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Wild Things Gear Debuts Mass Customization for Technical Outerwear

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Wild Things Gear has just launched a new service that let’s you customize apparel (American Made at that) and have it delivered in two weeks.

Using a best-in-class visual configurator, you can choose options such as type of performance fabrics, insulation type and weight, color, detail trim, hood or no hood and pocket placement. Color options include MultiCam. Already, the service is available through Wild Things’ website as well as through an exclusive sales and marketing agreement, on Moosejaw’s website and in select Moosejaw stores.

“Once we heard what they were up to, we jumped at the chance to partner with Wild Things,” said Eoin Comerford, Moosejaw’s president and CEO. “Active outdoor pursuits are all about personal expression, but until now, outdoor enthusiasts had to choose from mass-produced outerwear. With Wild Things, they can have their jackets built exactly how they want, with only the features that they need and in colors that match their favorite cravats.”

Initially, customized styles for men and women will be available in just three products: Wind Pro Jacket; Mountain Guide Jacket (Soft Shell); and the Insulight Jacket. But Wild Things has informed us that a second phase will launch in 2013 with additional men’s and women’s styles such as the Alpinist Jacket and Pants as well as packs. Personalized packs, that’s pretty cool.

“This is the first scalable mass customization initiative available in the outdoor category,” said Ed Schmults, CEO of Wild Things Gear. “Our outerwear is distinctive in that it provides personalization for individual customers at a mass production price. The outdoor consumer gets exactly what he or she wants quickly. Our customers can easily share their designs via Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to validate or critique their decisions with friends. This viral marketing option will spread awareness of this new initiative. We couldn’t think of a better partner than Moosejaw for this first phase, as they are progressive thinkers with a solid customer base that appreciates this option. In the end, this is aboutgiving customers unmatched choice and value without having to hold finished goods inventory.”

In all, you’ll get to choose 10 specific attributes including outer shell fabric, side panels, cuffs, chest pocket location, zipper pocket location, logo, insulation (PrimaLoft One, PrimaLoft Eco or PrimaLoft Sport) and color. Additionally, as the options are selected, the web-based customization tool is instantly updated using 3-D with zoom, rotation, color and feature changes, resulting in a real life view of the end product. You’ll know what your garment will look like on the fly and any tweaks are updated instantly.

Once you have created a customized piece you can share it with others text messages, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter directly from the site using the “Share Your Design” feature. At the present time, global brands and manufacturers use this on-demand product configurators from Fluid, Inc. This feature also means that you can start your own version from your buddy’s saved creations or from a library of stored designs on the site, or naturally, from a blank slate.

Manufacturing is presently done in the USA in two facilities. “Competing for bulk production against off-shore manufacturing is a difficult proposition for U.S. apparel manufacturers,” continued Schmults. “While wage inflation in China is making U.S. apparel manufacturers more competitive, the average U.S. factory needs to pursue a new business model focused on higher value-added products. We are using manufacturing processes pioneered by Toyota to enable us to scale with mass customization.Not only does this afford us the opportunity for forging closer relationships with our consumers, but also, our program is also environmentally smart and economic. It is a win-win for everyone.”

What’s more, Wild Things Gear is offering a discount exclusively for SSD readers. Enter code SSD-WTG. You’ll get 25% off ALL products on the site, not just customization from now until 11/25/12. MultiCam is available now with Kryptek patterns coming soon.

For more information or to create your own customized garment, visit
www.wildthingsgear.com
www.moosejaw.com

Tags: Moosejaw, Wild Things Gear
Posted in Clothing, Industry | Comments Off on Wild Things Gear Debuts Mass Customization for Technical Outerwear

HAPO Package Deal from SORD

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Australian manufacturer SORD is offering a package deal for their HAPO Rig. Designed for use by freefallers, it’s meant to be worn like a battle bra and features a joey pouch for 3 x 30RD shingles or can be closed up when not required. The commander panel is designed to be opened once under canopy with a Magellan GPS pouch inside the panel in a see-thru plastic pouch as well as spaces for glow-sticks as well as a map pocket. The ensemble comes with a radio pouch and webbing loops in the shoulders so antenna and the comms cord can be routed through the webbing and secured during free fall. As part o fthe package deal, they’ve included an essential bit of kit, the hook knife combo and armour carrier bag so you can stow all your equipment together when you leave the DZ.

The whole kit and caboodle comes with –
1 x HAPO Rig
3 x 30RD Shingle
1 x Commander Panel HAPO.
1 x Magellan GPS pouch see-thru
1 x Rigger Belt
1 x Hook knife combo
1 x Armour carry bag

www.sordaustralia.com

Tags: SORD
Posted in Foreign, Load Carrying, Parachuting | Comments Off on HAPO Package Deal from SORD

GATOR Shot Spreader

Monday, November 12th, 2012

If you’re like me, you probably read everything you could about Viet Nam while growing up and remember hearing about the ‘duck bill’ attachment for the muzzle of the Mossberg designed to spread the shot in a wide horizontal pattern. USN SEAL Chief James “Patches” Watson talked about using the ‘duck bill’ in his book Point Man.

