Triple Aught Design has just released their latest iteration of their Ranger Hoodie. First offered in 2002, the fit has evolved over the past few years with the latest version balancing freedom of movement with use in layering. In fact, it shares a fit with the Ranger LT but it is made with the heaviest weight Polartec®, WindPro® rather than the LT’s use of the lightest weight fabric.
It features 6 pockets with D-rings in the chest and arm pockets. Additionally, the half-mitt thumbholes in the cuff mean enhanced warmth and ease while adding and removing layers. Below, you can see details of the Aero Hood, designed to lay flat when not in use and the single arm panel from the cuff down to the torso to enable full range of motion.
The Ranger Hoodie is offered with Velcro patches or without to suit your application. Available in Black, Loden Green, and UE Grey in sizes XS-XXXL. They are one of the few companies manufactured tactical clothing in such a wide size range. But, TAD products are very popular and already, some size and color combinations are sold out.
www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Ranger-Hoodie
Tags: Triple Aught Design
Am I the only kook that thinks $250 for a high speed sweatshirt is a bit overpriced??
I found mine on ebay for a insanely good price years ago and, in my experience, no fleece jacket out there comes close to it. You’re right though, it’s one hell of a price tag BUT 1. it’s no worse than some offshore-made arc’teryx pieces and 2. that jacket will probably outlive me.
(not trying to crap on arc’teryx, I love the company. Can’t say the same about their prices).
They got rid of my Tan colored one? Glad I got it while they had it!
I love the look and ideas that TAD has regarding their Ranger Hoodies, but I can never bring myself to push out the cash for one. I’ve got a Kitanica Fleece, and would hate to see that sit in the closet.
There’s going to be one company in the lead with new ideas and designs, and a small crowd with the needs and disposable income to get it. I have little problem with that; it’s the fawning of less dedicated users who taint the whole concept. I have a low tolerance level for a customer base who’s constant demands for XXXL sized clothing clog pre order announcements.
TAD makes good stuff – but, to be honest, the average guy on the street doesn’t need much of what they have in this hoody – unless they are wearing a plate carrier outdoors in 50 degree weather. The multiple zippers are good then, horribly redundant otherwise. As a car coat or protection getting into the Mall, the standard $10 thermal insulated garment found at Dollar General would do the job.
There’s the rub – much of the customer base isn’t wearing a garment, they are wearing a statement in the form of textile jewelry. Surplus doesn’t cut it anymore, it’s got to be rare, technical, leading edge, and limited quantity. Just like two girls wearing the same dress to the party, they hope it won’t happen to them.
There’s a lot more available in duty wear these days, we’re not stuck deciding whether to button in a jacket liner or go without. Nonetheless, there’s only so much room in a duffel bag, and you can’t take a walk-in closet full of options with you. That’s reserved for the homeboys. Soldiers have no choice but to science down their wardrobe options, and while this hoody can be one of them, I suspect that there really won’t be too many shipped and used in operations overseas. Make it in tan, delete some of the zippers, and sew on Multicam sleeves. Then it could squeeze into a space in that overloaded bag.
MarKm – then it wouldn’t be TAD. Why complain about what a company does? It obviously isn’t for you. They remain in business despite getting it wrong (according to you) for over ten years. They must be doing something right.
TAD is reinventing itself right now, or it has been for a while. The jackets that they initially designed were and are awesome. But a regular joe cannot use their gear because it would go againts uniform regulations (mind you I have see several breaking that rule, me included).
If I go out on a limb, I can guess that the gear was initially bought by SOF personnel, contractors, law enforcement, in a nut shell, people who could make desicions on what gear they could wear.
But this market is either drying up, or not interested in paying 400 bucks for a jacket that now is copied and sold for half by other manufacturers, or sold at the haji shops for a fourth.
So TAD is now selling, like MarKm said, to a particular group of people who are willing to pay this price, or are happy with a half a grand folder by Mike (some might call them gear queers, geardos, etc.). A particular group of people who in the past, might have used the gear, found it worth it, and will continue to pay for “Made in the USA” prices.
I for one, find myself in the lucky bracket of people with enough disposable income to buy the overpriced Gucci stuff. But the joe on the street will get their level 7 issued and make it work.
Let me update this. You pay “Made in the USA” prices, for jackets made in China now.
I guess reinventing + Chinese manufacturing = profit.
I have to agree. I got mine several years ago for under $200 and was made in the USA, now it’s about $230 and made in China. I love mine, but when it wears out, I think I’ll look else where unless something changes.