Staying Warm, Staying Alive: Vogel Tactical Softshell Jacket

By Diego

As autumn hits the United States, it’s appropriate to cover warm weather gear and test them.

While it is area dependent, cold weather gear is a quintessential part of any milsimmer’s kit. The simple act of bringing proper CWG is the difference between a seamless and fun experience and a miserable, hypothermic one. Unlike some of the other equatorial kits we cover, such as Filipino or Indonesian, Turkey is a Mediterranean country, while warm in the summer, there are snow-capped, high altitude regions and generally colder winters.

Naturally, the Turkish military issues and commercially sells a plethora of cold weather accoutrements. Thick parkas in the nano pattern are issued to conscripts, as well as Gore-Tex reversible ponchos with gaiter and arm sleeves depending on the region. We will take a look at Vogel Tactical’s softshell jacket, which is a bargain for its price.

Front of the jacket. There are 5 pockets on the outside and one found inside.

Starting with the façade of the jacket, two velcro tabs are stitched onto the front, with the left sized for nametapes and the right is presumably for a unit patch. Velcros on each arm are also present for the addition of flag patches. Waist pockets, a feature typically found on commercial or military softshell jackets, are accessible on the left and right side, and make for a great place to put your cold hands into. Chest pockets are also found on the left and right. Interestingly, the left pocket is straight, while the right hand pocket is slanted at an angle. On the right sleeve, one can find a pocket, also accessible with the right hand.

Shoulder pocket, accessed by the right hand, and stitched on the left shoulder. Note the rubberized Vogel brand tag.

Of note is that every one of the zipper pull tabs has the “Vogel” brand name molded onto them.

Underarm vent that runs along the top ribs all the way up the triceps area.

Underarm vents can also be found on each side of the jacket. These vents run down to the ribs and along about half of the triceps’ area, providing extra breathability, especially when on the move and as the user’s body heats up as a result.

Mesh lines the majority of the inside of the softshell. An inside pocket can be found on the right, as well as adjustable cords to tighten the jacket from the bottom.

Moving to the inside of the jacket, a layer of mesh lines the inside of the front and most of the back. Space is allotted between the wearer and the fleece, providing enough air flow inside, a convenient feature for those whose body heat increases faster due to differing metabolisms. An inner pocket is also found inside for phones or other smaller essential items. To retain more warmth, adjustable cords can be found on the bottom of the softshell and cinch the jacket shut which keeps the air out even further.

Finally, the rear of the jacket is where the hoodie can be found. A piece of velcro hides away the thin membrane of a hoodie under the collar of the jacket. Adjustable cords can tighten the hoodie if need be.

The hoodie found hidden inside the jacket’s collar. It is made of a thin waterproof membrane.

I took the liberty of field testing the Vogel softshell jacket today while visiting the China Wall near Lake Donner, a tunnel system built by Chinese laborers for the Central Pacific railroad in the 1860s. At the highest, our elevation was over 7000 ft. (2100 m) and the temperature was around 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11°C). There was barely any wind, but it was quite cold for us.

Personally, my metabolism means I heat up very quickly, so the underarm vents were opened up partially and the bottom left uncinched to allow for more airflow. Additionally, the internal mesh liner aided in keeping my body cool enough for comfort, while the jacket’s fleece kept warm enough inside to keep me from freezing. Because of the jacket’s conscious design features that cater to warmer bodied people like me, I found the jacket to perform exactly how I want it to and was very comfortable on the trip. The large underarm vents, inner mesh liner, and the ability to be loosened or tightened from the bottom allow for far more flexibility when dealing with different wearers and weather conditions.

Up on China Wall, 7000 ft. above sea level

Sitting near the memorial plaque erected to remember the Chinese immigrant laborers.

For 30 dollars, the Vogel Tactical softshell jacket is a great bargain. It is loaded with features not found on even higher end softshell cold weather jackets, and thoughtfulness for the end user was clearly emphasized. Some points of contention focus on the hoodie and its components. It is made of a thin waterproof membrane that would seemingly cease to be waterproof with enough exposure to the rain. It adjustment string is of a feeble rubber construction, which were frayed at the end and had to be fused together with a lighter. Additionally, the velcro arm loops could have been made wider to accommodate flag patches horizontally. Again, its price and loaded features make up for the shortcomings. Affordable softshell jackets like these, and a plethora of other Turkish cold weather clothing such as parkas and reversible ponchos are also a testament to the sheer flexibility of Turkish kit from a milsim standpoint, meaning a Turkish faction will be able to play all year long, whether in the heat or snow, thanks to the wide array of clothing at a prospecting Turkish impressionist’s disposal.

Jandarma with what appears to be a Vogel softshell, note the tall collars

#nofarbzone