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Stickman
11 April 2008, 11:07
Weaponevolution.com has reviewed the Soft-Shell Alpine Jacket, Hard Shell Patrol Parka.

OTTE HARD SHELL REVIEW (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3487#post3487)


OTTE SOFT SHELL REVIEW (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5441#post5441)



Information about the Otte Gear lineup can be found in their website at the below link.

http://ottegear.com/main.php


http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Otte%20Gear/IMG_4986%201028%20WEVO%202.jpg

Impact
12 April 2008, 15:53
great gear. waiting for the reviews.

Stickman
12 April 2008, 21:35
great gear. waiting for the reviews.


On initial inspection, I've got to say it looks great, but I put in for the wrong size, so we are going to be pushed back a bit on our timeline while I mail it back for the right size.

Not a big deal, and I only have myself to blame.




On a brighter note, I was able to get a few pictures. [:)]

Stickman
22 June 2008, 15:21
It took longer than expected, but the review is up. The upside to the review taking so long is that the Hard Shell saw a lot of use, both in regular wear, and in shooting with it.

The below link has the full review.

http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3487#post3487

hk24
3 August 2008, 21:59
I bought one of the patrol parkas at the SHOT Show. It is a great piece of kit.

Lynn

Stickman
1 January 2009, 18:50
The Soft Shell review is almost complete, and I expect it should be moved out of the Staff section and into the Review section tonight. Lots of pictures, lots of time spent wearing the Otte Soft Shell, and lots of different things done while wearing it.

I'll drop a link here when its done.

Stickman
3 January 2009, 09:57
I forgot to update this link, the Soft Shell review is mainly done, though I do need to drop in a couple additional points.


http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5441#post5441






http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Otte%20Gear/7632-A-1028-Stick.jpg

montgomerygentryFan
26 January 2009, 19:10
While my PCU5 by ORC and Explorer by TAD are the only two softshell type jackets I have I noticed OTTE in the last picture also says to only use power detergent. The PCU5 like the OTTE says to use powder while the TAD Explorer says doesn't list a specific type of detergent is required. Is there something in regular liquid detergent that damages the fabric properties with the OTTE Alpine and PCU5? Thanks

Stickman
26 January 2009, 19:24
I recently asked this question, and was told that every manufacturer will tell you to use powder instead of liquid, the reason is that its much less likely to damage any of the fiber treatments.

Army Chief
26 January 2009, 22:06
Just to be clear, the tag is referring to a mild power (not powder) detergent, which we're agreeing is not a typo.

Further, then, we're also saying that -- although the care instructions don't really specify -- a powdered detergent is preferred over a highly concentrated liquid.

In other words, the best choice here is a mild power powdered detergent ... correct?

AC

Stickman
27 January 2009, 06:05
.... and with no optical brightners. I should have mentioned that before as well.

Uglyduck
28 January 2009, 21:29
If only they came in dark navy....

Army Chief
31 January 2009, 00:57
At the risk of treading into ground that we may not really wish to cover, I do think that it would be most instructive to see the OTTE line (or more specifically, selected products within in) compared/contrasted to the TAD equivalents some of us are more familiar with. This need not be a winner/loser or pro/con type of thing, but rather a simple comparison of features, materials and construction techniques.

I do realize that this lies a bit outside of our charter, and that the TAD line may not be on hand for review (most especially where things like softshells are concerned), but they seem to be nearly identical products in some ways. I know better than to believe that is true, but it would be enlightening to see some of them side-by-side. If this is a bridge too far, that is of course fine. Just thinking aloud ... or via the keyboard ... or whatever. :)

AC

Stickman
31 January 2009, 09:13
I agree, but this is where we start running into questions. How many manufacturers are willing to ship and item, and know that it may be destroyed? The OTTE Soft Shells were worn in hard use, low crawling, rolling around, working with dogs, shooting drills etc.


In working with OTTE, they were more than willing to see it come back shredded in a bag, their only comment was to let them know how it got damaged so they could work on protection for that use.

Thats impressive to me. Nothing was done to the Shells that I didn't consider realistic, but I consider crawling across the ground on my back over rocks and thorns realistic.....

Stickman
31 January 2009, 09:15
http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Otte%20Gear/IMG_1056%201028%20Stick%20prenup.jpg

Army Chief
31 January 2009, 10:17
I agree, but this is where we start running into questions. How many manufacturers are willing to ship and item, and know that it may be destroyed? The OTTE Soft Shells were worn in hard use, low crawling, rolling around, working with dogs, shooting drills etc.


In working with OTTE, they were more than willing to see it come back shredded in a bag, their only comment was to let them know how it got damaged so they could work on protection for that use.

Thats impressive to me. Nothing was done to the Shells that I didn't consider realistic, but I consider crawling across the ground on my back over rocks and thorns realistic.....

Bottom line here is that I wasn't sure if you had any TAD stuff in the locker or within arm's reach; if not, then it makes little sense to go overboard with this, as guys like MM provide sufficient levels of detail on other products to draw most of the necessary conclusions elsewhere.

Personally, I'm still more familiar with TAD than I am with OTTE, which is probably what is underwriting my question; that said, given what we've seen from OTTE so far, I'm extremely interested in their kit.

AC

Stickman
31 January 2009, 11:05
Military Morons is a great guy, with a great website. I strongly encourage people to visit over there. We have different takes on equipment, and I think he does a great job with tech details that I don't even try to get into. For better or worse, I'm more of a grunt, and tend to do my reviews based on that. MM does such a good job that I try to avoid his site and reviews so that I don't shoot any pictures in his style, or write using any of his info.

If I had TAD gear, or if any of the Staff do, I would be more than happy to see them writing a review. If you have TAD gear that you would like to review, I welcome you to do the same thing. I've heard good things about them.

EHilderbrand
2 February 2009, 15:20
Wow. The soft shell in Alpha Green is awesome.

Ordered.