Triple Aught Design
 

Ok, so I found this jacket on eBay. It looks really nice, and while trying to find information on "TAD," I found they are a company that makes expensive clothing.

http://www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Apparel/Jackets

The jacket I found looks almost identical to the ones on that sight, with the exception of a tiny velcro logo near the bottom. It also costs five times less. What I'm thinking is that the jacket on eBay is made by the supplier for TAD, but sells them without the logo.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAD-Waterpro...item84b8b603c0

What do you guys think? Would anyone else go for the eBay one?

you're a bit new to the whole 'China copies everything' ebay side of things, aren't you?

I must admit, judging from the pictures on the ebay site, if that's the copy they are selling, then it's a damn quality one.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

I've bought Chinese stuff before (cadpat RRV), so I am familiar with that.

Here it is again, on airsoftdepot.ca.

http://airsoftdepot.ca/catalog/produ...roducts_id=820

They are copies but TAD stuff can't be touched in terms of quality and performance.

Well, I'd just like to add in here that the real TAD hoodie probably only costs $30 to manufacture.
I recently purchased a Propper multicam softshell jacket. It retails for a whopping $650. I got it one firesale for $150. They still probably made $120 off the sale.

When it comes to goretex and softshells, the markup is worse than matresses.
....And they're all made in China's general area anyway, so it could very well be quality, but not HIGH quality.

I'm pretty sure TAD products are made in the US. Therefore, you're going to pay more.

Plus, the knockoffs are asian sizing.

Not anymore. Some still are made in USA, but many have been moved to Asia (not sure if it actually was China or if it's Vietnam/Thailand/...)

!!Typical:(. I recently got a Ranger Hoodie and it was made in the US, at least that's what the tag says....

The US is really bad for doing crap like that
They have all their parts made in China, assemble it in america, and then say it's made in the US lol
Some companies DO make their stuff at home though, pretty sure all of tactical tailor's stuff is still US based.

From the closeup pics the stitching seems really nice, Probably a promo pic tho. but theres actually less loose threads hangin around than in a condor softshell.

And it especially sucks since they moved the production to Asia but kept the american-made prices...

Anyone know if the patches are velcro-backed?

edit: looks like they are. Carry on :)

TAD now makes the stealths in Canada. They also do things like seem welding.

This! Have one of the made in china stealth hoodies, just ordered a Canadian made one.

What is the quality like on the Chinese one?

i have a TAD recon hoody and i love it, i where it all the time (im actually wearing it right now) its a great bit of gear. i was thinking of picking up the asian clone to compare the two.

From what I can tell, the TAD jackets have a different treatment (nanosphere/c_change) than the clone. Although, the one on airsoftdepot.ca has a coating called Dintex, which I've seen on tags on expensive North Face jackets, so I assume it's good.

http://www.dingzing.com.tw/DINTEX/english/index.html

If you click my signature you can see a review on my site of the Stealth Lt

For around $50 bucks I've been more than happy with the quality of my two huang/airsoftdepot.ca knockoffs. I had to replace the main zipper on one, though. (Not really a big deal).

A happy medium might be a 5.11 Sabre or Chameleon jackets.
EDIT: Or of course, the ever-popular Condor softshell.

Ultimately, get the real deal if you have the cash and appetite to spend it.

$0.02

I have been wearing the TAD 'made in China' Stealth jacket for the last three years and I would not trade it for anything. I have yet to have a single loose stitching, and the water proofing is still intact. Its the only jacket I wear from late fall to early spring.

Par none, maybe next to my Arcteryx venta SV. I love mine, never has failed me in anything less than torrential downpour. No broken stitches, or broken seams. I imagine the ones made in Canada are even better (we do know a thing or two about rain, and climbing mountains lol.

True.

I asked the eBay seller, and he said they are "more like" asian sizing. Not sure what that means. They look like they fit tight anyways.

Buy a size up from what you normally would.

I have the real TAD ranger hoodie and a good quality clone from Huang, gotta say they are completely different things. tho from the looking you can't really tell the difference from 10 feet away, the difference on the price truely reflects on their field performance. my clone TAD hoodie was totally penetrated by rain in the first 20 mins in OP Deadfall this year, while my real TAD ranger hoodie kept me warm and dry for the next 24 hours.
you get what you pay for is always true.

Yeah.. but if you are a fair weather fighter, and more concerned with appearance than performance there is nothing wrong with costume gear.

any jacket will keep you warm and dry inside a car.. idling with the heat on

Over the last few years I have decided the buy once cry once rule is key. I prefer to spend the money on the original that came up with the great design so they can come up with more. The material differences are also noticeable like the new c_change soft shell fabric in the new stealth. It opens in heat to vent and tightens in cold to keep heat in.

5 hrs in the car doesn't really make me warmer or drier. I'd like to quote your signature 'If the tongue could cut as the sword does, the dead would be infinite'

Does TAD product have a life waranty? My zippers are falling apart and I'm wondering if could exchange it aftwer 2 years.

Huh? my comment was not directed at anyone ..

For some people .. the cost of high performance gear is not justified.

TAD doers have a great warranty contact them for a warranty claim

I put up s review of one there products a couple years ago. Exspensive but a good piece of kit.

Well, the thing is, I'm not CANSOF going on some crazy mission, nor am I climbing mount Everest, so spending $400 on a jacket doesn't really interest me. I just want something that looks nice and keeps me dry in the spring, but this seems like more of a hassle and a risk than anything. Chinese stuff on eBay has been more miss than hit for me, so I don't think I will bother. However, I just bought a multicam backpack for $35 shipped, so we'll see how that turns out.

Condor jackets are fine, I have one.. and it works just fine, It's a TAD clone.

Picked up a 5.11 Saber when they were on sale for $100 at LA police gear.. it's become my every day jacket.. Neat when its cool and with a fleece under when its cold.

Both the stealth and the stealth lt too? Is there any tags that says made in Canada? Might just email them...

i have such a boner for TAD right now that my arctryx romance has ended (living next to the factory outlet is just so hard to pass up) just got this on santas birthday

:D
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...v/DSC_5760.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...v/DSC_5751.jpg

Just the stealth the lt hasnt been produced yet at the new location but is a spring summer release so look for it then. Yes there is a tag in the normal stealth saying made in Canada.

Good to hear. Guess I will be ordering one soon.