as the title says, im looking for a good tactical winter coat? last time i asked i got some good recommendations for some tactical boots, absolutely love'em now its time for a coat, hopefully i can get something on sale...

North Face I like

Its a little expensive but I have owned this jacket for 3 years and it is still going strong.

 

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Outerwear/Uniform-Jackets/5-in-1-Jacket.html

 

Its has a ton of pockets, it warm no matter how cold it gets in NJ, the inner fleece zips out, or the sleeves zip off the fleece to lighten the jacket, and if you need ID patches, name plates, or a badge it comes with velcro mounting panels that can be stowed away when you dont need them attracting attention.

5.11 is a good jacket.

5.11 jackets?

http://www.lapolicegear.com/5taja.html

WTH is a tactical winter jacket? Does it have molle on the inside of the pockets? Built in holsters? Rocket launcher attachment points? Detachable tactical collapsible skis hidden in the hood?

 

How about you tell us what you expect the jacket to do for you? I mean besides keeping the outside from the inside.

I'd have to agree with Vlad G, though I do feel like I understand what you're asking, David.

 

My recommendation if you're going to be active and outdoors during the colder months is not necessarily the best single jacket, but to layer properly. Plenty of options with good under garment gear (like UA cold weather shirts), long sleeves on top of that, a shell, and then a wind/weather jacket that is rated to a certain temperature-- but isn't necessarily super bulky.

 

In regards to brands, I am a big fan of Arc'teryx now that I have personal experience with them. I thought they were a bit overpriced (considering it's just clothing), but they really are a cut above the rest.

WTH is a tactical winter jacket? Does it have molle on the inside of the pockets? Built in holsters? Rocket launcher attachment points? Detachable tactical collapsible skis hidden in the hood?

 

How about you tell us what you expect the jacket to do for you? I mean besides keeping the outside from the inside.

 

YES! in reality, tactical is something to me thats gonna be warm, light, tuff with lots of pockets and vents for cooling... like that 5.11 sounds good....

WTH is a tactical winter jacket? Does it have molle on the inside of the pockets? Built in holsters? Rocket launcher attachment points? Detachable tactical collapsible skis hidden in the hood?

 

How about you tell us what you expect the jacket to do for you? I mean besides keeping the outside from the inside.

 

I was thinking the same thing..

WTH is a tactical winter jacket? Does it have molle on the inside of the pockets? Built in holsters? Rocket launcher attachment points? Detachable tactical collapsible skis hidden in the hood?

 

How about you tell us what you expect the jacket to do for you? I mean besides keeping the outside from the inside.

 

I wear a tactical winter jacket. I personally, dont want to spend money on 2 jackets, one I can wear while at work and another I wear around town. Some agencies require patches and name plates, which I don't feel the need to advertise around town. Thats why I chose the 511 jacket. Everything is out when Im at work, then flips back into the pockets when I leave.

 

Just to clarify, the tactical jacket might be the antithesis of tactical in my case. I use it so I DONT appear to be a wacker.

Jackets are easy. As stated lots of companies make really good ones (North Face, Columbia, Arc'teryx, etc). Same for pants and boots etc.

 

What I have problem with are gloves. I have yet to find a pair of gloves that will keep my hands warm in really cold weather and still have enough dexterity to handle even common tasks, much less a trigger properly. Usually I have to remove the glove to do anything requiring fine motor control.

Layers. Find a outer hard shell that fits you and has things like arm pit zippers. It can be a $300 big name thing or a $30 discount bin thing. Its most important function is to keep water and wind out, as a bonus it might also let the sweat out (gore-tex or the 10 other materials that do that now).

 

 

Then add a heavy insulation layer, a mid weight insulation layer, and base layers. Now you can adjust from summer rain to damn cold, assuming your outer layer is sized so it can fit 3 layers under it and has some adjustment that can let it be shrunk down a bit when fewer layers are required.

 

Not only is that more flexible but it also allows you replace bits if you don't like them, if they wear out, etc, without having to replace the entire system. If get a cut in the outer shell, no need to throw away the insulation layers.

 

Plus for extra tactical value you can now have different color outer shells for different "tactical" environments .. you know white for snow, MARPAT for beach assaults, Luis Vuitton for blending in as a mall ninja

 

Edited to add: Once you got your system in place go sit or stand in the woods for about 5-6 hours. If it didn't work (and you are still alive) then adjust the system as necessary.

 

On the glove side I found that I really like the mechnix winter-armor gloves for all around winter wear, warm, allow dexterity. Not what I would use for a hunting stand though, not thick enough.

I hate wearing coats to begin with. I feel that they are too restrictive, especially the longer ones. I like a heavy sweatshirt or some polar fleece. Now doing quals during the winter I will roll with a Columbia 3 in 1 or something Parka with a 6004 rig so I can get to my weap.

Plus for extra tactical value you can now have different color outer shells for different "tactical" environments .. you know white for snow, MARPAT for beach assaults, Luis Vuitton for blending in as a mall ninja

 

Haha, made me snort some coke zero out my nose when I read that

yeah gloves are next...

yeah gloves are next...

 

http://www.mechanix.com/winter-armor

 

Or http://www.mechanix.com/winter-armor-pro if you have lots of people to punch.

 

Although again, I have different gloves for different uses, these just work well as all rounders.

It's not just tactical, it's Spec Ops Tactical.

 

http://www.armynavyshop.com/prods/rc9767.html

I guess you are looking for something tactiwarm opposed to tacticool....

lol! This thread makes me laugh.

 

Tactical winter jacket. lol.

 

Get a nice ski jacket. It has all the pockets, and a great shell layer. Then as Vlad mentioned, layer underneath.

WTH is a tactical winter jacket?

 

It's a winter jacket that is black duh

Maybe not Tactical, but anything from LL Bean is usually pretty good. I like them because they offer tall sizes.

got to agree on the LL Bean, best jacket I ever had lots of inside storage.

Ok in all seriousness, a tactical jacket!?

 

I'm sure most of those 5.11 jackets are nice, but a lot of them have a price tag that is incredibly expensive for some sort of jacket like that. It surprises me at the price range a lot of those jackets are in.

with some help from destinydog showed me this one, really nice.

http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?productid=19321&tabid=548

 

 

on the same site i saw this one I like it too.

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=18706&tabid=548

 

 

I have a Columbia for the cold and a triple aught design for the more mild days.

lol! This thread makes me laugh.

 

Tactical winter jacket. lol.

 

Get a nice ski jacket. It has all the pockets, and a great shell layer. Then as Vlad mentioned, layer underneath.

This is what i would do.... You can find exactly what u need and most of the name brands carry gear that will last and offer tons of options. Most jackets never even see the kinda abuse snow shells take. You can even get ones with a removable liner.

lol! This thread makes me laugh.

 

Tactical winter jacket. lol.

 

Get a nice ski jacket. It has all the pockets, and a great shell layer. Then as Vlad mentioned, layer underneath.

 

I lol'd myself

Holy jesus, I didn't know they made "tactical winter jackets". This thread is banana's

Cabelas GORE TEX

get the one with zip in fleece liner..youll thank me later

I use mechanix wear gloves from the home depot for work and the range. Best all around glove I have found.