11/1/09 - Triple Aught Design's (TAD Gear) longest running softshell, the Stealth Hoodie, has been updated for Fall 2009. The new version is called the Stealth Hoodie Reloaded. Significant changes in design and construction have been implemented on the 'Reloaded', making it the most advanced Stealth Hoodie yet. The Reloaded uses the new 3-layer waterproof Shark Skin Soft Shell fabric in the heavier 'classic' weight, with a quieter smooth face and technical fleece inner lining.

The new Stealth Hoodie Reloaded is a 3+ season (depending on where you live, of course) garment, with design updates such as colour-matched components, less seams for better water resistance, reinforced elbows and welded areas.

Urban Brown

For those familiar with the previous generations/versions of the Stealth Hoodie, the Reloaded retains the familiar Stealth Hoodie silhouette with its distinctive AERO hood, sleeve pockets and upper arm velcro patches. The differences, however, are in the details.

Pit zip

Hi-rise chest pockets

Rear 'duck' pocket

Upper sleeve pocket

• Material - Of the different verisons of the Stealth Hoodie, the Reloaded Shark Skin Classic 3-layer fabric is most similar in feel to the Gen 1 Stealth Hoodie, which was Schoeller WB-400; a lightly insulated and stretchy fabric. The Gen 2 Stealth Hoodie and SharkSkin v3.0/Gen 3 Stealth Hoodie were made of lighter weight materials; the Gen 3 being closer to an uninsulated shell than the typical soft shell jacket. While most similar to the Gen 1, the Reloaded does have a slightly stiffer hand, which provides the jacket with more body and shape.

  The Reloaded shell material is DWR-treated, pique textured, woven, highly abrasion-resistant 85% nylon/15% spandex with a smoother, quieter face. The technical fleece backing is 100% polyester. The inner fleece is dyed to match the same tones as the outer shell for uniformity. The fleece lining is very low loft and adds little to the bulk of the fabric. The Reloaded is available in Sith Black, OD Green, and Urban Brown (pictured here). The Urban Brown is a very nice, deep chocolate colour which doesn't scream 'military/tactical', but doesn't look completely 'civvie' either, and will look right at home on the trail or in the woods.

  Sandwiched between the outer nylon fabric and the inner fleece facing is the PU membrane. It's a waterproof/breathable layer that prevents water from penetrating through to the fleece inside. The day I got the reloaded, I did the simple 'sink test', where I lined a sink with the back of the jacket (being the largest area of material), and proceeded to fill it up as deep as it'd go without hitting a seam. I intended to leave it in the sink for about an hour, then check to see if any water had soaked through or saturated the top layer. I promptly forgot about it, and remembered it the next evening more than 24 hours later, which I was walking past the bathroom. I poured off the water, and found the fleece on the inside completely dry. The little water that did saturate the outer nylon shell layer didn't penetrate far, and dried very quickly. This is in contrast to the Gen I Stealth hoodie (and other soft shells) which would eventually wet through and stay wet for a while (it still retained warmth even when wet, though).

