Best N-3B PARKA, Bronson or Real McCoys

[WolfofStateSt]

Three years ago, I bought an Alpha Industries N-3B Parka. It works alright, but I am considering upgrading to something better. For one thing, I am not convinced the Alpha Industries Parka is any warmer than my Alpha Industries MA-1 (which I will probably replace next after this), except for the hood.

I would be curious to know if any of these higher-end brands are warmer than the Alpha Industries N-3B from people who have owned both.
Ideally, I want something that can work between 25 and -25 degrees Fahrenheit. I know these jackets are more about style than function, but I was hoping that at least one of the higher-end ones could perform close to that range, especially if companies like Buzz and McCoys pride themselves on accurate reproductions down to the last button.

I have two McCoys leather jackets, which are fantastic quality; I never really considered spending that much money on a nylon jacket, which is why I am coming here.

I have narrowed down the contenders to Bronson or Real McCoys. Real McCoys makes the best jackets, but I am wondering how much better they can be than a company like Bronson when it comes to a nylon shell Parka. Is the Real McCoys really $1300 better than the Bronson? I know they both use real fur, which is a huge upgrade over Alpha Industries.

I am open to suggestions for other brands, too, if you think they make truly exceptional N-3Bs. I would really like to avoid buying a Canada Goose. I hate the style and would much prefer an N-3B or N-3A snorkel parka, which, in my opinion, looks ten times cooler.

 

[Aloysius]

They won't be warmer. The later spec, which modern ones have, is rated for much more warmth than the 50s spec with the pile lining. If you don't find the Alpha warm enough, get a surplus one which will be made to spec and if you want real fur you can probably get a real coyote ruff added for not much money.

I own the Buzz repro FWIW. I like it far better than the RMC version. The Bronson is likely to be a copy of the BR.

But none of those three is going to be warmer than your Alpha. If you'd like that more repro style but with modern warmth, you can check some of the JDM non "luxury" brands you'll find for N-3Bs on Amazon Japan.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

They won't be warmer. The later spec, which modern ones have, is rated for much more warmth than the 50s spec with the pile lining. If you don't find the Alpha warm enough, get a surplus one which will be made to spec and if you want real fur you can probably get a real coyote ruff added for not much money.

I own the Buzz repro FWIW. I like it far better than the RMC version. The Bronson is likely to be a copy of the BR.

But none of those three is going to be warmer than your Alpha. If you'd like that more repro style but with modern warmth, you can check some of the JDM non "luxury" brands you'll find for N-3Bs on Amazon Japan.

I was thinking about the added warmth, and while I suspect that the luxury parkas are ever so slightly warmer than the modern Alpha, I agree that there will not be a noticeable difference. I can always wear a heavy wool sweater or an M65 liner underneath if I need more warmth.

I would be very interested to hear about your thoughts on the Buzz vs. the RMC's parka. I've decided to upgrade from my Alpha to something with a real fur ruff and better stitching.

Also, what does JDM stand for? I'm sorry, but I'm unfamiliar with that abbreviation.

 

[Aloysius]

I was thinking about the added warmth, and while I suspect that the luxury parkas are ever so slightly warmer than the modern Alpha, I agree that there will not be a noticeable difference. I can always wear a heavy wool sweater or an M65 liner underneath if I need more warmth.

No, I'm saying the opposite. The switch from wool/cotton pile to synthetic was to increase the warmth rating.

I would be very interested to hear about your thoughts on the Buzz vs. the RMC's parka. I've decided to upgrade from my Alpha to something with a real fur ruff and better stitching.

I prefer Buzz for nylon flight jackets. (I also think their patterning is generally better, though this is down to deliberate decisions from each company.)

IIRC Valley Apparel is the operation that took over what was previously Alpha's US factory operation.

Also, what does JDM stand for? I'm sorry, but I'm unfamiliar with that abbreviation.

Japanese Domestic Market, so items that are sold to the Japanese market. These aren't necessarily luxury items, either; they have a good stable of midrange brands that would appeal to the TFL minded.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I didn't realize synthetic was warmer! That's mainly polyester fill right, or are synthetic and polyester different fills?

This was partially what attracted me to the Bronson Parka, since it had polyester and wool: 50% wool, 50% polyester.

I'm curious about that, I have a few RMC leather jackets because I like the Shinki Horsehide better than any other leather, but for nylon? I can see four figure jacket prices for something made from horsehide or shearling, but nylon?

