Bark & Medium Grey Heather, Black & Bark, Black & Blue Night, Black & Light Heather Grey, Black & Medium Grey Heather, Blue Night & Light Heather Grey, Light Heather Grey & Medium Grey Heather
@highonpez Don’t underappreciate the whistle zipper, also.
However, anybody intending to whistle with my zipper had better give me adequate prior notice.
@haydesigner@retro603 Yeah and flame retardant treatment can leach out of fabric and transfer to your skin and inFlame the risk of a future cancer. Nope nope nope. Had 3, where one that is indolent with no cure, Don’t need to increase the risk of a 4th, No. Thank. You.
@haydesigner@Kidsandliz@retro603 That is outdated information. You’re thinking of halogen-based FR treatments. Modern FR treatments can break down as well, but the only risk is the loss of the FR protection. They don’t advertise how these are FR, but since they are modern textiles it’s done by either by surface treating with Phosphorous Nitrogen treatments that are very stable and when they do break down, the byproducts are non-toxic. The other option is that you can make polyester FR by using synthetic yarns that are copolymerized with small amounts of small amounts of non-toxic phosphorous compounds during manufacture. Since these are also water resistant, it’s likely the former.
TLDR: Nothing to worry about. I’m a chemist. I’m buying a pack.
@haydesigner@Kidsandliz@mehwilldelete@retro603 I’ve read that they are treated to be odorless, but we’ll see. Can’t smell as bad as the FR uniforms I occasionally have to wear at work (steel mill). Of course, I think more of that smell is from the cleaning process than the FR treatment.
And here we are again, this site selling seasonally appropriate products! No swimsuits, pool toys, Valentine candy, the horror… why can I not look away.
I cringe every time I hear the word tactical that isn’t related to military use. It’s an overused marketing term that has outlived its usefulness. Thank those sorry TV ads for that. So, when tactical is used, I avoid it with a big FU. It’s usually something crappy anyway. This is a freaking hoodie, and pretty below average at that. It “repels light moisture”, meaning you are getting soaked. Spiral “survival drawcords”, meaning, maybe you could tie a finger splint, otherwise they’ll catch on something or by someone and you’ll get choked. Very hard pass.
@MarkML someone needs a nap. Or a Snickers. Or a marg.
However, I had similar reactions seeing the term tacti… whoops, better not use the trigger word. I was heartened to find that the use of this term was all Meh, not the OEM. They call it a “Drink Pocket Jacket”, though later in their description they do refer to it as a “survival hoodie”, so that’s almost as bad as tac… whoops, almost did it again. At least they never called it THAT word.
At $29.99 for a two-pack (about $15 per hoodie), this deal comes down to whether you need cheap, expendable layers for outdoor chores and camping, or if you are looking for high-end technical gear.
The spec sheet leans heavily into over-the-top marketing, but at $15 a pop, they have a specific niche:
The “Tactical” Gimmicks: Features like a whistle zipper pull, “survival drawcords,” and a built-in “beverage pouch” inside the pocket are classic gimmicks that you will likely ignore or laugh at once you’re wearing them.
The Actual Perks: The Class A flame-retardant fabric is a legitimate functional bonus if you’re hanging out near a fire pit or working around sparks.
Durability for Chores: At this price, they make great “beater” hoodies. If you’re wearing them for tent camping, yard work, clearing brush, or garage projects where you won’t care about snags, stains, or heavy wear, they are hard to beat for the money.
Weather Limits: They only repel light moisture, so treat them as basic wind-resistant layers rather than true waterproof gear.
The Verdict: Skip them if you are expecting high-performance technical outerwear. Grab them if you want a couple of cheap, rugged zip-ups for dirty outdoor work or sitting around a campfire where ruining an expensive hoodie isn’t an option.
In another episode of “no wonder these things wound up on Meh,” $100 for 100% polyster jackets? I could understand if it had some wool or something in there to truly be high-performance, but there appears to be nothing to differentiate them from other even $20 jackets other than a useless built-in whistle.
The tactile whistle looks like a usb thumb drive that they scrapped the components for metals and someone discovered the shells of plastic make a sound when you blow air through it.
The problem I’ve found with non-cotton jackets is their awful propensity for “pilling”. The last one I bought was aesthetically ruined by fabric pills after 3 (very gentle) uses. But not all artificial fibers are equally bad…I wonder where this one falls.
Will it stop me from getting completely soaked during El Nino? Or is there a time limit that I can stand out in the pouring El Nino rains before I get wet? These are must have answers.
@heartfeltsf IMHO $100 is a front to slash prices to make it look tempting, $57 is actual MSRP, $30 is what they are worth each, so at $30 for two, they are 50% off.
