Soldier Systems

Made from 1000D Cordura and lined with 400 weight pack cloth the TAG Advanced Rolling Loadout Bag features four exterior pouches. Additionally, there are four removable pouches inside of the bag. The frame is made with 6061 aircraft grade aluminum and powdered coated with a black “crinkle” finish in order to resist wear.

One of the problems with other bags is that items in the bag push against the wheel. This not only makes it difficult to pull the bag, eventually, holes are worn in the bag’s fabric and your kit gets wet and dirty. This design features wheel wells to prevent this from happening. Additionally, the axle is one solid piece and runs through the frame in order to prevent the wheels from breaking off. The large ball bearing wheels give a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. Finally, the bag can be easily removed from the frame if needed for cleaning, modification, or repair.

TAG has already sold about 1000 of them and can’t keep them in stock. For this reason, none of TAG’s retailers have them yet. I was lucky enough to get one and it has served me well on several trips. The Advanced Loadout Bag isn’t cheap, but like I always say, “Buy Quality, Cry Once”. TAG regularly runs discount specials and that is a great time to invest in one of these bags.

The Advanced Loadout Bag is a roomy 39″L x 17″H x 12″D for a total of 7,956 cubic inches. Berry compliant with a 100% lifetime warranty, the Loadout Bag is available in a multitude of colors including Coyote, Ranger Green, Black, UCP, and Multicam. The interior is solid colored.

To order visit the Operator’s Choice.

Pictures from TAG.

Founded by Peter and Paul Pinholster in their garage, Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) offers SingleNest and DoubleNest hammocks as well as other accessories.

The Hammocks come in a variety of color combinations to suit use both on and off duty. Seen above is a Khaki and Olive SingleNest which has found favor with SOF elements.

Both hammock styles measure 9’10” in length, support up to 400 pounds, and set up in less than 3 minutes by means of SlapStraps. The DoubleNest is a bit wider at 6’ 8”. The SingleNest weighs in at 18oz, and DoubleNest at 22oz. Both hammocks are stuff into a softball size sack for transport.

ENO also offers accessories such as rain flies and insect nets.

ENO hammocks are now also available with Insect Shield.

For more information contact Eagles Nest Outfitters.

Technically it’s Camo Form® Self -Cling Camouflage, but most everyone just refers to it as Camo Form Tape. Whatever you call it, it works. As you can see in the depiction below, the Camo Form® is very effective at visually camouflaging your equipment. What you can’t show in a picture is that it also improves noise discipline by cushioning equipment. It also protects the finish and function of gear.

One roll will take care of most of an individual’s requirements (2″ wide x 144″ (4 yds) long). Camo Form is self-clinging and not affected by moisture. What’s more, it gives smooth items a little grip so that they don’t slide.

Available in Mossy Oak® New Break Up®, Mossy Oak® New Shadowgrass®, Mossy Oak® Obsession®, Mossy Oak® Brush®, Universal Camouflage, Digital Woodland, Digital Desert, 3-Color Desert, Woodland, Snow & more.

Photos courtesy of McNett.

The BlastMatch has been a mainstay in survival kits for many years. The BlastMatch™ utilzes a custom bar of high performance flint material which rotates 360 degrees to help prevent uneven wear. A tungsten carbide striker is built into the striker button. This combinatio0n generates three times the heat of a standard match. What’s more, it is weather proof.

UST is introducing a new product; the Sparkie. It is based on the same technology as the dependable Blastmatch but reduces it’s size and weight. Weighing in at an incredible one ounce, the Sparkie is designed to be used one-handed which can be crucial in a survival situation. The rubberized handle helps ensure you don’t lose your grip even when wet.

For more information contact Ultimate Survival Technologies.

New Zealand scientists have developed a revolutionary new fabric that is stab and flame resistant, yet remains light to wear as wool. For the World news Australia article, go here.

This wool based fiber is not only FR (no dripping in vertical flammability tests), but also cut resistant.

For more info on Vectran’s new line of fibers go to http://www.vectranfiber.com/.

RV Ops is a UK specialist military outfitter. They offer a wide variety of manufacturer’s wares in addition to excellent products of their own design. One such product is their telescoping bivy poles. No more looking for just the right branch to prop up your hootch. Just pull these bad boys out, telescope to the desired length and it’s nap time.

Purchase them from RVOPS.

There is currently a dearth of bungees on the market that are well suited for military use. At the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, I found a small company named Rok Straps. They have a really cool line of elastic cargo straps and three models in particular are well suited for military use.

The two below, the Camo Rok and Camo Sport are both often used for vehicle applications. Note the heavy duty hooks. Additionally, the Sport features a side release buckle to allow handier access to equipment that has been tied down.

They also make a specialty strap that is smaller and designed for use with individual equipment. The Camo Adjustable is specifically designed to attach to back packs and secure smaller items without damaging waterproof materials. Quick release buckles ensure fast and quiet access to gear.

All of the camo straps are available in Black as well as a Green-based camo.

I have seen a lot of guys building Rube Goldberg contraptions to air out their armor after a mission. I recently ran across Russ Innovations’ design. They offer a hanger designed to not only dry the vest between uses but provides a handy way to store it or configure it for use.

The hanger on the right is slightly larger and designed for full military armor.

As you can see from the side view, the design allows for ample air circulation and the hanger can be hung up or opened like an easel.

The price is reasonable and it is warrantied for 25 years from the date of purchase. Available from Flakvesthangers.com.

Photos property of Russ Innovations Incorporated.

Available exclusively from Platypus Outdoors in Sydney Australia, the Gerber Grasp™ is finally available in AUSCAM. During development of the Grasp™, Gerber conducted a great deal of research asking military personnel what features they would like to see in a modular on-the-move drinking system. Armed with this information they developed the Grasp. A truly modular system, it includes: an Adjustable Load Deck (ALD) and two removable compartments, 150 oz. Grasp™ external fill reservoir, 2760 CI total cargo capacity, IR 1000D nylon Cordura® fabric, webbing, trims, antennae and communication cable ports, internal radio sling, MRE pockets, MOLLE webbing, ergonomic back padding and lumbar support, padded, adjustable, removable shoulder straps, removable waist belt, and spare field repairable buckle.

The Grasp™ can be used in seven different configurations:
1. Reservoir Carrier without Shoulder Straps
2. Reservoir Carrier Closed
3. Reservoir Carrier Open
4. Reservoir Carrier + Large Gear Pack
5. Reservoir Carrier Closed + Small Gear Pack
6. Reservoir Carrier + Small Gear Pack + Waist Belt
7. Reservoir Carrier + Large Gear Pack + Small Gear Pack

The Grasp™ is also available in Coyote, Black, and from other vendors in UCP.

To order contact Plat a tac.

For years I used a flannel travel sheet from Design Salt. Talk about comfort. Design Salt’s unique product line is just as appropriate for vacation as on deployment. My favorite is the Flannel TravelSheet. You’d think that it would be hot in summer but not so. It is very comfortable and convenient in that you don’t have to wash your entire sleep system, you just pull out the liner and wash it. It dries quickly and can also be used for instances where you have to spend the night in dubious sleeping quarters. Like the name, it provides a cocoon.

At the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Design Salt announced that they too would incorporate the Insect Shield technology.

The entire Cocoon line is available from Design Salt.

Photo is courtesy of Design Salt.