SureFire

Archive for February, 2014

OR – Lowa Z-6 and Z-8 Series Boots

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

At OR I had a chance to catch up with German brand Lowa to find out about their new Z-6 and Z-8 series boots coming later this year. Leveraging the technology of the Zephyr, the new Z-6 and Z-8 (the number denotes the height of the upper) utilize the well-proven and patented PU MONOWRAP® frame technology but are beefier with a medial sole wrap and heavier duty lug pattern to protect against rope abrasion during fast rope descents. The goal was to produce a boot that offers the walking comfort of light hiking boots combined with the support and protection of backpacking boots. LOWA further toughened up the design up with a full-length nylon stabilizer and an aggressive rubber outsole. Lightweight metal closed hooks allow for speed lacing and meet requirements for airborne operations so no more taping up your eye hooks.

Lowa Z-6S GTX Sage

Lowa Z-6S GTX

Below you will notice two suffixes in the full list of models names which denote the leather choices of split (S) and Nubuck (N). GORE-TEX® linings provide waterproof comfort, breathability and warmth in damp weather. Quick drying fabric linings are offered for hot and humid climates. LOWA’s patented Climate Control System pumps heat and moisture away from the foot, keeping feet dry and less prone to blisters.

Lowa Z-8S Tan

Lowa Z-8S Tan

Available in six-inch and eight-inch heights and in black, desert and sage.

Z-8N GTX® – Black
Z-8S GTX® – Dark Brown, Desert
Z-8S – Desert
Z-6N GTX® – Black
Z-6S GTX® – Desert, Black, Sage, Dark Brown
Z-6S – Black

Lowa Z-8S GTX Brown

Lowa Z-8S GTX Boot Image

Tactical Tailor Factory Tour and Manufacturer Show

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

February 2014 tour

Tactical Tailor is hosting the upcoming Tactical Tailor Factory Tour and Manufacturer Show. The event is being held Feburary 12th, 2014 from 1200-1600 at the Tactical Tailor factory. Open to CAC card holders and LEO with credentials.

www.tacticaltailor.com

S&S Precision O2D2

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

SkullCap-cap_web

Although it’s a very specialized piece of equipment, the “yamakO2” is a comfortable, soft, stretchable, skullcap which allows MFF parachutists to pre-breath without a helmet by offering the ability to attach an oxygen mask.

SkullCap-helmet_web

Just sit back, relax and pre-breath in comfort.

SkullCap-muffs_web

Offered in size Small/Medium and Large/XLarge, MultiCam.

www.sandsprecision.com

Outdoor Research Adapts To A Changing Market

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

The market for Soldier Systems items is changing rapidly. No one knows this more than Outdoor Research who for many years, has led the development of specialized handwear for military customers. In fact, their association with military customers predates the current conflict and many of the styles that troops wore that first winter in Afghanistan came from their factory in Seattle.

But how this market purchases their clothing and equipment is transforming. The military isn’t consuming products at as rapid a pace as even a year or two ago and the cost of domestic Berry Compliant production is too high for most individual, retail-based purchases or even procurement by law enforcement agencies with tight budgets.

Outdoor Research is adapting to this new reality by introducing three different versions of their highly popular Firemark glove in order to offer different options for different types of customers.

First, they continue to produce a Berry Compliant version of the glove that is manufactured in the US, from materials made here in the US. These are intended for contract purchase by the US Department of Defense.

Second, OR has produced a Trade Agreement Act glove that can be sold via GSA. This model is meant for purchase by Government agencies. TAA Compliance means that a product is manufactured in the US or Designated Countries. These countries are generally those that we have a free trade agreement with, belong to the World Trade Organization’s Government Procurement Agreement, are considered “least developed” or located in the Caribbean Basin. There are several countries not on this list, particularly North Korea, Cuba and the People’s Republic of China. A full list of Designated Countries is in FAR 25.003.[3].

And last, but not least, there is an overseas production model that will find its way into retail outlets for individual purchase. It’s also a great model for those agencies and departments that do not require Berry Compliance. Regardless of production, all three versions meet OR’s performance specifications.

