and Drac Pant
      LEVEL 6
      Alpha Jacket or Alpha Parka and Alpha Pant or Beta Pant
      Gryphon Halfshell and Gryphon Pant (Armour Compatible Hybrid. Could be equated to level 6)
      LEVEL 9
      Talos LT Halfshell and Talos Pant
      Sphinx Halfshell and Sphinx Pant

      Arc'teryx also makes caps, backpacks and etc.
      And for my opinion this apparel is most better and has more colors to choose. But it costs very much.
      http://leaf.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/Mens
      P.S. I think would be perfect to use underwear of X-Bionic as base layer. And Crye Precision or Tactical Performance as tactical combat uniform.
      I hope this info will be helpful.

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    3. That is a sexy sexy list. I like to use my Arc'teryx Motus long sleeve and Delta LT as Levels 1 and 2. You're right, they aren't true PCU items, but they work just as well and if not better in some cases. Thanks again!

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  6. Could anyone provide me with the corresponding NSNs for all these items shown on this list?

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  7. You know if the Propper APCU is made with Epic?

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    Replies
    1. If you are referring to the Level 5, it is most definitely not Epic. It's actually a much thicker material. It's more like a traditional soft-shell, where as the Epic material is more like a traditional wind breaker weight.

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  8. You know if the Propper APCU is made with Epic?

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  9. Are any of the Patagonia PCU outer garments made with materials that help to avoid near infrared detection? I know that the Gen III ECWCS Multicam/OCP stuff is but I cannot get an answer regarding the PCU.
    Thank you for your time and consideration,
    Corey

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  10. Hey, not sure if you're still keeping up with this, but I was wondering why you don't include Orc levels 1 and 2? As far as I know these are quite common, I have several pairs.

    Also, I believe New Balance is making their own line of PCU now, different than the old Insport one.

    Also, there are lots of level 9 "combat" layers made by several companies, including Patagonia and Beyond.

    Thanks for all your info!

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  12. an update would be appreciated!

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  13. Hey thanks dude:
    This is the best compilation of info I have found on the PCU system. Unfortunately as you say, it's not real easy to replace any more. Perhaps we could look at some of the other vendors that make equivalent items, as that one Arc'Tyrx guy mention. I have been looking at Helicon-Tex for equivalent items as of late. I just ordered their L4 windshirts to replace some of my Propper, and ORC stuff. Me thinks this is eventually where we will all have to go; finding stuff that does essentially the same job, but alas, not the Gucci brands. Also, Champion C9 has a new "L4" windshirt and "L5" softshell jacket in a nice gray/tan and CB color. FWIW.

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