• Welded areas - Seam and fabric welding technology/construction was pioneered by Arc'teryx and utilizes high-tech adhesives between fabric layers that are heated and bonded using ultrasonic energy. It is sometimes used to eliminate seams and stitching, reducing the weight of garments and for improving water resistance by reducing the number of holes created by stitches. It is more expensive, however, and welded construction is virtually unavailable in the USA, which led TAD Gear to seek other sources. Their last source for welded construction in the Bay Area closed down 18 months ago. The Reloaded uses welded reinforcements on all zippered pockets to cover up any stitching, as well as on the elbow reinforcements. Other welded areas are the hood brim, which is welded to keep its shape, and the bottom hem, which is welded and backed up with stitching on the inside.
• Reduced number of seams - Where possible, the Reloaded was designed to reduce the number of exposed seams - either by covering them with welded reinforcements, or by pattern/panel design - to maximize fabric integrity against wet weather.
• Cut - Articulated 4-panel body "Alpine Cut" construction for mobility and superior fit. Longer, "Extreme-reach" sleeve cut prevents creep when raising arms or in the prone position. Sleeves are also pre-shaped/articulated for the natural hang of the arms.
• Corded, low profile AERO Hood - This is TAD's signature hood design, updated since the Gen 3 model with elastic shock cord adjustment and improved brim (vs. the Gen 1 and 2 Stealths). The shock cords allow the hood face opening to be adjusted (loosened or tightened) with one hand. The ends of the shock cord are routed into the chest pockets for a neater appearance. When tightened around the face, the hood opening moves with the head, since the soft shell material is stretchy.
  The brim is now stiffer and also welded to keep its shape. It protrudes outwards, providing good protection without coming too low to restrict vision. Worn down with the collar zipped closed, the brim sits against the back of the head to seal in warmth.
  This hood also features the H.R.U.F. (Hood Roll Up Flap) sewn to the inside of the collar which velcros inside the hood when not in use. When the hood is rolled up, the flap goes over the rolled-up hood and attaches to the two velcro patches on the outside of the collar in the back. To unroll the hood, the flap is simply pulled off the velcro and the hood deployed. No zippers on the collar to contend with. There are 1" x 1" velcro squares sewn to the back of the hood for glint tape or Ranger eyes.
  When rolled up, the collar stands up. I prefer to wear it down as I have never had it get in the way. The chin is protected by a soft chin guard.
• Pit zips for venting - The pit zips on the Reloaded are 11" long and open from top to bottom.

Inside collar/hood

HRUF system

Hood rolled up

Hood deployed

Pit zip

• Colour matched covert YKK zippers - All zippers match the material and zipper pulls are protected by 'zipper garages' in the closed position.
• Hi-rise large main chest pockets - Designed for LBE and pack waist belt clearance. Each has a slim stash pocket inside for slim flashlights or pens.
• Rear dual-entry 'Duck pocket' - This is a large 12" x 10" trapezoidal pocket, like a 'poachers pouch' on the lower back of the jacket for storing soft items like beanies, gloves etc. It's easily accessible from both sides. A secondary use for the pocket zippers is that they can be opened for small-of-the-back ventilation when the pocket is empty.

Chest pocket

Duck pocket zips

Duck pocket

• Upper sleeve velcro swatches - These measure 5" x 4".
• Upper sleeve pockets - The upper sleeve pockets have been redesigned and the internal space extends up to the shoulder seam instead of stopping a couple of inches below it. They measure about 10" tall x 5" wide. Another thing to note is that there is no visible stitching anymore, showing the outline of the pocket - all that can be seen is the zipper entrance, which makes for a very streamlined and clean look.
• Small ID pocket on lower sleeve - There's a small ID pocket on the lower left sleeve/fore arm for small items like ID, a key, coins etc.
• D-ring keepers in pockets - The upper sleeve pockets and chest pockets all have plastic D-ring keepers sewn to webbing inside the pocket, for dummy cording critical items from loss.
• Media Pass-through slits in pockets - The Reloaded has die-cut rubber media pass through slits for headphone/cell phone cords. There's also a small rigid loop on the inside of the left collar for wire retention.
• Die cut Tuff Grip Velcro adjustable cuff tabs - The same black die cut rubberized tab as on the Gen 2 and 3 hoodie is used, with colour-matched velcro.
• Reinforced elbows - New low profile, low mass, welded double reinforced elbows with articulation. A tough patch of die-cut material is welded almost invisibly over the elbows to protect them from abrasion.
• Bias cut bottom hem with cord locked draw cord - The back of the jacket is cut longer in the back and there are elastic draw cord locks on both sides to seal out the wind.

Upper sleeve patch and pocket

Media loop and pass-through slot

Velcro tab and elastic on cuff, ID pocket

Reinforced elbows

Bottom hem

Observations/Notes - One of the first things I noticed about the Reloaded is the colour-matching of almost all components throughout the garment. The inner fleece, welded reinforcements, zippers, shock cord, cord locks, velcro, zipper web pulls, are all very closely matched in colour for monochromatic uniformity.

