ot: tad gear

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LittleSpartan

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Mar 16, 2010
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Anyone know a quality substitute for their jackets? I use them, but my cousin can't/doesn't want to fork up the cash for their jackets lol. Tried digging around for him but can't tell junk from quality. Has anyone any suggestions?
 
Just ordered my Special Service Sweater not 15 minutes ago. Arcteryx makes alot of off the wall awesome military oriented gear, but it's in the same pricerange as TAD. When I was stationed in Florida I wore a North Face Apex Bionic in English Green under my BDUs during the winter. I paid 70 bucks for it. Technically it wasn't completely uniform due to the North Face logo on the chest, but because it was under my top all the time it wasn't a big deal. Besides, the zip neck was much more professional looking than the fleece midlayer we were issued, and the color was identical.
 
I'm with your cousin. TAD makes great gear but I can't help but think of all the other stuff I could buy if I were to get a cheaper jacket.

I plan on going to the local surplus store and getting one of their jackets of similar style for around $80.
 
I have a TAD Recon Hoodie it's awesome, but I sold some knives to get it. Their stuff is cool, but well out of my price range.

I did just order a soft shell jacket from Carhartt recently, I'll let you know how it is when it gets here.

I got the olive green one... http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=96532&langId=-1&categoryId=15607

They have a hooded version as well... http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/...51&productId=96533&langId=-1&categoryId=15607
 
Joe Fowler said:
I have a TAD Recon Hoodie it's awesome, but I sold some knives to get it. Their stuff is cool, but well out of my price range.

I did just order a soft shell jacket from Carhartt recently, I'll let you know how it is when it gets here.

I got the olive green one... http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=96532&langId=-1&categoryId=15607

They have a hooded version as well... http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/...51&productId=96533&langId=-1&categoryId=15607
Click to expand...

I'm a total Carhartt junkie and all of their stuff is bullet proof. The olive green jacket is a great jacket, a friend of mine has one and is a perfect replacement for a TAD jacket, even though I know it's not the same.
 
The Condor Summit soft shell has been getting a lot of positive feedback. Nutnfancy (gasp!) did a review on the Condor on youtube. Dealers are having trouble keeping them in stock. I’m going to try one out as a sample, then might start selling them if they meet my standards. I like the style of the Condor a lot better, but at the prices Matt posted on that Patagonia, there’s no doubt (in my opinion) the Patagonia would be more rugged if it’s on par with the rest of their gear.
 
333rm said:
I'm a total Carhartt junkie and all of their stuff is bullet proof. The olive green jacket is a great jacket, a friend of mine has one and is a perfect replacement for a TAD jacket, even though I know it's not the same.
Click to expand...

My intent is to wear the Carhartt soft shell over the TAD fleece and be very comfy this winter!
 
+1 for condor. few folks i know have abused their softshells and have nothing but good things to say about it.

they recently started making ranger style hoodies, which are fairly good quality overall, but my main concern since buying one was the durability of the zippers. will keep you posted though.
 
Noth Face makes some stuff thats close to TAD and the other tacti-cool jackets. I piced up one on close out at Cabelas for $39. Costco had some jackets that look exactly like the Condor jackets a few months ago for $29.99.
 
Condor Soft Shell is holding up pretty good so far after just a month. Winter will tell as far as the zippers and stitching are concerned. One thing is for sure, they are very warm. I have not had it in the rain yet because we have not had a lot of rain to speak of, but it is warm and sticking your arm out the car doing 70 MPH, you cannot feel anything coming through the sleeve, that's for sure.
 
Why can't anyone make a jacket for someone like me with gorilla arms? I'm 191cm and I need long arms. TAD is about 5cm (2") to short in the arms. Make me a tall size and you have my money.
 
I never understood that either... Eddie Bauer does an excellent job at catering to all body sizes, but other than that most outdoor gear companies are very generic in their sizing.
 
We all have our reasons for the purchases we make. And I know that there are die-hard fans of many different companies. TAD makes some good quality stuff, for sure, but I think one of the reasons people buy their goods has to do with the style. I know I've bought TAD hoodies based on that. I could get a nice, warm, well built fleece jacket from many different companies for much, much cheaper, but I wanted a specific style and I also wanted the name. For anyone who feels the same way, there are not very many substitutes. But for anyone who wants good quality gear at much more affordable prices there are several options. It's all personal preference at that point.
 
I totally dig Tad Gear stuff [I've been pining for a pair of their cargos, but don't currently own any Tad stuff], but I too find it expensive. Especially when you compare prices to the uber high quality, innovative and exquisitely designed Patagonia and Arc'teryx brands. IMO, I would imagine both those brands would seriously out-pace Tad's stuff any day. Also, both those brands make a lot of actual milspec gear not 'urban chic milspec'. I dig Tad just like others, but their prices are high given what else is out there. Patagonia also has an insanely awesome guarantee - a no questions asked "ironclad guarantee" - think ESEE, but for clothing. Patagonia has 4 sales per year ... get on their mailing list to find out when.
 
redpoint said:
I totally dig Tad Gear stuff [I've been pining for a pair of their cargos, but don't currently own any Tad stuff], but I too find it expensive. Especially when you compare prices to the uber high quality, innovative and exquisitely designed Patagonia and Arc'teryx brands. IMO, I would imagine both those brands would seriously out-pace Tad's stuff any day. Also, both those brands make a lot of actual milspec gear not 'urban chic milspec'. I dig Tad just like others, but their prices are high given what else is out there. Patagonia also has an insanely awesome guarantee - a no questions asked "ironclad guarantee" - think ESEE, but for clothing. Patagonia has 4 sales per year ... get on their mailing list to find out when.
Click to expand...

Make it in OD green, coyote and foliage green and put Velcro patches on the arms and you can generally almost double the price. Add that “tactical” in on the name somewhere and the dollar signs start rolling. With that said, I’m kind of like Joe, I buy stuff based on looks and function. Of course I have my line, I’d never pay $300 for a jacket unless it was life-dependent equipment.

I put in my order last night for my Condor soft shell sample. I’ll try it out and see what I think. Depending on warmth, I might pick up a USGI bear shirt fleece to wear under it for some real warmth if need be. I hate wearing big bulky coats when 90% of being warm in MO winters is wind control.
 
When you compare similar items in TAD and Arc'Teryx's lineups, Arc'Teryx is considerably more expensive. I have a number of TAD Gear jackets, but I have never paid MSRP for any of them. There are deals to be found out there.

The Condor softhsell and fleece are nice enough though. I've only handled a couple of them so I have no idea how well they'd hold up long-term. I know that my TAD jackets are exceedingly well made.
 
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