Paradigm SRP, designers of the innovative TALON gyro stabilized gun platform featured here on SSD last year, have worked to develop a modern version of that shot spreading concept fr the combat shotgun. Their creation is the Gator. It is designed to shoot #4 shot like the original as well as 00 buckshot and offers a 6 foot horizontal spread at 12 yards.

Their biggest challenge in modernizing the concept was to correct the breakage issues seen with the original model developed over 40 years ago. Additionally, they’ve improved the mounting. Unlike the duck bill which was welded on the end of the shotgun, the Paradigm Gator uses either a Saiga shotgun adapter, or an internal choke system for numerous other brands of shotguns.

One of the coolest things about the Gator is that they are giving back to the community that originally used the duck bill. A portion of proceeds will go to support the SEAL museum. Feel free to learn more at www.paradigmsrp.com/our-products/gator-shotgun-spreader.

If you’d like an opportunity to win a free Gator, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Paradigm-SRP and “like” Paradigm SRP. They will announce the winner on November 17th.

Posted in weapons | 5 Comments »

Bullets2Bandages Bullet Bottle Openers

Monday, November 12th, 2012

I’ve seen these things all over town and wondered what the deal was. Good thing Tactical Fanboy was on the case.

Bullets2Bandages takes the brass from once-fired military-grade ammunition and converts it into a bottle opener. Comes in either the .50 caliber BMG stand-alone version, or a 7.62x51mm that also doubles as a keychain. Custom engraving is also available.

Bullets2Bandages was founded in 2011 by two former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal divers. They produce accessories and apparel that aim to honor those who have served the USA. B2B hires veterans, manufactures locally, and donates 15% of profits to veteran charities.

http://www.bullets2bandages.org/

Tags: Bullets2Bandages, Tactical FanBoy
Posted in Morale, TFB | 1 Comment »

Corps Strength – PT Your Attitude

Monday, November 12th, 2012

In my present job as an instructor at the U.S. Navy’s International Training Center here in Pensacola, we have different levels of physical training for our different courses. Each is specifically designed for each course goals and student makeup. Some are very tough (Marine TBS, Dive school, EOD and BUDS Preparatory). While on the other end are easy entry level stuff, mostly to demonstrate how to set up and conduct basic unit PT, and give the students a chance to workout. As you might guess the physical condition of the students attending also has a wide variance. Some are in serious condition, while others are in very poor shape. While they may not have the high speed PT training programs that we sometimes take for granted in the U.S military, they often surprise me with their unfiltered take on things.

Recently I recently had a student from Antigua (now a Navy Ensign who started out first in their Army) had already been to OCS in the Coast Guard Academy, Army Ranger School, the U.S. Army’s Infantry Officer course and also attended a (brutal) six month Jungle Warfare training school in Guyana. Tall and thin he’s in pretty good shape, but not really the PT stud you would think. I’ve had many conversations with him about all different training he’s been through, and I was (of course) very curious to what he thought about the PT that he had to deal with at these different schools. Some of his answers surprised me. His overall opinion was that 99% of all this PT was mental. He’s observation was that if you have a basic level of fitness, the rest was mental. He witnessed many people in these schools that seemed to be in awesome physical shape, drop out after only a few weeks, or even days. They just didn’t have it attitude wise. I agree totally and this leads me back to where I always go with getting in shape, its all about the way you think about it. You have to get your head screwed on right, or all the special diets, workout routines and supplements won’t matter. I talk about this a lot in my book Corps Strength. If fact I’ve often been accused of harping on it TOO much? I don’t think so, as I think its importance cannot be over stressed, IMO much more important than any specific workout routine.

The bottom line is you’ve got come to terms with the simple fact that getting in good shape and maintaining a healthy bodyweight is work. Its not easy, never was and never will be. But get a grip, its not torture and its not impossible. It just requires some effort, a little discipline AND above all else the right thought process. Put the right thoughts in your “brain housing group” and your on your way, after that all you need is the PT and diet routine that work for your lifestyle and goals. Don’t get too fancy, don’t start out to fast, always think long term and you’ll get there. I’ve seen it hundreds, if not thousands of times. By the way my student thought that Coast Guard OCS was the toughest school. Huh?? Coast Guard OCS tougher than Ranger School, Why? Not because of the PT but because of the tough swim requirements, he isn’t a great swimmer. Again its all about the way you look at it. Good luck and be safe.

Semper Fi
MGunz

Tags: Corps Strength
Posted in Corps Strength, Training | 4 Comments »