Gunpoint
5 February 2008, 06:55
Picked up a 5.11 Sabre jacket (http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-tactical-sabre-jacket.html) and have been wearing it for the last 60 days or so. My thoughts:
I bought it because TAD Gear never seems to have the Predator Hardshell in stock. I wanted a jacket that was water resistant, not too heavy, and looked good, and worked alone in 35 - 50 degree weather and as an under layer.
On the plus side, the price is right (150 or so). I am 6'2", 197, 45 inch chest, no man boobs yet, and the XL fits fine. I can get away with having some lightweight/middle weight fleece/poly under it and it is comfortable to about 25 - 35 if you are standing still, more if active.
It is just big enough that I can wear a full-size Sig .45 in a concealed carry belt holster and it won't bulge. The jacket comes down just far enough to conceal a gun without being parka-length. Plus, it has side zippers so you can zip the sides up from the bottom to better get at weapons, etc., on your belt.
It also has great pit zippers and vents exceptionally well.
There are concealed badge holders and a panel in back that zips out so you could conceivably have your POLICE badge/markings added. While wearing it you can open the front two hidden panels but good luck getting the back one out while it is on.
I took the hood off, but wore it once in the rain and it worked as well as the jacket, but it is a bit big and blocks peripheral vision.
It is definitely waterproof. I have worn it in a few medium intensity downpours with no issues. Max rain exposure at any one time was 1-1.5 hours, and the jacket worked as advertised.
There are pockets everywhere, and they hold passports, flashlight, etc. The velcro on the sleeves are the exact size of the Army's IR US flags, or a flightsuit patch.
I wear it under body armor daily, too, and none of the zippers "press" or dig.
The coyote brown is really tan. It almost matches the tan flightsuit exactly. It is a good looking jacket, too - I wear it around in-country and once a day someone says something like "cool jacket, where did you get it?" However, every little stain shows like neon, but with the jacket's finish, it washes right out.
The cuffs are elastic and have little velcro tabs. The wrist velcro tabs have already shit the bed and are redundant since the cuffs are elastic. I cut them off.
The jacket is sometimes my only layer in 35 - 50 degree F weather and keeps me warm. It is light, but blocks the wind very well.
I have used it as an outershell to PT and have no issued doing pull ups, Crossfit work, etc., in it.
I'd like to see other colors besides black, Navy and tan - like a real coyote brown, foliage, grey, OD, etc.
Overall grade: A. Good investment, and just the thing for a waterproof hardshell for those cool to almost cold days.
I bought it because TAD Gear never seems to have the Predator Hardshell in stock. I wanted a jacket that was water resistant, not too heavy, and looked good, and worked alone in 35 - 50 degree weather and as an under layer.
On the plus side, the price is right (150 or so). I am 6'2", 197, 45 inch chest, no man boobs yet, and the XL fits fine. I can get away with having some lightweight/middle weight fleece/poly under it and it is comfortable to about 25 - 35 if you are standing still, more if active.
It is just big enough that I can wear a full-size Sig .45 in a concealed carry belt holster and it won't bulge. The jacket comes down just far enough to conceal a gun without being parka-length. Plus, it has side zippers so you can zip the sides up from the bottom to better get at weapons, etc., on your belt.
It also has great pit zippers and vents exceptionally well.
There are concealed badge holders and a panel in back that zips out so you could conceivably have your POLICE badge/markings added. While wearing it you can open the front two hidden panels but good luck getting the back one out while it is on.
I took the hood off, but wore it once in the rain and it worked as well as the jacket, but it is a bit big and blocks peripheral vision.
It is definitely waterproof. I have worn it in a few medium intensity downpours with no issues. Max rain exposure at any one time was 1-1.5 hours, and the jacket worked as advertised.
There are pockets everywhere, and they hold passports, flashlight, etc. The velcro on the sleeves are the exact size of the Army's IR US flags, or a flightsuit patch.
I wear it under body armor daily, too, and none of the zippers "press" or dig.
The coyote brown is really tan. It almost matches the tan flightsuit exactly. It is a good looking jacket, too - I wear it around in-country and once a day someone says something like "cool jacket, where did you get it?" However, every little stain shows like neon, but with the jacket's finish, it washes right out.
The cuffs are elastic and have little velcro tabs. The wrist velcro tabs have already shit the bed and are redundant since the cuffs are elastic. I cut them off.
The jacket is sometimes my only layer in 35 - 50 degree F weather and keeps me warm. It is light, but blocks the wind very well.
I have used it as an outershell to PT and have no issued doing pull ups, Crossfit work, etc., in it.
I'd like to see other colors besides black, Navy and tan - like a real coyote brown, foliage, grey, OD, etc.
Overall grade: A. Good investment, and just the thing for a waterproof hardshell for those cool to almost cold days.