Czech Work Jacket, Vz.2 92 Pattern, Surplus

Now, here’s an awesome camo pattern. Just like the ones you see at big fashion weeks but with a reverse business concept: durable and cheap. And a delightfully radioactive color scheme.

Features

The Vz. 92 uniforme pracovni i.e. work uniform was introduced in 1992. It has a gorgeous but at the same time pretty peculiar camo pattern. It looks more like one of those fashion camos that enables you to blend in among the other hipsters at a craft beer festival. The reason is that this wasn’t issued as a combat uniform but for working. The idea of the chosen colors and patterns was to hide oil and grease stains from the over-zealous drill sergeant. And hide it does very well.

The style isn’t overly militaristic either. The jacket is fairly short, and it features a soft collar and a button closure. It has two buttoned breast pockets plus a 40 x 65 mm (1.6” x 2.6”) slot for a velcro patch. The bottom edge has an elastic band inside, so the hem won’t flippetty flap all over the place. The shade varies a bit, some are a bit darker, others a bit lighter, but nothing too mind-blowingly different.

Use

These jackets were made for working, but that’s not just what they’ll do. Sure you can use them for renovating, working on your car or bike, or gardening. But they are so magnibulous that they work great in cool everyday use, too.

Materials and care

We got jackets from various manufacturers and manufacturing years. Thus the materials vary to some extent. Some are 100% cotton, others 50/50 polycotton. There can also be some other combos too, but they all most likely feature more or less cotton.

The purification program seems to consist of washing these at 60 degrees Celsius (140 F).

Sizing

The sizing system is technically European but the way the Czech military expresses it seems to vary. Some only have the Czech height code and the EU jacket size, others also feature the recommended height and chest circumference plus sometimes also a third unit that probably refers to the waist region. Some just have the recommended height/chest. And then there are those that say nothing anymore. So, we had to do some measuring and testing. We simplified things by adding the recommended height and chest in all of these on this page. Below you’ll also find some further info.

The jacket tapers down towards the bottom by a few centimeters (a couple of inches). They technically follow a set pattern but since the measurements have changed a bit unevenly depending on the level of use, this rough estimation is more truthful. They are a bit biggish, because you’re supposed to be able to fit some mid-layers in between. So, if you have a soldierly body shape and wish to be nekkid or almost nekkid underneath, buy a size smaller. If you want something in between, go with your regular size. If your belly is bigger than your chest, take a bigger size. Also if you are in the shady in-between sizes category, take the longer.

The sleeve length varies even within the same size, and just like with most older milsurp, the sleeves aren’t overly long. So, if you have monkey arms, take a jacket made for a taller person than you.

Condition

Used Czech military surplus but in serviceable condition. They can have small stains, be a bit patched up, and such but they are still perfectly usable.