Artaxes means "great warrior" in ancient Greek. In its shortened form, this was also the name of the son of the Persian king Xerxes. Warriors have thus been associated with this name for a long time. Today we will talk about one such warrior. It will be about a jacket from the Greek brand Pentagon, model Artaxes.
The company Pentagon is not unknown in the world of adrenaline enthusiasts. Its main areas of interest are armed forces, civilian security services, sport shooters, but also woodsmen and various outdoor enthusiasts. All these interest groups form the basis of the DNA of the Artaxes jacket.
Officially, Pentagon labels the Artaxes as a jacket for the spring/autumn transitional period. We will discuss below how much more flexible it can actually be.
Parameters of the Pentagon Artaxes
To start, a few table facts. Artaxes is a softshell jacket made up of three layers. The first layer is the already mentioned softshell made of 100% polyester. The second layer is a waterproof Storm | Tex ™ membrane. The last layer is a soft gridded fleece. The membrane's water column is up to 8000 mm/24h and its breathability is 3,000 g/m²/24h. The main zipper is two-way. All zippers rely on proven quality, being from the Japanese company YKK (Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha). Of course, velcro panels are not missing either, specifically two, each measuring 10x6.5 cm.
We have the numbers, so let's take a more personal look at it. The first thing was choosing the color and size. Black, coyote, olive, a pure Sophie's choice. In the end, I chose the grindle green shade, which I would describe as a paler grey-green. Practical, yet neutral and unobtrusive, while also elegant enough for the city.
Sizing was a bit simpler. Off-the-rack, an L fits me great, but as I mentioned above, this is a jacket that's more flexible than just a transitional one. Given such a high water column and a longer cut, it was clear that only a thicker insulation layer separates it from a winter jacket. So a size XL made its way home.
Artaxes tested in the field
Whether it was the right move became clear the very next day, or rather night. A light wind and 2°C above zero were no problem. It was enough to wear a hoodie or a thinner sweater underneath the jacket. At such temperatures, for example, a Pentagon Amintor or, for those who feel the cold more, a Helikon Classic sufficed – that is, hoodies with lower weight. The next night outside, and temperatures around -5°C. It was fully sufficient to wear a Level 2 thermal base layer or a thicker hoodie with a weight around 400g/m2 as the bottom layer.
Heavy sudden rain tested the jacket the very next day. The jacket held up great, and I did not find a single wet spot on the inside near the zippers or around the seams. Everything important, of course, was hidden in the details. The zippers on the sleeves have a small pocket at the top that perfectly conceals them and thus prevents water from leaking in. The large pockets on the torso have a similar solution, in the form of a fabric flap running the entire length of the zipper. At the same time, this visually hides them, and despite their size, they don't look disruptive.
Features and surprises
The jacket also has a practically designed hood. The hood is spacious, yet doesn't fall into the face and allows good visibility. A single drawcord, practically placed at the back of the neck, is used to tighten it.
I don't know a better word to describe the pockets than "surprising". In total, there are eight of them. Six external and two internal, all zippered.
The two largest pockets are located on the sides of the torso, positioned a bit higher toward the chest. Thanks to their size, they can hold a small shopping trip's worth of items in a pinch. Each of them also contains a small pouch for a voice recorder or MP3 player, or other small items of similar size. For audio devices, the right pocket is equipped with a cable pass-through. It is trimmed with orange pieces of fabric, simple and functional.
Given the size of the main pockets, I was worried about the use of the two-way zipper. Thanks to it, you can easily reach your belt without having to uncover the upper part of your body. And I carry quite a lot on and behind that belt. My worries were unfounded — the designers created this jacket for shooters and practically minded people. Thanks to the higher placement of the pockets, I had comfort around my waist and unobstructed access. Thanks to the well-chosen size of the jacket and its wider cut at the waist, I didn't attract unwanted attention even with a large EDC pouch or an outside belt holster for a firearm. With the inside-the-waistband holster from Falco, I didn't even have to unzip the jacket for a comfortable draw.
Artaxes is the ideal jacket for civilian shooters
The elongated cut of the jacket discreetly concealed both the Cold Steel FinnHawk and the Mora Companion. I didn't have to worry about my lower back either — with the elongated back, it stayed covered at all times when bending over, without any restriction of movement or personal comfort.
On the back part, in the lower back area, there is a spacious pocket with access from either side. It can hold a winter hat, gloves, and a shemagh or a multifunctional neck scarf. Again, there was almost nothing visible, and it did not restrict my comfort.
I was quite surprised that I began using the main pockets minimally. On the right and left shoulder there are two smaller pockets, plus one above the upper forearm on the left sleeve. I fell in love with these smaller pockets. They are simply ideal for the most frequently used small items. My ID documents, a small notebook with a pen, and a folding knife like a Victorinox or Ruike fit into the shoulder pocket without the slightest problem. Each shoulder also has a velcro panel measuring 10x6.5 cm. I probably don't need to mention that neither of them stayed empty for long ☺. Alongside the jacket, I also had a huge selection of new patches to choose from.
The forearm pocket, meanwhile, claimed the status of holder for the (nowadays essential) respirator, along with some small cash and travel tickets.
Speaking of transportation, there are two zippers under the armpits for ventilation and increased comfort inside buildings or while traveling on public transport. You can adjust the ventilation as you like without the disruptive feeling of a "hole," since the vent openings are covered with dense mesh.
Final evaluation
Artaxes is a great example that it's easy to get used to good things. In just a few weeks it grew close to my heart. I got used to its features and technical solutions very quickly and intuitively. That's why I'm also pleased to find similar solutions on other models as well — for example, on the lighter Rainer jacket or on fleece hoodies from the Polish company Helikon, such as the Patriot or Cumulus.
Wherever your steps may lead you, whether to dangerous work or an adventurous expedition, Artaxes will be a good companion. It will take care of you, protect you from discomfort, and in return ask for nothing. Only the chance to be part of your everyday challenges.
