Outdoor recreation and military gear share quite a lot in common. From boots to packs, hydration systems and jackets, protecting people from the elements for extended periods of time during major activity is the MO of both. So it’s no wonder that many gear companies produce stuff that can make you feel like you’re either conquering a mountain or fighting in the theater of battle in foreign lands. Case in point: the Triple Aught Design Stealth Hoodie LT.
Triple Aught Design is a new-ish company based in San Francisco that makes hardcore apparel from base layers to hardshell jackets. The Stealth Hoodie LT is their most technically advanced jacket, and it has a decidedly military look and feel to it. The company calls it an, “all weather, all season softshell that combines the impermeable nature of a hardshell with the comfort and breathability of a softshell.” One thing is for certain, there are a lot of bells and whistles on this piece, including:
- c_change® fabric: An advanced membrane that reacts to changing temperatures, closing when exposed to cold and opening in response to heat.
- 3XDRY®: A treatment on both the face and tricot, it repels water, dirt and stains on the surface while wicking away moisture and perspiration on the inside to keep you cool and dry.
- coldblack®: A special finishing treatment that reflects UV rays to keep you cool and also prevents the garment from fading.
- 4 Way Stretch: Enhances flexibility and range of movement.
- A pocket array that gives you multiple storage options, including D-rings in the chest and upper arm pockets to dummycord your gear, keeping it both handy and secure.
- Fully seam taped construction and Italian made RiRi water resistant zippers chosen for their durability and ease of use.
I have absolutely no experience in the military, but could easily accommodate testing of the jacket in Utah’s mountains. So I took the Stealth Hoodie LT on just about every backcountry ski trip this winter so far, and got a real good idea of what works for outdoor recreation applications, and what doesn’t.
When I first put on the shell, I immediately noticed the quality of the materials. This really is a very technical shell with bombproof fabric that looks and feels more like a hardshell than soft. It has fully-taped seams, and the abrasion-resistant nylon feels like it could withstand a skidding across asphalt in a motorcycle accident – it’s that’s burly. There are even elbow patches for added protection against wear. Hell, even the zippers are big and burly.
Another thing I took note of is the fact that there are tons of zippered pockets. This can be nice for versatility and storage, but I found that the amount of zippered pockets on the Stealth Hoodie LT is overkill. There are so many beefy zippers on this shell along with interior hardware like D-rings, that the whole piece feels kinda heavy. Plus, I think the zippers on the arms are especially stiff, bulky, and superfluous as they restrict movement and even dig into the inside of my elbows when I bend my arms.
Out in the field, I took the Stealth Hoodie LT to the skin track where I could test out the shell’s performance during aerobic activity. I really liked the way the fabric felt against my base layers and underneath the pack straps as I moved. It’s a triple layer system created with textiles and fabrics made by Schoeller, a Swiss company. It uses a technology called c_change that keeps your temperature regulated by sensing your body temperature. It does this by opening up the material’s pores during heavy exertion, then closing when it senses you’re getting cold. In theory, it breathes really well when needed, then insulates when needed. When put to the test, I think it did breathe really well, but I felt clammy if temperatures were above freezing, or if the sun was out. Compared to my Patagonia Ascentionist, I don’t think it shed sweat or breathed quite as well, but it was sufficient and I never felt the need to strip to my base layer for the remainder of any ascent.
One thing that the Stealth Hoodie does score extra points for though is the pit zips. I love pit zips on my backcountry shells as they are the best way to dump heat when slogging uphill, and I used them every chance I got.
While skiing, both backcountry and in the resort, I really liked this jacket. The outer material shed snow very well, no matter how wet or heavy it came down from the sky or flew up from my skis. On one particularly warm day right after a storm, I got buried under heavy snow that slid off a pine branch. The wet snow and water beaded up and nothing ever got through.
The sleeves have heavy duty velcro closures that do good work keeping cold air out, but the ends of the sleeves felt constrictive if I wore a watch, even if the velcro was undone.
The hood is a nice touch as it’s super easy to open and close around the face using shock cord with only one hand. What’s also nice is that the extra cord stows inside the chest so it’s not flapping around when in use. The hood can also be stowed using a roll-up flap inside the collar. It gives a neat appearance, but I found it to be somewhat annoying against the back of my neck and head when stowed, so just left it out most of the time. Also, the hood is way too small to be used with a helmet.
Another neat feature is the rear, dual-entry pocket. It’s like a storage pocket you’ll find on a bike jersey, only with entry on the sides that don’t zip up. It’s not something I used much, but found it useful for sticking items like gloves or stocking cap into if I needed my hands free but didn’t want to put my gloves on the snowy ground.
Aside from all the technical and performance features, I really like the way the Stealth Hoodie looks. It’s a slim fit with clean lines and streamlined cut. The color and style doesn’t scream “extremo outdoorsy dude” so I felt comfortable wearing it to work or just driving around.
Happy Triple Aught Design Stealth Hoodie LT:
Good looking, high tech fabric that breathes and insulates for ultimate temperature control, thoughtful features, and quality construction.
Sad Triple Aught Design Stealth Hoodie LT:
Heavy, too many zippers, arms are stiff and restrict movement, hood too small for much winter outdoor activity, doesn’t breathe well enough for heavy aerobic exertion, costs $475.
Final Word:
The Triple Aught Design Stealth Hoodie LT is decidedly military in design, and many people will love it for this. But for any outdoor recreation enthusiast who prefers minimalist outerwear, it is a bit much. Overall, it’s a fully loaded softshell/hardshell hybrid that looks and performs well and will last you for-freakin’-ever. But you’ll pay a premium price for it.
For more about the Stealth Hoodie LT, or to see the other gear Triple Aught Design has to offer, check them out on their website.