U.S. N3B ECW Snorkel parka

U.S. N3B ECW Snorkel parka

This N3B style ECW Snorkel Parka is water repellent with polyurethane-coated Nylon Shell and lining with drawstring hood and fur trim, 4 front pockets, sleeve pockets.
It's an excellent reproduction of the US Military N-3B ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) Snorkel Parka is styled in the USA and made from 100% nylon outer and liner with 100% polyester filling.
Inner security pocket, internal drawstring waist and rib-knit storm cuffs. Machine wash / line dry.

Colours: Olive & Black
Sizes: S to XXL

The original Snorkel Parka (N3B parka) was originally developed in the USA during the early 1950's for military use. Originally made with a DuPont flight silk nylon outer and lining it was padded with a wool blanket type material until the mid 70's when the padding was changed to polyester wadding making the jacket both lighter and warmer. It gained the common name of Snorkel Parka because the hood can be zipped right up leaving only a small tunnel (or snorkel) for the wearer to look out of. This is particularly effective in very cold, windy weather however it can become a liability when crossing roads because of the restricted vision!
The snorkel parka attained its popularity high point in the late 70's to mid 80's when its cheap and hard wearing properties made it the jacket of choice for school kids. It became so popular that at many schools (in the UK) almost every boy had one. Whilst the original N3B parka lining was un-quilted and the same colour as the outer shell, the school type parkas usually has quilted orange lining. The measure of a school parka quickly became how grubby the orange lining got through natural wear without washing and many schoolboy parkas ended their days with the lining more black than orange.
Brands such as Lord Anthony, Raw Vintage, Campri, Keynote and Brutus made their names selling snorkel parkas.