Like the thinner Shark Skin material used on the v3.0, the new Shark Skin in heavier classic weight is waterproof (not water resistant); further crossing over into hard shell realm. As I mentioned above, I found that the Reloaded is most similar to the Gen I Stealth Hoodie when it comes to fabric feel. It's a bit stiffer, with more body, but also more durable feeling, especially with the welded elbow reinforcements. The elbow reinforcements, combined with the thickness of the classic material, provides both abrasion resistance and some protection from hard surfaces in the prone position. The fit of the Reloaded is the same as the previous Stealth Hoodie versions - not snug, but there isn't much excess space either. I'm able to wear a form-fitting mid-weight mid layer underneath the Reloaded, but wouldn't wear anything thicker and baggy, as it'll be tight under the arms.

I'm ambivalent about the hood opening elastic cord adjustment. On the Gen 3, the ends were exposed, so the hood could be tightened with one hand. On the Reloaded, since the ends are inside the chest pockets, it requires unzipping the pocket to pull them, if you want to adjust the hood with one hand. The hood can still be adjusted externally, but with two hands - one to pull the elastic and another to hold the cord lock. But you'll end up with a loop of shock cord at the collar unless you pull the end into the pocket. So, it's a toss up between ease of adjustment and a cleaner look with no exposed ends blowing around in the wind.

We were fortunate to have some rain recently, and I took advantage of the wet weather to try out the Reloaded. I went out in light drizzle to medium rain, and as expected (because of the waterproof membrane), I stayed completely dry. The water beaded up on the nylon outer fabric mostly, with only a few very small spots showing signs of saturation. What surprised me is how breathable it felt, even when wearing it where I expected it to get stuffy - in my car after coming in from the rain. Typically, when I get into my car from the rain, and it's not that cold outside, I'll tend to feel stuffy in rain wear if I don't take it off. It's warmer than the outside, and humid due to the moisture in the air and from my wet jacket. I wore the Reloaded while driving after getting into the car from the rain, and I didn't feel stuffy in it at all. The pit zips had a lot to do with it, I'm sure, but my arms were comfortable, even with the welded elbow reinforcements. The Reloaded feels noticeably more 'breathable' than the Gen 1 and 2 Stealth hoodies.

The 'Classic' weight fabric is more suited to cooler (under 70°F) to cold temperatures than the light weight v3.0, and (in my opinion) works well as a stand-alone jacket instead of a thinner 'shell' over a mid layer. Quality of construction and stitching is excellent, and this really seems like a more robust jacket than the previous versions. The reduction in exposed stitching contributes to that impression, much of it due to the welded reinforcements around all pocket zippers. The colour matched components, reduction in exposed seams, and welded reinforcements make the Reloaded the most technically advanced, refined, weather resistant and feature-laden Stealth Hoodie to date, continuing TAD Gear's trend towards improving their products.

1/8/09 - The Spectre Hoodie LRP MultiCam (now sold out) is Triple Aught Design's (TAD Gear) 'flagship' U.S.-made softshell, with more pockets and volume than their Stealth Hoodie Reloaded. Designed as a robust softshell for protracted field use encountered in Long Range Patrol (hence the "LRP" designation); the Crye MultiCam version of the Spectre is a limited edition of one run only, and will not be available again. It's TAD Gear's first and last MultiCam softshell (as of this writing), due to the high cost of developing and manufacturing the soft shell fabric in MultiCam . The MultiCam Spectre differs from the solid colour Spectres by its material - it's thicker and warmer, and suited for colder weather, or as a stand-alone jacket instead of a light shell + mid insulating layer. It is designed for aerobic activity with breathability taking precedence over water resistance.

Hood rolled up

Hood unrolled

The Spectre Hoodie LRP (MultiCam) has similar general features and lines as the other TAD soft shell/jackets, but with a different pocket configuration, and more space in the upper arm pockets. This is to account for the chest pockets being rendered uselss when a plate carrier or armour is worn over the jacket.

