Clothing | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Merino Wool System

Friday, August 25th, 2023

The FirstSpear Wool System is a durable, field ready line of technical apparel thats been proven in some of the harshest conditions. Check out the all veteran, Skeleton Crew Sailing Team’s choice in gear as they embark on their journey, competing in the unforgiving Ocean Globe Race.

The American Made Merino Wool based Field Shirt is generously cut for long-term comfort on extended adventures or daily wear on the job. Using the very best of proven materials brought forward in a technically advanced package, the Field Shirt blends comfort, performance, and fit to give you the very best function in styles and colors only FirstSpear can provide. Whether you use it as either the ultimate base layer or a shirt on its own, you can count on the Field Shirt!

Constructed from 38% American Merino Wool, 50% Polyester & 12% Modal, the fabric and construction of the Field Shirt is 100% USA made.

Comprised of ACM-Warm 600, FirstSpear’s warmest wool blend, the Woobie is a solid choice from the FS wool line. It utilizes an extremely lightweight 50/50 blend of our American Merino Wool and Polyester and is fully Berry Compliant. The Woobie features a stand-up collar, low profile neck zipper and wrist overs with thumb holes. You will also find a slightly longer tail for added comfort and warmth. It is outstanding on its own or as a component of a clothing system. ACM-Warm 600 is a heavyweight Merino Wool Blend with super soft brushed fleece interior, designed for the coldest temperatures.

FirstSpear’s American Made Wool Beanie is incredibly soft and will keep your dome warm while wicking away moisture. It features a double-stitched edging with a premium laser engraved leather FS logo patch that is stylishly offset. The beanie is constructed from FirstSpear’s ACM 600 Merino Wool, proudly sourced in the USA. It’s perfect for a cold day at the range or bustling around town. It’s carefully constructed to strategically taper slightly longer at the neck to reduce cold drafts and to prevent it from riding up out of place when you’re on the move.

To learn more about the Skeleton Crew Sailing Team’s journey abroad and how they’re making a difference for Veterans at home through adventure therapy, visit Skeleton Crew Adventures.

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Materials | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus – Merino Wool System

Introducing The Dread and Fear of Kings

Saturday, August 19th, 2023

It’s not often that I get to share something truly exquisite. Let’s face it, as many cool fabrics and features as we see on “tactical” clothing, they are all mass produced and to a certain degree, are compromises. The Dread and Fear of Kings is a new clothing brand that doesn’t compromise because it doesn’t have to. It’s a brand dedicated to small runs of very well made garments.

Up front, this is a men’s clothing line, but it’s not for the gentle man. The owners define the brand as “Mission Tailored Luxury.” It’s not tactical per se, but if there really was a John Wick, he’d be wearing DFK.

As for the brand’s name:

The Dread and Fear of Kings is both a nod to the line from Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice–and a standard we hold ourselves to. The true Dread and Fear of Kings is not the power politicians wield against the population, but rather a capable and thinking population that is not easily misled by opportunists. A scepter is only a powerful weapon against a population who doesn’t know otherwise.

The team really put a lot into this project. Over the span of two years they created multiple iterations of each product, leveraging decades of field experience from men who have served their nation at the tip of the spear, both in uniform and out. All the while, DFK dealt with supply chain issues due to COVID and its aftermath. Eventually, all the stars aligned and here we are.

I’ve been writing about this market for over 15 years and before that, I was intimately familiar with it for decades. I’d say I’m pretty jaded and don’t get excited very often anymore. But when I heard about this project, my ears perked up. When I saw the initial renderings of this jacket I started asking when it would be available. I waited for what seemed like forever, but when I finally saw the finished garment I knew I had to have one. I started saving for it. Once I tried it on, the deal was sealed and I paid for it via invoice a few days later.

I don’t want to steal their thunder by going over the entire line here. Instead, I’ll concentrate on my experience with DFK and the item I own, the Envoy Jacket (seen below).