$2,700 seems expensive for a nylon jacket, and that's more than double the Buzz IIRC.

What would be some JDM brands?

Leaning to the Bronson, since it also has a water proof coating.

 

[Peter Mackin]

I bought an alpha about 15years ago from Costco here in Scotland, absolutely brilliant jacket. Unfortunately I lost it during a house move,so I sent off to buy another one couple of years ago.i knew something was off as soon as it was delivered. Very lightweight, poorly made jacket, different sizing, it was returned immediately. If I was buying again it would be Bronson.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I bought an alpha about 15years ago from Costco here in Scotland, absolutely brilliant jacket. Unfortunately I lost it during a house move,so I sent off to buy another one couple of years ago.i knew something was off as soon as it was delivered. Very lightweight, poorly made jacket, different sizing, it was returned immediately. If I was buying again it would be Bronson.

I really like the look of the Bronson from the pictures I've seen online.

I'm really curious about peoples experiences with their products. Are they well made?

 

[Peter Mackin]

Brilliant value for money,,i bought a B9 from them ,fantastic jacket

 

[WolfofStateSt]

This is excellent to know, I heard somewhere that they make their coats in China and I was worried they would be inferior to the Japanese quality.

 

[Khilij]

I have an MA-1 from Bronson and It's a great jacket for the price.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I suppose I can always get a Buzz or RMC down the line if I don't like it. Also, I find cheaper brands will sometimes use more durable zippers than McCoys, which are prone to breaking.

 

[Aloysius]

I didn't realize synthetic was warmer! That's mainly polyester fill right, or are synthetic and polyester different fills?

This was partially what attracted me to the Bronson Parka, since it had polyester and wool: 50% wool, 50% polyester.

I would generally use the terms interchangeably, though your point brings up a caveat. Polyester and other synthetics can be used for a lot of different things from shirting in 65/35 to faux wool etc. In the case of the Bronson N-3B, it's being used as a cotton substitute for the liner pile; it's not a polyester insulation per se like Thinsulate or a similar product.

I'm curious about that, I have a few RMC leather jackets because I like the Shinki Horsehide better than any other leather, but for nylon? I can see four figure jacket prices for something made from horsehide or shearling, but nylon?

$2,700 seems expensive for a nylon jacket, and that's more than double the Buzz IIRC.

Again, even as an owner of one I don't really think these are going to suit your desired purpose well.

I don't think there's a quality jump from the Buzz to RMC for these nylon jackets; the pricing is more reflective of market positioning. Buzz Rickson's spent a fortune developing the repro nylon for these things, as well as other engineering to get the features right. (In those days, RMC–under the original ownership– and Buzz were more partners than competitors.)

Incidentally, I don't see RMC leather jackets as superior to their Buzz cousins; if anything I usually have a preference for the Buzz versions due to the better (closer to originals, rather than "fashion fit") patterns.

What would be some JDM brands?

United Carr (owned by Buzz Rickson's) is one, Waiper (they also sell some surplus and other brands on their site) is another. Even some of the American brands like Alpha and Avirex which have sort of cheaped out in their more recent versions do a more old fashioned N-3B for the Japanese market, because N-3Bs are extremely popular there. If you search N-3B on Amazon Japan you'll find a ton. And a bunch of those have a real fur trim despite being affordable.

Leaning to the Bronson, since it also has a water proof coating.

I don't find there to be a waterproofness difference between Bronson, Buzz, RMC, or even Alpha nylon.

This is excellent to know, I heard somewhere that they make their coats in China and I was worried they would be inferior to the Japanese quality.

Bronson jackets are just copies of Buzz Rickson's and Toys McCoy jackets. I would say they're worse, but not because they're made in China; rather, because they're copies of a copy. They are still decent value for money but I have moved away from them after really digging Bronson at first.

Plus you could always get the cheaper (but same materials) made in China brand owned by Buzz Rickson's, called United Carr.

I suppose I can always get a Buzz or RMC down the line if I don't like it. Also, I find cheaper brands will sometimes use more durable zippers than McCoys, which are prone to breaking.

Not in this case, because Bronson wants to hit the repro market so they're using repro Talons and the like just like everyone else.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I would generally use the terms interchangeably, though your point brings up a caveat. Polyester and other synthetics can be used for a lot of different things from shirting in 65/35 to faux wool etc. In the case of the Bronson N-3B, it's being used as a cotton substitute for the liner pile; it's not a polyester insulation per se like Thinsulate or a similar product.



