View Full Version : TAD Gear
Does anyone have any experience with TAD gear?
I am looking into one of these Stealth Hoodies (http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/apparel%20main/stealth_hoodie.htm) and would like some real world input. I have heard what a bunch of the internet junkies and sheeple have to say, just curious. As always, any information is greatly appreciated.
Good times,
Blake
mumbleypeg
11-18-2005, 13:14
I like TAD. When in the Bay area I go to the shop. I have bought stuff online from them as well. I have the Ranger Hoodie and a soft shell jacket. My wife has a TAD goretex jacket. I like the thought they put into their gear. The details are well worked out.
My general impression has been that Snow Boarding is a major design consideration.
Of the three TAD clothing pieces I have experience with, the soft shell hoodie is the only one with loose threads. This is only in the ribbing at the cuffs. That said, it is also my most worn piece of fleece. It has held up as well or better as gear from Arcteryx and Patagonia and Royal Robbins. If I'm going outside, my hoodie is go to gear. It has seen me through Sierra's backpacks, Arizona and Oklahoma quail hunts. A couple of duck hunts. As well as a very healthy dose of lounging. I am a civilian user. I have been happy with TAD gear.
.
I like TAD. When in the Bay area I go to the shop. I have bought stuff online from them as well. I have the Ranger Hoodie and a soft shell jacket. My wife has a TAD goretex jacket. I like the thought they put into their gear. The details are well worked out.
My general impression has been that Snow Boarding is a major design consideration.
Of the three TAD clothing pieces I have experience with, the soft shell hoodie is the only one with loose threads. This is only in the ribbing at the cuffs. That said, it is also my most worn piece of fleece. It has held up as well or better as gear from Arcteryx and Patagonia and Royal Robbins. If I'm going outside, my hoodie is go to gear. It has seen me through Sierra's backpacks, Arizona and Oklahoma quail hunts. A couple of duck hunts. As well as a very healthy dose of lounging. I am a civilian user. I have been happy with TAD gear.
.
Thanks Much, this is the kind of Info I am looking for. I could Give a damn about Snowboarding, but all of your uses are right in line with my intended uses. My standard hoody has served me well for the last two years, but it is getting a bit rough for some intended uses. (Like ever going out in public and not being mistaken for joe shit the ragman) Much appreciated
The Reaper
11-18-2005, 13:26
I have bought gear from them before, and other than their location, have no issues with them.
You need to fix your link and put the 'd' in tadgear.com.
TR
I have bought gear from them before, and other than their location, have no issues with them.
You need to fix your link and put the 'd' in tadgear.com.
TR
thanks Sir, Done
I have purchased from TD gear before and will again, Mick Strider says they're GTG and that's good enough for me.
DDD
NousDefionsDoc
11-20-2005, 11:28
Blake,
I have dealt with TAD on several occasions. They are great and their customer service has always been excellent as far as I'm concerned.
Endorphin Rush
11-21-2005, 02:13
Blake,
Ditto what NDD said, and some of their gear is offered at prices that you won't see elsewhere. Can't speak for any of their clothing, but the items that I've purchased, in which TADgear collaborated with others, is top notch.
Thanks all for the information, Looks Like I will be ordering the jacket shortly. I will review it at a later date.
Good times,
Blake
NousDefionsDoc
11-21-2005, 18:50
Are you getting the new jacket coming out in Dec? I have one of the previous models. Best jacket I ever bought. I'm looking hard at the new one. The soft-shell, not the hoody.
Are you getting the new jacket coming out in Dec? I have one of the previous models. Best jacket I ever bought. I'm looking hard at the new one. The soft-shell, not the hoody.
I'm looking at the new Stealth Softshell/Hoody/whatever the hell they call it. I have a Hoody that I got at the Olympic training center a coupla years ago that is the single best piece of equipment I have ever had, but it is getting long in the tooth for everyday wear and needs to be replaced. To answer your question, the link in my first post is the one that I am talking about.
NousDefionsDoc
11-21-2005, 20:17
Yeah, same one I am looking at. I have the black one they sold last year - great jacket.
I need to get a damn dictionary of gear queer terms.
Yeah, same one I am looking at. I have the black one they sold last year - great jacket.
I need to get a damn dictionary of gear queer terms.
Technically, I think you are correct, the newest jacket they are offering is not actually a hoody (to my thinking anyway) I consider it more of a light jacket, but hey I guess they design and build the stuff, they can call it what they want. I'll let you know more details about it as soon as I have them myself.
Good Times,
Blake
OK, I placed the order for this jacket the day before Christmas eve and got the jacket via UPS on or about the 30th of December, I found this to be acceptable delivery time considering the time of year. TADgear's folks have been polite and informative every time I have called with questions and they did a great job moving a ton of stuff in a very short period over the holidays.
I have not had a chance to test it's water repellant properties due to our current weather conditions (reminiscent of the Gobi Desert only with more fire and fewer Mongolians) I will say that the Schoeller Softshell fabric does stop wind remarkably well.
The Jacket is overall very well made, I find it to be cut a bit slim in the torso, but not uncomfortably so. For my purposes (and due to my cold nature) I prefer to layer underneath the softshell in any temp below about 45 degrees. I do not find it to be the warmest thing I own in and of itself, but it is an acceptable outer layer for most anything I will be doing.
