Gigueand Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 Hi guys, I'm putting together a 2008 75th Ranger Regiment impression and I'm looking to top it off with a Level 5 PCU soft shell. For those who aren't familiar, here's a link with a ton of info. The issue I'm having is that both the ORC and the Patagonia Level 5 PCUs are 1) expensive, 2) hard to find and 3) impossible to find in size "small." I've been able to find Patagonia Level 5s in medium for around the $150-$190 mark. Which, to be honest, is fine, but if I'm going to spend that much on a jacket I'd like it to fit appropriately. I'm 5'6"... So that leads me to another option which is to purchase something similar like a Condor Summit soft shell or a Helikon soft shell in the appropriate color. Both look fairly similar to the Patagonia L5 PCU. Can anyone weigh in on these options or suggest alternatives? I should add that I'm a bit hesitant to pick up something like the Allwin or Emerson/TMC/Clone versions. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
tquilha Posted October 22, 2017 Report Share Posted October 22, 2017 Check out Helikon products. They make very nice tactical clothes. Link to post Share on other sites
Wingmann Posted October 22, 2017 Report Share Posted October 22, 2017 Pentagon might have something similar too. Link to post Share on other sites
Gigueand Posted October 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2017 Thanks, guys. Link to post Share on other sites
J.J.Simpson Posted October 23, 2017 Report Share Posted October 23, 2017 Helikon PCU lvl 5 is my teams std uniform. I know several ACM manufacturers made replicas with decent quality. Airsofpeak had them and some other stores in HK too. All PCU are hard to find as the re-enactors move to more current kit. We wait for 1 month to get Helikon kit as they make them in small runs escp. in grey colorz Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites
nilz Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Can vouch for the Helikon as being close in looks and actually a nice and practical piece of kit. Link to post Share on other sites
TheFull9 Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 I've seen exactly what you're after come up a fair few times on US ebay and smalls always go for less money than a medium because 'everybody' is medium. Check regularly and you'll get what you want I'm sure, just take a little bit of patience. Link to post Share on other sites
Gigueand Posted October 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 I've had the exact opposite experience and I've been trawling eBay for several months. I could probably swing a medium, but it's not ideal especially if I'm going to wear the jacket for stuff other than airsoft. Link to post Share on other sites
TheFull9 Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Weird, I definitely saw a fair few come up. Presume this is a bit too pricey? https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-ORC-Industries-PCU-L5-Level-5-Soft-Shell-Jacket-Small-DEVGRU-SOF/141994988929?epid=874245383&hash=item210f8f9581:g:Yw8AAOxyBvZTRvJf If you've not already I'd get on the gear sale facebook groups as well, tons of stuff in those that never goes on ebay. Link to post Share on other sites
Gigueand Posted October 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Yeah, all the smalls I see are $250+ while the most affordable medium is $220. I guess it's a "buy once, cry once" type situation. Link to post Share on other sites
TheFull9 Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Depends on usage and how accurate of an impression is desired really. Obviously it's a tough pill to swallow right now, but I've found and seen a big difference in softshell fabrics between airsoft brands and the real thing. The bitterness of the high price will fade in short order whereas the "if only I'd got.." can linger for a long time. As I say there's tons of groups it's worth taking the time to dig through because just now and then you absolutely do strike gold and it's worth the time. Link to post Share on other sites
Skarclaw Posted October 27, 2017 Report Share Posted October 27, 2017 to be fair the PCU is pretty 'civvy' so its not $200+ spent 'just' on airsoft. If you have other outdoor hobbies apart from airsoft that is!!! fwiw: I have a helikon combat shirt and the zipper went on it's 2nd outing!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Pdubyuh Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 I take it you want it in the alpha green rather than UCP http://www.orcind.com/product/mcu-level-5-softshell-jacket-universal-camo/ I got mine direct from Orc years ago Link to post Share on other sites
Gigueand Posted November 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 Well, I ponied up and paid $289 for an ORC L5 PCU in small. More than I really wanted to spend, but having the "real thing" has some other value over a less pricey look-a-like. Link to post Share on other sites
Dentonboy Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Loads of small Orc Pcu trousers on eBay for less than £60... Link to post Share on other sites
TheFull9 Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Trousers always go for peanuts compared to the jackets. A fact I love because I think shell trousers are the shiz in less than ideal weather, but they don't look cool and operator or trick people in to thinking you are real-seal; so people don't buy them. Link to post Share on other sites
Dentonboy Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Orc ones let ok better than the Patagonia ones for sure. Of course, back in the day I bought a Patagonia PCU jacket and my OCD meant I had to buy the matching trousers later on... ...incidently, what is the colour matching like between Patagonia and Orc?! Link to post Share on other sites
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