Hood down, front zipped up

Hood up

Pit zip

• Material - The solid-colour Spectre Hoodies are made from a slightly softer hand sharkskin than the sharkskin version on the Stealth Reloaded featured in the previous writeup, and are available in M.E. Green, M.E. Brown, and U.E. Gray (the Stealth Hoodie Reloaded comes in Black, OD Green and Urban Brown). This makes them most similar in feel to the Gen 1 Stealth Hoodie, which was Schoeller WB-400; a lightly insulated and stretchy fabric. The Gen 2 Stealth Hoodie and SharkSkin v3.0/Gen 3 Stealth Hoodie were made of lighter weight materials; the Gen 3 being closer to an uninsulated shell than the typical soft shell jacket.

  The custom-made MultiCam softshell fabric used for the LRP Spectre Hoodie shown here is unique to this model. It is TAD's thickest, warmest 'sharkskin' 3-layer softshell fabric. It is DWR-treated, highly abrasion-resistant 100% nylon with a smoother, quieter face. The technical fleece backing is 100% polyester. The fleece lining has higher loft and provides more insulation than any of the other Stealth Hoodie fabrics.
  
  The MultiCam Spectre fabric was spec'd to be more breathable than water resistant for high aerobic alpine warfare (cold and dry snow conditions rather than rain), while wearing plate carriers for sustained or protracted periods where the jacket would not be easily removed. Also, due to the textile parameters needed to print MultiCam, the water resistance rating for the MultiCam textile is about half that of the solid colour Stealth/Spectre LRPs. The MC Spectre has excellent vapour transmission rate at the sacrifice of high water resistance.
  
  When I first wore the MC Spectre out in the rain, I expected it to be almost completely waterproof like the new Stealth Reloaded, which was very impressive in my rudimentary 'sink test'. The rain was quite heavy and pelting, but I felt dry inside. I was outside for about half an hour. When I took the jacket off, I noticed a couple of small raindrop-sized damp spots. I thought that maybe some of the water on the outside of the jacket must have flicked into the fleece when I took it off. I then decided to do a sink test on it. My sink test consists of lining a sink with the jacket, ensuring that a solid area of material with no seams or openings covers the bottom of the sink. I then fill it up with as much water as it'll hold; usually a couple of inches deep, and then check it periodically for penetration. The depth of the water provides pressure, which is a better indicator than just running water over the fabric, as raindrops fall with force. I also rub the face fabric, and try to massage the water into it, as would happen if you wear pack straps over the shoulders. Anyways, after about half an hour, I noticed the MC Spectre fabric was beginning to wet through. Within the hour, the water had penetrated to the fleece. This is about on par with the Gen 2 Stealth which was made of Schoeller WB-400. Water resistant, but not water proof. The fabric in the later versions of the TAD Stealths are practically water proof. So, take note that the MC Spectre is water resistant, but not as much as the other Stealth softshells.

• Cut - Articulated 4-panel body "Alpine Cut" construction for mobility and superior fit. Longer, "Extreme-reach" sleeve cut prevents creep when raising arms or in the prone position. Sleeves are also pre-shaped/articulated for the natural hang of the arms.
• Corded, low profile AERO Hood - This is TAD's signature hood design, updated since the Gen 3 model with elastic shock cord adjustment and improved brim (vs. the Gen 1 and 2 Stealths). The shock cords allow the hood face opening to be adjusted (loosened or tightened) with one hand. The ends of the shock cord exit the hood at the bottom of the collar and are exposed for easy access without having to reach inside the jacket. When tightened around the face, the hood opening moves relatively well with the head, since the soft shell material is stretchy.
  The brim protrudes outwards, providing good protection without coming too low to restrict vision. It's a little shorter than the one on the Reloaded, and not stiffened. Worn down with the collar zipped closed, the brim sits against the back of the head to seal in warmth.
  This hood also features the H.R.U.F. (Hood Roll Up Flap) sewn to the inside of the collar which velcros inside the hood when not in use. When the hood is rolled up, the flap goes over the rolled-up hood and attaches to the two velcro patches on the outside of the collar in the back. To unroll the hood, the flap is simply pulled off the velcro and the hood deployed. No zippers on the collar to contend with. The HRUF flap is made of the same material as the rest of the jacket. There are 1" x 1" velcro squares sewn to the back of the hood for glint tape or Ranger eyes.
  When rolled up, the collar stands up. I prefer to wear it down as I have never had it get in the way.
• Pit zips for venting - The pit zips on the Spectre are 11" long and open from top to bottom.
• Heavy duty large tooth YKK Delrin main zipper.

