7/4/11 - For 2011, the new Stealth Hoodie LT from Triple Aught Design (TAD) incorporates a completely new textile composition to make it one of TAD's most versatile Stealths yet. It is a three-layer system custom-engineered with Swiss-made Schoeller® textiles and treatments. The 'LT' designation indicates that it is an uninsulated version of the Stealth; suitable for stand-alone use in warmer weather.

The last Stealth Hoodie version I reviewed was the Stealth Hoodie Reloaded in 2009. The Stealth Hoodie LT is very close to the Reloaded in design and features, with the main difference being that it's uninsulated vs. insulated, with a brand new advanced fabric. The LT shares many features with it's predecessor, such as colour-matched components, less seams for better water resistance, reinforced elbows and welded areas.

Material and treatments - The material used on the new LT is from Schoeller® in Switzerland. Externally, it's virtually identical to the fabric used on the Gen 1 Stealth Hoodie, reviewed five years ago. It's not surprising, as the Gen 1 was made of WB-400 from Schoeller. That's where the similarity ends. The most noticeable difference is that the LT fabric is uninsulated, whereas the WB-400 was backed with Polartec fleece.

The material used on the LT is Schoeller's three-layer, four-way stretch, 240gm/m² system, which is made up of the abrasion-resistant face fabric (73% nylon, 21% urethane, 73% nylon), a wind/waterproof membrane called c_change™ (92% nylon, 8% elastane), and a smooth tricot backing (100% polyester). The heart of the system is the c_change™ membrane:

c_change™ - c_change™ is a Schoeller® technology, and is a wind and waterproof membrane that independently reacts to changing temperatures and activity. When I first looked it up, and saw that it was referred to as a 'bionic climate membrane', I'll be honest - I thought to myself "Bionic? what kind of bullshit marketing hype is this? Who's making this up?" When I saw that it was a Schoeller technology, that immediately restored credibility back to the claim, as Schoeller is an established leader in the high-performance textiles market.

According to the manufacturer, the c_change™ membrane is based on an example from nature - the fir cone. Fir cone scales open and close in response to different weather conditions; the female pine cone opens when warm and dry (more favourable conditions for seed dispersal and germination), and closes when cold and wet. The c_change™ polymer membrane reacts to different conditions like a pine cone; at high temperature of during aerobic activity, the structure of the c_change™ membrane opens as body moisture levers rise so that excess heat and moisture can escape. In colder weather or inactive periods, with lower levels of body moisture production, the structure of the c_change™ membrane contracts, which helps retain the heat close to the body, preventing chilling. The c_change™ membrane is both wind and waterproof.

The test results for the non-laminated c_change™ are impressive. Water resistance is 20,000mm and breathability (MVTR) is 18,000 g/m²/24h, Ret value is < 2. A Ret (ISO-1092/Hohenstein test) value from 0-6 indicates that the membrane is very good or extremely breathable, which translates to comfort at higher activity rate.

Besides the membrane, the Stealth LT makes use of two other technologies to further enhance its performance:

3XDry® - Another Schoeller® technology, 3XDry® is a moisture management treatment that makes textiles water and stain repellant on the outside and water absorbant on the inside. The outside of the textile is finished with a water repellant treatment (hydrophobic), and the inside of the textile has a hydrophilic finish to absorb perspiration. Garments finished with 3XDry® keep the body drier and more comfortable by absorbing perspiration from the inner side of the textile and transporting it away from the body to the outside, where it's distributed over a large surface area to dry faster. Both the face fabric and tricot backing on the Stealth LT are treated with 3XDry®, which creates a system that repels water, dirt and stains on the surface while absorbing moisture and perspiration on the inside. The treatment does not affect the appearance, hand or air permeability features of the fabric.

coldblack® - Yet another Schoeller technology, coldblack is a new textile technology which was launched in summer 2008 by Schoeller and Clariant International AG. Clariant is a global leader in the field of specialty chemicals. Schoeller is responsible for the sales, marketing, branding and patenting of coldblack; while Clariant is responsible for the sale of chemicals, technical support and quality control for the coldblack finish.

coldblack® is a proprietary chemical finish for textiles that are exposed to direct sunlight over a long period of time. It is fully wash resistant and will not wash out. coldblack® prevents textiles from heating up as much and offers protection against UV rays. In other words, coldblack® is a sun reflector+ UV protector. In general, dark coloured textiles absorb both visible and UV rays of sunlight, heating up more than light coloured textiles, that reflect both light and heat. coldblack® reduces absorption of heat rays, particularly in darker colours, and in all treated textiles, resulting in better heat management.