The Envoy is made from an Italian ripstop waxed cotton canvas and crafted in San Martino, Milan by generational craftsmen, proud to deliver pieces built to a standard usually exclusive to made-to-measure designer clothing. The fabrics and findings aren’t compromises. In many cases, they are bespoke for this project.

Features are mission driven and include sleeve pockets with two-way invisible zippers, deep front pocket compartments, and interconnected and discreet internal pockets. Pockets are where you need them and closures are easily manipulated. It’s not waterproof, but between the waxed cotton and seam taping, it will get you through a sustained drizzle up to a light rain.

The team knows story of every fiber and item they source. They also know the people who take these materials and craft them into the collection.

There’s another big difference with DFK. You don’t go to a website and order a jacket. Instead, you let them know of your interest and they come to you. You receive an in-person, full line review and fitting. You walk out of the fitting with your new jacket. Some items are custom made and may take a few weeks to deliver.

Even though these are made in Italy, they feature American sizing and are cut for action. I wear a Large. The fit is great for me and it makes me look good. You can see the quality. I wore it one day during Modern Day Marine and got a lot of questions about the jacket. The most common comment was that they had never seen anything like it before. They were all correct. They hadn’t. This is something completely new, combining fashion and function.

The line is very focused and quantities are limited, but they’ve got more designs in the hopper and will be rolling them out over time. One thing they want to do is get everything just right before they offer anything for sale.

To sum up The Dread and Fear of Kings I’d have to say that they don’t compromise on anything, combining the best designs, materials, and construction to create truly unique clothing.

You can check out The Dread and Fear of Kings’ offerings here. You’ll also see some details on IG @thedreadandfearofkings.

Posted in Clothing | 14 Comments »

Veteran Business Focus – Silver Oak Leaf Inc

Saturday, August 12th, 2023

I asked fellow veteran John Long about his company Silver Oak Leaf Inc. The name is a no-brained as he’s a retired Lieutenant Colonel but what he’s up to is pretty interesting although John sums to up nicely, saying he’s “Creating Strategic Teaming Relationships.”

He went on to say, “I launched Silver Oak Leaf Inc six years ago to continue to improve Personal Protective Equipment.”

John’s position is that protection begins at the uniform layer out and includes more than ballistic protection – such as flame resistance, specific developments for extreme cold weather (artic) and extreme hot/humid (jungle). ?

He helps industry transfer innovative textile based products such as lighter weight fabrics to innovative cold weather fibers to power and data e-textiles and working to improve flame resistance and increased durability.

This year he expanded to focus on developing and delivering innovation for hands, feet and face extreme cold weather protection.

Using the experience he gained over the last 30+ years as a US Army officer and industry executive, John helps assist in navigating organizational structures to overcome barriers in funding, testing and trial.

John wrapped up our conversation by relating, “So I was the PEO Soldier guy then after retiring joined Propper Intl as Dir Business Development then to INVISTA and the Cordura brand as Innovation Manager. Then launched my own company Jan 2018. I manufacture uniforms for DLA as well as specific development projects and do strategic planning on a project basis.”

silveroakleafinc.com

Posted in Clothing, Industry, Veterans | 1 Comment »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Limited Edition Spicy Uber T-shirt

Friday, August 11th, 2023

Embrace your rowdy side with the Limited Edition Spicy Uber T-Shirt! This edgy shirt is a nod to the clandestine air support dedicated to SOF units It’s comfortable fit and lightweight fabric make it perfect for every occasion. With a wicked MH-47G design that packs a punch, this shirt will turn heads and get a conversation going.

Not for the faint of heart — it’s the fiercest way to show your pride for our rotary wing warriors. Own the night and show them who’s boss with the Spicy Uber T-Shirt, while supplies last.

Visit FirstSpear to find American Made kit and accessories, Built For The X.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Morale | 2 Comments »

NFM Tailoring the Future of Combat Clothing in EU Development Program

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

NFM Group AS has been selected with partners within the European Defense Fund (EDF) to deliver on the ARMETISS smart textile development program. The project, a €20 million EU-funded project, will develop innovative textile technologies to create smart clothing for soldiers, improving their performance, safety, and well-being.

