the PCU jackets had the same issues with the zippers..always with the waterproof ones....really, its the zipper, not the company, but they do need to address it and avoid the same situation with this batch.

ORC fixed the zipper on the PCU jackets..now designed as the MCU's.

I have the SORD Hardface (New Version).Keeps me warm in the -15* we've been having.Plus I snow *playing* didn't get wet at all in the inside.OK i know that sounded a bit strange.But hey I LOVE IT worth the money.One thing i haven't been able to clear about.Why they made in China?

Source of cheap, oppressed labour :D

Right, thanks for all the good info all.

Still in decision mode what to get, but all the stuff posted here gives me a better idea what to look for.

Also, I was looking over at SORD's Forums and it seems none of those folks have any gripes with the build of the Hardface, or SORD's customer service. Weird.

Just to note, the SORD is a Softshell & is only water-resistant, not waterproof. The name 'Hardface' came from the name of the Polartec Material used in the 1st Gen model. Unfortunately, a lot of people thought it meant the jacket was a Hardshell. It's not the case ...

The TAD Predator, Otte Patrol Parka & Arc-Teryx Alpha are Hardshell's & are completely waterproof.

Right, so I think I've settled on the OTTE Patrol Parka. The price is right, and I understand ,after reading other forums , that OTTE's products are good to go.

I'll make sure to post up a review when I get it.

...Yeah, I just got my hardface I ordered Jan 24. And yes, it was in stock at the time.


And they fucked up of course. I would heartily recommend against ordering from them.

Mine is showing some really weird fraying in areas that aren't usually supposed to fray... Kinda pissed off.

Zipper also jammed on me yesterday...

I swear the kicker was 1.5 weeks ago I was just gonna cancel my order. I phone them up and they told me it shipped so I said "oh well".

...when I got the tracking # 3 days later I saw it did NOT ship that day. Or the day after. Or the one after that.

Right, as I am a horribly indecisive person when it comes to purchases, I went and ordered the TAD Predator from One Shot. I'll post up pictures when it arrives.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1576/dscn0828ua7.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4617/dscn0830ly1.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5153/dscn0831fb8.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4220/dscn0832ws4.jpg

Right, so due to the quick shipping from One Shot (Thanks again) I received the Predator today, and I gotta say, the construction on this thing feels great. The Jacket is well designed, comfortable, and the pit zips are huge by comparison to any jacket I've owned so far.

I'll be doing a more detailed review later on, and I see we'll be getting some rain tomorrow, so a perfect chance to test it out.:)

Also it was a bit cheaper, which puts more money in the Kifaru Fund.

Good to hear!