Collar/hood details

Inside hood

HRUF system

Rear of hood

Pit zip

'Napoleon' pocket

• Colour matched covert YKK zippers - All zippers match the material and zipper pulls are protected by 'zipper garages' in the closed position. Note that the covert zippers are not waterproof.
• 'Napoleon' pocket - One 'Napoleon' pocket on the upper left chest. This measures about 7" x 7".
• Lower hand warmer pockets - Intead of the usual hi-rise chest pockets on the Stealth Hoodies, the Spectre has two low hand warmer pockets. There is a 'stash pocket' in each of them for slim flashlight, small pocket knife, pens etc. Inside the rear of the pocket is a plastic D-ring on webbing for dummy cording contents.
• Rear dual-entry 'Duck pocket' - This is a large 12" x 10" trapezoidal pocket, like a 'poachers pouch' on the lower back of the jacket for storing soft items like beanies, gloves etc. It's easily accessible from both sides. A secondary use for the pocket zippers is that they can be opened for small-of-the-back ventilation when the pocket is empty.

Hand warmer pocket

Duck pocket zips

Duck pocket

• Upper sleeve velcro swatches - These measure 5" x 4".
• Upper sleeve pockets - The upper sleeve bellow-style pockets extend up to the shoulder seam instead of stopping a couple of inches below it. They measure about 10" tall x 8" wide and are pretty roomy.
• Small ID pocket on lower sleeve - There's a small ID pocket on the lower left sleeve/fore arm for small items like ID, a key, coins etc.
• D-ring keepers in pockets - The upper sleeve pockets and handwarmer pockets all have plastic D-ring keepers sewn to webbing inside the pocket, for dummy cording critical items from loss.
• Media Pass-through slits in shoulder pockets - The Spectre has die-cut rubber media pass through slits for headphone/cell phone cords in the shoulder pockets.
• Die cut Tuff Grip Velcro adjustable cuff tabs - The same black die cut rubberized tab as on the Gen 2 and 3 hoodie is used, with colour-matched velcro. The fabric has enough stretch in it to allow me to slip it on and off without undoing the velcro tab.
• Reinforced elbows - Same fabric double layer reinforcement patches on the elbows. There's a slot access to the pocket created by the patches from inside the sleeve for inserting a foam/T-pro pad that's been cut to size for added protection .
• Bias cut bottom hem with cord locked draw cord - The back of the jacket is cut longer in the back and there are elastic draw cord locks on both sides to seal out the wind.

Upper sleeve patch and pocket

Bottom hem and drawcords

Reinforced elbow/pad pocket

Internal foam insert opening

Velcro cuffs

Observations/Notes - The first thing I noticed about the MC Spectre was that the fabric was thicker and warmer than any other previous version of TAD's soft shells. I asked if this was unique to the MultiCam version, and the answer was 'yes'. The solid colour versions of the Spectre as made of material more similar to the Stealth Reloaded, which has less lofty fleece insulation. The MultiCam Spectre was intended as a high-aerobic alpine (cold and dry snow conditions rather than rain) soft shell jacket for units needing a good camouflage pattern, warmth, and protection from the wind and occasional moisture. As mentioned above, breathability/vapour transmission was emphasized over water resistance, so the MultiCam version has approximately half the water resistance of the solid colour versions.

