A lot of SSD readers have seen the FirstSpear Das Ding and come away scratching their head. I saw it and immediately thought ‘SERE’ but it’s really designed for anytime that you need a nontraditional load carrying solution. Das Ding is German for ‘The Thing’ and that’s a pretty apt description. It’s a thing that adapts to the mission and kind of reminds me of a money belt on steroids.
Made from Tweave, Das Ding incorporates 11 sewn pockets that allow you to configure your load any way you like. Once you’ve got it loaded, you slightly stretch Das Ding when you put it on. Then you overlay the Velcro panels to close it around you.
There’s plenty of contact with a 4.5″ x 6″ hook panel that connects to an even larger loop panel for adjustability. Additionally, you can close it in front or rear based on where you want to carry your load. You may want a smooth front or perhaps you want to be able to reach inside your jacket to access something.
One thing to note. Das Ding is really adaptable. We set it up several ways and in these photos you see a pistol. It’s not intended for use as a holster, but you can carry one if you need to.
It will take virtually any of the items you would carry as first line gear: survival gear, radio, magazines, first-aid items, even a side arm. It will also accept more specialized kit such as GPS, camera, smart phone, etc.
Das Ding holds your gear close to your body. Once I put on this cardigan, you couldn’t see the equipment carried by Das Ding.
A Squadron Smock or other large coat literally swallows it.
In addition to the inherent compression offered by the Tweave, Das Ding’s pockets incorporate grip enhancement panels as well as optional security stretch cords with pulltabs in order to help secure the load.
Designed to be worn alone or in conjunction with the Assault Gunners Belt and can also be incorporated with armor, worn as a single strap.
Das Ding is offered in sizes Small – XLarge in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote and MultiCam.
-Eric Graves
A lifelong shooter and outdoorsman, Eric is retired from the US Air Force and also served in the US Army. After retiring from military service Eric also worked in industry and has served as the Editor of Soldier Systems Daily since launching the site in May of 2008.
Tags: FirstSpear
That is one seriously versatile piece of kit!
One question though: will it be offered with a velcro loop exterior layer to enhance its adaptability even more?
wish i had something like this when i was doing my low profile work in Iraq.
be good for that and low pro police work too i think
Seems like a great concept. I can see applications in the “low viz” world, urban operations, undercover, surveillance, etc…
Gents,
Nice to see that first spear have marketed the traditional belle-band that Air Marshals have been using for years. I’m sure the construction is great (as we have come to know and love fromn first spear) but what’s the price point? If you can settle for black they have been around for years!
Justing saying,
Dee
The link at the end of the article goes directly to the product page; $99.98. Not obscene for a good bit of kit.
It’s not a belly band. That’s a one trick pony. This will carry a lot more.
I’ve “worn out” belly bands and have used them for now on twenty years.
This unit looks a lot more durable.
M
Would be interesting used as a plate carrier cumerbund upgrade.
I’m just curious how it sits loaded.
It should be called “Das Bekämpfung Kummerbund”
This would be great for a fast grab for concealment for an ‘oh’ shit’ scenario.
Polish company SAG make a very similar item
Ben, do you have link to this polish company ?
Which kind of magazines does it fit besdie 5,56 ???
http://sagear.eu/en_US/p/SPB-Covert-Belt-in-Black-2.0/138
Does it take other mags than 5.56 AR, like FAL, .308 PMAGS, 762×39 AK? 🙂
I will say First Spears website didn’t leave me understanding what this kit was, i’ve been wondering for awhile. I really appreciate when specialty products like this get shown off to the consumer. I haven’t done any low-viz stuff but i always like seeing new products. Thanks SSD for the post and thanks to First Spear for new products.
Is that smock OD?
Coyote Squadron Smock that has been featured on SSD several times over the past year or so.
Yes I’ve seen it featured before. The colour though looks more OD than Coyote. Is that an accurate colour depiction? Their web site it looks more coyote.
I am thinking of several uses for this. How big is it? The picture of it layed out looks huge. The picture of it on the guy looks smaller. I don’t have much “belly” for a band. I am picturing one with large white letters saying “police” screened on the front and rear. Keep it rolled up with a couple mags, cuffs and TQ/Bleeder in the car. It would be great for plain closed guys reacting to a major event or in the POV for off duty.
They are sized.
very interested, like to see the pocket layout (are all the slots the same size? adjustable size?) kinda reminds me of the BFG 10-speed chest rig, only limited by what you can squeeze into the elastic.
I might need some wee suspenders to keep it up but this looks like a real winner.
Brilliant. Saved me from spending about 4X more on a rig that impressed me about a fourth as much, there is a real need for a rig like this, as fmfbest alluded to.
It’s everything I need in in a chest rig, without the chest.
And a war belt without the belt
Very clever piece of thinking. Nice and discreet.
Velcro outside would be great to put more small pouches on.