This is the second of four articles sponsored by Arc’teryx LEAF to educate readers on softshell fabrics used in their garments. In the last article we covered Tweave, a product of Gehring Textiles. What better way to learn about how Arc’teryx combines world class design and materials like Tweave Durastretch and Durastretch LT than to actually wear them? So, this time we are going to give away a set of Sphinx Halfshell and Pant.
The Sphinx Halfshell combines both weights of Tweave Durastretch. It is an armor compatible design that features articulated arms with roll up sleeves that stow for a short-sleeve option. A mandarin collar and bicep pockets top this technical version of a combat shirt off. The Sphinx pant also features softshell construction and an articulated fit for comfort and mobility. These pants are designed to be worn over the top of hiking and mountaineering boots so they incorporate an internal gaiter. The Sphinx pant also includes a knife/tool loop as well as an ingenious reinforced knee construction with an internal pocket for hardshell kneepads which allows you to still use the kneepads’ straps for added stability.
For your chance to win, in the comments section of this posting on SSD, tell us what product you’d like to see Arc’teryx develop. Use your real email address to enter because that is how you will be contacted in case you win. You posting may have to be approved so be patient of it doesn’t show right up. Only one entry per email address. The contest closes at 1200 GMT, 27 April, 2012. At that point, SSD will randomly draw a winner from the entries. We will then pass the name and email address of the winner to the Arc’teryx LEAF team and they will contact the winner and arrange shipment.
Void where prohibited.
Tags: Arc'teryx, Arc'teryx LEAF, Tweave
Alpha LT Jacket in Multicam.
I would like to see things made in the NWU type 2 and 3 patterns.
Ok guys check it-Poncho/ruck cover:
Take your standard issue Army poncho, add two or three bungies running length and cross wise with ends exposed, hooks out. Also each side would have an adjustable stretchy type string to allow a person to tighten up any slack on a side. Run a similar stretchy type string along the outside hem of each side, allowing a person to tighten the outside of the cover around a ruck or back pack. Keep the grommeted holes and snaps, people may buy two….as for the hole, lose it or make it a hole Closed by Velcro and with no built in hood, it’s 2012 c’mon.
My wish list is as follows:
Alpha LT in Wolf.
Arro 22 style pack in croc and/or wolf with a little more internal organization.
Softshell BAC in wolf, croc, black and Multicam (Tweave durastretch or Burly double weave)
Length sizes for pants (Short, Reg., Tall)
More hybrid designs. Something along the lines of the Gryphon with full-zip and the pocket layout similar to the combat jacket. Add a mid-weight version as well with body made of Fortius 3.0 fabric.
Atom LT Hoody in Croc
RHO LT Beanie and neck gator in Croc
Blade 24 in LEAF colors, like the old Blade 21
Talos uniform in Croc and Wolf
More LEAF-specific T-shirts.
Clothing specifically designed for hot weather applications. Both in military oriented styles and also civilian/casual. Hot weather gear tends to be absent of pockets and fit necessary to still conceal a weapon or carry EDC items.
Incorporation of foliage green into color options. Include inseam measurements into pants. But in terms of a general product, I’d like to see an ultra light weight chest rig that’s molle compatible
I’d like to see a boonie hat & coveralls.
To all of the people asking for less tactical looking clothing… Have you ever taken a look at Arc’teryx’s regular line? Its high performance gear that doesn’t look tactical. You have to remember that the LEAF program was designed to take the company’s high performance products and tailor them for tactical environments.
Arc’teryx makes some of the highest quality gear available and they are able to do it because they focus on a few key areas of the gear and clothing spectrum, and stay within their niche. The company has always been known for their outstanding packs and did a great job years ago designing packs for the USMC. I would like to see some more of their unique backpack designs applied to the LEAF program.
Would like to see brim hats.
I’d like to see the Alpha Jacket in wolf.
I would like to see Arc’teryx design Camel packs/ back packs, kinda like the echo but smaller and not be to much of a burden on patrols. If you could also have some gear in a different camo’s that would be great as well.
Thanks
I would like to see them make something for business clothes. Kinda like a Suit with a soft shell inner.
Check out Veilance.
* Coolmax socks (Authorized for Military use)
* Riggers bely with Cobra buckle
* Base layer shirt incorporating low profile torso soft Kevlar armor (for Civilian and LE use)
Thanks for the opportunity!
I would like to see a class b police uniform. One with a professional look, but could withstand the down and dirty of a midnight shift.
I like to see a wider selection of heat management clothing beyond baselayers. Also lo-profile clothing. Pants, shirts, etc. beyond just plaid button up design, or cargo khakis, give a uniqueness to associate with the brand. Think about incorporating the NeverWet system in to this and your previous brands.
I would like to see them to make the Alpha Jacket in Wolf
I’d like to see / be interested in/ thinkit’dbecool/bla a larger variety of camouflage patterns for the products that are already made.
or something
I would like to see a multicam ranger blanket.
For LE operators (like me), the price points need to come down, since Uncle Sam’s not picking up the tab. Keep the quality, but simplify the products and assembly process. I know, easy to say…
Anyway, back to the actual question asked.
My suggestion: A war/battle belt, not like all the others, but as a foundation of the gear the operator carries. It needs to have the loops and attachments to add leg loops for short hauls, and for those that like them, a drop down holster (personally, not a fan). More importantly, using your backpack technology, it needs to incorporate the back portion of an armor carrier, with the load transferred to the hips.
Additionally, in the straps across the shoulders (from front to back), a fiberglass/nylon shank within, so that every breath doesn’t require lifting the weight of the front portion of the plate carrier, ammo, radio, and gear. Think of a stiff, but flexible, band that goes from right hip, just behind the normal holster position, up over the LEFT (ie opposite) shoulder, and attaches to the front panel somewhere in the center line (clearing the shoulder pocket for mounting a long gun). Repeat on the opposite side. This would create a springboard effect, and the cummerbund would be used to literally pull the front plate in to the body, creating a natural pull away from the thoracic cavity, making the breathing cycle more efficient (and the speed the operator is moving at faster, therefore harder to hit, etc, etc.)
Finally, where the cummerbund goes, add torsion straps in the reverse direction of a back packs straps, ie, from high in the center of the back under the armpits to low on the front of the armor carrier, so that, again, more weight is transferred to the back, and off the sternum and chest cavity.
None of this matters for a 40 yard sprint across target address front yard to bang, key a door, and clear, but for humping clicks, I think the next big thing is transferring the weight to the hips. I don’t have a problem with the total loadout of gear we carry, but the way it sits on the chest, reducing O2 uptake is really inefficient, especially over the course of a multi-hour/day mission.
PS, for LEO, most policies/standing orders require the wearing of soft body armor, so the plate only carriers are useless. It needs to be a armor carrier with in conjunction plates.
Tweave Durastretch Two pocket BDU shirt and pants (For those of us who have to wear the BDU style for work)
While our current war efforts are mountain focused which makes the LEAF line right up their alley, I’d like to see Arcteryx take some of the stuff I saw in the summer catalog and look at adapting it for potential conflicts in hot weather climates using their normal outstanding R&D/tech approach to designing gear.
I would love to see a three-day assault pack or medium ruck in tan with a gore tex lining or DWR coating with good load bearing frame. Would love to not have to worry about my gear getting wet in a shower. I would also like to see some high quality socks that don’t sag.
I wish they made a breathable hot and cold weather police uniforms and body armor carries.
– Atom LT Vest in a 1/2 zip
– Saber 1/2 zip in Gore Tex Pro Shell and in LEAF colors
– Gaiter’s in LEAF colors
– Natural fiber base layers (i.e. Merino, Modal)
– Alpha SV Glove & Vertical SV glove in all LEAF colors
Thanks for making excellent best-in-class gear and thanks SSD for the chance to win some.
Technical footwear
Tactical T-shirts.
Stronger, abbrasive resistant material on the shoulders.
Form fitting down torso for wearing under body armor.
Vented arm pits.
Pockets on the short sleeves w/ Velcro for patches.
Small Velcro square on the back under the collar for name/blood type patch.
Of course have it in all the tacticool colors 😀
I would love to see Arc’teryx develop a dedicated pistol belt with harden points and attachement points for suspenders,
A-TACS gear in existing styles
You have to make a ultra low profile hot weather balaclava in wolf and multicam that can be worn under a ballcap or integrated with a ballcap for when you need to blend in that much more and you might want to pair up with one of the high end boot manufactures to offer there boots in Wolf and Multicam exclusively through you.
How about some mountain bike specific type pants/shorts for early spring or late fall riding?
I really would like to see a light weight cargo pant for summer weather in tan that is quick drying. Also pants geared towards those of us in the EMS field would be nice as my issued ones kind of suck.
I would like to see a soft shell sling-style pack. Gore-tex lined and large enough to pack a small netbook/iPad as well as other everyday carry items.
Definitely would be interested to see what they could do with a 3 day pack and lightweight plate carrier.
I’d like to see tactical gloves
I’d like to see different camo colors.
Gloves! I cannot find a propper line of light weight gloves, high performance gloves.
I would like to see a hiking boot and a great looking comfortable gun belt for casual/dress wear.
I’d love to see something in the pattern of a SAS Smock or Brittish Jump Smock in soft shell Multicam.
I would absolutely love to see HOT weather clothing added. I see that this has already been mentioned, and in reasonable detail, so I won’t repeat those. Thanks for the chance to win, and for listening!
I think that ou shoul look into aviation a little bit more. The Airforce, Army, USMC and Navy are all moving to a two piece flight suit but is having trouble coming up with options and manufactorures. I believe that do far the only contenders are Massif and I can’t remember the other. The will be looking at a similar combat shirt that is breathe able, super light weight, moisture whacking, FR And cost effective. They would also like a intergratable jacket and trouser. All items need to tie in together and have options on configuration and color options from solid SG to coyote, tan, digital etc.
I would love to see Some wolf gloves and patrol jackets. That are affordable of course 🙂
A smaller assault pack in LEAF colors.
How about some quality multicam gaiters.
Alpha LT Jacket in Multicam
Cargo shorts with belt loops in good places for concealed carry.
I’d like to see a more compact version of the Echo pack.
I would like to see some Fast Rope Gloves and a standard BDU type top something similar to the Cryes developed.
-lightweight boots
-hot weather gear
-gloves with longer fingers to fit my massive booger-hooks
-plate carrier
Hot Weather Gloves.
Thanks for the Giveaway!
Love my knee caps – I’d love to see what the could do with elbow pads or even climbing/low pro ballistic helmets…