Reviews & Ratings for Tru-Spec M-65 Lined Field Jacket — 7 reviews — Page 1

I am 6 foot 5 ad weight abut 180 pounds. The issue here is that while there may be some great stuff for guys that are big and tall, I’m just tall. Most t-shirts are a pain because I either need to get them in XL, which is too big for my frame, and hangs incorrectly, or I need to get them in large and end up showing off my abs. (not my idea of a good time, and the wife hates it too.)

I originally picked up an M65 at a army surplus store a few years ago in digi-cam, with insiginia velcro and all. I was shocked to learn how well a medium tall fit me. Now I have never been in the military and wasn’t trying to pretend like I had been, so I cut the velcro off, and that made it better, but I would still get the odd “Oh I didn’t see you over there” to which my standard response is “yes the jacket doubles as an IQ test” Or I would get he person that assumed that I had been in the military, and would try to explain that I really just liked the jacket. I wore the jacket less and less, as this got more and more on my nerves. I should have just gotten some patches that said, No I was never in the military, I just really like the jacket. I felt bad, becuase my brother had bought it for me, and had hid olive drab stolen from his truck within like 2 weeks.

I looked for a high quality replacement for the M65 and mainly found a bunch of cheap junk. Until finally I found out that truspec makes one. I am a big truspec fan, and decided to give it a shot. I got a medium long in black...
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Okay, so this is PRC reproduction of the venerable M-65 field jacket. Atlanco claims it's sewn to military specifications, and it seems pretty close to the issue jacket I remember from the mid 70s. The NYCO sateen fabric in the shell feels and looks authentic. The one I received from Optics Planet was well sewn and fit as I remember -- a little loose, for layering, but comfortable and warm with the liner. (I wear an x-large t-shirt, and I ordered this jacket in large regular: they run a bit large and the NYCO fabric doesn't shrink much.) The sleeve cuffs don't close tightly enough to suit me, and the glove-keeper cuff extensions, with the Velcro tabs, I remember from the issue jackets are missing from this version -- not something I'd be likely to need, anyway. Over all, this seems like a good field jacket for the price, but I haven't had it long enough to speculate on how well it will hold up to normal use. On the basis of careful initial examination, I am reasonably confident it will.

Well, it's not genuine GI, but it's not bad for the money; and at least it can be had. The old OD M-65s are getting hard to find in wearable condition. I like the NYCO sateen fabric, and after removing loose threads and snipping loose ends, the stitching looks pretty good. A couple of trips through the washing machine will show where any repairs may be needed. Over all, it looks pretty good. The zipper tongue is a wire affair that seems to work but looks a little iffy. The triangular, glove-keeper cuff extensions that I remember from my issue jacket of the mid 70s are not a part of the Tru-Spec design. I can live without them, which is good because they aren't there. Also, the snaps are considerably smaller than in the real GI version. I hope they will hold up to regular use: this is my main concern with this jacket, but only time will tell. Otherwise, I am pleased to have a decent-looking OD field jacket in good condition again. It's a warm, good-looking coat and fits about right. It's a loose fit, for layering, but comfortable. I wear an x-large t-shirt and ordered this jacket in a Large Regular. It won't shrink much, if at all, so take this into consideration when ordering.

Seems identical to the one I was issued in the USAF. It was a bit difficult to determine sizing so I ordered a xl long. Now realized I could of gotten a large long and fit would have been better. But I will keep it because extra clothes can be worn under it for insulation. Plus the OD green seems to be more compatible in uptown crowds than camo would draw attention. Plus Im an old coot and od green was standard issue then.

Overall a great coat for the money, looks and feels good. I ordered two sizes down from my t-shirt size and it fits just right.
Pros: Warm, comfortable
Cons: hood is designed wierd

Overall a good coat for the money, pretty well made and warm. Size runs pretty big, i ordered two sizes down from my t-shirt size and its just right, not too big and not snug.
Pros: Fairly warm, comfortable
Cons: hood could have been designed better