PCU Level 1 & Level 2 | How to Pick Your Base Layer

Kit Creep
Kit Creep
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Published 2024-04-06
In this video, we will once again be using the PCU System to help us build our cold weather layering system. This is a bit of a longer video because we're combing 2 levels into one video. I don't want to make you have to go hunting for videos by making two shorter ones separating Level 1 and Level 2 or three even shorter videos separating all three weights. They're all right here for your convenience and I've added time cards so you can find what's most important to you.

The US military has made drastic improvements to the cold weather gear that they issue since the turn of the century. That's great news for outdoor enthusiasts because we now have access to high quality surplus base layers are extremely affordable costs. Surplus ECWCS Gen III and even PCU base layers are super cheap even though they're made with some of the best materials.

Base layers are the most important layer when it comes to regulating our body's temperature. They keep our skin warm and dry so we can have fun in the 4th season without having to worry about overheating and sweating.

Big thank you to Venture Surplus for sending over some great base layer from their selection for me to test and display for you guys. They have a massive variety of cold weather layers for you so you can build out your system and get out into the backcountry.

www.venturesurplus.com/

Use code: KITCREEP at checkout for a discount :)

00:00 Intro
02:01 What is a base layer?
04:49 Base Layer T-shirt and Boxers
08:01 Polartec Silk Weight (Ninja Suit)
10:21 ECWCS Gen III Level 1
12:22 Fire Retardant Base Layers
13:51 PCU Level 1
17:01 Full Zip Bottoms
17:57 Wool Base Layers
21:13 PCU Level 2 (Block 1)
22:55 PCU Level 2 (Block 0)
22:38 Commercial Waffle Fleeces
23:52 ECWCS Gen 3 Level 2
27:41 Cold Weather Combat Shirt
All Comments (13)
  • @Akira_Rei
    The fact that this information is free and not gate kept is truly lifesaving. I'm glad you made it in such a simple and entertaining way, saves 10's of hours of research.
  • @Jedwoods
    Literally packing for a backpack trip when I got the notification for this going live
  • @froginthewaves8450
    Awesome Video! It was neat to learn that you want a close fit over a skin tight fit for actual use, I have seen several people get their base layers in the tightest layer so it conforms to their body like a skin tight suit. love me USGI moisture wicking/cold weather gear. USGI Sand 499 moisture wicking t shirt, polypro long johns, and a gen 1 ECWCS m81 woodland goretex parka and WE ARE GOLDEN.
  • @andersjankov7178
    Hey, Im Norwegian and we have some really good techniques for Baselayers and cold weather gear in general. Your use of the mesh(fishnet) is slightly wrong. The Norwegian army uses the the mesh against the skin and then something called Ullfroté basically a durable thin wool shirt where the outside is smooth knit and the threads on the inside are looped back on themselves trapping warm air and still letting vapor through. Il put a link below from the Norwegian army. Let me know if you want to have a conversation about this to. In Norway we say the same about synthetic as we say about coton. Only cold Americans wear it( just a joke about Marines freezing in the Norwegian mountains). Interesting to hear different approaches to cold weather tho😊 love your channel 🇳🇴🇺🇸 https://youtu.be/1q1Ci_SDUZs?si=Fspi0ieHOBYhn1W0 Here is a video of Marines training in Norway, notice how they have been given Norwegian equipment because some of the US stuff doesn’t work that well. https://youtu.be/TgGKZdhRze4?si=74SPKDDnWRxK81kw
  • @zwickflixproductions4379
    I agree that the waffle top has more flexibility than the PCU visual guide suggests. I do a lot of stop-and-start work in a rainy, ~45 degree environment. For me, my waffle top has been a constant companion under my level 6.
  • @womb_raider8316
    If you get warm with the ninja bottoms on, just hike the legs up to just under your knees pantaloon style. Works like a charm.
  • @bd3199
    Great video. I recently gust got the ECWCS level 1 pants and shirt plus the level 2 waffle top shirt. Will you do a video on midlayers? From what I hear Mount Washington is no joke.
  • @Felix-wy7hs
    Man i realy like ur videos and i absolitly watch forword to the day we get ur level 5 one. But as a quality of live ubgrade for us non us people, i would absolutly aprechiate if u could ad the degrees in celsius (if it doesn't make to much work).
  • @BustaShenanigans
    I'm still a bit unclear about the real differences between using the level 2 block 1 and the gen 3 level 2...