Review Rapid Response Polo Anorak Jacket

A rather large box arrived at my desk months ago. It was fall, warm, and an anticipated long cold winter sat just outside my cubicled life. 5.11 sent me three new items to try: UCR System backpack, their new Anorak Jacket, and a Rapid Response Long-sleeved polo.

So, let's go inside - out ... and start with the polo.

At my best to stay unbiased and give you the best review as possible, I have to - yet again - come clean. Personally I'm not a fan of polo shirts. Short sleeve or long. There's something about them that do not jive with my style. But (cliche time) here's where I turn the table.

I'm still not a fan of the traditional polo, but the Rapid Response Long-sleeve Polo is one of the best I've tried. Maybe it's the long-sleeves that give it credit and steer away from the "Jake from State Farm" look. Not sure - and I'm not reaching out to a fashion expert to ask ... for good reason.

Because you're not wearing a shirt like this for fashion. You are because you need to. And looking decent is just a perk. The lines are sharp and hangs well on shoulders. It seems to not "potato" on you keeping a professional structure.

The Flex fabric stretches quite a bit. More than you would expect. And honestly, it feels like it weighs half as much as a regular shirt. You can nearly see straight through it putting it up to regular sunlight - it's that thin. I'm assuming you're supposed to layer with this shirt. The moisture wicking technology helps, the lightweight helps to regulate your temperature.

This might be the POINT, but it also might be worth mentioning - I haven't folded this thing in months. I didn't hang it either. It sat crumbled up in a thrown loose ball on purpose. There's no wrinkles.

Ok, so there's also a downside. Traditional 5.11 products I've known include pockets that have hidden pockets with a few other pockets inside. This shirt isn't that. There's a chest pocket with a nice covered zipper closure, but then nothing. You'll appreciate this after you add everything else you'll need to wear on duty. Less pockets means less fabric. Less fabric means less weight.

The Anorak Jacket

The best thing about the Anorak jacket is also the worst: it's a pullover. If you never donned a pullover jacket before, at the beginning you risk looking like you've never dressed yourself before. It's awkward, clunky, and can get frustrating to put on and off. Before pointing out that it's like wearing a hoodie (you're right) the difference is the outward fabric. Anorak's Taclite outer layer is tough and strong.

Like I said, it's also the best thing. Not having a heavy zipper whipping up the front just avoids a few more ounces. Not to mention keeping a solid barrier between you and the environment. Wear this and expect to keep it on for a while. In my experience the Anorak Jacket was not meant to be taken on and off and back on again. Put it on, go outside and do some work. There's a zipper on the right side that allows a ton of ventilation. If you layered appropriately this comes in handy. Shoveling snow get's active and this helped hold off sweating in sub-freezing temperatures late at night trying to uncover my sidewalk.

The hood is lined with the same fabric as the rest of the jacket. There's breathable cotton insulation and it's comfortable. Surprisingly warm for how thin and lightweight it is. The Taclite outer layer includes a ripstop pattern, one you can barely see. The jacket sent is brown and it just looks like a flat solid color. The pouch includes two small (and quiet) zipper closures that will allow you to access gear in front of your person covered up by the jacket. I may be gangling, but I did get alot more of my arm through that I thought I could without bending much.

The pouch isn't alone on the pocket front. There are two MASSIVE front chest pockets. I tried to unbalance the jacket by filling one and not the other. I figured that a sag would pull the jacket down on that side. That didn't happen. The pockets are sewn high up into the seam near the shoulder which seems to keep the pocket sturdy. Typical things inside will be secure with a pair of intense hook and loops and held decently against your chest.

The UCR System backpack has yet to be used extensively. It's smaller than I thought it would be, but doesn't skimp on the pockets. I plan on using this for my up and coming SHOT Show travels.

Stay safe everyone.