STOIRM Tactical Softshell Jacket

The weather in the UK can be unpredictable, so the choice of outdoor clothing can sometimes be a dilemma, with the temperature constantly varying and rain rarely far away. You need something lightweight but insulated, waterproof but breathable, and practical yet comfortable. With this in mind, and having recently seen some impressive STOIRM backpacks, this brand’s range of clothing looked like it might be a good option.

STOIRM ready

The Tactical Softshell Jacket is an all-weather garment with features to ensure all-year-round comfort and protection. The outer shell is completely waterproof, and rain simply beads up and rolls off. The adjustable peaked hood, concealed inside the fleece-lined collar, is quick and easy to deploy, plus sheds water effectively. There is an integrated full-length storm guard under a good quality YKK two-way zipper and a relatively high and close-fitting collar to protect your neck. Adjustable, elasticated thumbhole cuffs help to keep your hands warm, and the hem can also be adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit.

The fleece lining is soft and very pliable, making the jacket comfortable and unrestrictive to wear, and despite being insulated and waterproof, it is very light. A coating of Teflon fabric protector gives the jacket additional durability and a nice finish. When it is warmer, there are two-way zippered underarm vents for extra breathability, and these let out heat without detracting from the comfort of the jacket.

As for storage, there are two fleece-lined hand warmer pockets, with zips, a concealed and zipped chest pocket, fleece/tricot-lined pockets on each bicep (with zips and Velcro panels), and an internal pocket with a high-vis zipper. More pockets than you could ever need. Hand warmer pockets are often not deep enough or shaped correctly to hold anything, and small items often spill out, particularly when you sit down, but the zips on these pockets can be left partially closed to keep all your valuables inside.

The size guide on the Military 1st website means you can order the right size for the correct fit, and it is pretty much spot on, giving both chest sizes and arm lengths.

Conclusion

This is a jacket you can wear all day, and when it starts off with pouring rain and high winds, gets hotter and sunny in the middle, and then drops to cold, you can use the different features to maintain a comfortable environment for your body. When open, the underarm vents do not allow rain to get in but do give good airflow and get the temperature down. The jacket is fully waterproof and, even in the heavy downpours that we encounter more often these days, with the hood up and correctly adjusted, it keeps you completely dry. One of the best outer-layer jackets I have used and, when combined with suitable base layers, it will serve well in the cold winters too.