ARMETISS (Smart Multifunction Textiles for integrated Soldier Systems) aims to develop a set of smart clothes and equipment integrating complementary functions based on EU end-users’ needs and textile-based advanced technologies. The project output will provide the necessary functionality to enhance soldiers’ capacity to perform their demanding tasks while increasing their safety and well-being during military operations.

The ARMETISS project will initiate the development of innovative textile technologies, tailored to cater to the varied needs of the modern soldier by integrating smart functionalities.

“Being selected for the ARMETISS project emphasises our position as forerunners in military textile technology development. This venture reaffirms our commitment to enhancing soldier safety and marks a significant milestone for NFM’s innovation,” says Walter Øverland, CEO of NFM Group AS.

The ARMETISS consortium comprises a total of 18 selected members and spans nine countries.

This powerful union of partners strengthens the program’s potential for successful implementation and promises profound advancements in the realm of multifunctional smart textiles for soldiers.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International, Press Release, Research | Comments Off on NFM Tailoring the Future of Combat Clothing in EU Development Program

New T-Shirt Collection from FROG.PRO: Between Style, History and Creativity

Friday, August 4th, 2023

(GATTATICO (RE) – ITALY) – FROG.PRO®, the Italian reference brand for tactical tailoring, is finally ready to launch its new T-Shirt Collection. They will be available on their website beginning August 4th 2023.

Among our news for 2023, we are proud to present our highly awaited Apparel line with the new FROG.PRO T-Shirts: a perfect mix of style, legend and a dash of extravagance to create unmatched designs. Each of the three new collections was conceived with an unique story, so that dressing can be a journey between history and creativity.

We worked on these T-Shirts with the utmost attention, because we think that the key to standing out from the crowd lies in the details. From a perfect cut to high-end materials, each part has been carefully selected to make a garment of uncompromising quality.

Our penchant for creativity led us to dare with unique shapes and graphics; the philosophy that drives our creative process is always the will to exceed expectations and to offer something different, and with these T-Shirts, we want to share with you our unique vision.

Here are our collectible lines:

UNBRANDED Collection – Bear our flag high

Our UNBRANDED line is a bold expression of our company’s identity. These T-Shirts are dedicated to those who wish to bring up our name and share our passion for experience and innovation.

Wear “Unbranded” T-Shirts proudly and let the world know that you are part of the FROG.PRO family.

TIMELESS Collection – When style embraces history

The TIMELESS Collection is a real bridge between the ages, connecting ancient charm to the current age.

This exclusive line of T-Shirts blends historical elements with modern design, through three iconic headdresses that used to be worn the valiant warriors of the past.

We represented these helmets through a mosaic of triangles, that gradually disassembles; the fragmentation is a metaphor the passing of the years, where the history is lost as time passes.

Our TIMELESS Collection is an invitation to explore the world through the ages, to embrace the beauty of the old and appreciate its legacy in the present.

By wearing these shirts, we want to make you feel the valiance of the ancient warriors. Because armor changes, but the spirit of warriors lives on forever.

SPECIAL FROGS Collection – From smile to adrenaline

In this collection our iconic logo comes to life: a frog that wears the gear of special forces operators. A real tribute to operators from all over the world.

With the SPECIAL FROGS line we wanted to play by incorporating some of our most iconic products.

The protagonists of this initial series are these three funny fellows.

• “Wave Dave” with his MP7 sub machine gun and his panoramic NVG, recalls the spirit of Navy TIER 1 units.

• “Nash The Flash” is the quintessential urban stormtrooper, with his flashbang grenades and his ability to move with agility in CQB environments, namely the urban and restricted ones.

• “Smokey Joey” is a skilled rifleman with an M4 carbine and his reliable Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag. He is always ready to support his teammates with the best strategies.

