it in to retain warmth, elasticated cuffs form a great seal
when wearing gloves, and there are two deep hand warmer
pockets as well. Down the sides of the jacket is a unique
panel of baffles which holds the insulation exactly where it’s
needed; Snugpak have obviously looked to their sleeping
bag range and taken inspiration from there, and it works
very well indeed.
Whilst not exactly cheap at UK£189.95 the MML6 Softie
Smock should be viewed as a long term investment,
especially if you act as an trainer or RO as well as being a
shooter; whilst trainees can easily head back inside to warm
up a trainer/RO needs to be out on range at all times that
shooting is in progress. The MML6 easily lets you do this
so in my mind is an invaluable addition to your kit locker.
Whatever your budget may be though, there’s a great
insulated jacket out there with your name on it! It may not
be a garment that is going to see all round use,
but you’ll thank me next time those around you
are shivering and you’re all snuggled up in your
gucci-smucci new jacket and complaining how
warm you are!
K
The SJ9 is available in olive, military black, MultiCam
and A-TACS camo, and features Velcro on the arms for unit
or morale patches. I’ve been really pleased to have this
model on test since its inception and it’s proved 100% to
be a “keeper”. Over the winter months of the last couple
of years I’ve been able to try it in various conditions and,
especially when the temperature plummeted it really
performed! If you’re looking for a really great winter jacket
that is absolutely perfect for wear on the range then I’d urge
you to take a really close look at the SJ9 as it comes with
my thorough recommendation.
One of the things with ranges and training areas is that
you do spend a fair amount of time in a cold, static position;
you might be attending the safety briefing first thing in
the morning or breaking for lunch, but it’s a rarity to find a
heated outdoor range isn’t it? For years I’ve always had an
original Snugpak “Softie” jacket in the back of the car for just
such times, for when you want a bit of instant warmth. Now
Snugpak have really upped the ante though, taking things
to an entirely new level! Developed by Snugpak with input
from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing
instructors, meteorological staff, and military personnel,
the functional Military Mountain Leader Smock has been
created to support the user in a diverse range of operational
environments, especially when exposed to extreme cold
weather.
As a part of Snugpak’s “VENTURE” range the MML6 Softie
Smock is the flagship garment. It’s a tri-layer garment and
uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric, and an internal
Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining.
Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against
the cold the MML6 is rated -5C to -10C; it also provides a
high degree of wind protection. The MML6 Softie Smock is
lighter than normal expedition style jackets, and uses water
resistant YKK zips, making it ideal when size and weight
need to be kept to an absolute minimum. It is ideally worn
with a variety of base layers, such as the Snugpak 2nd
Skinz Coolmax base layer, to move moisture away from the
skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature in
extremes of cold.
The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has
a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency
can be maintained with a cool tumble dry after washing
and periodic re-treatment with suitable after care products.
The MML6 Softie Smock will keep you dry in a short, light
shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and
put on more effective waterproof layers. The MML6 Softie
Smock can also be worn under waterproof membrane hard
shells in severe weather, still allowing easy access to your
essential equipment.
pmcimagazine.com