@TheDr0wRanger Hit them up at meh.com/support and ask what happened. Sometimes it can be fixed. Often it happens when the credit card on file goes stale.
@werehatrack I started there. No response so far. Same card worked for 2 different purchases this month, one before and one after so unless some shenanigans are at play the card didn’t lapse in any way
I will note that “flame retardant” is far from synonymous with “flame resistant”. Flame Resistant means “can protect you from a limited amount of fire” while Flame Retardant just means “won’t catch fire easily if exposed to a source of ignition” and says nothing at all about whether it will melt and adhere to your skin at a temperature far above boiling if exposed to flame. Several graphic examples of the crucial difference can be found online, and this is the reason why welders use leather and/or heavy cotton denim for spatter protection, and not any kind of synthetic fiber.
Review: I got mine today. I ordered XL in the gray/dark gray combo. Very nice feel. The size is on the smaller side of XL, but it still fits good. The paracord draw strings are very long, meaning the cats are going to have something to play with!
@toycardriver Uh oh…I ordered a Medium and a Medium only fits me if it’s a typical or large-ish Medium. Hopefully the Medium is a typically-sized Medium. Clothing measurements are hard.
@Mattbruman yeah what the hell… i took em outta the box and its COVERED in some weird residue that got all over me. Do we know if its DWR or fire retardant spray or what?
@user46444919 Just assuming its pfas water/fire block. Felt like when I sprayed my tent. After 2 washes its feeling better. But it shredded the paracords and had to fashion new ends for them from shrink tubing.
As @mattbruman said above. Mine were COVERED in some kind of nasty residue that you cant see but only feel. And it got all over me and my 11 month old baby since he was right next to me when i pulled em out of the box. Would love to know what the heck this stuff is and if my kid needs to see a doctor… PISSED!
I ordered L and was concerned they could be a little small for me, but they fit well. I don’t have the same issue with the flame retardant some others seem to have. I don’t know about a drink in the drink pocket, but they hold my phone perfectly. For the price, I’m very happy. The whistle doesn’t work well at all for me and that’s probably just as well because I’d probably abuse it. I’ll probably remove it.
Just got my 2 sweaters. Black one was perfect but there is a giant blue pen mark across my Heather Grey one unfortunately. Can I exchange it for different one. Same one just one without a giant pen mark across it.
Specs
Product: 2-Pack: Hawke & Co. Ember Shield Zip-up Tactical Hoodies
Model: HSW3761-Blk, HSW3762-LHGry, HSW3763-Bark, HSW3764-BluNight, HSW3765-HeatherGry
Condition: New
Size Chart
What’s Included?
Price Comparison
Was $114.98 (for 2) at Hawke & Co.
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 28 - Tuesday, Sep 29
No big boy sizes.
@medz My thoughts also. Finally get a product worth buying and I can’t since I need at least 2XL or 3XL. Bummer!!
I’ll give them some credit. Paracord drawstrings is way more tactical than all the other stuff bearing the name.
@highonpez Don’t underappreciate the whistle zipper, also.
However, anybody intending to whistle with my zipper had better give me adequate prior notice.
@highonpez @phendrick Unzips.
@highonpez @phendrick Or at least buy you dinner.
Polyester and flame retardant? Lol what?
@retro603 Maybe that’s after it has shown to be water-resistant. (Got wicked up?)
@retro603 fire retardant is usually a liquid that the materials are doused in.
@haydesigner @retro603 Yeah and flame retardant treatment can leach out of fabric and transfer to your skin and inFlame the risk of a future cancer. Nope nope nope. Had 3, where one that is indolent with no cure, Don’t need to increase the risk of a 4th, No. Thank. You.
@haydesigner @Kidsandliz @retro603 That is outdated information. You’re thinking of halogen-based FR treatments. Modern FR treatments can break down as well, but the only risk is the loss of the FR protection. They don’t advertise how these are FR, but since they are modern textiles it’s done by either by surface treating with Phosphorous Nitrogen treatments that are very stable and when they do break down, the byproducts are non-toxic. The other option is that you can make polyester FR by using synthetic yarns that are copolymerized with small amounts of small amounts of non-toxic phosphorous compounds during manufacture. Since these are also water resistant, it’s likely the former.
TLDR: Nothing to worry about. I’m a chemist. I’m buying a pack.
@haydesigner @Kidsandliz @retro603 @sinimsdp
thanks for the info, what about the odor treatment?
@haydesigner @retro603 @sinimsdp That’s good to know. They spent so many years warning about this and the changes certainly aren’t well publicized.
