The Patagonia PCU Level 9 uniforms started becoming commonly issued to SOCOM around 2013, replacing the Crye uniforms used before. However, Crye uniforms continue to be used into the present depending on individual operator and command preference as well as availability.[1][2]
Gen 2 AOR1 Combat Shirt:
This version of the Patagonia combat shirt has a solid colored torso material like the Crye Precision version it partially replaced. Later versions used matching camouflage print torso material [3].
Label:
Label with washing instructions, contract information, and branding is silkscreened on.
Arm Pockets:
Camouflaged Patagonia PCU products made in the 2010’s tend to use velcro loop with matching camouflage print. There was an even earlier Gen 1 version that used a larger velcro loop field similar in size to the Crye G2 combat shirts [4].
Cuffs:
Zipper:
Gen 1 AOR1 Combat Pants:
These pants were the first version of the Patagonia combat pants and were made using. The stretch material on the example shown is a solid color but some AOR2 examples have been found with matching camouflage stretch [5]. Note that the Patagonia “Generations” for the pants are separate from the ones of the combat shirts.
Tags:
2010 contract date.
Kneepads:
Kneepad slots are made for Crye combat pants inserts. Unlike Crye combat pants, there is no stretch on the front at the knees.
The kneepads’ tightness is adjusted from the back with velcro flaps made from stretch material.
Thigh Pockets:
Cargo Pockets:
Ankles:
Inside:
Waist Pockets:
Waist pockets have synthetic mesh on the bottom for drainaige.
Gen 2 AOR1 Combat Pants:
These have the same cut as the Gen 1 pants above, except with matching camouflage stretch material used for the kneepad covers, crotch panel, and back rise.
Tag:
Inside:
Crotch Stretch Panel:
The crotch panel on the Gen 2 Patagonia combat pants is stretch material for greater range of motion like the crotch on the Crye G3 combat pants.
Waist Pocket:
Same mesh as Gen 1.
Thigh Pockets:
Same as Gen 1.
Cargo Pockets:
Same as Gen 1.
Ankles:
Kneepad Slots:
The kneepads on the Gen 2 version were made for Patagonia’s proprietary kneepads.
Gen 2 Kneepads:
The Patagonia kneepads are made in two parts. The foam is meant to be inserted into the pants while the hard shell is placed outside over the holes in the kneepad slots. The shell is then locked into place with a rotating switch.
Fit Test 3-color Desert Shorts:
Based on the camouflage stretch material and stretch crotch panel, these shorts were likely modified from a Gen 2 cut example. These trousers were likely originally part of the PCU Level 9 “Try Test Fit Kit” [6].
Tag:
The paper information tag is missing but it likely would have been similar to this one:
Inside:
Waist Pocket:
Usage Photos:
AOR1:
