Kryptek has introduced foam knee pads that integrate with their Alaios pant.
www.kryptekstore.com/Knee-Pads-P70
Kryptek has introduced foam knee pads that integrate with their Alaios pant.
www.kryptekstore.com/Knee-Pads-P70
One of the coolest thing I saw during August’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was the debut of Rocky’s S2V outdoor line. Made up of both clothing and footwear, the pedigree of the line follows Rocky’s S2V military boots. Rocky also invested in working with Mountain Shepherd Survival School‘s experts to integrate survival and recovery tools right into the gear.
Every piece of kit I saw at OR is well designed. I’ve been wearing a Center Hold wind shirt in Black as weather permits and I’ve got to say that I like it. It features a nylon shell with a gridded polyester lining. As you can imagine, it’s very soft and could easily be worn next-to-skin. Additionally, the underarms are mesh combined with a zipper that lowers to mid chest to avoid overheating. In addition to thumb holes for cold weather the single, zippered chest pocket incorporates a small internal pocket that holds a bright pink marker panel to help you get found. If I have any complaints it’s with the zipper as it is a fine tooth model and fouled a couple of times on my when I tied to close it one handed.
Make sure you visit the website and check out the entire line. I’ve got my eyes on a couple of the other garments for this Winter. Coming Fall 2012, www.rockys2v.com.
There are a few available in Black, Coyote and MultiCam with an additional run of packs available in November. At 1000 cu in the Spartan is MR’s smallest assault pack but it’s great for use in tight quarters. This single pull, panel loader doesn’t open all of the way so you’re gear won’t fall out at an inopportune time. It also incorporates the Spadelock system for internal carry.
www.mysteryranch.com/military/assault-patrol-packs/spartan-pack
After 5.11 Tactical announced yesterday that they were purchasing Beyond Tactical industry started to talk. Conjecture swirled. Some people freaked out, others scoffed at the news. I, am very upbeat about the idea.
Here’s a few facts for you to digest –
-Rick Elder is well known for his many years of Government service both as an Army officer in the 75th Ranger Regt as well as an APM at Natick supporting SOCOM. He has also done a great job over the last couple of years at Smith Elite.
-Beyond will operate as a separate division of 5.11 Tactical, and 5.11 will expand Beyond’s infrastructure in the Seattle area. Beyond isn’t moving and will continue their customization approach to product development.
-Beyond brings both outdoor and tactical Berry compliant clothing to 5.11 but will operate as a separate entity.
-Scott Jones isn’t going anywhere. He’ll stay on board as Chief Designer.
I can also say that, based on discussions with Elder, as this progresses Beyond plans to embrace its customers as the highlight of its message, not the byproduct. Echoing this sentiment, Rick Elder related, “I am personally excited to relaunch a business that develops solutions for extreme users within both the outdoor and tactical channels of trade. Beyond is going to focus here for a simple reason, these customers have the best problems, and we want to solve them.”
I’ve known both Rick Elder and Scott Jones for many years and they are dedicated to their elite customer. Scott embodied that position when he founded Beyond. Now as Chief Designer he plans to continue his work commenting, “I am excited to have the help and support of the 5.11 team. To be able to get back to what I love most, my family, and designing apparel for Beyond has been on my mind for some time. I’m proud of what Beyond has become, and look forward to see just how successful it can be.”
I would also say that it took a lot of courage for 5.11 to make this happen. There is a lot of concern in the market from both Beyond and 5.11’s traditional customers, concerned about what this will mean. I’ll say that this move will allow Beyond to grow in new ways. It also further indicates Tom Davin, CEO of 5.11 vision to continue to improve the brand. You have to remember that Davin was a Recon Marine and he brings a certain level of expectation. I’ve been watching 5.11 since he took the helm and I see constant improvement. Tom Davin provided us with this statement, “At 5.11 we describe ourselves as ‘Innovators who make purpose-built gear for the most demanding missions.’ Beyond is an incredible fit for 5.11 as Scott Jones has built a unique, focused capability with the Beyond product and brand. We’re delighted to invest in Beyond’s continued growth.”
