Triple Aught Design

O

OpKey

Joined
Jun 6, 2011
Messages
600
I decided to post this thread after the last week of gawking over the Triple Aught Design(TAD) Ranger Hoodies. I first started thinking about the LT version, which is the lighter version. Then I got to thinking, and realized that if I was going to pay that much money for a hoodie, then I might aswell get the thicker version which is only 20 bucks more. Anyways, all this aside, I'd like to get input from any of you guys that own one of the Ranger Hoodies. Wether it's the LT version or the normal. Also, if you could include which size you bought and what size you are(Height and weight). That's my main problem. I took my measurements and matched them to the sizing chart on their site, but due to my size I'd like to see which sizes other people ordered and see if perhaps I can match up. Pictures would be awesome, but any information what so ever is what I'm really looking for. This is a pretty good chunk of cash I'm going to drop on a softshell like this, so I like to be well prepared before jumping into it.

Thanks ahead of time, guys.
 
OpKey said:
This is a pretty good chunk of cash I'm going to drop on a softshell like this, so I like to be well prepared before jumping into it.

Thanks ahead of time, guys.
Click to expand...

First, the Ranger hoodie is NOT a softshell. It's a fleece jacket. It is Polartec Windpro fleece, so it's highly wind resistant. That doesn't make it a softshell.


I don't own a Ranger (though I might this year) but I do own a Shag Master, which is the same cut as a Ranger, but different material, and slightly different styling. The fit is "Alpine" which means there is a distinct taper from the chest to waist. If your gut is not smaller than your chest by a decent margin it could fit poorly. These garments are designed like "real" outdoor gear, because they are exactly that. They are made for fit individuals doing fit-individual activities. Sadly, we fat guys are a little left out in that regard. That said, I have a 50" chest and 40" waist at the moment (working on it) and my XXL Shag fits fine, even with the alpine cut. The Ranger will feel slightly snugger than the Shag Master due to the material used. I used to own a Stealth (the softshell) with the same cut, and it was ok too, but if I had been 20 pounds heavier it wouldn't have been pretty :o (I'm actually lighter now than when I sold it). I then got the '10 Explorer, which sports a more typical cut, and like it a lot. Much lower profile, which is what I was looking to get away from in selling the Stealth. All that velcro made me feel out of place.

I would say that you will likely be happy with the purchase of the Ranger (or LT) if you are willing to overlook the fact that you can get a Windpro jacket elsewhere for less money albeit with different, maybe inferior (it's a matter of perspective/preference), features.

Personally, I love the design of their hoods. They lay better when not in use than any other jacket I have used. Since the majority of the time I don't use a hood, I appreciate that. However, there are times when having a hood is great, and the cut is very nice when in use too. All in all, I really like them.

HTH
 
Just get one of those Condor softshell stealth hoodie replicas for like 60 bucks. I have both the TAD and the Condor and I can assure you that they both seem to be equally made in build quality.
 
scouter27 said:
First, the Ranger hoodie is NOT a softshell. It's a fleece jacket. It is Polartec Windpro fleece, so it's highly wind resistant. That doesn't make it a softshell.


I don't own a Ranger (though I might this year) but I do own a Shag Master, which is the same cut as a Ranger, but different material, and slightly different styling. The fit is "Alpine" which means there is a distinct taper from the chest to waist. If your gut is not smaller than your chest by a decent margin it could fit poorly. These garments are designed like "real" outdoor gear, because they are exactly that. They are made for fit individuals doing fit-individual activities. Sadly, we fat guys are a little left out in that regard. That said, I have a 50" chest and 40" waist at the moment (working on it) and my XXL Shag fits fine, even with the alpine cut. The Ranger will feel slightly snugger than the Shag Master due to the material used. I used to own a Stealth (the softshell) with the same cut, and it was ok too, but if I had been 20 pounds heavier it wouldn't have been pretty :o (I'm actually lighter now than when I sold it). I then got the '10 Explorer, which sports a more typical cut, and like it a lot. Much lower profile, which is what I was looking to get away from in selling the Stealth. All that velcro made me feel out of place.

I would say that you will likely be happy with the purchase of the Ranger (or LT) if you are willing to overlook the fact that you can get a Windpro jacket elsewhere for less money albeit with different, maybe inferior (it's a matter of perspective/preference), features.

Personally, I love the design of their hoods. They lay better when not in use than any other jacket I have used. Since the majority of the time I don't use a hood, I appreciate that. However, there are times when having a hood is great, and the cut is very nice when in use too. All in all, I really like them.

HTH
Click to expand...

Sorry, I didn't mean to quote it as a "softshell". I just assumed that was the best thing to call it. Either way, would you recommend a Windpro jacket from somewhere else? Perhaps cheaper? :) My chest is larger than my stomach so perhaps the Ranger will fit just fine for me, but I just worry about it not being long enough for my arms. That's why I was debating on which size to actually order.

And to Knifein. I have owned several Condor products. Most of them, were not worth the cheap price I paid for them, though some gear Condor does get very right. Not saying it's made of quality material, but they do get some of their items "right". You saying Condor and TAD are on the same level of build quality kind of strikes me as strange. I've heard from many people that the Condor doesn't match up in any way, and I tend to always go by the saying "you pay for what you get" and "buy once, cry once". I'll have to be really persuaded before I believe Condor is on par with TAD. Got any pictures of the Condor hoodie you're talking about? That may help some.

Thanks alot, guys. I'm still wanting to see all the input I can on these. I've read about them everywhere, but I like to get the guys on this forum's input on things.
 
Not to say that you shouldn't try to get as much for your money as you can, but depending on where you live, you should think about the weather there and which jacket you will wear more. I had a ranger when I lived in Iowa, but sold it and bought an LT this year now that I live inthe south. I hadn't used the ranger almost all year so there was no point in owning it :)

The new ranger is sized the same as the LT as far as I know. I wear a large, same size as my tshirts and it fits PERFECT, I'm a pretty fit individual, and if I had any kind of belly bigger than what little I have, I'd need to go up a size. I'm about 6 foot, 210 lbs.
 
If you were in fact looking for an actual soft shell, I believe there is supposed to be a new stealth hoodie coming out in a few weeks. It will likely cost more but I would say it is my favorite jacket that they make.

The condor jackets have the look and the fit of the tad gear if that is all you are looking for, but the details, materials, technology and overall feel will continue to elude them at those prices. :)
 
I actually just purchased a Ranger LT from them. I'm 5'10" and 180lbs. I wear a size 16 shirt with 34/35 sleeve. The jacket fits perfect. You will love this jacket!
L1010292.jpg
 
Don't bother with the Condor. The construction quality might be there (doubtful, although most users don't use gear hard enough to know better), but the material will not be Malden Mills Polartec Wind Pro, for sure.

I think the most commonly seen Wind Pro jacket is The North Face's Denali jacket. It comes in right about $200, so you can see that the Ranger is really right in line on pricing. I would wager that TNF is paying substantially less per yard of Wind Pro fleece than TAD also. Just google "Wind Pro Jacket" and you'll see the Denali and many others to choose from. The material is expensive though, so you won't find a new, current year jacket for a whole lot less in my experience. You can find previous year versions for less though. Sometimes a lot less. Check REI Outlet, and the REI stores have great sales from time to time, so you might find one.

I agree with others, the full strength Ranger may be too much for SC, though there are many TADders in southern California that wear them, so... individual results may vary, and all that.
 
Scouter has it dead on. Very good post, FYI Backcountry.com had last years colors on sale for 25-50 off depending on model, color, etc. I picked the girlfriend up a TNF boundary triclimate jacket for $170ish, and my daughter I got the TNF insulated ski pant since she already has a boundary triclimate jacket, her pants were $75.

As for TAD, yes nice, yes expensive, yes better than condor (jesus I cant believe some of the rep they get), we have a "tactical supply shop" near us that I wont name that specializes in Condor. If it were up to me, I would spend the extra and get the better. BUT if times are tight, Condor might do ya just fine, but the little things will be missing.

I am 6'1", 210 or so lbs. Not fat, just solid, prior Marine and still in decent shape, hike a few hundred miles a year, run atleast that, bike a few times that, but I dont know my measurements... Anyways, all my TADgear is XL, all my Arcteryx is XL, my Smartwools, R1 fleece, and cammies are either large or large/ long. In the photo below, left to right...

TAD Ranger hoodie, TAD Spectre (my favorite softshell), Arcteryx SV, Arteryx LEAF Alpha, Patagonia R4, Patagonia R1, Arcteryx atom lt (my favorite jacket, I wear this almost daily in SLC UT winters), TAD robin hoodie, another TAD ranger.

jackets1.JPG
 
The TNF Denali is easily picked up for 100-150 new, even in the hooded version. Keep in mind that it is nearly straight cut so if your chest size is 10" or larger than your waist, as I am, you get a loose fit at the bottom hem. This works well if you carry items on your belt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top