Triple Aught Design (TAD Gear) Recon Hoodie Combat Fleece Jacket / Raptor ProLite Hardshell Lightweight Windproof and Waterproof Tactical Jacket Combo (Photos!)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com

All photos and video contained in this article were shot by DefenseReview.com, and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these photos. The photos and video clips were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability).

August 8, 2011
Last updated on 9/02/11.

For the last year, DefenseReview (DR) has been running two TAD Gear (Triple Aught Design Gear) products that have served us well, and that we really like: TAD Gear Recon Hoodie combat fleece jacket and TAD Gear Raptor ProLite Hardshell lightweight windproof/waterproof hooded tactical jacket. The TAD Gear Recon Hoodie is breathable and designed to provide a soft and comfy insulating layer to keep you nice and warm, while the TAD GEAR Raptor ProLite Hardshell, made from high-tech eVent waterproof fabric is also breathable, believe it or not, AND yet still capable if shielding the wearer from that nasty, cold wind and rain that can hit you when the weather turns.

The two jackets not only work great on their own, but they also work very well in combination to create a composite clothing layer that’s tough to beat when its cold and rainy. The TAD Gear Recon Hoodie is actually designed for warmer weather and is fairly form fitting so you can wear it underneath jackets like the Raptor. But, the Recon is still pretty warm and snugly by itself. If you need to go warmer than the Recon Hoodie, the TAD Gear Ranger Hoodie LT is probably the ticket, as it’s a little thicker and looser fitting.

DR’s Recon Hoodie is the O.D. Green version, and our Raptor ProLite Hardshell jacket is the Coyote Brown/Desert Tan version. Both garments look nice and tactical, and we first used them for a great rifle and pistol tactical shooting course conducted by Romaszka Tactical Training (RTT) in Bellingham, Washington. They both worked as advertised and got the job done with aplomb. Both garments have multiple well-placed pockets on the torso and arms with integrated square rubber-valve headset cord channels for your cell phone (iPhone, Droid, etc) or iPod. They also feature a large lumbar pouch/pocket, zipper covers/overhangs for the torso zipper, and hoods with short brims. While the Recon Hoodie sports four slit-type vent holes in each armpit, the Raptor hardshell offers long pit zips with double zippers.

We were nice and comfy in both, even while wearing our trusty Hard Point Maniple-I Tactical Armor Carrier/tactical vest with Integra-Sling over both, with the Raptor directly underneath body armor (vest).

Editor’s Note: Hard Point was formerly known as Personal Protective Systems, or P2 Systems (P2Sys) for short.

The TAD Gear ProLite Raptor Hardshell jacket is perhaps the more interesting garment materially (fabric-wise), being made from eVent fabric. eVent is a relatively lightweight breathable waterproof and windproof material that’s very efficient and really breathes. Most earlier waterproof/breathable fabrics move water vapor through the fabric via polyurethane (PU) membrane technology, where the PU layer absorbs condensed sweat on the inside of the fabric, and then your body heat begins to push the moisture through to the outside of the fabric where it can eventually evaporate. By contrast, the eVent’s proprietary and patented Direct Venting Technology (DVT) breathable/waterproof membrane simply “lets the sweat out”. The sweat on the inside vents directly to the outside of the fabric in one simple step through millions of tiny pores, yet the fabric is still waterproof and very durable.

By the way, you’ll notice that your humble correspendant is wearing good ol’ classic 5.11 Tactical Pants (O.D. Green) in the accompanying photos and video. There may be a number of newer tactical pant designs that utilize more advanced fabrics, but the 5.11 Tactical Pants still work, and DR still likes ’em!

Company Contact Info:

Triple Aught Design (TAD Gear)
551 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
LAT: 37.776627 / LONG: -122.425200
Toll Free: 866-613-1386
Office: 415-318-8252
Website: http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com

Triple Aught Design (TAD Gear)
660 22nd St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
LAT: 37.7555 / LONG: -122.3861
Toll Free: 866-613-1386
Office: 415-318-8252
Website: http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com

BHA Group, Inc. (eVent Fabrics)
8800 East 63rd Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64133 USA
Toll Free: 800.391.0696
Office: 816.356.5515
Fax: 816.246.9592
Email: info@eventfabrics.com
Website: http://www.eventfabrics.com

Hard Point Equipment
315 W. Dalton Ave., #123
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
Phone: (208) 457-2010
Fax: (509) 463-5578
Email: info@hrdpnt.com
Website: http://www.hrdpnt.com

5.11, Inc.
4300 Spyres Way
Modesto, CA 95356
Phone: 209.527.4511
Toll Free: 866.451.1726
Fax: 209.527.1511
Email Contact Form: http://www.511tactical.com/contact-us.html
Website: http://www.511tactical.com

© Copyright 2011 DefenseReview.com. All rights reserved. This content/material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without first receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.

Related Articles:

Hard Point (formerly Personal Protective Systems, or P2 Systems) Centurion Armor Maniple-I and Cohort-I Tactical Body Armor Carrier Systems: Advanced Tactical Vest Systems for Military Special Operations (SPECOPS), LE SWAT, and PSD Ops (Photos & Video)

Centurion Armor Tactical Armor Carriers by Hard Point Equipment (formerly Personal Protective Systems, or P2 Systems): Best Tactical Body Armor on the Planet? DR Looks at the Latest Centurion Armour Hard Armor Plate Carriers, Battle Belt, MOLLE Backpack System, and Passive Ventilation Channels/Removable Padding System at SHOT Show 2011 (Photos and Video!)

Archangel Armor Internal Frame Load-Bearing System (IFLBS) Version 5 Tactical Armor Plate Carrier/Tactical Vest System: Lighten your load when you’re in combat mode!

https://defensereview.com/ats-war-belt-best-tactical-belt-for-the-money-and-3-gun-ready/

Tactical Watch Technology (TAWATEC) E.O. Diver Ultra-Bright, Ultra-Rugged Tritium-Illuminated Analog Tactical Diving Watch for Military Special Operations Forces (SOF), Law Enforcement SWAT Operators, and Civilian Tactical Shooters

5.11 Tactical Introduces the H.R.T. Tactical Ballistic Computer Watch at SHOT

Triple Aught Design (TAD Gear) Recon Hoodie Combat Fleece Jacket / Raptor ProLite Hardshell Lightweight Windproof and Waterproof Tactical Jacket Combo (Photos!) by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

Check Also

Todd Jarrett Shows DR the New Staccato C 2011 Compact Combat/Tactical 9mm 1911 Pistol at SHOT Show 2024! (Videos!)

By David Crane david (at) defensereview (dot) com February 27, 2024 DefenseReview (DR) ran into …