Rothco 8238 ULTRA FORCE OLIVE DRAB M-65 FIELD JACKET LARGE

Somehow, when I entered basic training many decades ago, I was one of the few who got a previous and somewhat lower quality and shorter field jacket, while the rest of the recruits all got the longer and much better made one. It was OK, but it never did measure up in my eyes.Now I finally have the real thing, and I like it very much. Especially my wife loves it, and she loves how I look in it, so on chilly/cold days, I wear it a lot so I can hear her strong praise comments once more.It's a great jacket, too, in its own right. Very well built, very warm, sturdy. I will likely not wear it out for decades.

I belive this is the best jacket in this price range. I believe it is very close in quality to the expensive M-65 jackets. The size fits me great and Ihave good flexability when i wear it with the liner as well. The size runs exactly as ordered, but don't forget it has a button in liner if you order one. The first one I bought was around 2 years ago and it still looks as good as new and has no wear areas. I just received another one I bought for my granddaughter and have looked it over and it looks to be the same quality as mine. Going to order one more for my grandson. I am well satisfied with this product.

Update: 1 1/2 winters later.Starting to lose the buttons that hold the inner liner in. It has never been removed so that is not a factor.Starting to notice lose threads elsewhere.Overall a good jacket. Company manufacturing them seems to be experiencing issues in the quality control department.My go to cold weather jacket.Being a lanky 6'3", sleeve length on clothing can be a problem. The length on the Rothco is more then acceptable.Only one "small" negative.Compared to another brand M-65 I have, the chest pockets are marginally smaller. Would not have noticed except it's where I carry my cell. Having a military rated protector on it makes it a bit taller and fatter then normal.The chest flap on my first M-65 will snap shut with the phone in them.Not the case with the Rothco.A minor, but noticable inconvenience.No clue why they want "stretch" rated. Do not think it is supposed to. And, it doesn't.

I've owned some actual US military jackets, shirts and pants from the late 60s. I know they were legit, because a family member who served during the Vietnam war brought them home to me. And I can tell you, this jacket is nowhere near the quality of those. Not even close. So if this is made to current mil specs, I pity our current military personnel. My biggest complaint is about the stitching; the thread used is very thin, and the many areas that should be either reinforced or double stitched (cuffs, corners, pockets and flaps, etc) are single stitched with the same measly thread; otherwise I'd give this 5 stars. The material holding the hood to the collar area is sketchy looking and feeling as well.But I've checked out the marketplace for military jacket reproductions, and those that have reputations for being faithful to the actual originals cost several hundred dollars. So this jacket is pretty much what I expected it to be - though I had hoped the stitching would be a lot sturdier.FIT: I'm 5-9, 160 lbs, 33 inch arms. I normally buy Extra Large jackets, cause I tend to layer up in the winter, and I tend to eventually and accidentally wash and dry everything I own on hot. I got this in Large, where I definitely would normally get an XL, due to the reviews about them running large. This is a bit big on me by most people's standards, but by my standards, it's an almost perfect fit. And big enough it will be absolutely perfect after I launder it once. The waist drawstring works as it should, and keeps icy drafts out.All in all, it's better than I expected, and a decent jacket for everyday winter wear. It's obvious to anyone who has seen actual vintage military clothing that this is not surplus or vintage; but it still has the basic look and feel of my old (and sadly long lost) 60s military jacket. So I'm happy as long as the stitching holds up.

Bought a size down as suggested , horrible idea , jacket is tight around chest and shoulders . Im not a huge man , 6 foot 225ish , normal build with a little belly . Arm length was spot on , will return for an xl. Ordered an xl , fit is much better . Took some measurements, 47 inch chest , 41 inches around belly and waist is 35 inches , typical dad bod , xl is just right to where I could wear a hoodie under it and still move but not to loose with just a t shirt. Arm length is an inch or so longer than the large so it comes below the wrist and top of palm when arms are at my side . Only thing had to do to jacket was snip china tag off and live in denial

I was using the M65 jackets that I was finding like leftover from the WW2. But later i cannot find them no more. This is a very well made jacket that resembles the vintage ones. I will buy any more, definitely. Thanks.

The jacket feels great and has great quality but for a large(which is what I usually wear) it’s huge on me. Mainly the sleeves. Don’t know why it’s that big for a large size

I’m 5’7 185 and the large fit perfectly. It seems well built but only time will tell. I still have my army field jacket issued in 1984 and it is still in perfect shape unfortunately I’m not and out grew it. My son is now wearing my issue one. When I tried on this one inside in a/c I instantly felt myself getting warm. I hope this one (made in China-damn) will last as long as my issued.