by Woodsbum
This is going to be more of a review than anything else. Being a bit of a gear freak, I usually have bad things to say about clothing items I buy not being <this> or not having enough <that>. Most non clothing items I get I end up falling in love with. Clothing, not so much. Every once in a while, I do run across items that I REALLY do love and endorse. Enter the Condor Phantom…….
This soft shell jacket is truly one of the best investments I have made. It is a waterproof, soft shell jacket with literally pockets everywhere. Each sleeve has a pocket. There is a slanted chest pocket. Hand warmer front pockets with a pocket inside each one of those for an iPod or something. Inside there are two pockets that are made from the two lower hand warmer pockets that fit compact pistols very well for concealed carry. The back portion of those also have pockets and a pen loop. See that I said? Pockets EVERYWHERE!!!!It also has Velcro on the sleeves for morale patches.
My first real outing with this jacket was in sub 30 degree weather with blowing snow and sleet. We took a several mile hike along a ridge to go have some bacon sandwiches with my son. Whereas he ended up getting a bit cold and wet, the only issue I had was getting a bit warm with the physical exercise. This called for me to open the arm pit ventilation zippers for the entire trip.
On another outing I wore it and even ended up taking an afternoon nap while under the cover of poncho I put up to keep the rain off me. The temperature during this outing was down into the 20s and I was not moving. Yes, the wetness on the rocks is ice and it was actually raining-ish at the time. For those in Western Washington, you know this weather quite intimately while in the mountains.
The reason I put these pictures up was to show you how well this jacket breaths and allows you to keep a constant body temperature in frosty temperatures even without moving. It truly is a great product.
I have had this coat for about 3 months thus far. It has been put through its paces in the mountains (3 out of 4 weekends on average), in town (daily wear), and in the heavy brush of the lower lands of Western Washington (on off weekends). It has held up without showing even the slightest wear or show of wear. It also works as my conceal carry coat where I just put my M&P Shield right inside a pocket without even a holster. There are enough pockets that I also use it to carry all my crap around rather than grabbing a rucksack about half the time.
If you are in the market for a soft shell, waterproof jacket that will keep you warm with enough pockets to make a kangaroo jealous I suggest this jacket. It is well worth the money and the look.
As another testimonial to how nice it is, GunGuy got himself one after he saw mine.
Got get yourself one!!!!