View Full Version : TAD Gear
I tried to search for pictures of gear but no luck. Anyone got any TAD gear? I'm thinking about getting the Stealth Hoodie but can't decide which color I should get M.E. Brown or M.E. Green? I'm wondering what would look better with multicam and woodland marpat trousers.
There's a lengthy thread over at TOS.
Iraq Ninja
10-18-09, 10:42
TAD is great gear.
For the Metro Tactical Male, brown is the correct color to match your multicam. Add a drop of CLP behind your ears for that "been there, done that smell".
I tried to search for pictures of gear but no luck. Anyone got any TAD gear? I'm thinking about getting the Stealth Hoodie but can't decide which color I should get M.E. Brown or M.E. Green? I'm wondering what would look better with multicam and woodland marpat trousers.
M.E. Green and M.E. Brown Stealth Hoodies are both gone (unless you happen to be size extra small). The new Stealth Hoodie Reloaded comes in OD Green, Urban Brown and Black. Plenty of pics on TOS and at TAD Gear.com. I find TAD Gear's Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TADGear)page to be the best source of current information on TAD products.
If you're looking to match Multi-cam though, the Spectre Hoodie LRP is coming out in multicam shortly...
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs212.snc1/7919_150127420635_24082060635_3181749_1270116_n.jpg
JSG is right about their facebook being a good way to ask questions and get updates.
I decided to splurge on a Stealth Hoodie Reloaded and received mine this week. It's so effective, that the 2 weeks of cool rainy weather turned to sun the day it arrived in the mail :rolleyes: so I haven't really got to wear it much, but it was comfy over a t-shirt in a cool breeze yesterday. I think it will layer really nicely with some warmer base layers.
Militarymoron has some really great reviews of some TAD jackets up on his website. (http://www.militarymorons.com/)
I've had my Stealth Hoodie Reloaded for just over a week and I couldn't be happier. When it rains the water just beads up and rolls off. It works really well and as I said I couldn't be happier. I have also worn it with a pull over sweatshirt, and it doesn't feel as bulky as with other jackets. Anyway I hope this helps I've been know to drone on stuff. I also plan on doing a review of the jacket when I've had it for a while.
Anyway......
Mike
hmm..
Where to start? I've been a TAD whore for the past few years and own quite a bit of it. Before I got it and felt the quality I thought it was quite pricey but it's well worth it.
Their nylon gear is top notch, the new stealth hoodie reloaded is a must have, the raptor shell keeps you nice and dry in even the nastiest downpours, and any iteration of their pants kick more ass than anything else you'll get.
They're starting to come out with some more "urban" pieces that are great for non tactical wear. The Spartan pants, V8 Garage Jacket, and Old School work shirts are great for everyday use.
If you're a member at usualsuspects.net they have a forum where they introduce new items and are very receptive to user comments and criticism.
militarymoron
10-18-09, 16:19
i have the stealth reloaded in brown, and have been very impressed so far. the fabric is waterproof (not just water resistant like the gen 1 and 2 stealths), but surprisingly breathable, and not stuffy. it also feels more rugged than the previous generations, and has all of the improvements that have been incorporated with each new iteration.
another difference is that the reloaded is the first stealth made in china - the previous ones were made in the US. TAD ran out of local manufacturing resources that could do what they wanted and had to go offshore. the welded constuction, for example - the only company that could do it locally for TAD closed down 18 months ago.
that being said, (and a bit sad to say) i find the quality of stitching and consistency of the reloaded better than the US-made versions. while i myself prefer 'made in the US', i'm finding it harder to argue that on the basis of workmanship, materials and quality alone nowadays. it's not suprising, as china and other asian countries have had decades of experience making our clothing.
when working with i-shot, who was trying to produce my C3 case design domestically, we ran into the same problem. none of the domestic sewers could match the quality of stitching that i-shot's overseas sewers could. it was very disappointing to wait for prototypes from these companies, each time hoping for the best, and seeing quality below that of the overseas made stuff. the prices were too high, as well. some quoted manufacturing costs over what i-shot wanted to retail the C3s for. finally, i-shot did find a domestic manufacturer that could deliver, but it took about 3 years of searching to do that.
even some of the arc'teryx LEAF products are made oveseas, which surprised me as i thought they were all 'fabrique au canada'. my blade 21 pack is made in the phillipines, and the atom LT jacket was made in thailand.
Gutshot John
10-18-09, 16:50
TAD Gear kicks ass. I have a Robin Hoodie which is pretty stylish, warm and somewhat water/wind repellant. I wear it a lot hunting (all last week up in Vermont as my sole insulating layer). My wife loved mine so much she insisted I get her one as well.
The Merino Wool sweaters are super comfy and warm. You can wear them with just a t-shirt they're so soft.
This was the first weekend where the weather turned cold and there was no shortage of rain. I'll add my endorsement of the Stealth Hoodie Reloaded; it handled the wet like a champ - water seems to bead right off. I'm very pleased with the construction, and compared to my friend's older Stealth and my own Robin Hoodie, the Sharkskin on this version seems more rugged and durable.
My only disappointment with the Reloaded line is the colors; I would've liked to see TAD offer their traditional ME Green and Brown. Hopefully we'll see a Stealth LT Reloaded in ME Brown this spring...
I too, have a few of TAD gear's various shells, and it is definitely top-tier outdoor equipment as well as the rest of their apparel lines. The fact that most of it is manufactured in the US is a major factor in my purchasing decision. With as many Americans out of work as there is these days I believe it's important to consider this when purchasing these kind of items. Without wanting to derail this thread, I find it difficult to swallow the fact that one of my Arc'teryx softshells is made overseas and still commands a premium price tag, regardless of the quality of manufacture. That should be a given in a purchase of outdoor gear no matter where it's made. I have no problem absorbing that cost in the case of TAD gear, where even their awesome packs are made in the US.
