REVIEW: Arc’teryx LEAF Drac Jacket

Combatshirts are now considered a must-have everywhere. However, when they cannot be used due to low temperatures or bad weather, people generally opt for a softshell jacket. The Arc'teryx LEAF Drac Jacket, available at HQG.de, is designed for exactly such a scenario. Martin tested it for you.

Burly™ Double Weave is the secret of the Drac. It is a 4-way stretch softshell material with very good water-repellent properties. In terms of material characteristics, it is relatively loud but very thick and durable.

As is fitting for a "Combat Softshell," the jacket is not lined. This allows you to wear the jacket directly over a T-shirt and under a plate carrier to avoid overheating. When it gets colder, you can easily layer more clothing underneath, as the jacket is generously cut (compared to the Arc'teryx Combat Jacket, which has the typical athletic fit of Arc'teryx).

Furthermore, the Drac has long pit zips under the arms to ventilate if necessary.

The handwarmer pockets are relatively high and also not lined - on the inside, you will find mesh which also helps regulate temperature.

You also won't want to miss the incredibly deep upper arm pockets with Velcro for patches - these pockets cover almost the entire upper arm, allowing you to put your whole hand inside. A perfect storage space for gloves, for example.

There is no hood, as the focus is on mobility and weight. A high collar protects the neck and is fully lined with fleece on the inside. On the back, there is a small Velcro area for IFF patches or similar.

The zipper is parked in a garage at the top, so it doesn't bother the chin. The zipper is also lined with fabric to prevent drafts.

Elastic bands at the bottom of the jacket provide necessary weather protection from below. This can be adjusted using cord stoppers on the inside. The cord ends are stored in the handwarmer pockets.

The cuffs are secured with laser-cut Velcro closures, which have a longer lifespan than standard Velcro closures.

The Drac Jacket and Pants are manufactured in China, so they are not Berry Compliant (Made in the USA) like TALOS/Chimera/Atom in Bangladesh and Salvador. This explains the "affordable" price for an Arc'teryx LEAF product: the Drac Jacket costs 215€, the Pants 245€ - we have the Drac Pants reviewed here.

The country of manufacture does not necessarily reflect the quality - the DRAC Jacket is excellently crafted and stands out for its selection of materials - you wouldn't expect to find "Made in China" on the label here.

CONCLUSION: With the Arc'teryx Drac Jacket, you have reliable protection in damp-cold weather when wearing appropriate layers underneath. Light to moderate rain simply rolls off - if it rains heavily, it takes quite a while for the material to become saturated. In return, it also takes longer for the material to dry again (compared to a PCU Level 5). Overall, you get a sturdy and well-crafted product at a fair price.

The Drac Jacket, as presented here, is available in Crocodile and in Wolf at HQG.de and costs - as mentioned before - 215€.