5.11 Austin Stripe Flannel | Winter Wear with a Plus

It’s been a frigid winter so far here in New Jersey, with temperatures hovering in the twenties and thirties for what seems like forever. With the temperatures down and my age being up, I feel the wintry weather more. It just creeps in and lingers there, letting its presence be felt. When the weather is cold, one of my go-to clothing items to add warmth is the tried-and-true flannel shirt. I’ve been wearing flannel shirts for longer than I care to remember or mention, but despite that, they’re still a staple in my closet. Not much has changed with flannel shirts over the decades, other than some having one breast pocket and others having two. Most still have buttons, and some have snap closures. Other than that, there hasn’t been much innovation or change that I’ve seen, that is, until I received the 5.11 Austin Flannel.

The Austin Flannel brings a few new features that set it apart from the herd. The closures are all snaps, including on the sleeves. This is a nice feature as most buttonholes on traditional flannel shirts tend to shrivel up, making buttoning and unbuttoning a challenge. This may seem like a very minor thing, but if you’ve reached the point where arthritis is starting to affect your dexterity, you come to appreciate little things like that. Snaps also provide an advantage if you cancel carry as they break away, allowing smoother access to your carry pistol, and when seconds matter, well, enough said.

AUSTIN STRIPE FLANNEL DETAILS:

• Midweight construction is built for layering and all-season versatility
• Collar with collar band maintains structure and a sharp look
• Chest patch pockets with snap flaps for a classic style with secure storage
• Left chest doc pocket with hidden zipper provide low-profile storage
• Pen guide on pocket flap keeps writing tools right where you need them
• Adjustable snap cuffs and sleeve placket lets you roll up or button down
• Subtle 5.11 branding with woven label and [+] embroidery

The Austin Flannel features two breast pockets with snap closures. On the left side pocket, there is an opening in the flap to put a pen or similarly shaped item in without unsnapping the flap. Behind the left pocket is a discreet zipper pocket that’s perfect for holding cash, an identification card, a credit card, and even a passport in a secure location. You just must be careful not to overload the pocket, making it obvious and losing the low-profile aspect. I love features like the hidden pocket, as it allows me to carry the minimum for an evening out without being concerned about keeping track of stuff in my pants pockets. It’s a hangover from growing up in New York.

The Austin Flannel is a comfortable midweight shirt that doesn’t feel like a blanket under your jacket and has a look that works equally well in casual social settings or out in the woods for a hike. The Austin Flannel is available in a number of colors and pattern variations. MSRP is $80.00.

Thanks to 5.11 Tactical for providing the Austin Flannel for review.