"Metro Tactical Male"?
Laughed my butt off over that one!
TAD gear is good stuff, expensive, but good. Watch for their close-outs and discontinued items for killer deals.
Thanks for the posts and the links to the other threads and sites. Yeah I'm not sure which color to get the brown or black. The clp behind the ears is pretty funny lol.
i have the stealth reloaded in brown, and have been very impressed so far.
MM - how do you like the brown? The color on the website looks almost chocolate - darker than the older ME Brown. Any pics?
militarymoron
10-18-09, 18:39
it's definitely a rich chocolate brown (or woodland brown). when i first saw it on the website, i wasn't too sure about it, but when i got it, i immediately warmed up to it as it's a nice, classy colour. it doesn't look overtly 'tactical' around town, or out of place on the trail. i'd say that the lighter brown was more suited to desert southwest/arid environments, and this darker one for pacific northwest, northeast regions. if you're in the woods, standing against a tree trunk, this'll blend in better than the lighter brown.
i've actually gotten more compliments with the reloaded than the lighter khaki jackets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/militarymoron/stealth20.jpg
I bought the brown Stealth Reloaded too, and it's a fantastic jacket.
The only thing I wish it had was slash pockets for my hands.
It's worked great the last week in this cold and wet snap we've had here in Virginia, keeping me warm and dry.
it's definitely a rich chocolate brown (or woodland brown). when i first saw it on the website, i wasn't too sure about it, but when i got it, i immediately warmed up to it as it's a nice, classy colour.
Thanks MM! Excellent picture - I look forward to the full review. I think TAD Gear owes a significant portion of their business to your reviews and pics.
While I don't own a Stealth, I do own a Robin Hoodie Softshell. I love it, and it has become my go-to jacket. I wear it with...well...everything. That means jeans & a t-shirt to dress pants and dress shirts.
I've not taken it out and beaten on it yet, but I've no doubts it'll remain flawless. My next purchase will be a Stealth Reloaded for certain.
+1 for Tad Gear.
I have the Spectre hoodie. Great jacket. The gentlemen pictured in multi cam above is sporting the new Spectre LRP. The sizing is a little snug, many order a size larger especially if they plan on layering. I just bought my fiance the women's TAD Steath Hoodie. They dropped from $250 to $180. Plus they do offer a MIL/LEO discount.
I also love my Pathfinder Hoodie. I live in that sweater. I even sneak it under my duty jacket on really cold nights.
They are premiering all of their new designs on Facebook and are pretty involved in a few other online communities.
MM I have the exact jacket and love the color. That looks like a shot from your website, but it's not on there...
militarymoron
10-19-09, 18:05
That looks like a shot from your website, but it's not on there...
it'll be up soon; i'm still working on the writeup. i had to wait for rainy weather to try it out in, and we got some last weekend.
I need a new winter jacket. I was looking for something that will block out wind and retain enough heat that adding a thin layer will keep me warm on a short walkabout. Is the stealth hoodie reloaded up to the task or is it more of a spring/fall jacket? Also in the running is the patagonia R4. Both are about the same price and I have inclination of one over the other. The only thing the stealth hoodie offers is water repellency and a hood, both of which may come in handy for certain uses. Just looking for thoughts from those who have worn at least one of them.
it's definitely a rich chocolate brown (or woodland brown). when i first saw it on the website, i wasn't too sure about it, but when i got it, i immediately warmed up to it as it's a nice, classy colour. it doesn't look overtly 'tactical' around town, or out of place on the trail. i'd say that the lighter brown was more suited to desert southwest/arid environments, and this darker one for pacific northwest, northeast regions. if you're in the woods, standing against a tree trunk, this'll blend in better than the lighter brown.
i've actually gotten more compliments with the reloaded than the lighter khaki jackets.
Nice....the Stealth Reloaded in Urban Brown is on my want list :) Looking forward to eventually getting it.
I had an Explorer in FDE (or whatever they called it, the old lighter brown) but I am just not a fan of the Rhinohide.
I have a Stealth Hoodie Classic in the Urban Grey I think. I like the color and the jacket for the most part. I don't think the quality is up there with my Summit Series North Face or some of my Arcteryx, but I do like the Jacket.
I am disappointed with the zippers. I have a feeling that the zippers are going to be the weak link to the jacket. This jacket has gotten more compliments than just about any jacket that I own.
SO_THERE_I_WAS
10-21-09, 20:03
TAD Gear is fast becoming to the tactical community, what the "The North Face" used to be to the climbing world. It's good stuff but expensive. That being said when you are out in nasty weather and your not suffering becuse you have good foul weather gear, the price of it becomes much less painful.
So There I Was...
I've got some TAD gear -
Battle Hoodie (fantastic)
Spartan Trousers (maybe worth $40-50, but not $90; not that much better than regular BDU pants)
and had a couple Old School Work Shirts, but they were badly sized - I normally wear a large (and my L Battle Hoodie is perfect) but these shirts were sized like mediums. :rolleyes: So beware...
diving dave
10-22-09, 13:04
I was just up at TAD gear 2 days ago. Picked up a battle hoodie in multicam. Its about the only reason to go to San Francisco....:D
Spectre Hoodie LRP in Crye Multicam (http://www.tadgear.com/shop.php?id=765)
http://www.tadgear.com/uploads/products/large/tadspectressmc650.jpg
Well, they're in! At $400, they aren't cheap. Even so, I bet these fly off the shelves...
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