DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
All photo and video content contained in this article was shot by DefenseReview.com, and is copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on all photo and video content. All DR photos and videos were shot with a Sony Cyber-shot RX100 (DSC-RX100/B) Digital Camera with 20.2 MP (20.2-megapixel) still camera and 1080p HD video camera capability.
The following article is property of DefenseReview.com (DR) and is copyrighted material. If you are reading this article on another website other than DefenseReview.com, please email us the website address/URL (where the unauthorized DR article reprint is located) at defrev (at) gmail (dot) com. Thank you.
October 7, 2014
Last updated on 10/15/14.
Editor’s Note: This article was corrected/updated on 10/09/14 for accuracy regarding the Otte Gear Patrol Parka’s Brookwood APECS outer fabric, which we had mistaken for The North Face TNF Apex fabric.
Earlier this year (2014), at SHOT Show 2014, DefenseReview (DR) got to view and handle the new and very cool Otte Gear Patrol Parka hard shell hoodie jacket in Brookwood Covert-Woodland combat camo (camouflage) pattern printed on Brookwood APECS (All-Purpose Environmental Clothing System) fabric for breathable wind protection. The Brookwood camo pattern appears to be a woodland/arid environment pattern, and is similar to a German flecktarn pattern, only with larger splotches and less saturation.
The OG Patrol Parka’s breathable, windproof Brookwood APECS softshell fabric outer shell is soft and quiet, preventing a “crinkling” sound when wearing or handling it. Underneath the outside APECS layer is the laminated GE eVent hardshell fabric inside layer. eVent is a proven breathable waterproof fabric, giving the wearer the best of both (breathable) worlds. Waterproof zippers and seam do the rest of the waterproofing and windproofing. So, while you’re sealed off from wind and water, you won’t sweat your butt off while you’re all zipped and hooded up.
There are two large waterproof-zippered pockets on either side of the chest for lots of internal cargo space. The draw strings are mounted inside the pockets and routed to the center of the jacket for cinching (the waist). There’s another waterproof pocket, an auxiliary pocket, if you will, on the upper sleeve(s). The sleeves also feature fast-adjustable velcro wrist closures, of course. The “full-featured” hood stows inside the collar. All the zipper pulls on the Patrol Parka are made out of cord for quiet/silent operation. The velcro patch panel features a Brookwood camo pattern panel cover, which can be used when there’s no morale/unit patch and/or blood-type patch mounted.
Like most other Otte Gear tactical/combat jackets, the Patrol Parka sports large pit zips (zippers) on the sides for extra venting and cooling, if/when required. The pit zips are 16 inches (16″), and wrap all the way around to the underside of the arm.
The Otte Gear Patrol Parka’s center-front (i.e., main) zipper is a YKK VISLON Zipper water-resistant zipper with a dual slider, so you can zip or unzip the jacket in both directions.
The jacket features one large hidden internal storage pocket on the left side for your wallet, ID, documents etc.
The OG Patrol Parka is just a great-looking and very tacticool cold/inclement-weather softshell/hardshell jacket that will help keep you warm and dry in the wind, rain and snow. In fact, it’s the nicest-looking jacket of this type that Defense Review has seen to date, especially with the Brookwood Covert-Woodland combat camouflage pattern outer shell. Just understand that quality costs, and this quality garment comes in at $565.00 USD. In our opinion, it’s worth it. If you’ve got the dough and you’re looking for a jacket of this type, look no further. We’d recommend you buy it, and don’t look back. It’s that nice.
Editor’s Note: The Otte Gear Patrol Parka isn’t yet available in the Brookwood Covert-Woodland camo pattern/color scheme. However, Otte Gear has informed DR that if they receive a large-enough order from a military unit, police department or group of civilian tactical shooters, they’ll do a run of Patrol Parkas in this color scheme. The minimum production run is 300 units, but the initial unit/department/group order doesn’t have to be that large.
The following information comes directly from the Otte Gear website:
“These lighweight parkas and pants are designed for the operator who spends extended time in the field where weight, durability and complete weather protection are mission critical factors.
PATROL PARKA
• 3-layer eVent fabric is waterproof, fully seam-taped, and highly breathable
• Full parka length-cut
• High mobility hood stows in the collar, has two adjustments and is helmet compatible
• All zippers YKK water resistant
• Pit zips to avoid overheating and internal moisture build-up
• Two high volume low profile sleeve pockets accessible while wearing body armor
• Velcro on sleeve pockets for patches
• Two deep chest pockets located above belt line and can be accessed while wearing a ruck
• One handed draw strings on hood and hem of jacket
• Brushed chin guard lining
• Weight 31 oz (879 grams) in size large
• Sizes: Small – 2Xlarge”
Company Contact Info:
OTTE Gear LLC (OG)
6542-A Lower York Rd, #141
New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: 646-233-4014
Fax 773-439-5237
Email: info@ottegear.com
Website: http://www.ottegear.com
Brookwood Companies, Inc. (and First Performance Fabrics)
25 W 45th St, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-551-0100
Fax: 646-472 0294
Email: info@brookwoodcos.com
Website: http://www.brookwoodcos.com/brookwood-military
The North Face (TNF Apex)
Warranty Department
14450 Doolittle Drive
San Leandro, CA 94577 USA
Toll-Free USA: 1-888-863-1968
Toll-Free: Canada 1-877-992-0111
Toll-Free Warranty: 1-855-500-8639
Phone: 1-514-404-4896 (Canada)
Fax: 1-888-857-7483
Email Contact Page: http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TNFContactUsView?catalogId=10201&langId=-1&storeId=207&KeepThis=true&startDOMWindow&iframeDOMWindow=true
Website: http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/innovation/product-technology/tnf-apex/
GE eVent Waterproof Fabric
Website: http://eventfabrics.com
YKK VISLON Zipper (Textile & Plastic Hardware)
Chicago Phone: 847-657-9282
Chicago Fax: 847-657-9356
Los Angeles Phone: 714-701-1200
Los Angeles Fax: 714-701-1290
Chicago Email Contact Form: https://www.ykkfastening.com/app/contact/?contactkey=NC-005
Los Angeles Email Contact Form: https://www.ykkfastening.com/app/contact/?contactkey=NC-007
Website: http://www.ykkfastening.com/products/zipper/vislon_zipper/
© Copyright 2014 DefenseReview.com (DR). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.
Related Articles:
