Tips For Choosing The Best Tactical Jacket

Factors To Consider When Shopping For A Jacket That Meets Your Professional Requirements

So, you’re looking into purchasing a tactical jacket, but you’re unsure of your options or what to consider in order to make your decision. If you’re braving the elements, you want to be as comfortable as possible, but durability is also crucial.

In this article, we explore the different key features to look for in a tactical jacket, along with the main factors to consider when making your selection.

What is a Tactical Jacket?

A tactical jacket is a heavy-duty piece that is typically worn by law-enforcement personnel, military personal, and even non-tactical professionals, due to its versatility and reliability. These jackets are built to take you through almost any environment and keep you protected at the same time. A tactical jacket is a very durable and much-have piece of clothing for many professions.

Key Features

There are many important features to look for in a tactical jacket. These jackets are built for various conditions and are meant to help you navigate them far easier than you would without one. Below, we go through a list of some of the main features and benefits you can expect.

Protection

This is highly dependent on what you will be using the jacket for. If you require protection, you will obviously want to look at this as a top deciding factor when making your selection. If protection, however, is not important in your case, you should be able to go with something more standard. It’s all about considering the environment you will be wearing it in.

Waterproof

If you plan on being in areas of heavy rain, crawling through trenches, or getting wet in general, then you will want to look for this feature in a jacket. Some come fully waterproof, some are water-resistant. Again, this really depends on how you will be wearing your jacket and where.

Materials

Tactical jackets come in many different types of material, such as Nylon and canvas. There are many options, so it really is dependent on personal preference. Do you want something more breathable or something that will keep you warmer? Material also plays a large role in comfort as well. If you’re planning on needing to be quick and nimble, you may want to consider a softer material.

Storage Capacity

What will you be storing in your jacket? Do you require a lot of different compartments for the rest of your gear? Look at ease-of-access if you do. You want to be able to get to the items you need quickly if you’re in a pinch.

Quality Construction

You obviously want quality and durability. It would be a shame to spend money on a tactical jacket only to have it fall apart on you because it can’t withstand the elements. Be realistic. Get the best bang for your buck when it comes to quality. And if you choose to go with a lesser quality, understand that it may simply not last you as long.

Factors to Consider

When you’re making your selection, choosing the jacket itself is important, but so is taking the time to consider every facet of what you will be using it for. Ultimately, that is what is going to help make your final decision. Below, we go over some of the top things to consider.

Climate

Where will you be using your jacket? Are you hiking? Are you climbing snow-covered mountains? Are you crawling through the desert in extreme heat? Will you be engaging in chases on foot around the city? Spending most of your time in wet or damp conditions? These are all factors you will want to consider when choosing the material, especially.

Mobility

If you’re going to be moving around a lot, you will want something that is less restrictive. Having to struggle to get something you need out of your tactical jacket, when you need it most, is not going to help you. You also don’t want a jacket to slow you down in any way.

Professional Requirements

You will absolutely need to consider what the requirements are if this jacket is being used in your profession. Most have guidelines and certifications which must be followed. Make sure you know the policy before you purchase.

Durability

If you’re going to be putting your jacket through the ringer on a daily basis, obviously it’s just not going to last as long as one being used in a more relaxed environment. So, durability is something you will most definitely want to consider.

Fit and Comfort

Like we’ve stated above, fit and comfort are huge. If you need something very sturdy, then you may have to compromise on this a little, but always try to find the jacket that fits you like a glove and feels like one, too.

The Takeaway

Choosing the right tactical jacket is something you should take your time with. You want it to feel like an extension of yourself – comfortable and non-restrictive. You don’t want to be thinking about how uncomfortable you are in your tactical jacket, during a time when your focus needs to be on far more important circumstances. Your local tactical gear supplier can provide you with a plethora of information to help you make the right choice.