Nothing new is ever invented, just reworked.Whatever the adage you care to choose, it will probably describe our Drop Zone Recce Smock. Soldiers continually asked us when were we going to build a smock similar to the wind and mist smocks made famous by the British Army.Well the time has come.We researched the smock for over two years. We surveyed our customers to find what they liked in a smock. We acquired various smocks, then surveyed the customers again. The result after this lengthy and intensive research is the Drop Zone Recce Smock presented herein.The boys told us that the “waterproof / breathable” field jackets currently issued by most modern armies were fine for sedentary activity, but when you had to hustle they were not breathable enough. The boys wanted a field jacket that would keep the wind, mist, and light drizzle out, but would breathe very well. They told us the current “waterproof / breathable” field jackets were too bulky due to the liners that are sewn in to protect the “membrane”. They also told us they wanted more pockets.We listened and found military specification cotton/synthetic blend twill fabrics that can be easily treated with water repellents. This combination of cotton and synthetic gives the fabric breathability, strength, and abrasion resistance, while the treatment the owner adds to the Smock gives light water repellency.Keeping in mind the weather protection purpose of a wind and mist smock, our designers agonized over the hood design. The Recce Smock hood is designed to be warn with or without a helmet and features an adjustment strap. To prevent rainwater delivered by those light showers and drizzles from dripping on to your face, a unique peak was designed. You can roll the peak back to act a rain gutter or you can leave it straight out for extra protection from wind and dust. To snug the hood around the face, the neck and yoke were cut extra roomy, providing a comfort zone for those turtles among us. Securing the hood around the face is accomplished with a simple, one hand pull of the shock cord that runs through the fixed cord locks. Shock cord was chosen for this task as its stretch allows maximum movement, even when adjusted, while conventional draw cord does not.Curious, as our Recce Smock is not waterproof, we queried the lads as to what they do in heavy rains. They told us they pack a light water proof nylon rain jacket that has no features. The featureless rain jacket packs nicely in a web gear pouch or smock pocket. The lads also told us they rarely wear the rain jacket, except for short periods when the rain comes down in buckets, and that they were more than happy to trade the high bulk of the issue “waterproof / breathable” field jacket for the convenience, breathability, and lower bulk of the smock and rain jacket combo!Ventilation, a must when buttoned up and forced to work hard, is provided by the extra long zippered under arm vents. These vents are so long they run right down to the waist drawstring! For extra convenience we provided double zipper heads on each zip.The main jacket zip is a #10 YKK® two way, provided to promote ventilation. Further ventilation can be gained by unzipping the “reach through” zipper, sandwiched between the chest pockets. While on the subject of zips, it should be noted that we use YKK® exclusively. We’ve tied just about everything else and this brand is simply the best for durability. We can’t continue the discussion on zips without talking about pockets.We have pockets! If you are separated from your load bearing equipment, or just stripping down for lightness the Recce Smock serves up the carrying capacity you need.On the chest we have two large cargo pockets, each of the cargo pockets secures with a button down flap. The buttons are Canadian Military tape style. Within each cargo pocket is a D-ring, to be used for attaching lanyards. No more excuses for lost compass or pace beads now! Each of the cargo pockets piggy backs, over patch pockets that secure with, you guessed it YKK® zips. These zips are equipped with pull toggles for easy use while wearing gloves. Hidden in the zippered patch pockets, are dual pen pockets thoughtfully angled for ease of use. Southpaws take note: these pen pockets are in BOTH patch pockets.Our designers look after details!We repeat the whole exercise below the waistline with the lower cargo and piggy backed patch pockets. Only this time we eliminated the pen pockets and located the zippers to the outside, so the patch pockets could double as hand warmers. Sneaky stuff!But wait! There’s more!Huge cargo pockets that close with zips are on each sleeve. The troops told us this was a coveted feature, especially when wearing a load bearing vest or body armor that restricts access to the regular pockets. Each of the sleeve pockets has a large Velcro® loop patch for affixing crests.Inside the chest region, the Recce Smock boasts storage pockets on each side of the main zip. Again these pockets are secured with the good ole reliable YKK® coil zip.The inside tail of the Recce Smock reveals three generous “E & E” pockets, suitable for rations, toilet paper or escape and evasion kit. These pockets are loosely closed with hook & loop tape.Pockets are not the only feature however.The waist drawstring is a shock cord and secured with cord locks. Like the hood, the shock cord gives good mobility.A loop tape strip is sewn onto the left chest above the cargo pocket to provide a mounting point for your name tape.To prevent the elbows from becoming bruised during those arduous leopard crawls back from the pub, we provided “padding pockets” that allow you to slip in some foam. Toolbox drawer liner works well for this application.Knowing full well the Recce Smock will be used under less than ideal conditions, laundering is a snap. Just empty your treasures from all your pockets, secure all fasteners, zips, etc. and machine wash using a laundry soap and warm, NOT HOT water. You can rub stubborn stains with jellied hand cleaner, just before dropping into the machine.To ensure that those with a hook & fetish are satisfied, not to mention insuring the Recce Smock seals out the elements, the cuffs seal and adjust with hook and loop. We chose this style over knit cuffs, as knit cuffs tend to soak up the water and wear out on watchbands.Hang dry or machine dry the Recce Smock, warm, NOT HOT! When dry give the Recce Smock a light spray with a silicone or Teflon waterproofing. We like a brand called Tectron.