Just received my N7 Elite Armour Stripe Hoody. If you're interested in buying one I figured I'd post my impressions so you'll know what you're getting into.
I actually have one of the original N7 Armour Stripe Hoody, but was tempted by all of the bells and whistles of the elite version. The 'pre-order' special pushed me over the edge to order one. I'm glad I did.
The new elite version is far snazzier than the original hoody, with a number of thoughtful touches that make it a more visually appealing and versatile jacket. Here are a few of the highlights.
1)The material is a knit exterior with a softer fleece backing, making it quite breathable, and offering some (but not a huge amount) of wind resistance. Of course, this is not a waterproof, or significantly water resistant garment, so don't even think about using it in a downpour.
2) There is a new stormflap that covers the entire front zipper, that seals with velcro. It won't make this jacket more waterproof, but it wll cut down on some of the drafts through the zipper.
3) The hood lining has a repetitive N7 logo silkscreened into it. Nice from a cosmetic standpoint, although I wonder whether the pattern might add to some slight clamminess with a lot of sweating.
4) The external detailing of the jacket is far superior to the earlier N7 hoody. The N7 logo on the elite is embroidered (silkscreened on the normal version). In the original hoody, the entire armour stripe is silkscreened on the arm, which leads to a noticeable increase in stiffness. In addition, the silkscreening process goes over the seam, which results in some irregularity. The armor stripe in the elite is made mostly of fabric, eliminating that stiffer feeling of the sleeve. The red portion of the stripe may be dyed, but it seems to have a far softer feel than the stripe on the original.
The drawstring ends are capped with metal (not plastic, and not tied off in the original hoody), and the elite version has two sewn pockets on the outside, as well as two pockets on the inside that will hold a small thermos/water bottle. These interior pockets are absent on the regular version. Just don't put any change in the interior pockets... the design seems to have left a hole in the bottom of the interior pockets. And yes, it has an N7 zipper pull. Why that gives me so much pleasure, I don't know... but it does.
5) The chest pocket MP3 holder is a nice touch, somewhat small, but big enough to fit an iPhone. There's a reinforced hole through the back for a set of headphones AND a small fabric stretch loop that sewn into the base of the hood interior that will guide the wire up to the head region. A very nice touch that I wasn't expecting.
From a fit standpoint, I got a small size and it fits me quite well (I'm 5'7" with an average build). It's slightly snug, but there's enough room to add another layer if I need more insulation.
So is this version all that much better than the original N7 hoody? The answer is a definite yes. Better construction, more attention to detail, and more visually appealing. I'll be far more likely to wear this version than my old one. If you really need to save some buckage, the original armour stripe hoody is adequate, but I think you'll be far more happier with this iteration if you can spend just a little more.
Hope that helps!
Evan
N7 Elite Armour Stripe Hoody Review
Débuté par
Evan Yeung
, nov. 20 2011 04:13
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#2
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 04:27
Xannerz
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I've been thinking about getting one. This definitely helps. 
Thanks!
Thanks!
#3
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 05:51
Sajuro
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I will wait until they have one I can wear in the rain for dashes between classes, main reason I use my Zelda jacket.
Anywho, did anyone else see the Hoody in the collector's edition? is that an ingame item? because that would be very Meta to say the least.
Anywho, did anyone else see the Hoody in the collector's edition? is that an ingame item? because that would be very Meta to say the least.
#4
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 06:23
ElitePinecone
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Sajuro wrote...
I will wait until they have one I can wear in the rain for dashes between classes, main reason I use my Zelda jacket.
Anywho, did anyone else see the Hoody in the collector's edition? is that an ingame item? because that would be very Meta to say the least.
It's an in-game item, yes - and very meta
Thanks for the review, Evan. I was thinking of picking this up, but the price + shipping seems a bit excessive.
#5
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 07:00
Wikal
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Just got mine too- loving it so far. 14 bucks more for better material and a stripe that doesn't fade off it worth it. The blizzard neck was pretty useful today too, as it was windy where I'm at.
#6
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 07:03
Swampthing500
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I'm Commander Shephard, and this is my favorite Hoodie on the Citadel.
#7
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 08:19
Janus Prospero
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Agreed. The N7 zipper is by far my favorite part.Evan Yeung wrote...
And yes, it has an N7 zipper pull. Why that gives me so much pleasure, I don't know... but it does.
Yeah, the storm flap and blizzard neck make it much better equipped to handle colder weather.Wikal wrote...
The blizzard neck was pretty useful today too, as it was windy where I'm at.
The one Shepard wears in game seems to be the older version. No storm flap and no blizzard neck.Sajuro wrote...
Anywho, did anyone else see the Hoody in
the collector's edition? is that an ingame item? because that would be
very Meta to say the least.
Modifié par Janus Prospero, 20 novembre 2011 - 08:20 .
#8
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 01:29
Evan Yeung
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Hmph. Shepard needs to upgrade then. The most advanced starship in Earth's arsenal with a substandard hoody just won't do...