Black textiles can absorb up to 90% of the heat rays when exposed to direct sunlight, and heat up accordingly. When treated with coldblack®, textiles reflect up to 80% of the heat rays and stay noticeably cooler. Test performed in the lab showed that a black coldblack® shirt stayed approximately 9° F cooler than a non-treated shirt when exposed to simulated sunlight. Tests also showed that users sweated half as much when wearing a black shirt with coldblack® technology vs. a conventional black shirt during activity. Besides garments, coldblack® technology has been applied to automotive seat covers, sun shade/awnings, and tents, keeping those items cooler when exposed to direct sunlight.

The Stealth LT face fabric is dyed in a process that incorporates the coldblack® treatment, which reduces overheating of fabric in the sun. It not only helps keep the wearer cooler by reflecting UV rays, it also prevents the garment from fading due to sun exposure.

Of the different verisons of the Stealth Hoodie, the Stealth LT is most similar in external feel to the Gen 1 Stealth Hoodie but thinner, of course (without the insulation). As far as weight goes, the material feels more substantial than the SharkSkin v3.0/Gen 3 Stealth Hoodie, which was more light weight and thin. It's also quite packable and foldable, fitting inside a backpack compartment without a problem.

The Stealth LT is available in Black, ME Green, and UE Grey (pictured here). The UE Grey is a medium grey, and the photos below show the colour pretty accurately. In some of the photos, it looks a little blue, but that's because of the overcast daylight, which shed a bluish tinge on everything.

UE Grey

Chest pockets

Pit zip

For those familiar with the previous generations/versions of the Stealth Hoodie, the Stealth LT retains the familiar Stealth Hoodie silhouette. It's available with or without (shown here) velcro patches on the shoulders.

Aero hood rolled up

Hood unrolled, worn down

Hood up

• Fit/sizing - The Stealth LT is designed to accommodate mid layers, including the Ranger and Ranger LT, and other sweaters that TAD offers. It therefore has a slightly roomier fit than the Reloaded, and other Stealth Hoodies I've tried. TAD calls it 'standard' vs. the more form fitting 'Alpine Cut'. 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.
• 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. The Stealth LT features welded reinforcements on exposed 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 Stealth LT 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.
• Corded, low profile Aero Hood - This is TAD's signature hood design, with the same design as on the Reloaded. 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 shock cord routing inside the collar has been streamlined slightly since the Reloaded, but functions the same.
  The brim is welded to keep its shape and is stiff enough to create a nice 'tunnel'. 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. Since the hood of the LT is not insulated, it rolls up and stows into a more compact and less stiff package than on the Reloaded. 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. While the website states that the velcro squares are available on the shoulder patched version only, they're present on mine.
  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 Stealth LT are two inches shorter than on the Reloaded - 9" instead of 11" long and open from top to bottom. The shorter pit zips make sense as it's an uninsulated jacket.

Fabric closeup

HRUF system

Hood adjustment

Wire retention and routing

Chest pockets

• 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, a media port for wire routing, and a D-ring for dummy cording items. The pocket bag is made from brushed mesh.
• Rear dual-entry 'Hunters/Duck pocket' - This is a large 14" 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, as it's brushed mesh lined.

Arm pocket

Pit zips

Cuffs

• Optional Upper sleeve velcro swatches - Only available on the 'patched' version - not shown here.
• Upper sleeve pockets - The upper sleeve pocket internal space extends up to the shoulder seam instead of stopping a couple of inches below it. They measure about 10" tall x 6" wide. 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 a wallet, 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 chest and upper sleeve pockets have die-cut rubber media pass through slits for headphone/cell phone cords. There is also a small rigid loop on the inside of each collar for wire retention.
• Die cut Tuff Grip Velcro adjustable cuff tabs - The cuffs are adjustable via a colour-matched die cut rubberized tab, with colour-matched velcro. There is no elastic on the cuff.
• Reinforced elbows - 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. It's proved to be very tough and abrasion resistant, especially when shooting from prone.
• Drop-tail 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 of the main zipper to seal out the wind.

Elbow reinforcement

Bottom hem adjustment

Rear Hunters pocket

Observations/Notes - If I had to be brief, I'd characterize the Stealth LT to be an uninsulated version of the Stealth Reloaded. It can be used for a wider range of temperatures, as it's designed for layering over insulated garments, and by itself can be used in warmer temperatures than the Reloaded. Like the Reloaded, all components are colour-matched for monochromatic uniformity. Actually, even more so as the Reloaded had black die cut cuff tabs. The welded reinforcements, zippers, shock cord, cord locks, velcro, zipper web pulls, are all very closely matched in colour. All the pockets are common to the previous Stealth hoodie models, so the layout should be familiar to those who have owned them.

