Stickman
2 January 2009, 11:01
OTTE Soft Shell Review
I'll start by asking what makes a review credible in your eyes, is it one that with lots of tech info about an item? If so, this review quite possibly will be a disappointment. This review is based on a year with Otte Soft Shells, and wearing them for just about everything most people on this site would consider wearing a jacket for. Its not a technical overview, its about beating and grinding on gear to see what its like to live with it.
I'll go into more detail later, but the Otte Soft Shells were worn for concealing weapons on and off duty, for going to meetings with prosecutors and city counselmen, for low crawling (but more high crawling thankfully), shooting pistol, shooting rifle, for team call outs, for going out onto a Glacier (Carbon Glacier), and kicking in doors wearing heavy armor. In short, I've lived in Otte Soft Shells for the past year, and feel pretty comfortable (no pun intended) talking about them.
Lets start out by getting the tech info out of the way. Acknowledging my own faults here, I've always been less interested in the technical aspects of things than their functionality. In most reviews that I read, my eyes start to glaze over when I get to certain info, and I'm taking this point to state that this information is copied off the Otte website and catalog.
• Lightweight, highly breathable Tweave Durastretch fabric wicks away moisture, dries quickly and offers light insulation
• Provides wind, water and abrasion-resistance
• Packs down and takes little room in a rucksack
• Climbing inspired cut fits under body armor and won't get hung-up on pack straps
• Schoeller NanoSphere protective finish keeps the jacket water resistant and repels stains.
• X-Static yarn eliminates static charges, keeps you cool in warm environments, warm in cool environments and eliminates odor
• High-mobility hood moves with your head, can accommodate a helmet or stow in a stand-up collar
• Zippered cargo pockets on sleeves with Velcro to attach patches
• Cuffs have adjustable tabs
• Two large chest pockets placed for easy access and can be used to vent the jacket.
• Sizes: small – 2Xlarge
• Weight 31oz (878 grams) in size large
From my point of view, quite possibly the largest move forward is with the use of X-Static. While initially skeptical, I've found it really does seem to live up to its claims.
X-STATIC®
A powerful Antimicrobial and Odor Elimination System
* Static Dissipative/Super Conductivity
Our X-Static® pure silver, multi-filament profile provides instantaneous static reduction which not only protects the individual, but mission critical electrical equipment as well. In addition, our conductive fiber can actually tranfer data across the fabric matrix making the system not only extremely protective but overwhelmingly intelligent.
* Anti-Bacterial/Anti-Microbial
X-Static® infused material eradicates bacteria and acts as a bandage. A technology so advanced, it is already used by Johnson and Johnson, NASA, The European Space Agency and over 1,000,000 troops worldwide. It is the most significant advancement in universal protection today and it will protect against the antibiotic resistant bacteria of tomorrow.
* Odor Signature Elimination
An X-Static® system offers immediate, continuous and permanent scent protection by complete neutralization of organic odor agents such as ammonia and urea. This performance benefit significantly protects special operations personnel during sensative missions and enhances the health, welfare and morale of field personnel.
* Moisture Wicking System
Our Patented X-Static® hyrophobic fiber system wicks water and sweat molecules away from the body providing the fabric an extreme level of barrier protection. This intelligent wicking system reduces skin irritations and simultaneously treats open wounds just as a bandage would. Plus the rapid drying allows for improved mobility and comfort.
* Thermodynamic-Warm Weather
The X-Static® system keeps you cooler in the warm weather by distributing thermal energy throughout the garment for immediate dissipation. Because silver is conductive and reflective by nature, our system accelerates the removal of thermal energy away from the body's surface. It interacts with your body chemistry to keep your core at optimum temperature.
* Thermodynamic-Cold Weather
The X-Static® system also keeps you warmer in cool weather. By reflecting your thermal energy back to the body, our system allows wearer to capitalize on thermal energy or "Hot Zones". Because silver is conductive and reflective by nature, this advanced system allows for thermal storage and continuous release during cold weather missions.
Two things that have shown themselves to stand out are wind and water resistance. Nanosphere is a waterproofing agent that bonds to the fibers of material. It is designed to hold for more than 100 wash cycles, which for an outer garment is a lifetime (and then some). I've spilled coffee on my soft shell while driving, and not known about it until I got out of the vehicle. Even after sitting and soaking, my half dried sugar laced caffeine concoction wiped right off. Likewise, rain has had no effect, and the only way I've gotten wet is water down the back of my neck when I don't throw the hood up.
http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Otte%20Gear/7632-A-1028-Stick.jpg
I'll start by asking what makes a review credible in your eyes, is it one that with lots of tech info about an item? If so, this review quite possibly will be a disappointment. This review is based on a year with Otte Soft Shells, and wearing them for just about everything most people on this site would consider wearing a jacket for. Its not a technical overview, its about beating and grinding on gear to see what its like to live with it.
