KitbagQuarterMaster
Helikon GunFighter Jacket - Reviewed by Yosser
The Gunfighter Jacket has been out and about on general release for about a year or so and I don’t know why it hasn’t come to my attention before now! I now see where the Helikon Delta Jacket (see review) has taken most of its styling cues from.
Helikon Gunfighter Jacket Tags
The jacket comes in a variety of colours including Black, Coyote, Foliage, Olive and Jungle Green and features Helikon Shark Skin, which is a 4-way stretchable, breathable elastic polyester fabric and laminated with a Dupont Teflon coating plus a super fine fleece lining adds up to a jacket that provides good protection against wind and rain, something I can attest to having used this on a cold wet February day half way up a Welsh mountain in persistent rain and cold temperatures. Despite this, combined with a thermal t-shirt and a thin fleece style jumper with my Helikon Gunfighter Jacket I was more than happy to continue on my test of this jacket, (combined with a long dog walk, and a bit of an explore) which I must admit to surprising me a little with what it was putting up with still keeping me warm and dry, it was proving to be a formidable windblocker!
Helikon GunFighter Jacket in FG (click for larger images)
The body of the jacket features a two way YKK zipper for strength and durability (YKK zippers used throughout) and features a nifty plastic moulded zip-pull with the obligatory Helikon logo, as does the LHS of the main body of the jacket, which gives it a designer touch. Featured, are the 2 angled chest pockets, again zippered with those Helikon branded zip-pulls. Each pocket contains smaller sections possibly for placing keys, coins or other small items. They could hold a small ipod nano, plus a thinner section for holding a pen possibly. Also each pocket contains an elasticated D ring, useful for attaching keys or other items you don’t want to loose whilst being active in this jacket. The pockets also feature a rubberised grommet to pass through comms or headphone leads, handy! Internally you can also feed any wiring through an internal channel (also used for one of the hood cords) to help keep things tangle free, whilst on the inside the LHS also has modest internal pocket with a small Velcro closure. Like the Patriot Fleece, the jacket also features a rear pouch of sorts positioned in the lower back area, accessed via zips on either the right or left, strange I’ve yet to really find a use for this feature but nice to know the extra space is available. The jacket has a stand up collar which is great to zip right up and provides a nice comfy warm closure around the neck and should you need it contains a convenient hood, which is easily accessible and which folds back more easily with the jacket off I found. The hood is adjustable via numerous pulls and toggles so you should be able to get it positioned comfortably for most wearers; it even has a small peak.
Helikon Gunfighter Jacket Details (click to enlarge any of the pictures)
Both sleeves on the upper arms have zipped pockets both with plenty of Velcro for morale patches, which are an absolute must for me now. Nice touch again from Helikon with the inclusion in both pockets of the elasticated D ring and rubberised grommet pass through just like the main jacket pockets. The lower left forearm also has a zipped pocket suitable for those small items required quickly to hand while each arm has under arm zips for ventilation and each sleeve has those very nice Velcro cuff closures.
The Gunfigter Jacket has an impressive list of features:
Yosser says: The jacket has a nice ‘tactical’ fit and allows good movement. Airsoft users should have no problems with this jacket in use with a pistol belt due to its style and fit. Comms leads can be kept tangle free, not only useful for headset and MP3 style devices but great for covert security types as well. This is a great jacket and has quickly become my ‘go to’ jacket for daily casual wear as well. As urban wear it is a fantastic piece of kit as well as comfortable to drive in, no matter what your need, or outdoor activity this will be a great addition to the kit bag.
For the full range of products & ordering please check out:
UK Supplier Military1st
or rest of Europehttp://www.hwesta.eu/
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Catch up with MORE great Helikon Reviews:
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Jackal Soft Shell with QSA
Camogrom Soft Shell Jacket Level 5 APCU UPDATE
Trooper Soft Shell
Urban Tactical Pants
PCS-MP Camo Uniform
Combat Patrol Uniform
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5 comments
Great review!
Living in a scandinavian climate this jacket seems to suit most of my needs for an outdoor jacket that can be used during most parts of the four seasons. However, I do wonder how it is to wear this in the summer, can you please tell me how the gunfighter do during the summer?
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 8:09 PM
Great all round jacket - this is great for summer as well due to the under arm vents to cool off if required
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 8:25 PM
Hi Yosser, good review, can I ask what the fits like, as in some kit tends to come up a bit bigger than the uk equivalent sizes, especially the yank stuff, how does Helikon measure up in this department ?.
I ask as I currently sit between a uk xl & xxl, but as Im trying hard to shift a bit of timber, don't want to buy something that looks like a dress on me lol.
Cheers
Mark
Posted on October 10, 2014 at 6:56 PM
Hi Mark - i find with Jackets from helikon they are pretty 'standard' with their European sizing - check the handy sizing guide on the tabs that Military1st uses - very handy - if ur between sizes though go for the xxl
Posted on October 10, 2014 at 8:53 PM
The Gunfighter is a great jacket, but after using it for two winters in a windy region, I have to say it is in no way windproof. Wind always gets through the front zipper. I ended up getting a combat smock for windy days.
Posted on September 23, 2016 at 4:54 AM
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