Page 45 - Airsoft Action Issue 126 June 2021

THE CAGE
T H E C AG E
TACTICAL F OPTICSE
C
EE
L
to be a well-priced and versatile garment, the VIPER around the neckline. The Aviceda
Hoodie! I’d add myself to this group, as I have a also benefits from two lower,
couple, and I live in them both on and off the field! mesh-lined handwarmer
It’s a very well-priced, thoroughly affordable pullover pockets, pockets on both
that’s available in lots of different colours and camo upper arms with velcro
patterns and, as Jon commented, the latest iteration patches for team/
is actually superb quality! You’ll see the VIPER Hoody unit patches, and an
appearing in Red Cell pictures quite regularly as this is inner pocket which
the model we chose as our “Team Fleece”! allows routing for
Like Jase I also have a Helikon-Tex fleece which I comms cables. The
adore but mine is the ALPHA GRID Jacket. Our friends outer pockets are
in Poland are real masters when it comes to fleece neatly trimmed
products and I’ve had one of their heavyweight, with black fabric
hooded Patriot jackets in my gear locker for over eight which gives the
years too and it’s still going strong! Helikon offer a jacket a visually
fabulous selection of performance fleece products in stunning
various weights within their range so you can custom appearance
tailor your gear to your own performance level or as well.
task. Weighing
The 100% polyester ALPHA fleece is warm, in at
comfortable and lightweight and a part of Helikon’s just 410g the
Urban Tactical line. It features a high collar with chin Aviceda is easy to pack and takes
guard and a strong full-front YKK zipper, which can be up minimal space in a pack, so it’s absolutely
fastened to the neck. It also has one zip chest pocket ideal if you want to stow it away “just in
with a comms port inside, two lower zip pockets and case”. Overall, it’s a superbly designed jacket made of
an elastic drawstring with cord locks on both sides high-end fabrics and components and the finish of it
sewn into the waistband. The cuffs are elasticated, just oozes quality and attention to detail. If you’re in
tight enough to keep the arms from riding up, but the market for a new performance fleece jacket in the
not as tight as to be uncomfortable. The fleece itself very latest “tacticool” colours then I would thoroughly
is incredibly soft even when worn directly next to the recommend you take a very close look at the Aviceda.
skin, and as the majority of the sewn seams are flat- Should a good fleece or two therefore be in your
locked there are zero abrasion points. The front face personal gear locker? Technically I believe it should
of the jacket is also mesh lined, adding to the overall but it’s your own needs and your own personal
insulative properties and giving some degree of wind performance levels that will dictate exactly what you
protection. The collar is double thickness to again should buy. If, like me, you naturally have a high
keep the elements at bay. The fit of the Alpha is quite metabolism and “run hot” then a thin, 100-weight
technical, fitting snugly to avoid creating cold “dead fleece jacket or pullover is probably all you’ll ever
air spaces” when you wear it as part of a layering need. If however you “feel the cold” then 200 or even
system. I’m normally an XL in jackets and Helikon-Tex’s 300-weight will be the kiddy but even with all this in
sizing is spot on. If, however, you are still carrying a mind, if you play year-round then you’ll probably want
few extra pounds you might consider going up one a couple of different weights for versatility. AA
size!
My other “go to” is the AVICEDA from Clawgear.
This lightweight, mid-layer garment is extremely
comfortable to wear and the modern styling allows
a full range of unrestricted movement. It’s made
from a 100% polyester fleece fabric which looks
and feels great, and high quality YKK zips are used
throughout. The fleece itself is water repellent and
breathes extremely well, making the Aviceda a superb
layering piece. I especially like the low-profile hood
which works perfectly in conjunction with a hard or
softshell outer layer, effectively eliminating cold spots

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