Oh. One other nice touch. The top of the zipper has a foldover fabric "garage" that the zipper tucks into. Helps to make sure the zipper doesn't dig into your neck when it's fully zipped.
I'm waiting for a similar update to the N7 soft shell jacket with Velcro cuff closures and a neck drawstring...
Oh. One other nice touch. The top of the zipper has a foldover fabric "garage" that the zipper tucks into. Helps to make sure the zipper doesn't dig into your neck when it's fully zipped.
I'm waiting for a similar update to the N7 soft shell jacket with Velcro cuff closures and a neck drawstring...
#9
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 02:13
Raycer X
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Not to mention you get a Dragon Age 2 item with the purchase. I haven't used that item yet (or downloaded it) but I guess that's a plus...
#10
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 04:09
Bekkael
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Got mine yesterday....and a man's large is waaaay too enormous for me. So, actually, my hubby got a very nice quality (and worth the price) N7 Elite hoodie. 
Just FYI for any ladies, order at least a size smaller than you normally would or you'll be swimming in it.
Just FYI for any ladies, order at least a size smaller than you normally would or you'll be swimming in it.
#12
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 04:12
Bekkael
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Raycer X wrote...
Not to mention you get a Dragon Age 2 item with the purchase. I haven't used that item yet (or downloaded it) but I guess that's a plus...
You got what now??? I only got a packing slip w/ my hoodie. Did you buy something additional?
#14
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 06:25
Acerlux
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Evan Yeung wrote...
Of course, this is not a waterproof, or significantly water resistant garment, so don't even think about using it in a downpour.
Problem solved.
I was iffy about buying it considering the price, but now I think there might be a chunk of Christmas cash headed toward the Bioware store.
#15
Posté 20 novembre 2011 - 09:51
Lellandra
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@Evan I'm 5'7'' also but a female. I'm thinking about getting it as my Christmas gift! Where does the end hit you? Is it very long?
#16
Posté 21 novembre 2011 - 12:58
Evan Yeung
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Hey Lellandra!
The elite hoody appears to be a fairly long cut, going down anywhere from 7-8 inches below the hipbone on me. It does have a bit of elastic at the hem, so depending on the angle of your hip and waist, it may eventually creep up with lots of movement. I suppose that depends on your body style, though.
BTW, Bioware hasn't paid me anything to write a good review on this thing. I actually took them to task not that long ago for their release of the SR-2 Normandy Replica Alliance Version, which had a remarkably crummy paint job for something that cost as much as it did...
The elite hoody appears to be a fairly long cut, going down anywhere from 7-8 inches below the hipbone on me. It does have a bit of elastic at the hem, so depending on the angle of your hip and waist, it may eventually creep up with lots of movement. I suppose that depends on your body style, though.
BTW, Bioware hasn't paid me anything to write a good review on this thing. I actually took them to task not that long ago for their release of the SR-2 Normandy Replica Alliance Version, which had a remarkably crummy paint job for something that cost as much as it did...
#17
Posté 21 novembre 2011 - 01:00
Evan Yeung
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Bekkael, I got a code for the Antivan Garrotte on my emailed invoice for the hoody. Turns out I had just removed DA2 on my hard drive to make room for Arkham City on PC in 2 days.
#18
Posté 27 décembre 2011 - 04:18
Evan Yeung
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Hey everyone... thought you should know about a potential snag (literally) regarding the jacket. Turns out the storm flap velcro 'rough' side is fairly close to the embroidered N7. Wnen the jacket 'flops' open, the velcro can sometimes snag on the embroidery. Over time, this can result in a fuzzed up/partially unraveled N7 logo.
The easy quick fix is to slap a small piece of black felt over the velcro patch that's closest to the N7 embroidery. Hopefully the next generation of the hoody will have that rough velcro patch on the other side of the storm flap to avoid contact with the logo.
The easy quick fix is to slap a small piece of black felt over the velcro patch that's closest to the N7 embroidery. Hopefully the next generation of the hoody will have that rough velcro patch on the other side of the storm flap to avoid contact with the logo.
#19
Posté 27 décembre 2011 - 04:21
wicked117
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I have the same problem with mine. Didn't think about using felt thou so thanks for sharing
#20
Posté 27 décembre 2011 - 05:03
Mr Arg
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I wanted to get it because I'm such nerd but I can't find a hoody that ever fits my body. 6'6, Large Tall (so, trim around the midsection), and broad chest (about 42"). I guess I'm doomed for all clothing. If there is anyone here who is tall and has the hoody, I'd like to hear their input as well. BUt I like what I hear so far!
but I can't find a hoody that ever fits my body. 6'6, Large Tall (so, trim around the midsection), and broad chest (about 42"). I guess I'm doomed for all clothing. If there is anyone here who is tall and has the hoody, I'd like to hear their input as well. BUt I like what I hear so far!
