New budget M-65 Field Jacket?

[MrProper]

How hard was it to remove the epaulettes?

A good pair of sharp fabric scissors and the job is done in two minutes. However, you have to be careful not to cut into the fabric... as happened to me on one side of the black one
Fortunately, my mother-in-law is a seamstress and quickly fixed it. Now it looks better than if I just cut it off.
It's certainly more professional if you cut it open, remove the epaulettes and sew it up again.
But hey, some people cut those things off leather jackets. And for me, an M-65 can look a little worn

 

[Fifty150]

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I've never heard of the brand. I just saw it on sale at Amazon. Hard to say if you will get your $60 worth.​

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   Founded in 2011 in Cologne, Germany, the entrepreneur-led brand has established itself as a successful outdoor lifestyle brand beyond the borders of Europe. Our goal is to create products for people who love to be active and outdoors.
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[barnabus]

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I've never heard of the brand. I just saw it on sale at Amazon. Hard to say if you will get your $60 worth.​

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   Founded in 2011 in Cologne, Germany, the entrepreneur-led brand has established itself as a successful outdoor lifestyle brand beyond the borders of Europe. Our goal is to create products for people who love to be active and outdoors.
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5. Visit the Store​
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There have been several mentions of Brandit on the forum in respect of their M65.

From personal experience, a work colleague has one which I've tried on and it was fine. Unremarkable in most ways but in my opinion not at the same level of material or construction quality as my own Helikon M65.

Although the Brandit was a little better than my cheapo Mil-Tec M65 repro.

 

[MrProper]

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I've never heard of the brand. I just saw it on sale at Amazon. Hard to say if you will get your $60 worth.​

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1. ​
2. 
   Founded in 2011 in Cologne, Germany, the entrepreneur-led brand has established itself as a successful outdoor lifestyle brand beyond the borders of Europe. Our goal is to create products for people who love to be active and outdoors.
3. ​
4. ​
5. Visit the Store​
6. Visit the Store​
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https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-budget-m-65-field-jacket.115795/post-3123698

 

[Zoro]

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I've never heard of the brand. I just saw it on sale at Amazon. Hard to say if you will get your $60 worth.​

Previous page

1. ​
2. 
   Founded in 2011 in Cologne, Germany, the entrepreneur-led brand has established itself as a successful outdoor lifestyle brand beyond the borders of Europe. Our goal is to create products for people who love to be active and outdoors.
3. ​
4. ​
5. Visit the Store​
6. Visit the Store​
7. ​

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I bought the Brandit a few years ago for around 75€ and I returned it immediately. It wasn't expensive, but I recall taking it out of the bag and right away thinking that the quality felt awful, perhaps an according price/ratio but alas not what I wanted at the time. FWIW, I wasn't much more impressed by Alpha's, which I also returned.

 

[MrProper]

The popping up of this thread has prompted me to get my Helikon out of the wardrobe again. Too warm with the sun.

 

[Sonero]

I just wanted to add my two cents to this convo. As usual the FL provides excellent information and has done me right too many times to mention.....

I have owned two versions of the new Alpha made in china version. The first one was decent fabric but last year when purchased again I returned it immediately. Even for made in china quality was pathetic. I saw the Rothco version up close and it too was also pathetic ...even more than the new Alpha.

....So I took the advice of some members here and purchased the Helixcon Tex M65 which comes with a quilted liner . I ordered it from a website in Poland and with tariffs etc. worked out to be around $145 all in. I am SUPER impressed by the quality. DO NOT hesitate to purchase this version of the M65. They did a great job with it.

The XS Alpha fits me more snug but Helixcon does not offer this size option unfortunately so I went with a small. I am 140lbs 5' 10". The fit it roomy on me but without ruining the silhouette or looking odd. I can wear it with just a shirt or layer with a thick hoodie and it still looks great.

I am very pleased with the recommendation and my purchase.

Thanks once again.