7L utilise innovative outerwear technologies and proven material sciences and fuse it with fashionable and relevant apparel. We invest heavily into researching our designs and materials, ensuring our customers receive some of the most luxurious and adaptable garments on the planet.

The ECWCS is a protective clothing system developed in the 1980s by the United States Army Natrick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts. Over the years there has been 3 separate generations of systems (GEN I, GEN II & GEN III) each time improving innovation and effectiveness of the previous system. We utilise innovative outerwear technologies and proven material sciences from around the world and fuse it with fashionable silhouettes. We invest heavily into researching our designs and materials, ensuring our customers receive some of the best most fashionable and adaptable products on the planet. The materials we choose offer a greater range of breathability, durability, versatility and adaptability.

 

SEVEN LAYER ECWCS:

For 2026 / 27 Seven Layer intends to develop a true ECWCS GEN III clothing system based on the US military layering system. This will fall under the "7L Performance System" which will be targeting solely towards the outdoor industry, camping, hiking etc.

GEN I, GEN II & GEN III Explained:

Did you also know the clothing system has been around for over 3 decades? The ECWCS was developed in the 1980s by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center. The first generation ECWCS consisted of a parka and trousers plus 20 other individual clothing items, including gloves, headwear and footwear items which are used in various combinations to meet the cold weather environmental requirements of the US military.

GENERATION I

As you can see below, years ago 

The entire ECWCS ensemble (1st generation) consisted of:

1. Undershirt, cold weather, polypropylene
2. Drawers, cold weather, polypropylene
3. Shirt, cold weather, polyester fiberpile
4. Overall, bib, cold weather, fiberpile
5. Liner, cold weather trousers, field
6. Liner, cold weather, coat, men's
7. Trousers, cold weather, field, nylon and cotton
8. Parka, extended cold weather, camouflage
9. Trousers, extended cold weather, camouflage
10. Parka/trousers, snow camouflage, white
11. Glove inserts, cold weather
12. Gloves, men's and women's, light duty
13. Mitten inserts, cold weather, (trigger finger)
14. Mitten shells, cold weather, (trigger finger)
15. Mitten set, extreme cold weather
16. Mitten shells, snow camouflage, cotton, white, two finger
17. Cap, camouflage pattern
18. Hood or balaclava
19. Socks, men's, nylon, cushion sole, stretch type
20. Boots for Cold Weather
21. Boots, extreme cold weather (Type II-white)
22. Suspenders, trousers, M-1950

THE ECWCS PARKA

The parka which is a particularly popular component – is characterised by a cobra hood (which fits over a combat helmet) with woven nylon drawstring adjustable pulls and an attachment piece that allows fastening of a fur ruff (early models of the parka lacked this attachment piece). There is a two-way, full-front slide fastener to provide full-face protection, leaving only the eyes uncovered.

The parka has raglan shoulders / sleeves, a non-freezing, double-pull zipper with storm flap and a seven snap closure, a flap-covered pocket on the left sleeve with hook and loop (velcro)closure, adjustable hook and loop wrist cuffs, armpit ventilation zippers and double reinforced elbows.

A badge / insignia tab with snap is located on the storm flap.

There is an interior back ventilation opening, two slash (handwarmer) cargo pockets on the lower front (with extra large flaps and double hook and loop single snap closure on each) and an inside draft skirt (windskirt) with elastic drawcords and barrel-locks at the waist (without pulls).

There are also two concealed map pockets at the front zipper with hook and loop closures that can be opened without unzipping the parka.

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of "waterproof-breathable" fabric, the parka did not breathe well in field use by active troops.

GENERATION II

The second generation (2G) ECWCS included two different layers made with Polartec fabrics: the Polartec Classic 300 shirt and the Polartec Classic 200 overalls.

When used in combination with other layers in the ECWCS system, the system provides protection between +40 °F and −40 °F (+4 °C and −40 °C). The parka was improved by vents to help deal with the condensation problems resulting from the use of "waterproof-breathable" fabric. A lightweight underwear set was also introduced to combine with or substitute the polypro undergarments.

The GENERATION III ECWCS is designed to maintain adequate environmental protection in temperatures ranging between -60 and +40 Fahrenheit (about -51 and +4 Celsius). 

GENERATION III

Could you guess how many levels there are to the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System? ECWCS is made up of a total of 7 different levels of clothing, with each level consisting of different layers, materials, and functions. The higher the level the more protection against extreme cold weather conditions! Level 1 features lightweight undershirts and underwear. Level 2 is mid-weight. The third level is a fleece jacket which is a primary insulation layer and can be worn underneath other layers or as a final layer. Level 4 is a wind jacket designed to deflect wind and retain body heat. The fifth level is the soft shell layer, consisting of jackets and trousers. The sixth level is the extreme cold/wet weather jacket and trousers, providing a waterproof barrier to keep moisture and cold out. Level 7 is the final layer. This is designed for the most extreme cold weather conditions and features a parka and trousers. All of these levels are designed to be worn through ranging temperatures and climates, so soldiers can adapt to the level of cold around them

The third generation 3G or GEN III is a radical redesign of previous systems. It features seven new layers of insulation typically including three Polartec fabrics: two layers of Polartec Power Dry and a layer of Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft. It has also featured PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation USA in the extreme cold weather parka and trousers. Initial fielding of the system began in August 2007 to the 73rd Cavalry Regiment in Afghanistan. The water-resistant "soft shell" is far more breathable than any "waterproof-breathable" garment and is used for most field applications, back-stopped by a waterproof nylon parka.