As mentioned above, the Stealth LT fabric is more substantial than the thinner Shark Skin material used on the v3.0, but more supple and thinner than the insulated fabric used on the Reloaded. It folds up pretty compactly and I can stuff it into a backpack without it taking up much room. Like on the Reloaded, the welded elbow reinforcements really add to the feel of durability of the garment. They provide both abrasion resistance and some protection from hard surfaces in the prone position. The fit of the LT definitely feels more roomy than that of the Reloaded. The Reloaded wasn't snug on me, but there wasn't much excess space either. I was able to wear a form-fitting mid-weight mid layer underneath the Reloaded, but nothing much thicker as it'd be tight under the arms. The Reloaded was designed more as a stand-alone jacket, after all. The LT on the other hand, with layering as part of its intent, is sized as such. I was able to don it over a Ranger Hoodie, which is a thick fleece garment (form fitting, however). That's about as bulky as I'd go, as it's snug, but not too tight. It easily fits over a regular heavy sweatshirt on me, without feeling too tight under the arms (as in the Reloaded), and works well with other mid layers I tried it over. If I were to wear it over any insulative layers, I'd pick the more form fitting ones to minimize excess bulk under the jacket.

So, I'm sure the question on everyone's mind is 'so well does this new high-tech fabric work? The first thing I always do is test the water resistance. While a new DWR-treated garment will usually shed water more readily than a worn, dirty garment, I've seen brand new soft shell fabrics let water through quite quickly. Since I always perform the test first on a brand new garment, my basis of comparison is the same for them all. It simply consists of lining the sink with the garment, finding an area of fabric with no seams, and filling the area up with water; letting it sit and checking on it periodically. I'll also start rubbing the area under water if I still don't see any penetration after a couple of hours, to simulate water being rubbed into the face fabric from contact with backpack shoulder straps etc. As expected, the Stealth LT fabric is waterproof. I left it in the sink for a full 12 hours (left it in the morning, and checked it during the day), and nothing made it through. The face fabric beaded up any water, and barely showed any signs of saturation, even after that length of time.Like the Reloaded, the LT fabric is pretty much approaching hardshell performance when it comes to water resistance, and moisture penetration is going to be limited to the unsealed seams and zippers (which are not the water proof type). The fabric is also wind proof, as blown air under pressure doesn't make it through to the inside.

While the Reloaded is one of the most breathable insulated soft shell jackets I've tried, it's more suited to cooler weather. The Stealth LT is probably the first soft shell I've tried that can actually be used in warmer weather (not hot weather) under certain conditions. I have other garments made of uninsulated Tweave that also feel pretty breathable in warm weather, but Tweave is water resistant, not water proof. I had some varied spring weather to take advantage of the Stealth LT, ranging from cool (upper 50's) to warm (70's). We had some medium rain/drizzle, which the LT handled without issue. I'd have been surprised if it didn't. Walking around without exertion on cooler days in the 50's (mostly in the mornings and evenings), with the wind blowing, the LT doesn't offer much warmth by itself with only a t-shirt underneath, as it's uninsulated. I wasn't warm and cozy, but I wasn't cold either. Once I started moving a bit more, with a little exertion, I warmed up comfortably pretty quickly, but didn't feel stuffy. The LT fabric feels very durable and abrasion resistant, and doesn't make one feel concerned about wear. The elbow reinforcement really adds to the durable feel of the garment.

I intentionally wore the LT on warmer days, when a jacket really wasn't needed, and was surprised that I didn't feel too hot in it. Even in my car on a warm day, I still felt comfortable. Note that I wasn't exerting in the warmer weather, as I just wanted to see if it got stuffy, just sitting there. I tried it out when the temperature was in the upper 60's (it was actually t-shirt weather), and did a little more exerting. As I expected, I did start to feel some stuffiness, mostly in the sleeves and back. Note that I'd have felt too warm in just about any long-sleeved garment, even a cotton shirt, under those circumstances. Compared to other uninsulated garments of similar weight made from Tweave of the same thickness, the LT felt more breathable.

