REVIEW: SABRE Special Forces Smock Gen. III

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If you are looking for a new adventure playground, then this jacket is the ideal thing to satisfy such a playful urge. The Special Forces Smock Gen. III from SABRE is as big as Russia and has almost as many pockets as the US states. And it is available in the new camouflage colors of PenCott (HERE our interview about it): BadLands fits quite well in arid and autumnal areas. We at SPARTANAT have tested the smock for you.

There stands the wonders of pockets in the forest: In the case of the PenCott Smocks Gen. III, the jacket consists of 50 percent cotton and the remaining 50 percent polyamide, a synthetic material. The material is heavy, you get what you pay for. And you definitely need it. The concept of the smock assumes that you do not use a combat vest, but everything you want to take with you should go in here. And the Sabre SF Gen. III does not promise too much...

Let's start at the top: The hood is detachable (left) and has all the features you want. It can be adjusted to the head at the back (top right), has a wire at the front that the wearer can adjust to form a shield. And if necessary, the face opening can be reduced to the eye area. When opened, you can see the beautiful workmanship with gray lining. The quality of this smock is top-notch.

The sleeves have an abrasion protection patch sewn on (left). The Velcro surfaces (top right) are provided with covering fabric pieces. Velcro can be used, but doesn't have to be. There is a practical compartment on the lower sleeve (middle right) and the sleeve cuff can be tightened with a drawstring (bottom right).

Pockets, pockets, pockets. 13 in total. It starts at the chest (left). Either with a zip for side access or buttoned (top right) if you want to put things in from the top. Inside nicely structured, mostly with D-ring or elastic band. So that everything stays in place. Also with the hip pockets (right). Additionally, there is the Russian safety feature against loss. The fabric edge is pulled up and folded over when closing the bag with the flap and the large Canadian buttons. So it is completely secure...

Since a smock can get pretty hot, it has a functioning ventilation system (left) on the armpits. In the magazine pockets on the hips (top right), there is again glued velcro, and you can see the elastic loops quite well (bottom right).

Across the lower back area of the smock, there is the largest pocket. Here, you can fit a really large amount of stuff.

The interior with drawstring and attached pockets. Here too, you can see at first glance the fantastic workmanship, which does not stop at a detailed design of the interior. And of course, pockets...

Nice feature for those who do not want the smock to ride up while wearing it: The strap can be pulled through the crotch from the back and holds the smock in place. Here you can also see PenCott BadLands beautifully in its details. It somehow reminds of a classic German three-color paint job and works very well in the right environment.

CONCLUSION: You have to like the concept of a smock instead of armor. It has become particularly popular in England and Germany. If you like smocks, you have the smock at the peak of its evolution here. Solidly crafted, excellently equipped. A heavy-duty jacket that has its quality and price, but will certainly not disappoint its wearer.

The SABRE Special Forces Smock Gen. III is available in various colors (including PenCott GreenZone, BadLands, and SnowDrift) in the SABRE SHOP from 259.95 euros.