REVIEW: Softshell Jacket High Defence

From autumn onwards, it is mostly wet and cold outside. To protect yourself from this, you need a jacket, preferably a softshell, and even better if it is lined. The ultimate would be if you could use it in service (Austrian Armed Forces) without attracting too much attention. The Softshell Jacket High Defence, available at Comrade, combines exactly the points mentioned above, and we took a closer look at it for you (All pictures clickable to enlarge).

The outer shell is made of a ripstop softshell fabric and the inside is lined with a thin, warm fleece layer. The material itself is water-repellent (not waterproof, so not a rain jacket), windproof, and breathable. We tested the jacket extensively from October to December and can confirm the mentioned properties. The size corresponds to EU sizes and is rather fitted in shape. The stains in the photos are from light rain that fell when we took the photos. This shows the problem with all softshells, which is that the droplets eventually seep into the fabric. Nevertheless, we stayed dry inside.

The back looks very unspectacular, as with all jackets. It is good to see the seamless construction of the shoulders. On the side of the jacket, there are zippers on the left and right that go from the hem to waist level. At first, they were a puzzle to us, but when using a holster at the shooting range, the purpose became clear to us. Without them, it would be inconvenient to draw a pistol from the holster. Also clearly visible are the reinforcements made of cordura-like material on the forearms, which are intended to minimize abrasion.

Now to the pockets. There is one on the right chest side, approximately 20 x 20 cm in size. Inside, it has rubber loops for organizing pens and a cable passage. Above the pocket, there is a Velcro strip for a name tag. On the left side, there is a rank loop. On the upper arms, there are the usual Velcro-attached upper arm pockets. These have the same features as the chest pocket. At hip level, there are two handwarmer pockets with slanted entry and no special interior.

The jacket has a high stand-up collar which can be closed with a drawstring to minimize heat loss. Generous ventilation openings are located under the armpits, which can be regulated by a two-way zipper. In the first picture, you can also see the sleeve cuffs. These are adjusted with a plastic tab and Velcro. Additionally, thin black arm cuffs with thumb holes are sewn in, for when it gets really cold.

The interior. On the right side, there are two pockets. One is closed with Velcro and shaped like a mobile phone, and underneath is a zippered pocket for documents. The waist adjustment is also located inside. This drawstring can be easily adjusted with just one hand. Throughout, you can see the warming fleece.

In conclusion, it must be said that during intense physical activity, the jacket is not as breathable due to the warm fleece lining as one might wish. However, this can be effectively balanced out by the armpit ventilation.

CONCLUSION: A very well thought-out, comfortable softshell jacket that keeps you nice and warm and can withstand some combat services. It is perfect for use in the Austrian Armed Forces and has a really unbeatable price-performance ratio, so it offers great performance for relatively little money for a softshell. The lining limits the period of use of the jacket a bit, but on the other hand, you don't always need to wear an extra fleece jacket underneath.

The High Defence is available at COMRADE in OD (more like RAL 7013 Stone Grey) and Black for 79.90€ excluding shipping