The bottom line is that it's difficult to state usable temperature ranges, as they're so dependant on whether the user is sedentary or exerting, and the ambient conditions. You can feel hot in a t-shirt in cold weather if you're working hard enough. I'd estimate that the upper limit for the LT is about 70-72° when stationary/not exerting, and about 60°-65° when moving (slow hike). The lower limit depends on what you're wearing underneath, and the LT then serves as a wind/rain shell in cold weather, depending on the mid layer for warmth. I sometimes get emails from readers asking which soft shell is suitable for warm/hot and humid climates. I'm not sure, really - the LT is the closest thing so far to a warm weather soft shell, but I don't think I'd find anything comfortable in humid climates. I lived in the tropics for about 10 years, and it basically sucked. I was sticky all the time. Nothing worked as well as an umbrella, if I wanted to stay dry.

The other experience I've had with coldblack® is with a black polo shirt from VERTX, and the different between an untreated garment and treated one is hard to quantify, unless they're very dark. The coldblack® doesn't make a dark garment feel cooler than a light one; it makes a dark one feel cooler than other untreated dark ones, or as cool as a lighter coloured garment. I did notice that in the sun, my NYCO pants felt warmer to the touch than the LT fabric, and my thighs felt warmer than my arms. Whether that has anything to do with coldblack®, I don't know.

The Reloaded was the most breathable insulated, fleece-lined soft shell I had tried, and the Stealth LT seems to be the most breathable uninsulated soft shell thus far, and a true 3-season jacket (at least for my neck of the woods). Garment performance has to be taken in context with purpose - it's unrealistic to expect a jacket to feel just as airy as a t-shirt under the same conditions. But with advances in fabric and treatment technology, windproof/waterproof garments are getting much more usable over a wider range of conditions than they were in the past. With each new model, TAD utilizes and incorporates the latest in textile technology into their garments, producing a practical garment that performs as well as it looks, around town or in the field.

7/20/11 - The Integrated Tactical Jacket from Massif is their first non-FR piece of clothing, with more to come. The ITJ is a light weight, water-resistant, dual-fabric, non-FR top designed for compatibility with armour in cool or inclement weather. The ITJ is available in Black, OD Green and Tan, but for its initial offering, the Tan version is only available exclusively from U.S. Cavalry.

I first reviewed Massif gear back in 2007; all of it being FR (Fire Resistant). Massif (also referred to as Massif Mountain Gear Company) is located in Ashland, Oregon. Massif's founder Randy Benham (a search-and-rescue professional, and before that having 15 years of experience making custom outerwear and climbing equipment) started to design and build clothing and equipment out of necessity for his Rescue team when he found that available products were unsatisfactory. As word spread, Randy founded Massif Mountain Gear Company to keep up with the demand for his custom made equipment and clothing. Massif now distributes its products to rescue professionals, fire teams, ski patrols, law enforcement, the military and government, and private companies.

While Massif has built its reputation on FR gear, their understanding of the end users' needs and experience when it comes to tactical clothing design translates well into the non-FR garment arena. It makes perfect sense that they've started their own non-FR line (starting with the ITJ) to provide gear to customers who like Massif's designs and high performance fabrics, but don't need FR protection.

The ITJ is designed as an inclement weather jacket to be worn under armour. It uses a more weather resistant softshell fabric on the yoke, shoulders and tops of the sleeves, which are the more exposed areas, and a lighter weight fabric on the torso for comfort and reduced bulk under armour. We've seen similar garments in the Arc'teryx LEAF Combat Jacket and Sphinx Halfshell (which also uses two types of softshell fabric), which are basically inclement-weather replacements for a BDU jacket. The ITJ is designed with the same usage in mind, but with differences in the execution.

Material - The ITJ uses two different stretch-woven fabrics in its construction. The sleeves and yoke feature a stretchy, 6.5 oz, 86% nylon/14% spandex fabric with DWR (Durable Water Repellant) finish for water resistance and wind protection. It's a completely matte finish, smooth-face fabric. The texture is similar to Schoeller WB400 on the outside, and not as rough as Tweave. Inside, the fabric is lined with a very soft, almost terry-cloth-like texture, only with very low nap. I wouldn't call it insulation, but more of a wicking lining for comfort and dryness. I did my water-resistance sink test on the fabric and it's quite water resistant. Water beads up on the surface, and it'll hold a pool of water for quite some time before the water eventually makes it through the DWR. Even so, it takes a bit of rubbing and coaxing to get more water to soak through. The jacket is meant as a water-resistant jacket, not a water proof one, and it should work well in drizzle, light showers to medium rain. If it's raining hard, the pressure from heavy raindrops can eventually cause it to wet out, and a hard shell might be needed instead.

