REVIEW: Vertx Solid Smock

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The tuxedo is for the civilian, the smock is more for the soldier. The latter is used, for example, by the German Fernspähers and the British, and serves as a GoBag to put on. Everything that is important and does not fit in the pants goes in there. On top of that, you can also wear a Chestrig to expand the capacity, but the goal is actually to live out of the jacket. Since the area of application of the smock is more in colder European regions, you rarely find this jacket concept among the Americans. Dropzone Tactical was long the only source for a high-quality smock beyond the pond, and they are situated in Canada. In recent years, Vertx and First Spear came out with their own smock concepts. Vertx took a completely different approach and made a "softshell smock" which is more of a field shirt with more pockets than a smock. At the beginning, the Vertx model was only available in Multicam. Martin takes a look at the Vertx Solid Smock for you.

In the Coyote version presented here, different materials were used than in Multicam, which we will also present later. Just briefly: The Multicam smock is made of a 2-way stretch 40 Denier softshell material with Schoeller Nanosphere coating and an internally sweat-absorbent thin layer. Moisture is absorbed by the material and distributed over a large area, which promotes very fast evaporation.

The Solid Smock has exactly the same pockets and features as the Multicam Smock, except for the material. Here, a lightweight Cordura coated with Schoeller Nanosphere is used, which is not stretchy and does not have the great inner material. The waterproof properties behave differently here, as the coating repels the water. The breathability is subjectively felt to be better and comparable to thick ripstop nylon.

What would a smock be without pockets, here is the opulent equipment:

• Concealed zipper with stand-up collar
• Adjustable detachable hood, which can also be rolled up - the whole thing is fleece-lined
• 2 large chest pockets with zippers and internal magazine pockets for .223/5.56 - one in each pocket
• 2 large hand-warmer pockets, closable with buttons - also fleece-lined
• Zippers under the armpits with mesh inserts
• 2 large back pockets, Velcro closure
• 2 magazine pockets on each side (intended for .223/5.56 - as a .308 shooter, I have of course tried such mags: FIT !!)
• 2 sleeve pockets with zipper and Velcro area for ID/patches
• Reinforced elbows

To document all of this in a photo: Here is an outer pocket lined with waffle fleece, closable with Canadian slotted buttons.

Then the flat chest pockets, equipped with a zipper closure.

The inner pocket of the left chest pocket is sized for a 5.56 magazine.

Sleeve pocket with Velcro field, zipper closure.

Velcro straps for adjusting the cuffs.

Side magazine pockets, sized for a 5.56 magazine. As seen, 7.62 magazines also fit. Closable with Velcro.

The back pocket is divided in the middle, closable with Velcro.

The inner pockets (right) of the back pocket, sized for a 5.56 magazine.

Generously sized hood with a short visor.

The hood is lined with waffle fleece and attached with Canadian Style slotted buttons.

CONCLUSION: Vertx tries an American reinterpretation of the smock. The result convinces in the materials used as well as in the execution. A lightweight high-tech smock for tough use...

The Vertx Solid Smock direct from the USA costs 349.95 dollars. Vertx is available in Germany at Recon Company.

 

Finally, a randomly taken picture - this shows the good camouflage effect of solid colors in the European forest - in use only Coyote Brown and Ranger Green, both colors blend in perfectly.