Vers·eng·tarn from the German versengt “scorched” and tarnen “camouflage.”
The Versengtarn parka is a tribute to the fall of a king. The German Flecktarn parka, one of the most prolific and well-loved pieces of military surplus, is no longer being sold to the public. Instead, the Bundeswehr is burning it.
Our process takes the iconic Flecktarn pattern and scorches it with a reactive dye, darkening the print and giving each piece a unique appearance. Black, but not quite black — the color of the fabric shifts in the light.
After the dye bath, the parka is washed with a binding agent, removing any residual dye. The resulting Versengtarn fabric will not leech color or chemicals — it is clean enough to put in your mouth.
These 'Lite' variants of the original Versengtarn Parka (which was a pre-order only item) do not feature additional pockets or reflective tabs, making them closer to the original Flecktarn Parka. This is because the Lite parkas are manufacturing overruns from an intermediate step in the Versengtarn parka process.
Manufacturing Information
- Each parka is professionally dyed in Minnesota
- Our experienced dye house has handled all Versengtarn and Wellenbrecher items to date, with a high degree of consistency and professionalism
Original Flecktarn Specs
- Thick and durable poly/cotton water resistant fabric
- High waist zipper closure with snap-secured storm flap enabling bending and crouching without binding around the body
- Drawcord fasteners at hips, thighs, and in hood
- Two snap-secured front breast pockets
- Two zippered front hand pockets
- Velcro® secured inside pocket
- Velcro® wrist cuff fasteners
- Straps for shoulder marks, rank tabs, etc.
- Zippered armpits for venting heat or warming hands
- Shoulder “cigarette” pocket
Vers·eng·tarn from the German versengt “scorched” and tarnen “camouflage.”
The Versengtarn parka is a tribute to the fall of a king. The German Flecktarn parka, one of the most prolific and well-loved pieces of military surplus, is no longer being sold to the public. Instead, the Bundeswehr is burning it.
Our process takes the iconic Flecktarn pattern and scorches it with a reactive dye, darkening the print and giving each piece a unique appearance. Black, but not quite black — the color of the fabric shifts in the light.
After the dye bath, the parka is washed with a binding agent, removing any residual dye. The resulting Versengtarn fabric will not leech color or chemicals — it is clean enough to put in your mouth.
These 'Lite' variants of the original Versengtarn Parka (which was a pre-order only item) do not feature additional pockets or reflective tabs, making them closer to the original Flecktarn Parka. This is because the Lite parkas are manufacturing overruns from an intermediate step in the Versengtarn parka process.
Manufacturing Information
- Each parka is professionally dyed in Minnesota
- Our experienced dye house has handled all Versengtarn and Wellenbrecher items to date, with a high degree of consistency and professionalism
Original Flecktarn Specs
- Thick and durable poly/cotton water resistant fabric
- High waist zipper closure with snap-secured storm flap enabling bending and crouching without binding around the body
- Drawcord fasteners at hips, thighs, and in hood
- Two snap-secured front breast pockets
- Two zippered front hand pockets
- Velcro® secured inside pocket
- Velcro® wrist cuff fasteners
- Straps for shoulder marks, rank tabs, etc.
- Zippered armpits for venting heat or warming hands
- Shoulder “cigarette” pocket