It’s exciting news and I can’t wait to see what’s coming from Beyond 2.0.
tactical.beyondclothing.com
www.511tactical.com
When Damage Industries says they are going to do something they don’t fool around. Just a few weeks ago they showed us a prototype of a modular forend for the AK and here it is, ready for order.
It fits most AK-47 and AK-74 variants with stamped or milled receivers by replacing the standard handguard and gas tube. It does not mount to barrel and provides a solid mounting platform for optics and accessories. Made in USA using advanced precision manufacturing with Mil-A-8625 Hardcoat Anodized protective finish. Constructed of high-strength aluminum with aerospace alloy gas block insert and heavy duty M4 metric thread fasteners. Adds only 4-6 ounces to weapon depending on type of forearm and gas tube replaced.
System Includes:
*2 detachable side-mounting Mil-Std 1913 Rails (one features a Quick-Detach swivel socket) which can be mounted in various positions
*8 Mounting screws (4 for handguard & gas tube, 2 for each side rail)
*Loc-tite
Offered in Black and Hard Brown. Look for versions to fit Yugo, VEPR and RPK soon as well as additional optic and accessory mounts.
damageusa.com/product/ak-47-modular-forearm-assembly
Released later today, Triple Aught Design introduces a collared Ranger Jacket. Offered in Coyote Brown, Loden Green, Black and UE Grey, it is available in versions with pile tape patches on the biceps as well as without.
It features roomy chest pockets, dual bicep pockets and a forearm pocket on the left sleeve. It’s an athletic cut but it’s available in sizes Small – XXXLarge. I have to warn you, TAD products are tight runs and generally sell out the same day.
www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Apparel/Jackets/Ranger-Jacket
Here is the lowdown on the new Auto Pistol Light from INFORCE. You’re looking at 200 lumens for 1.5 hours with a single CR123A battery. Available late October.
The HALO Counter-Terrorism Summit, a national security training event taking place October 29 – November 2, 2012, announced the addition of world-class military, homeland security and cyber security experts to its training team. The comprehensive 30-course curriculum designed for local, state and national security stakeholders features newly added courses in the areas of terrorism, cyber security and disaster response. The HALO Summit will educate delegates on the most current and relevant threats that exist throughout the U.S. and the world, and provide thought-provoking content and tools that can be used to mitigate threats ranging from international terrorist activity and large-scale natural disasters to local organized crime units and drug cartels.
NEW TRAINING COURSES AND SPEAKERS:
·Sergeant Major of the Army (ret.) Jack Tilley – Mr. Tilley served as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army from 2000-2004. He will talk about the role that military and law enforcement play in keeping America safe and how that’s accomplished by evolving toward reality-based training, both in concepts and technology.
·“Think Like the Enemy: A Navy SEAL’s Guided Tour Through Your Adversary’s Mind”“ – by Robert DuBois, former Navy SEAL with experience in over 30 countries and author of Powerful Peace: A Navy SEAL’s Lessons on Peace from a Lifetime of War
·“The Mumbai Attacks: A Strategic Assessment” – by Matthew Miller, Senior Intelligence Analyst with the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center and former Chairman of the Port of San Diego, Area Maritime Security Committee, Intelligence Subcommittee
·“The ER is Full: Deploying the ER to the Field”- by Dr. Steven Phillips, Director of Specialized Information Services and Associate Director, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
·“Saving Lives Through Social Media” – by Dr. Eric Frost, Director of the San Diego State University Visualization Center and Co-Director, SDSU Homeland Security Graduate Program
·“Organized Crime and the Internet” – by Francesca Bosco, Emerging Crimes Unit, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
·“Mobile Hacking” – by Blake Turrentine, Black Hat Training
The Summit’s keynote speakers include: General Michael Hayden (ret.), former director of the CIA and NSA; Deputy Chief Michael Downing, Commanding Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Counterterrorism and Special Operations Bureau; and Alejandro Poiré Romero, Secretary of the Interior, Mexico. Opening remarks will be provided by San Diego Chief of Police William Lansdowne.
The HALO Counter-Terrorism Summit takes place Oct. 29 – Nov. 2, 2012 at Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, California. For information or to register, call (619) 881-9125 ext. 3, email info@thehalocorp.com or visit www.TheHaloSummit.com.