@haydesigner @Kidsandliz @mehwilldelete @retro603 I’ve read that they are treated to be odorless, but we’ll see. Can’t smell as bad as the FR uniforms I occasionally have to wear at work (steel mill). Of course, I think more of that smell is from the cleaning process than the FR treatment.
It would probably be convenient to have a Molotov-cocktail-proof hoodie or two. Let me think about it.
@phendrick Were all gonna need to be a little batman soon.
@phendrick there’s a handy drink pocket for your Molotov cocktail
So if I want Bark & Blue, I gotta buy 2 sets?
@2many2no yes. Buy 2 many. Just 2 mo.
And here we are again, this site selling seasonally appropriate products! No swimsuits, pool toys, Valentine candy, the horror… why can I not look away.
I would like matching tactical sweatpants certified for commando mode. No potentially painful zippers in the combat zone!
But, is there CCW access?
I cringe every time I hear the word tactical that isn’t related to military use. It’s an overused marketing term that has outlived its usefulness. Thank those sorry TV ads for that. So, when tactical is used, I avoid it with a big FU. It’s usually something crappy anyway. This is a freaking hoodie, and pretty below average at that. It “repels light moisture”, meaning you are getting soaked. Spiral “survival drawcords”, meaning, maybe you could tie a finger splint, otherwise they’ll catch on something or by someone and you’ll get choked. Very hard pass.
@MarkML someone needs a nap. Or a Snickers. Or a marg.
However, I had similar reactions seeing the term tacti… whoops, better not use the trigger word. I was heartened to find that the use of this term was all Meh, not the OEM. They call it a “Drink Pocket Jacket”, though later in their description they do refer to it as a “survival hoodie”, so that’s almost as bad as tac… whoops, almost did it again. At least they never called it THAT word.
@Jonas4321 @MarkML given how evocative the word is I’m starting to think it was purposefully used
I really love the write up so much.
Tactical Whistle Zipper is the name of my new band.
Tactical Whistle Zipper is my favorite Operation Ivy album.
@user92777310 I just need to verify you’ve seen the movie Freaky Tales (2025, Pedro Pascal). Then I’ll be able to move on.
@Noach1 I hate to deny you closure, but I’ll put it on the list!
/showme Tactical-Whistle-Zipper
@BioBill Here’s the image you requested for “Tactical-Whistle-Zipper”
At $29.99 for a two-pack (about $15 per hoodie), this deal comes down to whether you need cheap, expendable layers for outdoor chores and camping, or if you are looking for high-end technical gear.
The spec sheet leans heavily into over-the-top marketing, but at $15 a pop, they have a specific niche:
The “Tactical” Gimmicks: Features like a whistle zipper pull, “survival drawcords,” and a built-in “beverage pouch” inside the pocket are classic gimmicks that you will likely ignore or laugh at once you’re wearing them.
The Actual Perks: The Class A flame-retardant fabric is a legitimate functional bonus if you’re hanging out near a fire pit or working around sparks.
Durability for Chores: At this price, they make great “beater” hoodies. If you’re wearing them for tent camping, yard work, clearing brush, or garage projects where you won’t care about snags, stains, or heavy wear, they are hard to beat for the money.
Weather Limits: They only repel light moisture, so treat them as basic wind-resistant layers rather than true waterproof gear.
The Verdict: Skip them if you are expecting high-performance technical outerwear. Grab them if you want a couple of cheap, rugged zip-ups for dirty outdoor work or sitting around a campfire where ruining an expensive hoodie isn’t an option.
In another episode of “no wonder these things wound up on Meh,” $100 for 100% polyster jackets? I could understand if it had some wool or something in there to truly be high-performance, but there appears to be nothing to differentiate them from other even $20 jackets other than a useless built-in whistle.
$15 does seem the right price point.
The tactile whistle looks like a usb thumb drive that they scrapped the components for metals and someone discovered the shells of plastic make a sound when you blow air through it.
yay cheap zip up hoodies. made my yearly meh purchase
If I lived in the hood, these might be my hoodies of choice.
Great write up. Thanks for validating our usual days.
Where’s the navy blue + dark gray combo?!
You got me!
It didn’t come in extra extra luxurious, so fingers crossed extra luxurious fits.
“I’m not fat, I’m fluffy.”
I have never had a more difficult time picking color combinations! Who the heck at Meh.com put them together? Did Steve do that, perchance? Steve…
@timwoody I see your FotC reference and enjoy it.
The problem I’ve found with non-cotton jackets is their awful propensity for “pilling”. The last one I bought was aesthetically ruined by fabric pills after 3 (very gentle) uses. But not all artificial fibers are equally bad…I wonder where this one falls.