The MultiCam fabric has a soft hand and is also quieter than some other fabrics, with a lower pitch nylon 'swish'. It's also slightly stretchy, both for comfort and range of motion. The loftier fleece lining gives it a bit of a padded feel, like a sweatshirt, and helps cushion the elbows where it's doubled up. Due to the thicker fabric, the hood does not roll up as compactly as the thinner fabrics, and makes for a bulkier roll around the neck. I usually prefer to leave the hood down; unrolled.

Sizing feels a bit more generous than the Stealth Reloaded, especially in the arms, and the Spectre will accommodate a medium weight mid layer underneath.

The Spectre hood opening elastic cord adjustment is like the Stealth Gen 3, with the ends were exposed, so the hood can be tightened with one hand. On the Reloaded, since the ends are inside the chest pockets, it requires unzipping the pocket to pull them, if you want to adjust the hood with one hand. The tradeoff for ease of adjustment are the loose ends, which I sometimes grab by accident when I reach for the main zipper pull or Napoleon pocket pull.

If you're on the fence about which to get; the Spectre LRP or Stealth Reloaded, the difference is in the details, really. At the time of this writing, the MultiCam Spectres are sold out, so this review applies to the main features of the LRP Spectre in solid colours. The Spectre is made domestically, has more load capacity and a is bit more generous in fit than the Reloaded. The Reloaded is made overseas but is more technically advanced, with its welded features and is also slightly lower in price.

I'd estimate the usable temperature range for the MC Spectre to be about 65°F and below, depending on level of activity and layering. Anything above that, and it'll be a bit warm. As advertised, breathability is excellent - this is a trend I'm noticing with TAD's soft shells. The material is getting more water resistant (with the exception of the MC Spectre) without being stuffy. I wore it in the desert in the mid-40's and it was comfortable over just a t-shirt when I was moving around. I used Crye field shirt elbow pads in the Spectre and they fit perfectly.

7/24/10 - The Vipera Shell from S.O.D. (Special Operations Department) was developed for Italian SOF as an insulated cool/cold weather jacket that is designed to provide protection against the elements while being extremely breathable, comfortable and durable. It's not really like any other soft shell out there and can play the role of both soft shell or fleece jacket.

S.O.D. Gear - S.O.D. (Special Operation Department) is an Italian manufacturer of military clothing that collaborates with and produces clothing and equipment that is used by Italian and allied military units in a variety of theatres. S.O.D. actively participates in the development of its raw materials, together with its own collaborators and suppliers. This results in near perfect colour matching between various fabrics and components; something that most manufacturers will agree is not only expensive, but difficult to do. The attention to detail and workmanship (all S.O.D. items are designed and manufactured in Italy) are some of the best I've seen in garments. All materials used by S.O.D. are of Italian, U.S. or Canadian origin. Shown here is the Vipera their new colour, HCS (Hybrid Coyote Sage).

HCS (Hybrid Coyote Sage) - S.O.D. offers their products in quite a few different colours, including Crye MultiCam, and the desert and woodland versions of Italian Vegetato. HSC (Hybrid Coyote Sage) is a new colour exclusive to S.O.D. that has just been introduced, and is in service with the Italian SF. As the name implies, HCS is a hybrid of coyote brown and sage green. The end product is a brownish-green shade that works better than sage or OD green in arid areas, and very well around dry grass and shrubs. There is no blue in the HCS. Depending on the light, it can take on a greyish cast, which helps it blend in rocky areas as well. I have not tried it in green areas, but testers were pleased with the results during testing done in green environments in Italy. While it may not be as effective as camouflage patterns in some environments, it's surprisingly good for a solid colour, both in rural and urban areas. It's probably the most versatile solid colour for a uniform I've seen yet. What's also pretty impressive is how SOD has been able to match the components used to construct their garments. HSC is also suitable for LE as it doesn't look as 'military' as a camo pattern. Note that the shade of the main fabric of the jacket is a slightly lighter colour than the 50/50 NYCO used in the other HCS garments reviewed here. It's not quite as brown.