As you can see below, there are slight differences with each variant and these are based on materials and construction techniques available to each manufacturer but the quality remains the same. I’ve seen samples of all three versions coming out of these factories over the past few months and they’ve really dialed it in. You might not realize it, but in many cases, Berry Compliance limits the types of materials that can be used and how they can be assembled into a finished good.

To see which model is which, in the photo below, click the jump.
Firemark Glove

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TEA Headsets Sees Overall Growth Of In-Ear Headset Market Share With The Expansion Of TCAPS Program

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

Back in 2000, TEA introduced a completely new type of tactical headset, the INVISIO® in-ear headset, which uses a patented in-ear bone conduction microphone. Special Operations Forces and SWAT Teams quickly adopted this exciting new in-ear headset technology for certain applications, but the trade off at the time was that these in-ear headsets didn’t provide hearing protection or electronic hear-through.

Soon after releasing the INVISIO® headset line TEA was awarded the MICH MARITIME program. This program was a break through in the communications industry because it was the first universal push-to-talk solution with modular cable down leads. TEA’s solution provided Special Operations Teams within the US Navy and US Marine Corps the ability to interface with an extremely broad range of radios and intercom systems. Because of the need to have hearing protection and electronic hear-thru programs like MICH MARITIME and the tactical headset market in general continued to be dominated with over-the-ear style headsets.

X50Web

It wasn’t until 2008 that TEA released the INVISIO® X50 system, which closed the gap between in-ear bone conduction headsets and over-the-ear headsets with hearing protection and electronic hear-thru. For the next five years the tactical headset market share steadily began to shift away from traditional over-the-ear headsets to sleeker and smaller in-ear versions.

In 2013, TEA was awarded the Tactical Communication and Protective System (TCAPS) program for their INVISIO® X50 system.

The TCAPS X50 System consists of 2 main products. The INVISIO® X5 dual in-ear communication headset, which provides certified hearing protection and enhanced electronic hear-thru and the INVISIO® X50, which is a push-to-talk/control unit that interfaces with the new NETT Warrior radios/devices as well ground vehicle and aircraft intercom systems via modular radio cables.

The primary objective of the TCAPS program is to ensure all soldiers have the highest level of hearing protection and communications on the battlefield. As this program continues to expand into more brigades TEA also sees the rapid growth of in-ear headsets in to overall tactical headset market.

TEA Capabilities:
Outside of TCAPS, TEA continues to make major advancements in their interface capabilities with the new dual and multi-talk group radios as well as portable smart devices. They also offer a full line of advanced communication headset systems such as their INVISIO® V60 system, which also includes the INVISIO® X5 dual in-ear headset. TEA offers a no obligation 30-day evaluation program for qualified military and law enforcement teams/units to try out their products. “Hear for yourself” the difference in quality of TEA headsets!

For more information visit www.TEAheadsets.com.

For The Ladies – Power Walk Tee

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

I'll Never Chase A Man

For those times when a beard and body armor just aren’t enough…Ladies sizes Small – Large from ART 15 Clothing.

SORD Donating Proceeds from Patch Sales to The Walk Home

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

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At present 100% of donations have gone to Soldier On and operating costs have come from the pocket of TWH OIC.

To help with some large expendatures coming up, SORD has this offer out there for everyone.

Stepping off on ANZAC Day 2014, the team will walk 300km (appx) along the “Death Railway” in Thailand, to raise money and awareness for SOLDIER ON, a charity that looks after the welfare of injured or disabled Australian Soldiers.

You can donate directly at give.everydayhero.com/au/the-walk-home-2014

Check it out!

ExplosiveOps Gear – SSE Backpack

Monday, February 3rd, 2014

SSE

ExplosiveOps Gear’s SSE Backpack is made from durable Duro Epsilon fabric. The pack is 13″ x 19″, with 2 fully adjustable shoulder straps with quick releases and pull tight locking closure. It can be worn as a backpack or with one strap, messenger style. The SSE tightly compresses into a small ball weighing only 4oz. for storage in a cargo pocket or pouch. Available in MultiCam. American made.

SSE2

www.explosiveopsgear.com/catalog/item/8874790/10022916