KBS Short Combat Jacket

Highly functional German Bundeswehr combat jacket with extensive ventilation, modular storage, reinforced elbows, and a short-cut design developed as part of the KBS special-forces combat clothing system.

The Leo Köhler KBS Short Combat Jacket is a highly functional field jacket manufactured according to German Bundeswehr TL (Technische Lieferbedingungen) specifications.

Designed as part of the Kampfbekleidungssatz Spezialkräfte (KBS) combat clothing system, the jacket combines a relatively short, straight cut with an extended rear section, extensive ventilation, multiple equipment pockets, reinforced elbows, and attachment points for additional clothing layers.

Its layout is particularly suited to demanding field use where freedom of movement, temperature regulation, and quick access to equipment are important.

German Bundeswehr TL Construction

The KBS Combat Jacket is manufactured according to German Bundeswehr TL specifications.

These technical requirements define construction, materials, and quality criteria for German military clothing.

For U.S. customers, Bundeswehr TL should be understood as a German military technical specification, not as a U.S. MIL-SPEC designation.

Short Cut with Extended Back

The jacket uses a short, straight-cut torso designed to provide good freedom of movement and easier interaction with belt-mounted or load-bearing equipment.

At the same time, the rear is extended to provide additional coverage when:

• Bending
• Kneeling
• Sitting
• Wearing equipment
• Moving through the field

This creates a useful balance between mobility in the front and coverage in the rear.

Advanced Ventilation System

One of the standout features of the KBS jacket is its extensive ventilation system.

Zippered ventilation openings are positioned:

• Under the arms
• Around the upper-arm areas

These openings allow additional airflow during high-output activity without requiring the jacket to be removed.

This is particularly useful during:

• Extended movement
• Warm conditions
• Physical training
• Heavy layering
• High-intensity field activity

Heavy-Duty Two-Way Front Zipper

The jacket uses a robust two-way front zipper.

The lower section can be opened independently when additional mobility or access is required.

A protective storm flap covers the zipper and uses hook-and-loop closure to reduce direct exposure to wind.

A front hook-and-loop loop is also provided for a rank insignia.

Adjustable Stand Collar

The high stand collar can be adjusted using a drawcord and cord lock.

On the Olive and Black variants, the collar includes a soft fleece lining for additional comfort around the neck.

This fleece lining is not specified for the Flecktarn version.

Two Large Napoleon Chest Pockets

Two large vertical-access chest pockets are integrated into the front of the jacket.

The side-entry zipper configuration provides useful storage while keeping the pocket openings relatively accessible when additional equipment is worn over the torso.

Suitable contents can include:

• Documents
• Maps
• Gloves
• Small electronics
• Personal equipment
• Other field accessories

Additional Front Chest Pockets

Separate patch-style chest pockets with flap and hook-and-loop closures provide another layer of organized storage.

This gives the KBS jacket substantially more built-in carrying capacity than a simple field blouse.

Upper-Arm Pockets

Two large zippered upper-arm pockets provide additional equipment storage.

Integrated slip compartments add further organization for smaller items.

Hook-and-loop surfaces on the upper-arm pockets allow compatible identification patches to be attached.

Forearm Pockets

Two additional zippered pockets are located on the forearms.

These provide accessible storage for compact items without relying exclusively on the torso pockets.

Pen / Utility Office

An integrated sleeve organizer provides storage for:

• Pens
• Markers
• Other slim writing instruments

This type of sleeve organization is particularly useful for professional and military applications where small tools need to remain immediately accessible.

Reinforced Elbows

The elbow areas use reinforced construction with:

• Double-layer fabric
• Cordura® reinforcement

This increases durability in one of the jacket's highest-wear areas.

Elbow Protector Pockets

Zippered compartments at the elbows allow compatible protective inserts to be added.

This provides the option to add additional cushioning or impact protection when required.

Elbow protectors are not specified as included.

Adjustable Sleeve Cuffs

Hook-and-loop sleeve closures allow the cuffs to be adjusted around:

• Gloves
• Watches
• Wrist equipment
• Additional layers

Adjustable Hem & Lower Torso

Drawcords with cord locks allow the fit to be adjusted at:

• Lower hem
• Lower third of the jacket

This provides more control over fit, ventilation, and layering.

Integration with Additional Layers

Internal attachment loops allow compatible:

• Inner jackets
• Liners
• Insulating layers

to be secured inside the jacket.

Additional fixation loops can also be used to attach a compatible rain layer.

This allows the KBS jacket to form part of a broader modular clothing system rather than functioning only as a standalone garment.