The torso and under arms use a 89% nylon/11% spandex 5.5 oz fabric for breathability and quick drying. It's also DWR treated. On the tan jacket shown here, the 5.5 oz fabric is slightly darker than the 6.5 oz fabric, hence the 'two-tone' description that Massif uses. The contrast really isn't that much. The 5.5 oz fabric is also very stretchy and breathable, and has a very fine grid pattern lining, also intended to wick away moisture from the skin. Water will bead up on the DWR but pressure will force the water through (like heavy rain drops). That's why the more water-resistant fabric is used on the exposed areas. The torso fabric is thin enough to wear it tucked into pants, or out.

The ITJ is available in Black, 2-tone OD Green, and 2-tone Tan (pictured here). For the initial offering, the Tan version is only available exclusively from U.S. Cavalry.

Chest pocket access

• Fit/sizing - The ITJ is designed to be worn under an armoured vest, plate carrier or rig, so it has more of an athletic cut than a loose one. On me, it's not snug at all, and I'm able to fit a sweatshirt or PCU Level 3 insulated mid layer underneath it. I can even fit it over a concealed soft armour vest, but that will depend on your build and how much you fill up the jacket.
• High collar - The 2.5" tall collar protects against wind, rifle slings and hot brass. It has a small velcro tab that further seals it over the zipper. The 'Massif' logo is printed on the back of the collar.
• Double storm flaps - This is kind of unusual; the main zipper has a storm flap both behind, and in front of it, so it's not exposed. The normally exposed edges of the zipper tape inside the jacket are covered with seam tape, which is a nice detail touch. The main zipper has a molded plastic Massif pull tab attached to the metal pull.
• Zippered chest pockets - Instead of the normal hand warmer pockets down by the waist, the ITJ has 8" high x 5" wide pockets located high up on the chest instead, accessed through vertically zippered openings on the sides near the shoulders. This is so that you can still access the pockets through the arm holes when wearing armour over the ITJ. Items stored here are best limited to flat, non-bulky or soft items, for comfort under armour.

Different fabrics (inside)

Collar zipped up

Collar unzipped

Rear of collar

Chest pocket

• Zippered shoulder pockets - The shoulder pockets measure about 8" high x 5" wide, and have a vertical zipper opening that's protected by a storm flap. The top of the storm flap curves to the front, which protects the zipper from getting wet and rain from entering the pocket if the zipper is partially opened. Inside each shoulder pocket is a secure, internal cell phone sleeve, angled for easy access. It's also suitable for a folding knife or multi tool. It measures about 3.5" x 2.5". Both the shoulder and chest pocket zippers have cord pulls attached to the metal pull tabs.
• Mesh-lined pockets - Sleeve and chest pockets are mesh lined, so that they can also serve as vents if need be. If there are items inside the pockets, the zippers can be cracked open a bit; just enough to allow some venting. Pocket zippers open from the top.
• Shoulder patches - Each shoulder has a 5" x 3.25" patch of loop velcro for insignia/patches/flags.
• Die-cut wrist tab adjusters - The cuffs have no elastic, but they're adjusted with textured, die-cut rubberized micro-hook velcro wrist tabs to seal out the wind and cold. The wrist tabs are grippy and easy to use with or without gloves, and the micro hook doesn't snag as much as regular velcro hook on other materials.
• Gusseted cuff - There's a gusset at the cuff so that when the wrist adjustment tab is secured, the sleeve doesn't bunch up.

Shoulder pocket

Shoulder patch

Cuffs

Observations/Notes - My intial impression of the Integrated Tactical Jacket concept is that it's role is similar to that of the Arc'teryx Sphinx, and the Otte Gear DK Hybrid, which are also designed to be worn under body armour. The Sphinx is a pullover design though, while the DK hybrid is a full zip. Rather than wearing a BDU coat/shirt, with a shell over it, these jackets are intended to replace the BDU shirt. The advantage to wearing a jacket like the ITJ instead of a BDU and shell is that you don't have to take your armour on and off to put the shell over the BDU top when the weather starts getting wet. The ITJ is more breathable than a hard shell jacket or full soft shell, with its breathable torso and underarm fabric, so there's less need to take garments on and off to accommodate changes in the weather that might include cool weather, some rain, then later warm up a bit. I also noticed that the ITJ fabric is pretty quiet, and has a lower pitch 'swish' sound than most other nylons.

