British Army PCS Clothing System

System PCS (Personal Clothing System) is a military clothing system developed for the needs of the British Army. PCS is based on the layering principle, where each layer has its own purpose, allowing elements to be combined to achieve optimal protection and functionality in various conditions.

Key PCS principles:

Layering: Allows the clothing to be adapted to changing weather and activity levels. A soldier can combine layers depending on conditions, adding or removing garments for optimal comfort, heat retention and protection from external factors.
Air circulation: It is important to always ensure ventilation to avoid overheating and moisture build-up during physical activity.
Durability: Designed for use in demanding conditions.
Camouflage: Uses Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) for concealment in various environments.

Each layer of the British Army PCS clothing system is designed to work in harmony with the others, providing comfort and protection in various operational conditions. Below we look at each layer in more detail.

Base Layer

Purpose	Worn directly against the skin to wick moisture (sweat) away and regulate body temperature.
Features	+ Dries quickly and breathes. + Provides comfort during prolonged physical exertion. + Keeps the skin dry, which is important for extended wear. + Provides a foundation for the other layers, helping to retain heat.
Use	Suitable for any conditions, as a base layer in cold or moderate weather and for active physical exertion.

Purpose

Worn directly against the skin to wick moisture (sweat) away and regulate body temperature.

Features

+ Dries quickly and breathes. + Provides comfort during prolonged physical exertion. + Keeps the skin dry, which is important for extended wear. + Provides a foundation for the other layers, helping to retain heat.

Use

Suitable for any conditions, as a base layer in cold or moderate weather and for active physical exertion.

Purpose	This layer provides thermal insulation and retains heat, creating additional thermoregulation between the base layer and the outside environment.
Features	+ Lightweight and breathable.
Use	Can be worn with the base layer for moderate warmth or with other layers for greater warmth.

Purpose

This layer provides thermal insulation and retains heat, creating additional thermoregulation between the base layer and the outside environment.

Features

+ Lightweight and breathable.

Use

Can be worn with the base layer for moderate warmth or with other layers for greater warmth.

Purpose	Durable, functional clothing for field use.
Features	+ Made from durable tear-resistant fabric. + Multiple pockets for convenience.
Use	Core set for everyday service and combat tasks.

Purpose

Durable, functional clothing for field use.

Features

+ Made from durable tear-resistant fabric. + Multiple pockets for convenience.

Use

Core set for everyday service and combat tasks.

Purpose	Insulation and heat retention in cold conditions.
Features	+ Synthetic-fill layer that retains warmth even when wet. + Lightweight and packable for easy carrying.
Use	Worn as a mid or outer layer in cold weather.

Purpose

Insulation and heat retention in cold conditions.

Features

+ Synthetic-fill layer that retains warmth even when wet. + Lightweight and packable for easy carrying.

Use

Worn as a mid or outer layer in cold weather.

Purpose	Protects against wind and light precipitation while remaining breathable.
Features	+ Helps prevent wind chill. + Provides a balance between insulation and ventilation. + Lightweight and designed to be worn over a base or mid layer.
Use	Ideal for strong wind or moderate cold.

Purpose

Protects against wind and light precipitation while remaining breathable.

Features

+ Helps prevent wind chill. + Provides a balance between insulation and ventilation. + Lightweight and designed to be worn over a base or mid layer.

Use

Ideal for strong wind or moderate cold.

Purpose	Protects against rain, snow and strong wind while remaining a breathable layer.
Features	+ Made from durable, waterproof and breathable materials such as Gore-Tex. + Keeps inner layers dry, maintaining comfort and thermal balance.
Use	For extended periods in adverse weather.

Purpose

Protects against rain, snow and strong wind while remaining a breathable layer.

Features

+ Made from durable, waterproof and breathable materials such as Gore-Tex. + Keeps inner layers dry, maintaining comfort and thermal balance.

Use

For extended periods in adverse weather.

Purpose	Improve comfort and functionality.
Includes	Headwear: balaclavas, caps or boonie hats. Gloves: warm, waterproof or tactical depending on the task. Gaiters: protect the legs from mud, snow and water. Socks: warm or moisture-wicking depending on the climate.

Purpose

Improve comfort and functionality.

Includes

Headwear: balaclavas, caps or boonie hats. Gloves: warm, waterproof or tactical depending on the task. Gaiters: protect the legs from mud, snow and water. Socks: warm or moisture-wicking depending on the climate.

Погодні умови	Base Layer	Mid-Layer	Combat Layer	Thermal Layer	Windproof Layer	Outer Shell Layer
Спекотно	T-Shirt Combat Anti-Static PCS Light Olive		Under Body Armour Combat Shirt (UBACS) PCS MTP Combat Trousers Warm Weather PCS MTP
Тепло	T-Shirt Combat Anti-Static PCS Light Olive		Warm Weather Combat Jacket Shirt PCS MTP Combat Trousers Warm Weather PCS MTP
Помірно	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Lightweight Thermal Smock PCS
Помірно + Опади/Вітер	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Temperate Weather Combat Jacket PCS MTP Shirt Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Lightweight Thermal Smock PCS	Windproof Smock 2 PCS MTP Штани вітрозахисні Combat Trousers Windproof MTP
Холодно	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Temperate Weather Combat Jacket PCS MTP Shirt Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Thermal Jacket PCS
Холодно + Опади	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Temperate Weather Combat Jacket PCS MTP Shirt Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Thermal Jacket PCS		Lightweight Waterproof Jacket PCS MVP MTP Lightweight Waterproof Gore-Tex Over Trousers PCS MVP MTP
Мороз	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Temperate Weather Combat Jacket PCS MTP Shirt Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Thermal Jacket PCS	Lightweight Thermal Smock PCS Thermal Jacket PCS Thermal Trousers PCS
Мороз + Опади	Термобілизна верх PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer T'shirt Термобілизна низ PCS Thermal Underwear Base Layer Long Johns Drawers	Olive Fleece Jacket PCS Thermal Fleece Light Olive	Temperate Weather Combat Jacket PCS MTP Shirt Combat Trousers Temperate Weather PCS MTP	Thermal Jacket PCS	Lightweight Thermal Smock PCS Thermal Jacket PCS Thermal Trousers PCS	Lightweight Waterproof Jacket PCS MVP MTP Lightweight Waterproof Gore-Tex Over Trousers PCS MVP MTP

Погодні умови

Base Layer

Mid-Layer

Combat Layer

Thermal Layer

Windproof Layer

Outer Shell Layer

Спекотно