GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - TAD Gear Raptor Hardshell Jacket with eVent
The other side of the waterproof/breathable coin. The excellent Raptor Hardshell Jacket from TAD Gear now uses GE's eVent 3L eptfe membrane laminate. Not available in camo, yet, but it is does come in Foliage Green (pictured above) and Multi-Environment Brown. Both will work well for blender inners.
I stumbled across the TAD Gear website a couple of years ago and immediately ordered a Predator Hardshell Jacket. That was all it took to become a big fan. This is a small, privately owned company that makes some very interesting gear including a line of outstanding shell layer pieces that rival or even best the biggest names in the business.
Their new line is just as detail oriented and highly refined as previous ones but now employs a waterproof/breathable product called eVent which is widely regarded by many experienced users to be just as waterproof as Gore-Tex but more "breathable". What do I think? Well, I am still on the fence but I can tell you that eVent has done very well in my field evaluations. My only question has to do with long term durability. In the mean time, many high end users love it and gravitate towards products that use it.
From a design standpoint I appreciate many of the Raptors features. It has pit zips, a nice pocket set, good pocket placement, a highly adjustable hood, internal cord ports, perfect cuffs and a double front zipper which scores bocoo points with me.
The sizing is too slim for me though. I am 5'11'' 235ish, generally described as stocky and I definitely require an XXL to accommodate medium thickness insulation layers without too much compression.
Weight for my XXL is 25 ounces which just makes it into my light weight category for shells. It could be an ounce or two less if they left out the Duck pocket which would be fine with me because I can't figure out what to put in it anyway.
The only thing I wish it had is the usual hook and loop patch on the shoulder. Ostensibly for unit or custom patches (which TAD will make for you), I also use them for things like reflective panels, name tags, GPS receivers, my SPOT unit, or FRS/GMRS radios.
The fabric is packable and makes about as much noise as other eVent jackets or the new Sitka Stormfront and Stormfront Lite Jackets. The Cabelas MTO50 Quiet Pack Jacket still holds the title of the quietest waterproof/breathable shell layer in production.
So, there you go. More will come on this when my field testing is completed but if you want a technically correct, high quality, stealthy colored outer shell that uses eVent, the TAD Gear Raptor Hardshell Jacket is it.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who won't or can't turn back.
Posted by Wade Nelson at Wednesday, August 05. 2009 
Categories: Shell Layer
Tags: eVent military jacket eVent shells eVent eVent hunting jacket eVent jackets eVent outerwear Tad Gear
Categories: Shell Layer
Tags: eVent military jacket eVent shells eVent eVent hunting jacket eVent jackets eVent outerwear Tad Gear
Comments