2011 TAD Stealth Jacket

Three years ago, I purchased my first TAD Stealth Jacket out of curiosity.  I had nothing to go other than the description on their website but it seemed like a Navy SEAL gucci kit so I bought one.  With names like Urban Brown and Sith Black, who could resist.  I got the brown and upon receiving it, I really didn't think much of the jacket.  It was expensive, it was a softshell with a thin fleece lining inside and it didn't have an inside pocket for me to put my iPod in.

It was not until wearing it for some time that I began to notice how great the jacket is compared to my previous ones.  Despite being a softshell, not once did it ever succumb to a downpour.  I have taken several trips in heavy rain just to test how long the jacket would last before it is compromised.  I have yet to succeed.  The jacket is light, comfortable, and very warm for what it is.  Warm enough that I had stopped wearing my winter jacket and just layer up smartly underneath.  I was more than satisfied with the jacket.   I knew that in the future, I would not settle for anything else, other than another TAD jacket.

Fast forward three years and a few pounds lighter, I decided to get another jacket.  This time, I went with the UE Grey jacket.  I chose to buy from DS Tactical since they are a Canadian retailer and they provide free shipping via FedEx.  They were out of stock for the jacket with velcro patch on the arms, but the ones without was on sale for 20% off.  At $380.99, that is a significant saving so I went through with the purchase.  This time, I bought the jacket in size Large, down from my previous XXL of my older jacket.  Fits like a glove but I suspect that by the time its cold enough for me to wear it, I should have some more room in there.

With a closer inspection, it seems like TAD had made only minor changes to the jacket as the overall style is practically identical.  This is one of their sale points as they claim this is a style that work for their target consumer for these jackets.  I cannot complain.  The biggest change is now the jackets are made in Canada, rather than China, as with my previous one.  This is as far as I can go right now since the weather is still way too hot for me to test this jacket further.

The above picture is to show the color differences between the TAD jacket compared to an alpha green Maxpedition Active Shooter Bag, and a grey Propper APCU jacket.  The UE Grey of TAD is much closer to the alpha green than the grey of Propper.  In any case, come cold and wet weather, I will be stylish and more importantly, dry and comfortable.  Bring it on, mother nature!

DETAILS SPECS

Introduced in 2002, our Stealth Hoodie has become widely recognized among military and outdoor users for its proven performance under rugged field use. For nearly a decade, we have continually evolved our Stealth platform to meet the real-world demands encountered by our intrepid customers across the globe.

This season, we collaborated with Schoeller® textiles to engineer a unique fabric system for our Stealth that perfectly balances abrasion and weather resistance with warmth and freedom of movement.

Adapts to your activity and environment We built the system around c_change®, a windproof and waterproof membrane that literally adapts to the environment both inside and outside the jacket to maintain the ideal body climate. In the presence of heat or body moisture, the pores open to channel that heat and moisture away from the body, keeping you cooler and more comfortable. When it’s cold or body moisture has not accumulated, the pores constrict, retaining heat inside the jacket.
Protected inside and out

Aside from its distinct style, something that sets this year’s Stealth Hoodie apart from any other jacket on the market is our use of Schoeller’s Nanosphere™ process on both the outer shell and internal fleece lining. This innovative process uses nanotechnology to modify the fibers, rendering them naturally self-cleaning, resisting water, dirt, and oil. Unlike fabric treatments that degrade with use and time, NanoSphere is a permanent modification and has no effect on comfort, appearance, breathability, or elasticity. Water or such substances as ketchup, honey, coffee or red wine run off. And if they don't happen to run off of their own accord, they can easily be rinsed off with a little water.

Stands up to rugged use If you’re operating in a rocky environment or maneuvering through thick underbrush, the abrasion-resistant nylon face guards against snagging and damage. The ultra-durable elbow reinforcements resist wear, especially necessary for those shooting prone or using their elbows for leverage.

Comfortable and flexible With four-way stretch and a single underarm panel running from hem to cuff, the Stealth won’t hold you back. Designed to excel during active use in mild to cold environments, the combination of our thickest fleece lining yet and a next-generation climate membrane will keep you comfortable from Fall through Spring.

Functionality you can customize To achieve the right fit and weather protection, you can adjust the velcro cuffs, cinch the cord at the hem or use the easily stowed Aero hood. The pocket array gives you multiple storage options, including D-rings in the chest and upper arm pockets to dummycord your gear, keeping it both handy and secure.

Subdued style that transitions from field to city Performance and function are the baseline requirements of everything we make, driving a style which is clean-lined and without superfluous details. The silhouette is modern without bulk and our subdued color palette ensures you’ll blend into natural environments.

Fit
Standard

Material
Schoeller® 3-Layer 375 g/m2
Fleece Lined
Treatments: Nanosphere™
Membrane: c_change™

Patterning
Welded, Reinforced Elbows
Single Underarm Panel with Pit Zips

Hood Configuration
Aero Hood Design with Hood Roll Up Flap
Adjustable Cinch Cord
Two 1”x1”Velcro Loop Squares on the Hood Accommodate Ranger Eyes Or Glint Tape

Pocket Configuration
2 Chest Pockets with Media Ports, D-Rings with Inner Stash Pockets
2 Upper Arm Pockets with Media Ports, D-Rings
1 Left Forearm Pocket
1 Double-entry Hunters Pocket
All Pockets Feature Zipper Garages and Pull Tabs
Brushed Mesh Pocket Bags

Zipper Configuration
Full Front Double Coil Zipper with Chin Flap and Pull Tab YKK® Zippers
All Pockets Feature Zipper Garages and Pull Tabs
Cuff and Sleeve Configuration
Adjustable, Velcro, Dyed-to-Match, Laser Cut Cuffs
Two Optional, Upper Arm, 3"x5" Velcro Swatches for Morale Patches

Hem Configuration
Adjustable Locking Drawcord
Drop-Tail Hem

Logos & Labels
One 1"x1" Loop Swatch with Removable Velcro Logo Patch at Right Hip

Made in Canada