Material - The materials are what make the Vipera different from most other jackets. The Vipera has 500D Cordura panels for reinforcement in key areas suject to wear. The 500D panels cover the shoulders and the outside of the arms/elbows, with strips down the middle of the jacket in the front and back. The wrist cuffs and bottom waist hem are also Cordura-reinforced. The panels give the Vipera a distinctive look, especially when camo 500D cordura is used in conjunction with a solid colour base fabric. I actually prefer the look of the solid Viperas to the half camo-half solid ones. Just personal preference.

The rest of the jacket is made with a interesting-looking knit fabric made by Cordura. Normally, soft shells have a relatively smooth nylon outer fabric that's treated with a DWR. The outer fabric has a knit pattern, similar to what you'd see on a knit polo shirt, and has a very soft hand. The inside is lined with a very fine microfiber fleece called Tecnopile, made in Italy. The Tecnopile is made up of tiny filaments packed tightly to provide an incredibly soft hand, similar to cashmere.

When I first saw the Vipera, I had no idea what properties the materials had. The 500D, I could see, offered abrasion resistance and some water resistance. The main jacket fabric was very comfortable - not overly warm, but very breathable. Absolutely no hint of stuffiness. It felt less like an insulated soft shell and more like a lightweight fleece jacket. I wondered, why did they call it a shell when it didn't look like it had any water resistant properties? The Cordura knit fabric didn't look water resistant at all, and to test it out, I threw some water on the sleeve. Some of the water drops flowed off the fabric, and some soaked into the outer fabric, saturating it. I waited to see how long it'd be before it soaked through to the inside microfiber lining. I kept waiting. Curious, I took off the jacket and looked inside. It was dry. Maybe I didn't use enough water, I figured. So, I put the jacket in the sink, making sure that I had a solid area of fabric with no seams, and turned the tap on, filling it up as much as possible.

The water sat on the surface of the fabric for a bit before eventually saturating the fabric, wetting it out. I let it sit, and went away. Several hours later, I came back to see what had happened, and was surprised to see the puddle of water there. I had expected it to make its way through completely and soak through to the microfiber side. It didn't. So I contacted Max at S.O.D. Gear to ask him about it. He replied that sandwiched between the outer fabric and the inner tecnnopile microfiber is a very special membrane. He didn't specify what it actually was, but it's waterproof, wind proof, and most importantly, breathable. I honestly would not have known that there was a water/windproof membrane in this jacket based on how it felt. It's also stretchy, which usually isn't the case for hardshell membranes. Needless to say, this put the vipera in a whole new light for me. Note that the seams are not sealed, so water can find it way through, like most other soft shells.

Pit zips

Handwarmer pockets

• Material - As detailed above, the Vipera is constructed from Cordura knit fabric with a waterproof membrane, and lined inside with microfiber Tecnopile. Reinforcing panels are 500D Cordura. Light weight nylon mesh is used inside as a liner, and 50/50 NYCO ripstop is used in certain areas, like construction of the pockets.
• Cut and fit - The Vipera is cut to fit generously, and will fit over light and medium base layers. It fits very much like a 'bomber-style' jacket, with its shorter cut. It's cut shorter so that it's easier to access a first line or rescue belt, depending on the length of your torso. I'm short, so the jacket would still overlap a belt on me.
• Main zipper closure - The main zipper is a heavy duty YKK with a storm flap behind it. The storm flap edge is reinforced with 500D Cordura.
• Hood - The hood is a relatively simple design with a single adjustment. It has a 500D Cordura reinforcement in the middle, running over the head. The hood does not stow or fold, and has 50/50 NYCO lining on the inside near the opening. There is a velcro patch on the rear of the neck for an ID patch. The face opening is adjusted by pulling the elastic shock cord ends near the base of the neck in front. This cinches up the hood opening. Cinching it up creates a flat, narrow opening for the eyes. Bear in mind that doing this will pull up on the front of the jacket collar, as shown in the photos below. It's not optimal, but end users wanted the hood to be relatively low profile, and not anything bigger, so the face opening will have to be left a little larger than the slit, if you want to move your head around. The hood is designed to fit over the head only, not a helmet. I'd like the hood to have a bit more range of motion, but I understand the requests of the end users to keep it simple, and low profile with a minimum of excess material.