The comfort range of inclement-weather BDU replacements will depend on the amount of physical activity the user is engaged in. You'll feel quite comfortable sitting around in 70° weather and armour over the ITJ, but if you start moving, it might start getting a bit warm. Most of these types of garments are best suited to cooler weather, I've found; preferably below 65° if you intend on doing anything physical. Pit zips and vents (the mesh inside the pockets in the case of the ITJ) do help regulate the temperature inside the jacket.

The high collar is actually made of two layers - the 6.5 oz on the outside, and lined with the 5.5 oz on the inside. It's very comfortable and the double layer protects well against chafing from a rifle sling. I really like the extra little design touches like the covered main zipper and protected sleeve pocket zippers. When I first tried the ITJ under the Crye JPC, I initially thought that the dual storm flaps over the main zipper might feel uncomfortable under a front plate to to a bit of added thickness, but that wasn't the case. I can feel it there, but it's soft; not a hard little bump like a BDU button. I did notice that the ITJ doesn't have as many stitches per inch as some other manufacturers; but since all the seams are double-stitched, I don't really have any concerns about it.

As a stand-alone jacket, the only thing the ITJ lacks are side-entry hand warmer pockets down at the bottom, like most garments designed to be worn primarily under armour. But adding those would detract from its primary mission as an under-armour garment, and add unnecessary bulk to the torso in that role. I found that the ITJ is cut short enough that I can put my hands in my pants pockets if I choose, without having to hike up the bottom hem too much. Walking around with only a T-shirt underneath the ITJ in the low 60's proved to be quite comfortable, with the occasional cold gust of wind feeling a bit chilly on the thin torso. For the mid 60's to low 70's, the ITJ makes a really nice windbreaker/light jacket for the cooler mornings and evenings.

While the ITJ is designed primarily for the LE/Military market, I think it fits just as well in the civilian/outdoor market. With the reduced bulk of the torso, it makes for a more packable jacket that can be folded and stored in a backpack compartment. I also found that the ITJ (along with other 'combat' tops that have thinner fabric for their torsos) works well with a pack in colder weather. The low profile torso doesn't add bulk under a pack hip belt. I have a backpack-style child carrier (not a baby carrier), in which I take my 3-1/2 year old son around on my back in the evenings around the neighbourhood after dinner. It's usually cool by then, and can be downright chilly. With a sweatshirt or regular jacket, my body can often get too warm once I start going on a brisk walk up and down rolling hills, while the wind chills my extremities. With the ITJ, my arms keep warm while the more breathable torso and underarm fabric helps prevent me from getting too hot under the collar.

If you're familiar with Massif's FR garments, you'll know that they're well designed, quality pieces. I was surprised at the price of the ITJ, though. It's lower than one would expect for a soft shell jacket made in the USA and priced very competitively.

10/9/11 - The Wraith Jacket and Wraith Pant from Arc'teryx LEAF are extremely lightweight and compressible garments; intended as emergency layers that fit over combat clothing and low profile gear to accommodate unexpected changes in the weather or unforseen circumstances.

The Wraith Jacket and Pant are similar to the SOF-PCU Level 4 Windshirt in intention; providing the user with a very lightweight and packable wind/water resistant garment for unexpected changes in weather. Only they do so in a better package than the SOF-PCU L4 item. Many manufacturers offer light weight windshirts, but few offer a complete set.

I asked JF from Arc'teryx LEAF to give me a bit more insight into the Wraith garments, and he said that the Wraiths are not intended as a waterproof layer; rather they are wind/water resistant pieces for increasing the margin of safety/comfort when moving fast and light. A recurring story he kept hearing (from the intended customer base) was that of being sent on 4-hour mission in fair weather and it turning into 12-24 hours in sand storms or wet sleet waiting for the birds or due to some other delay. The Wraiths obviously aren't ideal for all conditions but they beat lying on a rooftop around in your nylon/cotton or FR uniform when the weather turns. The Wraith Jacket was designed to layer over very light plate carriers (Crye JPC, Mayflower Low Profile Carrier, LBT-1961A, Tyr Pico ect.) and/or minimalist chest rigs. Depending on the user's build and loadout, it might fit over a CIRAS or similar rig, but this was not the design intent.

Material - The Wraith Jacket and Pants are made of Gossamera™ - a 100% Nylon ripstop fabric with durable water repellant (DWR) coating: it's the same textile as the Atom AF jacket face fabric. Technically, it's a mechanical stretch 30 denier false twist nylon 66 (not a cheap nylon 6 or polyester) with an extremely light PU "kiss coat" that improves the water and wind resistance. The Wraiths are available in Crocodile for mixed landscapes and Overwhite for snow and ice. The Overwhite is translucent so that any camo pattern or colour of the underlying clothing is faintly visible through it. This gives it a wider range of environments than standard opaque overwhites.

