the Norwegian military

PART TWO; THE NORWEGIAN MILITARY

They have an instruction manual; “Instruction in Winter Service Personal Clothing” written by or for the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare. This manual discusses clothing that is approved for use for The Norwegian Armed Forces.

The first information I found of interest which I wrote about was the fact that there are few capillaries in fat to bring blood into fat areas so women do not generate heat as men do because of less muscle mass, a fact I was unaware of, good to know so I can inform women who call asking for a light weight sleeping bag for temperatures that will not work for them.

They say in the manual the “multi-layer principle is best. Considering they are working with cold weather clothing I could not agree with them more. They start out referencing an “inner layer”. They talk about the composition of the material being wool (which absorbs moisture that you definitely do not want against your skin) or wool and synthetic. They talk about transport of moisture and insulating but it is all meaningless. What they do not know, choose to know or want to know is that they have the greatest product ever made to keep a person warm and dry readily available that is the best first or inner layer to be worn against skin; FISHNET UNDERWEAR invented by a Commander in the Norwegian military Henrik Brun. His development of this underwear was genius.

As I read the manual I wonder how these Norwegian soldiers can stay warm because the next layer of clothing the “middle layer is made from wool or a mixture of wool and synthetic which will very nicely absorb and retain moisture. The fabric referenced is fleece which they believe will transport moisture; really. They admit that the wool will absorb moisture but wool insulates when it becomes wet or so they think. They do not understand that the moisture trapped within the garments will just keep absorbing the heat and will pass it on whenever possible via conduction.

The last item discussed is the “outer layer being a shell that provides protection from extreme weather, maintains body temperature by inhibiting air circulation and ventilates moisture from within”. Please note the contradiction here. If you inhibit air circulation how is it possible to ventilate the moisture from within out of the garment. They further say the garment should be windproof and virtually waterproof/water resistant. And then they say it should have “the ability to transport moisture/breathe”. At this point I knew that I would find they are using goretex some place in their clothing system.

In the mean time I finally read that the suitable material for insulation could be synthetic fiberfill or down. Now I ask if you want to guard against moisture why you would want the insulation in any garment be down? For the very same reason they have walked away from fishnet underwear; STUPIDITY! In the event someone with the Norwegian military was to read this article they will find that I am not a friend of the people who wrote this paper or the creators of the system but of the troops who will be given these garments.

The next subject is hands and they understand that mittens are more efficient then gloves, however, they just love wool glove linings.

Now footwear is noted as very important but, they again love wool inserts, the felted type which they once again believe will transport moisture and keep your feet warm. They devote almost 3 pages to the subject and say nothing.

Unfortunately these people do not pay attention to what is being made that does work. They exhibit a stubbornness that I have seen with people who work for the military or are military that do not do their homework regarding the other materials available. Of course in Europe they know best, B/S.

In 1991 the U.S.M.C. purchased about 50 of my Ultima Thule bags and they were shipped to the Norwegian training base for our Marines to use while training. They may still be used there, and if so the Norwegian military should have seen them. I do know they are far and away superior to any bags the Norwegians have ever made. The picture they show of a guy in a bag looks like my over bag in thickness and he is wearing a hooded jacket and is bundled up. Maybe it’s one of those down bags that are so good.

This has taken me through the first 18 pages of the 80 in total.

On page 27 they discuss their M/02 membrane (could be a gore film renamed) and the state “in practice the membranes moisture transport is extremely restricted”. The also state the following; “during work activity, so much moisture is produced that the membrane is unable to ventilate”. Is anyone surprised to read this about waterproof/breathable film? If it is cold enough the moisture will freeze on the inside of the garment. On page 48 they again reference M/02 membrane and from the picture of the garment I am sure it is goretex.

On pages 37/8 I finally read that they use fishnets but it does not say where or when. On pages 40/1 they give basic information about in and show a picture. However, they do not see it as important as wool knit underwear. They are a joke.

Page 54 shows and describes their cold weather jacket and pant which uses a “patented polyester filling material”. It is quilted so that tells me it is chopped staple fiberfill.

Generally speaking they give considerable time to the discussion of moisture with respect to virtually every article of clothing. However, they have no knowledge of how to end the problem, why because they will blatantly refuse to learn.

I have seen this attitude initially from the US military, and I have seen it from several countries in Europe that I have been contacted from. And finally I have seen it first hand from the Canadian military. Of the foreign military’s that I have worked with who listened and acted is the Australian military, they purchased 10,000 bags from me and who knows how many Lamilite sweaters. Over the years I have heard from men who served and retired from the Aussie military telling me how well the bags served them, I take pride in that accomplishment.

As for the Norwegians maybe someday. 

AND NOW A RECEIVED TESTIMONIAL ABOUT WATER TODAY AND VERY APPROPRIATE

 The other weekend I was out with my sons' Boy Scout troop backpacking in the White Mountains of NH. We got hit at 5pm right when we were setting up camp with rain - it was supposed to be passing showers but it rained hard with temps dropping quickly from 70F to under 50F until 10:30pm. At midnight the rain started up again for a few hours for good measure.

While working on getting dinner prepared and dealing with a white gas stove failure I let myself get too wet and cold, to the point that I was suffering hypothermia when we finally had everyone fed. I pulled on my Wiggy's liner vest and a hat under my rain jacket which warmed me up enough to think straight while I got my hammock hung.

Under shelter I found the "breathable 2.5 layer" liner of my jacket was peeling at the collar and my back was soaked. The liner vest was wet thru but I hadn't noticed as it kept me warm! I wore the wet liner vest on as I got into my hammock (with Climashield Apex top and bottom quilts, incidentally) and it was dry in the morning.

In the AM my trail sneakers were drenched and I remembered I had tossed my Lamilite socks in my backpack when packing. It was very cool at 50F, water everywhere, and my feet were comfortable and toasty warm.

Thanks Jerry! I'm saving up for a Ducksback Zippered Jacket for the next time I venture into the mountains.

Cheers,

Brian

Maybe someone from the Norwegian military will read this!