Page 43 - Airsoft Action Issue 126 June 2021

THE CAGE
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T TACTICAL FLEECE E
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on a “higher end” hoodie of the same style, you just essentials. The chest pockets have wiring eyelets for
need something to keep you warm and wear team small devices and comms and three external
patches on and funnily enough they do exactly that! I pockets are in easily reachable areas,
do regret selling my old SPEAR fleece though, totally on the upper and left lower sleeve.
just because of the look and who used it!” Elbows are reinforced for
Stewbacca: “I’ve had the 5.11 Tactical Aggressor additional wear
Parka 3 in 1 combination Goretex heavy weather and tear and
and internal fleece for many years, although I’ve the jacket
barely had to use it in Taiwan since moving here. can be
Nonetheless, it has served me very well in the arctic individually
climes of Harbin and Berlin, among many other places adjusted
it’s seen on my travels. I like it because it has a cool with
fabric lining that prevents it getting too sweaty for the Velcro-
most part, but the outer fleece itself is nice and soft adjustable
and comfortable and provides plenty of warmth on cuffs and
its own, along with some windproofing with its full elastic
height zip up collar. Combined with the outer parka drawstrings
it provides plenty of warmth and wind/water/snow in hood
proofing and looks pretty slick. It also features plenty and jacket
of pockets and even has concealed carry breakaway bottom. It’s
snap sides with supporting zips, so you can run a also excellent
concealed sidearm on a IWB or OWB holster and at controlling core temperature thanks to
quickly get to it should you need to - both the inner underarm zippers that still work when you’re wearing
fleece and outer shell support that feature separately. a plate carrier!”
There’s also velcro “elephant’s ears” that pop out of Robbie: “Thick or thin? I have a fleece vest I still
the front upper pockets and the large upper back wear that’s thinner but super quality and works for a
opening to allow unit or ID patches to be stuck on.” slight chill, versus a thick fleece jacket I never touch...
Boycie: “I’ve still got a black SPEAR fleece from outside of work while in Switzerland in winter that
about 20 years ago. I still love it but currently a few is!”
little extra C19-lbs means it doesn’t fit well at the Bill W-R: “I run a very cheap eBay “woodland”
moment, although it’s usually damn comfy to wear! fleece that has been treated with Nikwax polar proof.
For me though it depends on what I’m doing and if My other fleece is a blue zipped fleece from Uneek
I’m wearing armour or gear; if I am then it’s usually a as they do them in my size and is treated again with
thin one, but I have been known to wear a 300gsm Polarproof to make it water resistant. Personally, it’s a
jacket under armour if outdoors in winter.” case of whatever you are comfortable with.”
Jon: “Yup, VIPER ones here too! The original Hana: “I wear extra base layers, Under Armor,
Hoodie was massively flawed in build-quality but rather than a fleece under my tactical gear to stay
the newer versions are much better imo. Stitching warm before the game and keep dry after the game.
seems better and more densely packed, resulting in It’s the solution that works best for me.”
no pulling (especially at the cuffs). The actual fleece Jimmy: “My one and only fleece was issued to me
material seems better quality too, with a degree more as part of our Red Cell kit, a very nice VIPER fleece
wind resistance. I use it whenever I’m detailing or hoody. I should have listened when Bill said go for
working on the cars as well as for airsoft, and it’s been the XXL as the XL is a little tight on my Adonis-like
a real life saver.” torso but nevertheless it was “issued” so one shall
Jase: “Helikon double layer Patriot fleece for wear it! On its own it hasn’t got much in the way of
me. This jacket is an absolute legend. Had it about “windstop” properties but doubled up with a nice
eight years now and is worn in everyday life along softshell it really does give very effective warmth.
with airsoft. Basically, look no further! The Patriot It offers up two velcro patches located at the bicep
Heavy Fleece Jacket is still one of the best fleece which is a perfect size for our favourite patches and it
jackets Helikon-Tex offer in my opinion. It’s designed sports a nice hood for when that cold is biting at the
for tactical use in extreme weather and features ears.”
an adjustable, small- visored hood for additional So, there seems to be a real cross-section of
protection, as well as a set of pockets for your answers to this question but for most it would seem

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