Triple Aught Design Stealth Hoodie LT

I’ve accumulated a fair bit of outdoor clothing the past few years.  We’re talking a sale-rack Patagonia fleece here, a couple sets of wool socks there, nothing crazy.  Until recently that is, when I rationalized a TAD Hoodie LT purchase for a wallet-deflating $475.  How much, for a non-insulated jacket, you say?

Me wearing the TAD Stealth Hoodie LT on a January trip in George Washington National Forest

What outerwear void was I looking to fill?  Turns out a big one!  

The gear search that brought me to the Stealth LT Hoodie was my need to find a versatile and technical 3-or-4 season outer layer.  It needed to be windproof, waterproof, breathable, durable, and not too “mountaineer” for public wearing.  I needed something to wear over insulating layers for bitter cold and wet weather, but also something I could throw on over a t-shirt in mild weather.

Spotting on the trail at Shoe Creek in VA

In comes the TAD…  

I was starting to shop $500 Arc’Teryx and Patagonia shells, but being a guy that gets an emotional connection to gear — it just wasn’t there for me with the traditional shell choices.

Triple Aught Design has a good reputation for making very high-end clothing, packs, and tools with a “tactical” aesthetic and functionality.  I’m not a tactical-prepper type by any means, but I did remember liking their stuff and actually bought a t-shirt from their SF store in the past on a business trip.

The jacket looks just as at home in the city (and was great in breezy San Francisco!) as it does on the trails.

When I saw their Stealth LT Hoodie, I saw immediately that it checked off on the “buy” criteria I had set, but there were some things that made that connection for me:

• The aesthetic  — trim cut design, understated colors, and tactical design elements (includes shoulder patch placement and plenty of pockets without being obnoxious)
• It is a soft-shell — almost all of the other waterproof jackets I looked at were hardshells and the TAD has some stretch to it
• Its $475 price tag, while breathtaking, isn’t out of line with its competition
• Alex already had one, so I got to see his jacket and get his take on it

So, how do I like it?

I’ve been using the Stealth LT for about 6 months now.  Having worn the jacket almost every day — including during some seriously crappy winter weather — I would enthusiastically recommend it if you’re in the market for a high-end jacket.

Building a fire in George Washington National Forest

Here’s why I’d recommend it:

• Durable — I’ve bushwacked through briers, laid on my back on rocks under the truck, etc. and there are really no marks or indications of wear
• Near stain proof — The jacket wipes clean without a trace of staining, even with stuff like blood or gear oil that ruins other clothes
• The stretch — When it is really chilly I wear a puffy Patagonia down jacket under the TAD Hoodie, which makes things snug.  That little bit of stretch goes a long way toward helping me maintain mobility.
• It looks great! — I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so many questions or compliments on a piece of clothing, ever.  Not even close.

You can see the Tad Stealth LT’s stretch here – maintaining mobility with several layers underneath

So, there you have the obvious conclusion — yes, the $475 jacket is awesome, as it damn well should be.  What sets the TAD Stealth Hoodie LT apart, though, is that it accomplishes much of what the competition does, but does it in its own way, which just happens to jive really well with us.

A little vehicle recovery action at Red Cloud Off Road in Lorton, VA