Packaging and technical features

Our focus went beyond the T-Shirt design; from the choice of fabric to the creation of an eco-friendly packaging, we wanted to create a T-Shirt line that could achieve the best results both for the wearer and for the environment.

The T-Shirts are made of 100% organic cotton from a controlled supply chain, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified, guaranteeing the maximum possible sustainability. With a weight of 180 g/m2 and 145 g/m2, they are also perfect for the hottest days of summer; an ideal weight that gives them texture and durability without making them feel too heavy or restrictive. Also, as they are all pre-washed, they will not lose their shape over time.

The packaging was created keeping in mind our commitment to environmental sustainability. The T-Shirts are shipped in boxes specifically designed to minimise the use of materials and the dimension of the package, thus also reducing the environmental impact of transport. The boxes are made of FSC cardboard from a controlled supply chain, to ensure a responsible and ecological shopping experience.

Unique T-Shirts for collectors: limited edition supplies

With the launch of these three extraordinary collections, we invite you to take advantage of this limited edition offer, knowing that each piece is a treasure because it is able to tell a story.

This is just the beginning of a long apparel line that will continue to grow over time. In the future, we plan to expand it introducing new themes, subjects and identities that can enrich the hearts and minds of our wearers.”

The new T-Shirts will be available on www.frogpro.eu starting from August 4th 2023 in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and X-Large. They offer free shipping to USA on orders over 200 EURO (about 220 USD).

Posted in Clothing, International, Morale, Press Release | Comments Off on New T-Shirt Collection from FROG.PRO: Between Style, History and Creativity

PDW 72 Hour Short

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

The One Grab-and-Go, Hot Weather Short to Rule Them All

The 72 Hour Short in All Terrain Cloth is a high performance short built to go the distance and then some, in warm and hot environments, anywhere in the world. Let’s face it, summers are getting hotter and longer. This short is designed as the one grab-and-go-short for the next 72 hot hours of adventure, on land or in the water. With the built-in waist belt, technical properties and signature feature set for this style are dialed for high versatility and as a multiplier for a wide breadth of activities. From summer trekking in the high Sierra, to exploring the jungles of Vale do Javari, mountain trail running in the Andes, or packrafting. Uncompromising quality of make and the best materials. Made in USA.

The 72 Hour Short is a part of Prometheus Design Werx’s CORE-Line. Available in Universal Field Gray, All Terrain Brown and All Terrain Green.

The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:

“The design harkens back to old school rock climber’s shorts, but significantly updated with modern construction, best grade technical materials and trims. No belt needed. Lightweight, durable, quick-dry, 4-way stretch, amphibious and secure-EDC ready. So comfortable and airy, the 72 Hour Short is the next best thing to going commando…and staying cool in the withering heat. While seemingly a simple design, these shorts feature multiple pockets, the four major pockets secured with a YKK zipper to keep your EDC items safe and secure, two additional EDC-Tool pockets, two soft clip-in points to attach lanyard, carabiners, key chains, etc. And of course, are expertly made in the California, USA, the birthplace of the modern core outdoor/mountain sports industry. These are one of the last shorts of its type still being made here Stateside. This is one highly versatile and capable hot weather short. The one hot weather technical short to rule them all. Like all of our apparel, we follow our own Long Life Apparel ethos where we design and produce our apparel to last far beyond the typical industry life cycle standards and do not subscribe to ‘fast fashion’ or disposable consumerism.”

The 72 Hour Short is available for purchase for $133.00 via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Guest Post | Comments Off on PDW 72 Hour Short

Tactical Distributors – Long Sleeve Shooter Shirt

Saturday, July 29th, 2023

I’ve had the short sleeve version of this shirt for awhile now and look forward to picking at least one of the long sleeve versions up for range sessions. They are made from a moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch.

Naturally, the Desert Tigerstripe caught my eye, but TD has them in several colors as seen in the image below.

Sizes Small – 3X-Large, these won’t break the bank at $29.99 each.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Stuff I Like | 1 Comment »