As the military seeks to eliminate “forever chemicals” in equipment and clothing, Gore, an outerwear manufacturer, aims to introduce a new lightweight jacket. This jacket employs a fleece lining instead of a chemical coating to effectively block wind and weather, which the company anticipates will attract interest from Army equipment testers

Gore plans to submit its All-Weather Active Insulation Jacket to the Army’s Soldier Enhancement Program early next year for evaluation and potential rapid fielding. The jacket is designed to replace two components of the Army’s existing Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS): the Level III high-loft fleece jacket and the Level IV wind jacket.

Weighing just under 17 ounces, the all-weather jacket is less than half the weight of the two items it replaces and occupies about 40% less packing space. Its inner fleece layer significantly reduces air permeability compared to the wind jacket alone, which is essential for soldiers dealing with challenging weather conditions. Collin Friedman, a marketing specialist at Gore, highlighted the importance of wind protection, particularly for soldiers stationed in cold environments where training can be adversely affected.

The all-weather jacket is part of Gore’s All-Weather Integrated Clothing System, which consists of a streamlined set of ten pieces, including pants and jackets designed for protection in temperatures ranging from -40 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This product aims to address the needs of soldiers conducting training in cold and mountainous areas, filling a “capability gap” in lightweight protection.

Additionally, Gore’s new gear is positioned as a non-toxic alternative to traditional outerwear that employs durable water repellent (DWR) treatments, which often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals being phased out by the military. The industry’s struggle to find effective replacements for fabric waterproofing without harmful coatings has led Gore to leverage fleece, a proven material, despite it being bulkier.

Furthermore, many components of the All-Weather Integrated Clothing System incorporate Gore’s Windstopper technology, which includes a laminated membrane that enhances garment performance. This membrane remains effective under extreme conditions and is resistant to degradation from oils, lubricants, and fuels.

Active soldier trials of the All-Weather Integrated Clothing System (AWICS) are currently taking place at various locations, including the 11th Airborne/Arctic Regions Test Center in Alaska, the Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont, and the 19th Special Forces Group in Bluffdale, Utah. Early feedback from soldiers participating in these trials has reportedly been overwhelmingly positive.