Carinthia TRG

After going through a bit of an unexpected faff to get it right with this jacket, I felt the need to add my own view here so, hopefully, it may be of use to others (and Heinnie) in future. The only "problem" with this jacket is the sizing. Being 6' 1" and around 13st I'm a size L (or 40" - 42" chest) 99.9% of the time with anything so that's what I bought on the first attempt. Plus having also just bought the G-Loft Ultra jacket (size L) to layer underneath it and that fitted me perfectly... yet the size L TRG absolutely buried me like only an XXL of anything else normally would! Tried a medium next as, surely, I wouldn't need to go to the extreme of buying a... SMALL?! Yep. Medium still too big. (unless you intend to use this mainly as a waterproof, top layer over another coat?). So on the third attempt, a size small arrived (and this was all done VERY quickly thanks to Heinnie dealing with everything so swiftly, by the way). But it was all worth it in the end. This jacket is just awesome. I must have spent 15 - 20 minutes or so just admiring how well thought out and put together this thing is. Little details, adjustments and hidden pockets everywhere and some pretty complex looking, technical panel shaping to give it the athletic yet somehow still very roomy fit that it has. Worth every penny but, Carinthia: Please sort your sizing out.

Although the price tag prompts a sharp intake of breath, there is a lot to recommend this jacket. The construction is superb, with neat stitching throughout and the occasional, well-placed rivet to support things. The design is very good. The pockets are well-placed and capacious enough for all the everyday personal necessities; I particularly like the chest pockets for their accessibility when wearing a rucksack hip belt or harness. The little compass pocket is a piece of genius and is really, really useful when out on a trip to the remote wilds. Why there have to be arm pockets is beyond me; it's also one of the reasons for four stars. Personally, I never use them nor do I really understand what they're for, given the other, more readily accessed pockets available. The sizing is excellent: I can get on enough layers to keep warm on the serious days but, when just wearing a base layer, I am not swamped by surplus fabric. The fabric is the other factor that denied it its five stars. There is an element of the rustly crisp packet about it, probably as a result of the lightweight Goretex used. It and the sleeve pockets are not a deal breaker by any means. If I could have given four and a half stars for it, I would. It is an otherwise superb, well-made jacket; my only hope is that, at that price, it lasts a long time!

Ace. I am a SAR Operator and get through a fair bit of kit. Which takes some serious abuse with operating in the LSA zones. Due to the nature of the Ops I need a mixture of kit in both Camos and subdued colours Black/Grey/OG. I needed a replacement goretex shell in either Black or OG. I was split between Arcteryx or the Carinthia TRG. I don’t get in to the price debates about high end Gucci gear. It’s one of them if you want it and can justify it to yourself - get it. Quality is important to me and I tend to stick to several brands TAD, Arcteryx LEAF , Kitanica and Arktis. More recently I have been using the Carinthia gear. It started off with a sleeping bag then some of their insulated pants. So back to my review Sorry. I went for this jacket instead of the Arc Alpha gear. What can I say. Best choice it’s Awesome. Great build and pocket layout perfect for my needs. I can stick handheld NV or FLIR in the pockets and have easy access plus there’s enough pockets to throw in my IR Laser Illumintor and some other bits and bobs. Comms feed through fine as I keep comms and spare illumination/distress beacons on a belt rig set up in case I have to ditch gear in an emergency. I was out in a s****y storm earlier in week and the jacket kept the wind and rain out. I had read a review on a military forum moaning a little about the hood. It was fine for me in the storm over my lid and I didn’t encounter any probs so maybe that issue was addressed. What else can I say. Yes it’s pricey but compared to the Arc Alpha I think build, quality, functionality pocket layout are better and overall it’s a better jacket and close to 200 quid cheaper than the latest Arc LEAF Alpha jacket . 5* from me

I've purchased many brands including Swazi, Arcteryx, Harkila ect and this stands toe to toe if not surpasses the quality of them all. The only brand that I have yet to purchase is Kitanica but that will be rectified soon. I've been out in extended periods of extreme weather (-17) 8 feet pf snow to pelting rain for 4 hours plus on the Brecon at over 2000 feet above sea level so I've experienced a thing or two with extreme weather and Carinthia kit has never let me down. Same that can't be said about other brands. Buy with confidence as this gear is used and loved the world over by special forces and other military personnel.

You can buy a hell of a lot better for half the price! Very disappointing!