Again, even as an owner of one I don't really think these are going to suit your desired purpose well.

I don't think there's a quality jump from the Buzz to RMC for these nylon jackets; the pricing is more reflective of market positioning. Buzz Rickson's spent a fortune developing the repro nylon for these things, as well as other engineering to get the features right. (In those days, RMC–under the original ownership– and Buzz were more partners than competitors.)

Incidentally, I don't see RMC leather jackets as superior to their Buzz cousins; if anything I usually have a preference for the Buzz versions due to the better (closer to originals, rather than "fashion fit") patterns.



United Carr (owned by Buzz Rickson's) is one, Waiper (they also sell some surplus and other brands on their site) is another. Even some of the American brands like Alpha and Avirex which have sort of cheaped out in their more recent versions do a more old fashioned N-3B for the Japanese market, because N-3Bs are extremely popular there. If you search N-3B on Amazon Japan you'll find a ton. And a bunch of those have a real fur trim despite being affordable.



I don't find there to be a waterproofness difference between Bronson, Buzz, RMC, or even Alpha nylon.



Bronson jackets are just copies of Buzz Rickson's and Toys McCoy jackets. I would say they're worse, but not because they're made in China; rather, because they're copies of a copy. They are still decent value for money but I have moved away from them after really digging Bronson at first.

Plus you could always get the cheaper (but same materials) made in China brand owned by Buzz Rickson's, called United Carr.



Not in this case, because Bronson wants to hit the repro market so they're using repro Talons and the like just like everyone else.

Hope this is helpful.

It was, answered a bunch of questions I had. I've bought a few jackets in the past few years but I'm still learning.

You have me really considering the Buzz, I just want to ask one more time if you really think the nylon is better quality on Buzz than McCoy--just because these jackets aren't cheap and I want to make an educated decision.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I don't have a N-3b but I do have two B-15C. Both made in Japan, from different timeline.

The Real Mccoy one I have was made when they first moved the production back to Japan. The Toys Mccoy one is the currently production from two to three years ago. There is no difference in quality of the nylon. But the older jacket came with Crown zipper and the current production came with a paper clip one.

The inside filling also feels about the same to me by hand feel although I don't really know until I open them up. This is where I can see the Bronson would be made with different material. The Mccoys filling feels dense to the hand. Even though the jacket is made of nylon shell, there is some heaviness to the jacket because the filling inside.

Personally I would advise against spending full MSRP for a nylon jacket regardless of brands from Japan. They are good and plenty in the second hand market. Save the money for the leather stuff.

 

[Aloysius]

It was, answered a bunch of questions I had. I've bought a few jackets in the past few years but I'm still learning.

You have me really considering the Buzz, I just want to ask one more time if you really think the nylon is better quality on Buzz than McCoy--just because these jackets aren't cheap and I want to make an educated decision.

I think they both have good nylon.

However I must reiterate that your whole impetus here is misdirected. These are not going to be warmer than what you have.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I think they both have good nylon.

However I must reiterate that your whole impetus here is misdirected. These are not going to be warmer than what you have.

I agree. I’m just going forget about the warmth factor, I’ll just throw a few extra layers on underneath.

I’m probably going to get the RMC secondhand. Buy once cry once, “If you buy something that is not exactly what you want, but is close to exactly what you want; you will just end up paying twice.”

 

[Aloysius]

I’m probably going to get the RMC secondhand. Buy once cry once, “If you buy something that is not exactly what you want, but is close to exactly what you want; you will just end up paying twice.”

I get that logic though in that case I’d still politely nudge towards the Buzz. I realize that the price of the RMC suggests a quality difference but if anything the Buzz is slightly better in my experience.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I get that logic though in that case I’d still politely nudge towards the Buzz. I realize that the price of the RMC suggests a quality difference but if anything the Buzz is slightly better in my experience.

Now’s the time, I haven’t made any purchases yet. Now it’s just a matter of finding one of the Buzzes in Air Force blue, if I could find a Buzz in Air Force blue, used, that fits me I would be sold. I should say I’m 6’3” with a 42 inch chest when wearing a light sweater, what size Buzz is that going to be. I know all these companies have different sizing.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I’m willing to go second hand McCoys for an Air Force Blue Parka. And then, if I ever felt like upgrading from my Alpha MA-1 bomber I would get something from Buzz.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

The Alpha MA-1 bugs me less than the Alpha N3B. My parka has an orange inner lining and ugly synthetic fur ruff, which has an ugly gap between the hood where it clips on and off.