Hook-and-Loop Identification Areas

Hook-and-loop surfaces are positioned on:

• Upper-arm pockets
• Left chest

These provide attachment space for:

• Name tapes
• Rank identification
• Unit patches
• ID patches
• Other hook-backed insignia

Variant-Specific Nationality Insignia

The upper-arm configuration differs depending on the selected color.

German Flecktarn

The Flecktarn version features German flag / nationality insignia on both shoulders.

This gives the Flecktarn variant its recognizable Bundeswehr appearance.

Solid-Color Variants

The fixed German nationality insignia is not included on the solid-color versions.

The jacket still provides hook-and-loop identification surfaces for compatible patches and insignia.

Fabric by Color Variant

Material construction differs depending on the selected variant.

German Flecktarn

65% Cotton / 35% Polyester
Zwirnkörper / Twill-Type Uniform Fabric

Solid Colors

50% Cotton / 50% Polyester
Ripstop Fabric

The different constructions allow the same KBS jacket platform to be offered in traditional Bundeswehr camouflage and more general-purpose solid-color configurations.

Key Features

• German Bundeswehr KBS combat jacket
• Manufactured according to Bundeswehr TL specifications
• Part of the KBS special-forces combat clothing concept
• Short, straight front cut
• Extended rear coverage
• Extensive ventilation system
• Zippered underarm ventilation
• Additional upper-arm ventilation openings
• Heavy-duty two-way front zipper
• Protective hook-and-loop storm flap
• Front rank-insignia loop
• Adjustable stand collar
• Fleece-lined collar on Olive and Black variants only
• Two large Napoleon chest pockets
• Additional flap chest pockets
• Two zippered upper-arm pockets
• Integrated upper-arm slip compartments
• Two zippered forearm pockets
• Integrated pen organizer
• Reinforced elbows
• Cordura® elbow reinforcement
• Zippered elbow-pad compartments
• Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs
• Adjustable lower hem
• Adjustable lower-torso drawcord
• Attachment loops for inner jacket or liner
• Attachment points for additional rain layer
• Hook-and-loop identification areas
• German nationality insignia on Flecktarn variant only

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer: Leo Köhler
Garment Type: KBS Combat Field Jacket
Specification: German Bundeswehr TL
Cut: Short / Straight with Extended Rear
Front Closure: 2-Way Zipper + Hook-and-Loop Storm Flap
Ventilation: Underarm + Upper-Arm Zipper Openings
Chest Pockets: 2 Napoleon Pockets + Additional Flap Pockets
Upper-Arm Pockets: 2 Zippered
Forearm Pockets: 2 Zippered
Sleeve Organizer: Pen / Writing Instrument Slots
Elbows: Reinforced Fabric + Cordura®
Elbow Pad Pockets: Yes, Zippered
Cuffs: Adjustable Hook-and-Loop
Hem: Adjustable Drawcord
Lower Torso: Additional Adjustable Drawcord
Collar: Adjustable Stand Collar
Collar Lining – Olive / Black: Fleece
Collar Lining – Flecktarn: Not Specified as Fleece-Lined
Nationality Insignia – Flecktarn: German Flags on Both Shoulders
Nationality Insignia – Solid Colors: No Fixed German Flag Specified

Flecktarn Material: 65% Cotton / 35% Polyester – Zwirnkörper / Twill-Type Fabric
Solid-Color Material: 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester – Ripstop

Included

• 1 × Leo Köhler KBS Short Combat Jacket

Elbow protectors, patches, inner jacket, liner, rain jacket, and other equipment are not included unless specifically stated.

Variant Note

Please note that several details depend on the selected color:

German Flecktarn:
Features German flag / nationality insignia on both shoulders and uses a 65% cotton / 35% polyester Zwirnkörper fabric.

Olive & Black:
Use 50% cotton / 50% polyester ripstop fabric and feature the soft fleece-lined stand collar described by the manufacturer. Fixed German flag insignia is not specified for these variants.

Mission Frontline Take

The KBS Short Combat Jacket is noticeably more specialized than a conventional Bundeswehr field jacket.

Its strongest feature is the combination of ventilation and storage. Underarm and upper-arm vents allow significantly more temperature regulation than a traditional field coat, while the Napoleon pockets, chest pockets, upper-arm pockets, and forearm compartments provide a huge amount of built-in organization.

The short front cut is another important detail. It keeps the jacket from overlapping the belt area as much as a conventional long field jacket, while the extended back still maintains coverage during movement.

The reinforcement and protector pockets at the elbows also make sense for a jacket designed around demanding professional use.

For U.S. customers interested in genuine German special-forces-oriented combat clothing rather than a generic tactical jacket, the KBS is one of the most distinctive Leo Köhler products in the lineup.