Five Ten has been producing tactical versions of their footwear for several years. At OR they debuted the Valor, a new duty boot with an 8″ upper designed specifically for uniform wear. The Valor incorporates the same sticky Stealth Rubber sole as the Pursuit. It is coming in early 2012 in Tan, Black, and Mossy Oak. Look for a few surprises as we approach the release date.
Patagonia related to us at OR Summer Market that they are developing a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art R&D facility focusing on military products as well vector styles. The Forge will not only focus on styles, but also materials and construction techniques and will also be able to rapid prototype new products. This will be a boon to both military clothing programs such as SOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform, currently designed by Patagonia as well as cutting edge outdoor styles. Both markets will greatly benefit from this initiate.
OR attendees participate in a wide variety of recreational during their visit. Sunday morning was no different with a couple of friends out doing a little bouldering before the show. But, danger lurks in the wilderness and you have to be careful. That is, if you’re a 5′ rattlesnake. Then, the last thing you want to do is menace a Ranger and Green Beret as they take to the cliffs.
HEADACHE!
Mystery Ranch let me in on a couple of upcoming products and as we went through the stacks of packs, they pulled out a NICE Frame in CADPAT-TW. This variant of the NICE frame will see limited fielding in the Canadian forces as a component of a weapons program.
Liberty is the only American made metal bottle. 100% recycled aluminum and 100% BPA free. While they have a wide variety of designs, as you can see here, there is one line ready for mil use.
To call yesterday at Outdoor Retailer “somber” would be an understatement. Many of the vendors and quite a few attendees had contact with the personnel lost in the helicopter tragedy in Afghanistan.
Arc’teryx decided to do something positive and has set up the Special Operations Support Fund through PayPal. Funds donated will be given to charities that support the families of those involved.
Our warriors did not die in vain. Keep up the fight. Don’t let the bastards get you down.
Those interested in contributing to this cause should go to www.paypal.com.
The NEMO Frontier is a tipi-style five sided tent with ample vestibule space. Available in February, 2012 it is Made in the USA. Both Coyote and Tan are being added as standard colors so it will be easier to source NEMO shelters appropriate for tactical applications.
Icon previewed the Link II a polymer brother to the popular Link. It weighs under 3 oz but puts out a whopping 60 lumens on high setting powered by a single AA cell. Look for it October 1st. Ready for the biggest shocker about this light? How about a $15 price tag?