The first thing I did (as I do with all water-resistant garments) was to line the sink with the Wraith jacket and fill it to a depth of about two inches, just to see how water resistant the fabric is. I was actually surprised by how long it took for the water to wet the fabric through to the back side - more than half an hour. Note that this is standing water with pressure. Water just poured on the fabric just runs off, due to the water repellant coating. For such a lightweight fabric, it's very water resistant. It's also quick drying, due to its thinness.

• Fit/sizing - The Wraith Jacket is generously cut to fit over garments and low profile gear. I'm able to comfortably wear it over my TAD Ranger hoodie, which is a thick fleece jacket, or when wearing a BDU or combat top and low profile plate carrier. It's already oversized (kind of like the Atom AF), so you'd buy your normal size.
• Articulated patterning - The Wraith Jacket has articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility. Extra space is added where the normal 'stretch points' will be. The elbows are shaped and the underarms are gusseted.
• Helmet compatible storm hood - The stowable storm hood is helmet compatible (under a helmet, not over it). It has a soft brim that is stiffened by a thin rod sewn into it. This allows the brim to be rolled up compactly, yet provides some shape to it when deployed. The face opening is adjusted via elastic shock cord, with the pulls located just inside the collar. When rolled up, the hood is secured in place by the hang loop inside the collar, and rubber 'chalk' on elastic.
• Zippered chest pocket - There's an approx 9" x 9" zippered pocket over the left chest, accessed by a vertical zippered opening. The corded zipper pull is covered in shrink-wrap tubing for an easy grip. The pocket doubles as the jacket's stuff sack when turned inside out. There's a cord loop inside the pocket for hanging/attaching the stowed jacket, or as an attach point for dummy cording items.

Hood details

Rear of hood

Hood rolled up

Hood rolled up (rear)

Chest pocket

Cuffs

Bottom hem

• Full front zipper - The full front zipper cord pull is covered in shrink wrap tubing, and there's a wind flap behind the zipper. There's a soft neck/chin guard sewn at the top of the wind flap on the inside, for comfort against the skin.
• Velcro/elastic cuffs - The cuffs have both velcro adjustment and elastic. The laminated die-cut velcro adjusters reduce bulk; using 3/4" loop velcro and a 1/2" adjuster. For some reason, many manufacturers make the adjuster the same width as the loop velcro, when it makes more sense to make it narrower, so it doesn't have to be aligned perfectly and there aren't any unsecured edges to lift up. I wish more manufacturers would adopt the attention to detail that Arc'teryx has. The wrists are also elasticized so that you don't have to undo the velcro adjust when donning or doffing the jacket. In my opinion, this is the ideal cuff setup for just about any jacket of this type. I also wish more gloves would use the mini die-cut velcro as their closure.
• Hem drawcord - Elastic shock cord runs around the perimeter of the bottom hem, allowing the jacket to be cinched up around the waist. Mini cord locks and cord ends are used. The cord end runs vertically through a tunnel up the front of the jacket, on each side of the main zipper, so there's no loose cord end sticking out of the bottom.
• Miniature hardware - All the plastic hardware is minimal in size to reduce bulk, like the cord locks, shock cords pulls etc.
• Weight - 6.4 oz

• Fit/sizing - Like the Wraith Jacket, the Wraith pant is cut slightly oversize in the legs to be worn over combat pants without restriction of movement.
• Articulated Patterning - Articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility - this is obvious when you look at the knees and legs from the side.
• Oversized knees and legs - While the material used has mechanical stretch, additional room has been added in the legs and kness to fit over boots and combat gear.
• Elastic waist - The waist has an adjustable elastic shock cord with standard size cordlock and pull.
• Gussted crotch - for obvious reasons.

Side zips

Shock cord waist

Rear inside pocket

Side zip

Bottom hem

• Zippered inside pocket - There's a 6" x 7" zippered pocket on the inside right of the pant. It doubles as the stow pocket, when turned inside out. The internal cord loop serves as a hang loop or internal attach point.
• Side zippers - On each side of the hip is a 14" long side zipper, for venting and access to pockets and gear underneath. The zippers have cord pulls covered in shrink-wrap tubing.
• Adjustable pant cuffs - The pants cuffs are wide to fit over boots and have shock cord adjustments. The shock cord pull is routed through a sleeve that orients it upwards; which keeps it out of the way. The cord lock is a standard size, not a mini one.
• Weight - 5.3 oz

Observations/Notes - As mentioned above, the Wraith Jacket and Pants are designed primarily as an emergency layer that's light enough to carry on your kit or gear, when a heavier or more bulky garment cannot be accommodated. It's not intended to replace a Goretex shell. When extended exposure to inclement weather or colder temperatures are expected, then it might be more sensible to wear garments like the Alpha LT series, Gryphon or Sphinx which are designed for that type of weather. The Wraiths are brought along when the unexpected happens - a daytime mission lasts longer than expected and desert temps fall at night; the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse etc.

