Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1064315
TROUSERS Those are way different than standard MCCUU pants. They are made from the same fabric as jacket, they also have elastic pieces and – aside from the belt part – are totally different than "regular" ones. In the belt area there rubber band sewn into each side. On the outside are seven belt loops and inside, in front, are additional two loops but sewn horizontally. These are meant to attach same suspenders as those used in PCU/ ECWCS Level 5 pants. Pants have button closure at top and a zipper fly. Right below below we have 4 pockets – two at the back and two standard front pockets. These are made of nylon mesh with edges reinforced with base fabric. Such design is to decrease the number of material layers and to im- prove breathability. Back pockets are closed with flaps with Velcro instead of buttons, so they stay flat. There are cargo pockets on thighs which are a design like a combo of MCCUU and ACU cargo pockets. They have the same number of tucks, a hem in the bottom edge and a rubber in the top edge like in MCCUU but their top edg- es and flaps are slanted forward and flaps have Velcro. Experience of using ACU and its latest version shows that Velcro closure for cargo pockets does not work well and it is the same here. Stuffed pockets tend to open and Vel- cro causes that it holds very well from the beginning but it wears out twice as fast as standard Velcro. In the middle of a hem in the bottom is a drainage hole. In a knee area there are pieces of Spandex and they are much more effective than in the jacket. You will appreci- ate them while kneeling or bending your knee harder. Of course, trousers lack pockets for protective inserts or double-layered areas. This particular uniform was designed ground up to be used with external knee pads. Thanks to the elastic fabric, knee pad stays on place much better than on MCCUU pants. www.fragoutmag.com