I'll go into more detail later, but the Otte Soft Shells were worn for concealing weapons on and off duty, for going to meetings with prosecutors and city counselmen, for low crawling (but more high crawling thankfully), shooting pistol, shooting rifle, for team call outs, for going out onto a Glacier (Carbon Glacier), and kicking in doors wearing heavy armor. In short, I've lived in Otte Soft Shells for the past year, and feel pretty comfortable (no pun intended) talking about them.
Lets start out by getting the tech info out of the way. Acknowledging my own faults here, I've always been less interested in the technical aspects of things than their functionality. In most reviews that I read, my eyes start to glaze over when I get to certain info, and I'm taking this point to state that this information is copied off the Otte website and catalog.
• Lightweight, highly breathable Tweave Durastretch fabric wicks away moisture, dries quickly and offers light insulation
• Provides wind, water and abrasion-resistance
• Packs down and takes little room in a rucksack
• Climbing inspired cut fits under body armor and won't get hung-up on pack straps
• Schoeller NanoSphere protective finish keeps the jacket water resistant and repels stains.
• X-Static yarn eliminates static charges, keeps you cool in warm environments, warm in cool environments and eliminates odor
• High-mobility hood moves with your head, can accommodate a helmet or stow in a stand-up collar
• Zippered cargo pockets on sleeves with Velcro to attach patches
• Cuffs have adjustable tabs
• Two large chest pockets placed for easy access and can be used to vent the jacket.
• Sizes: small – 2Xlarge
• Weight 31oz (878 grams) in size large
From my point of view, quite possibly the largest move forward is with the use of X-Static. While initially skeptical, I've found it really does seem to live up to its claims.
X-STATIC®
A powerful Antimicrobial and Odor Elimination System
* Static Dissipative/Super Conductivity
Our X-Static® pure silver, multi-filament profile provides instantaneous static reduction which not only protects the individual, but mission critical electrical equipment as well. In addition, our conductive fiber can actually tranfer data across the fabric matrix making the system not only extremely protective but overwhelmingly intelligent.
* Anti-Bacterial/Anti-Microbial
X-Static® infused material eradicates bacteria and acts as a bandage. A technology so advanced, it is already used by Johnson and Johnson, NASA, The European Space Agency and over 1,000,000 troops worldwide. It is the most significant advancement in universal protection today and it will protect against the antibiotic resistant bacteria of tomorrow.
* Odor Signature Elimination
An X-Static® system offers immediate, continuous and permanent scent protection by complete neutralization of organic odor agents such as ammonia and urea. This performance benefit significantly protects special operations personnel during sensative missions and enhances the health, welfare and morale of field personnel.
* Moisture Wicking System
Our Patented X-Static® hyrophobic fiber system wicks water and sweat molecules away from the body providing the fabric an extreme level of barrier protection. This intelligent wicking system reduces skin irritations and simultaneously treats open wounds just as a bandage would. Plus the rapid drying allows for improved mobility and comfort.
* Thermodynamic-Warm Weather
The X-Static® system keeps you cooler in the warm weather by distributing thermal energy throughout the garment for immediate dissipation. Because silver is conductive and reflective by nature, our system accelerates the removal of thermal energy away from the body's surface. It interacts with your body chemistry to keep your core at optimum temperature.
* Thermodynamic-Cold Weather
The X-Static® system also keeps you warmer in cool weather. By reflecting your thermal energy back to the body, our system allows wearer to capitalize on thermal energy or "Hot Zones". Because silver is conductive and reflective by nature, this advanced system allows for thermal storage and continuous release during cold weather missions.
Two things that have shown themselves to stand out are wind and water resistance. Nanosphere is a waterproofing agent that bonds to the fibers of material. It is designed to hold for more than 100 wash cycles, which for an outer garment is a lifetime (and then some). I've spilled coffee on my soft shell while driving, and not known about it until I got out of the vehicle. Even after sitting and soaking, my half dried sugar laced caffeine concoction wiped right off. Likewise, rain has had no effect, and the only way I've gotten wet is water down the back of my neck when I don't throw the hood up.
http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Otte%20Gear/7632-A-1028-Stick.jpg