Hood up

Hood details

Hood inside

Hood top

Hood rear

• Pit zips - 14" pit zips allow for quick ventilation of the jacket. The zipper pulls, however, are located at each end of the zip, instead of being head-to-head. This means that while you can open the pit zip from either end, you can't locate the opening in the middle, if you wanted to. You have to start at either end, or both. I'd prefer that the dual zipper pulls be located next to each other. More often than not, I tend to want the opening right at my arm pit, in the middle.
• Handwarmer pockets - the hand warmer pockets are located in a very natural and comfortable position for the hands, with slanted, zippered openings. They're not very deep, so they're only for smaller items. They're made out of 50/50 NYCO ripstop.
• Right Napoleon pocket - The Napoleon pocket measures about 7.5" tall x 7" wide, and has a vertical zipper opening, protected by 500D cordura welts.
• Inside left pocket - Inside the left side of the jacket is a 6" wide x 7" deep pocket, with a horizontal zipper opening.
• Adjustable bottom hem - The bottom hem is adjusted via shock cord pulls on the sides. I'd like to see the cord locks sewn to the hem so that adjustment can be one-handed.
• Velcro cuffs - The cuffs are adjusted with a velcro tab.
• Velcro patches on shoulders - these are 4" x 4" for flags, ID etc.

Pit zip

Handwarmer pocket

Right chest pocket

Inside pocket

Bottom hem

Cuffs

• Colour matched reverse YKK zippers - All zippers match the material and zipper pulls are protected by 'zipper garages' in the closed position. The zippers are 'reversed' with the teeth on the inside. All zippers are protected by 500D Cordura welts and have 550 cord pulls sewn on.

Additional Observations/Notes - The Vipera feels very much like a field jacket, and that's what it's designed for, actually - an all-in-one jacket that can be used for a variety of conditions. It's a bit heavy to be used in the summer, unless it gets cold at night. An extra mid layer might do the trick if weight and bulk is a concern. For cooler temperatures (anything below 65° F), that's where the Vipera might come in handy if you want a jacket that does the work of a field jacket, soft shell and fleece jacket. Wtih its 500D Cordura reinforcements, it's more abrasion resistant that most regular soft shells. The Tecnopile microfleece provides insulation, but it's not as warm as heavy weight fleece jackets. It's more water and wind-resistant than any fleece, and durable as well.

Compared to most other soft shells, the Vipera doesn't repel water as easily, since the outer fabric isn't a smooth-face DWR-coated nylon. This means that if soaked, it can get heavier that some other shells at the beginning when exposed to rainfall. However, when exposed to a longer duration of moisture, most insulated soft shells will eventually soak through and wet out the inner fleece insulation, whereas the Vipera's membrane doesn't allow water through to the insulation. For this reason, it'll dry out faster than another soaked insulated softshell, which usually take quite a while to dry out. Note that the Vipera is not considered water proof, as it does not have taped seams.

I've been using all of S.O.D.'s garments over the past few months, particularly on desert trips before the weather got too warm. The Vipera really worked well after the sun when down and the wind started blowing and it got cold. It's usable over a wide range of temperatures, due to the temperature control that the large pit zips allow and completely breathable fabric. I'm very impressed with the fabric - it's still hard to believe that it has a water proof membrane inside. The insulation inside combined with the 500D Cordura on the outside helps cushion against sharp rocks and pebbles. The Cordura knit does pill some when rubbed against hook velcro, but that's not uncommon. Viperas have been used in Afghanistan for over 3 years and held up to the harsh terrain and conditions over there without issues with durability. It's been nicknamed the 'Lifesaver' by some Italian SF troops who use it as their 'do everything' jacket. As soft shell/fleece jacket/field jacket all rolled into one, it's a pretty versatile garment.