The handwarmer pockets are located a bit higher than normal to allow use while wearing a rucksack waistbelt, my only complaint about the handwarmer pockets is that when they are opened to warm hands, they allow a draft straight through the thin mesh lining of the pockets and into the torso area of the wearer. There are plenty of pockets on in this jacket, one on each shoulder, two handwarmer pockets (with smaller internal pocket in each that fits a Swiss Army knife perfectly) on the front and a small pocket on the left wrist for carrying lightweight, thin items such as IDs or Keys. There are Velcro patches on each shoulder for displaying your logo of the moment if you so desire.
The hood is very unobtrusive when stowed and quite low profile when used. The thumbholes in the wrists are kind of a mystery to me, I find them awkward to use and they allow a draft when not in use, I am sure there are those who like them, I personally do not particularly care for them.
Basically, if you are looking for a well made, lightweight, weather resistant outer shell, this is a good way to go. I find it to be comparable in price to similar products from Cloudveil, The North Face, etc. and constructed every bit as well if not a bit better than mainstream products. I also like to be a bit different and the limited production numbers of this softshell always cause gear heads to wig out and ask questions when they see it. (Always draws a crowd at REI and Backwoods)
That is all for now, Speak up if you have questions
Good times,
blake
Nice jacket and nice review. Thanks Blake.
I'm usually a lurker here, but this post along with last months drill posed a question that I havent been able to find an answer to, perhaps because I generally suck at finding things in the regs.
I remember seeing something on AKO about wearing fleeces with the BDU/ACU, but I can't seem to find it (frusterating because it's only been about 2 days since I saw the orgional post). I checked AR 670-1, but that wasn't much help. I talked to a couple buddies of mine, and they've all seen people wearing them within their units, but no one has any definate answers.
Now, unless I'm mistaken, I thought you SF guys are pretty much allowed to wear whatever you wanted when deployed, but can anyone here tell me if a black fleece is permitted to wear with the BDU/ACU?
Thanks in advance.
**edit** Only "answer" I've been able to find. Don't know if I trust them though
http://maacs.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MAACS&Product_Code=USA-BFJ&Category_Code=1AA-AFleece
The Reaper
02-14-2006, 11:04
I do not believe that it is authorized for wear in garrison.
In the field, in SF, it is fine. Not sure about the rest of the Army.
TR
Ammodawg
02-14-2006, 11:24
Most of the SF guys coming through Spangdahlem here wear their black fleece jackets on the outside with their ACU's. They are everywhere now that we opened up our AMC capabilities. Even have some of my troops asking me why they are not allowed to do the same :rolleyes:
N.Franklin
02-22-2006, 09:46
I'm usually a lurker here, but this post along with last months drill posed a question that I havent been able to find an answer to, perhaps because I generally suck at finding things in the regs.
I remember seeing something on AKO about wearing fleeces with the BDU/ACU, but I can't seem to find it (frusterating because it's only been about 2 days since I saw the orgional post). I checked AR 670-1, but that wasn't much help. I talked to a couple buddies of mine, and they've all seen people wearing them within their units, but no one has any definate answers.
Now, unless I'm mistaken, I thought you SF guys are pretty much allowed to wear whatever you wanted when deployed, but can anyone here tell me if a black fleece is permitted to wear with the BDU/ACU?
Thanks in advance.
**edit** Only "answer" I've been able to find. Don't know if I trust them though
http://maacs.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MAACS&Product_Code=USA-BFJ&Category_Code=1AA-AFleece
Click Here! (http://www.neguard.com/sgtmaj/acu.htm) Look under paragraph 3c.
I know I'm bumping an old thread, but I picked up a TAD Stealth Hoodie Reloaded recently. Never spent that much money on an article of clothing, but it was damn sure worth it.
The reinforcement in the elbow area is very sturdy. Cuts the wind well. No rain in my neck of the woods yet, but it resisted my kitchen faucet well. :p It's warm, but seems to be fairly breathable. Wearing it inside a 70 degree room, after coming in from the cold - no sweating at all. My favorite detail is the fleece that covers the front zipper at the chin. For once I can zip a jacket all the way up and not have the zipper pull out my beard.
I was skeptical that a $250 jacket was really that much better than something cheaper, but it is. Looking forward to getting many years of use out of it. :)
doctom54
02-19-2010, 20:31
I bought the Robin Hoodie about 3 weeks ago and I have been wearing it every day.
It is slightly tight in the biceps but a really great hoodie. It looks good around town and works well when out hunting and fishing
The Reaper
02-19-2010, 20:35
Their gear looks and feels great, but the price point is a bit high for my budget.
TR
Their main store is a a few blocks south of my apartment next to one of the better breakfast spots in SF, so I check out what's new a few times a month. I picked up a Brown Stealth Hoodie last fall for the ski season. It is very light so I asked about the warmth factor. The salesman told me layered with a long sleeve tshirt, or light sweatshirt it will keep you warm at altitude with temperatures in the 20's. He was correct, skiing this winter in Tahoe with temperatures in the high 20's it was extremely light, warm, and kept the water out all day. It also kept me warm during a night game at Candlestick Park which can be freezing. I especially like the lumbar pocket for keeping a wallet, keys or a beanie while hiking, skiing etc. I heard they had some issue with someone hacking credit card information from folks who ordered from the website a while back, but my experience with them has been positive. The brand is pricey, but I'm happy with it, and the military cut and American flag patch have the fringe benefit of annoying West Coast Liberals...