Will it stop me from getting completely soaked during El Nino? Or is there a time limit that I can stand out in the pouring El Nino rains before I get wet? These are must have answers.
Is the inside like fleece lining or is it more basic?
So many unnecessary logos. Would be an easy buy without ’em.
Somehow the Bark color is not afflicted with logos?
Ah, yes, the leftover sizes for the Leprechauns, too bad only humans shop this site…
@SilverMane I thought leprechauns were just itty bitty Irish humans.
@SilverMane I got XL and L so two purchases early in the mornin. Gasp! That means Meh actually sold something worth buying.
I sent that email and immediately my wife was like “hey, get some of those hoodies for when we go camping.”
/showme drastic belated fight
@dave Here’s the image you requested for “drastic belated fight”
@mediocrebot Hopefully this isn’t us after the hoodies arrive.
Jeebus meh…
/showme moaning spotted peanut
@akumax Here’s the image you requested for “moaning spotted peanut”
@mediocrebot This is not what I expected when I ordered the bark color!!!
@akumax @mediocrebot I did NOT need to see that horror beyond my comprehension.
/showme a sleeping kitten with a collar that reads “Eye Bleach”.
The /showme command is a member feature. Join membership to try it out.
@mediocrebot Then I guess pretend you see it.
It’s like health insurance… don’t believe the list price but $15 is a good deal
@heartfeltsf IMHO $100 is a front to slash prices to make it look tempting, $57 is actual MSRP, $30 is what they are worth each, so at $30 for two, they are 50% off.
Invecta watches pull the same thing.
Still a good deal.
Medium Heather has already left me! Never go Medium Heather, always go full Heather!
@TempJanitor I concur!
I seem to have been spontaneously un-VMPd despite having purchases before-and-after on the same cards on my account. Anyone else run into that?
@TheDr0wRanger Hit them up at meh.com/support and ask what happened. Sometimes it can be fixed. Often it happens when the credit card on file goes stale.
@werehatrack I started there. No response so far. Same card worked for 2 different purchases this month, one before and one after so unless some shenanigans are at play the card didn’t lapse in any way
I will note that “flame retardant” is far from synonymous with “flame resistant”. Flame Resistant means “can protect you from a limited amount of fire” while Flame Retardant just means “won’t catch fire easily if exposed to a source of ignition” and says nothing at all about whether it will melt and adhere to your skin at a temperature far above boiling if exposed to flame. Several graphic examples of the crucial difference can be found online, and this is the reason why welders use leather and/or heavy cotton denim for spatter protection, and not any kind of synthetic fiber.
/showme imperfect boisterous light
The /showme command is a member feature. Join membership to try it out.
Can I get a blue and bark combo? I need those two colors packaged together.
@ahoffmann no, sorry
Review: I got mine today. I ordered XL in the gray/dark gray combo. Very nice feel. The size is on the smaller side of XL, but it still fits good. The paracord draw strings are very long, meaning the cats are going to have something to play with!
Overall, a good buy. I’m happy with them.
@toycardriver Uh oh…I ordered a Medium and a Medium only fits me if it’s a typical or large-ish Medium. Hopefully the Medium is a typically-sized Medium. Clothing measurements are hard.
Got mine, they have that freshly sprayed pfas feel. Gonna take a few washes to get that pfas off and into the water table.
@Mattbruman yeah what the hell… i took em outta the box and its COVERED in some weird residue that got all over me. Do we know if its DWR or fire retardant spray or what?
@user46444919 Just assuming its pfas water/fire block. Felt like when I sprayed my tent. After 2 washes its feeling better. But it shredded the paracords and had to fashion new ends for them from shrink tubing.
Received a brown and black hoodie, love ’ em, and the price was right.
As @mattbruman said above. Mine were COVERED in some kind of nasty residue that you cant see but only feel. And it got all over me and my 11 month old baby since he was right next to me when i pulled em out of the box. Would love to know what the heck this stuff is and if my kid needs to see a doctor… PISSED!
I ordered L and was concerned they could be a little small for me, but they fit well. I don’t have the same issue with the flame retardant some others seem to have. I don’t know about a drink in the drink pocket, but they hold my phone perfectly. For the price, I’m very happy. The whistle doesn’t work well at all for me and that’s probably just as well because I’d probably abuse it. I’ll probably remove it.
Just got my 2 sweaters. Black one was perfect but there is a giant blue pen mark across my Heather Grey one unfortunately.
Just got my 2 sweaters. Black one was perfect but there is a giant blue pen mark across my Heather Grey one unfortunately. Can I exchange it for different one. Same one just one without a giant pen mark across it.