My first impression of the Wraiths is that they're very light, and about as packable as any similar item I've seen. The Wraith jacket is even lighter than Marmot's DriClime Windshirt, which doesn't have a hood. The jacket's stow pocket is oversized; the jacket packs relatively loosely in it. The pant stow pocket packs it a bit tighter. The jacket's stow pocket is large enough to pack BOTH the jacket and pants (which is why it's oversized), into a relatively compact package, which can be compressed even further. I've illlustrated them below, with a USGI 1-qt canteen for size comparison. With the jacket/pant combination weighing less than 12 oz, it's a small weight price to pay for the advantages of having them if you need them. Either one alone will fit in a BDU pant cargo pocket.

Size comparison to 1qt canteen

Hang loops

Pant also fits into jacket pocket

Jacket and pant in jacket pocket

Jacket + pant compressed

The material used on the Wraiths has 'mechanical stretch' properties; relying on the way it's woven, rather than the addition of spandex or other stretch fiber. The additional stretch makes the Wraith very unrestrictive. Arc'teryx draws its clothing design experience largely from the climbing/mountaineering arena, and know how to design clothing that allow full range of motion and mobility. The material is breathable, yet very wind-resistant. My usual, non-tactical use of wind shirts is for motorcycle riding. I ride the motorcycle to work a few times a week. In the winter, I wear a leather jacket with something like the Atom LT underneath it. During the summer months, it's still cold in the morning, but warms up and gets hot in the afternoons. During the warmer months, I wear a mesh jacket with a thin wind shirt underneath it, which I stow for the ride home. I usually wear the Artkis Stowaway shirt, but swapped it out with the Wraith this summer. Riding a motorcycle with a mesh jacket is a convenient method for me to test the wind-resistant properties of any windshirt or jacket, as I'm riding in chilly morning air at 50 mph. The Wraith jacket performed very well, in spite of the thin material, stopping all the wind and keeping me quite comfortable. Even though the Wraith jacket is slightly oversized in the torso, it adds virtually no bulk, even when worn under the mesh jacket.

The one small issue I had with the Wraith pant was that the waist elastic was a bit tight. The elastic was shorter than the actual pant waist, so that it was 'pre-cinched up'. Or maybe I'm just getting fatter. So, I cut myself a longer length of elastic shock cord that was basically the circumference of the pant waist when fully relaxed, and replaced the shock cord. Much better for me.

The tall side zippers on the pants enable side slash pockets as well as thigh cargo pockets on pants to be accessed. In fact, they open up enough to allow you to reach your fly so you can take a piss, which is handy since the Wraith pants have no fly opening of their own. They also work very well as vents. On some of the chillier morning motorcycle rides, I wore the Wraith pants over my regular pants (like VERTX). I was able to don and doff them while wearing boots. Like the jacket, the pants helped keep the chill out by stopping the wind from blasting through my pants fabric.

While the LEAF line is designed primarily for military and law enforcement users (and some specifically for tier 1 military units), I think that the Wraith jacket and pant are light and compact enough to be carried along on day hikes or as part of a survival kit. Quite often, we see stories of lost or injured hikers on the news, who would have benefited greatly from the protection afforded by a slip-over jacket and pant. As mentioned before, the Wraiths are not waterproof, but can prevent or delay the absorption of moisture (depending on the conditions) into the user's garments, keeping them drier. The wind resistant material also increases the insulation efficiency of any non wind-resistant insulating layer (like a sweatshirt or sweater), reducing heat loss.

Instead of protection in cold weather, the Wraiths might be suitable for warmer climates as well, when a heavier/thicker rain jacket may be too warm, and a lighter jacket is desired for protection from quick showers or drizzle. I think they also make the perfect set for the traveler who likes to pack light, or the motorcycle commuter that might encounter inclement weather. Anyways, whether you're in a Tier 1 unit or a regular Joe civvie like me, I'm positive that you'll be able to put the Wraith jacket and pant to good use.