Hakan Spuhr has launched a new webpage. Aside from a new, streamlined look, it also features improved social media integration. You can check it out at the link below:
Hakan Spuhr has launched a new webpage. Aside from a new, streamlined look, it also features improved social media integration. You can check it out at the link below:
Enjoy this story from November, 2011 (slight updated) on one of my favorite clothing items; the Smock.
Finally, the smock is beginning to gain some traction here in the US. We’ve written about them in the past, mentioning smocks from Drop Zone, the now defunct EOTAC, SOD Gear, Level Peaks, SORD as well as the (then) upcoming Vertx smock. But, we’ve never really talked about them and explained what they are all about.
The smock is literally a concept unlike anything we have in the US. I’ve heard them compared to the M65 field jacket but that idea is simply uniformed. A smock isn’t just a coat.
Rather, the smock is much more than a simple jacket. In addition to use as clothing, the smock is also intended to carry much, if not all of the wearer’s fighting load. They were originally envisioned to carry several days of combat equipment including rations, ammunition, and radios.
Primarily, the smock is a European concept and in particular, used by Commonwealth nations. I got my first SAS smock in 1989 in a trade for a poncho liner during an exercise in Belgium. Its use as an issue garment has traditionally been restricted to Special Forces, yet several nations have adopted it for general issue in one form or another. One example of a much watered down smock on general issue is the Canadian Army’s combat jacket. When this design was initially adopted in the 1960s it was envisioned that the Soldier would carry his ammunition and other fighting load components in the jacket’s pockets. What’s more, the British military now issues a Smock as a general purpose item.
There is very limited use of Smocks by US forces. During the early 1990s, an experimental clothing system called Battle Dress System (BDS) was developed by the US Army Special Operations Command. It was a layered clothing system that eventually became the Lightweight Environmental Protection sub-system of SPEAR. The outermost layer, called the SOF BDU, was a solid grey combat jacket and over trouser. With its solid grey color the item was rejected due to institutional prejudice. When LEP was adopted by SOF years later, it was without the SOF BDU. Interestingly, LEP was even later adopted wholesale for issue to General Purpose Forces Soldiers by the Rapid Equipping Force during the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Issue items like the SAS Smock are pretty good, but commercial interests have taken them to a whole new level. Britain’s Special Air Sea Services has been manufacturing specialized variants of the smock since the 1980s. Other companies like Canada’s now defunct Drop Zone picked up the torch in the 90s and now, commercial items are more prevalent than the issue garment.
Smocks have made a lot of sense in Northern Europe where the cold, wet climate requires layering. You see, as smocks are coat-like garments they are generally worn layered over shirts. In many climates the US military finds itself in, this would be too warm as a daily wear item. The US issue Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System in all three of its incarnations has offered various technical parka-style shells. It seems as if the US skipped the smock altogether for a time. But, with the advent of the most modern smocks, new fabrics have been introduced into the design essentially making them softshells. Conversely, Australian Mission Pac has developed a MultiCam ripstop 100% Cotton Smock for use in warm climates. Aside from that and a developmental Crye Precision Desert smock, hot weather models are few and far between.
Other interesting concepts have been developed such as the Arktis SF Sleeveless Smock which looks like a hybrid between a smock and a 5.11 shooting vest.
Oftentimes, those with no experience with smocks will criticize the design. They don’t understand that use of a fully featured smock allows the reconfiguration of the load. For example, armor can be worn under the smock. Perhaps a chest rig may be required and perhaps not, but much of the items normally carried on the armor or in a pack can be carried in pockets, readily available.
With even more products hitting the market soon, smocks look to be making an indelible mark on the US market and as they become more and more prevalent, we will begin to see more widespread use, including on the battlefield. Think of the smock as yet another tool in the toolbox and use accordingly. Remember, it’s a tool, not the tool, and you’ll be ok.
For a limited time, Tactical Distributors has lowered the price of the Limited Edition KCRF Holiday Shirt by 50%! This Green/White/Red Holiday-themed variant of the KCRF design is printed on a Gildan Ultra Cotton tee, and is available in sizes SM-2XL. And, as before, $1 from the sale of every shirt will be donated to the Salvation Army. ‘Tis the season!
www.tacticaldistributors.com/keep-calm-christmas-tee
The Atlas Tactical Ladder system can be used as a Ladder, Litter and Bridge. Because it is collapsible, it can be jumped and you only need to carry the sections you require. The sections are removable and you can add sections to the 7′ standard length to bring it out to 15′. It has a 350 lbs rating with a 2:1 safety factory, and that’s in the bridge mode!
In addition to integrated handholds the ATL RACC also has an integrated patient packaging harness and vertical/horizontal hoisting bridle.
The multi handle autolocks into various positions and can be used as a pool hook while in the Ladder mode or an offset handle in the Litter mode. You can also turn the litter into a table to get your patient off of the ground or to elevate head or feet.
The ATL RACC can be carried on the MSIG pack we showed you last year via speed clips. However, you can use the MSIG frame to package your patient’s torso and head.
Phokus Research Group innovates again.
With the integration of Hook and Loop fastener directly to medical kit components, they can be attached directly in place as well to one another. Think of the possibilities.
Brilliant!
SSD’s Minister of Propaganda is a former member of the IC and we back FirstSpear’s sentiment regarding the IC. It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it.
The Temba Pack from CTOMS was designed for military assault climbers but is quite adaptable to a wide range of applications including use as a medical kit container. As you can see, the top loading basic pack has very clean lines with no snag hazards. A year in the making, Chris K has gone through seven iterations of the Temba to get here.
Constructed from a combination of MultiCam LiteLok with 4-way stretch Softshell side panels. The rear of the pack worn against the back is Drilux for comfort.
The top flap features a simple envelope style pocket with a removable daisy chain which can be accessed even with the zipper closed.
The top has a helmet retention fly feature, made from 4-way stretch.
The hooks for the removable helmet fly are inset on the lid in small garages.
It’s the little features that count. For instance, rather than using grommets, they’re using small burn holes for drainage.
The pack comes with three removable compression straps that can be used to really crank the load down within the pack.
The side pocket panel loading zippers along both sides incorporate backup split at SR Buckles. These side pockets also have hydration bladder hangers as well as a port hose.
The Temba pack gains its internal structure from strategically placed sheets of HDPE and foam along each side, at the rear and along the bottom. The foam panels in the side pockets can be used as a moldable splint. Additionally, if you pull the foam panels from the pack, they can be inserted into a sleeve that can be used as a rudimentary casualty insulator, or a sleeping pad. Since this sleeve is also a pocket, you can stuff leaves or pinestraw into it for additional insulation.
There are handles on all four edges of the back of the pack which also features the suspension. The pads are removable and can be replaced with a developmental pad sets that better accommodates the wearing of rear armor plates. There are also cable routing ports.
The bottom of the pack has a flat pocket that fits a new Sil Tarp for shelter building or other expedient uses.
One thing I love about the Temba is that you can remove the waist belt. It is padded and clips on, attaching at three separate points and can be released from any one of those points if you find yourself fouled in some way and need to jettison the pack. Additionally, the pack is configured to allow you to use a trouser or warbelt for the pack when used with Surface Mounted SR Buckles.
The shoulder straps, while simple to use, incorporate a lot of thought. To begin with, the removable sternum strap has a small, removable admin pouch with Velcro front.
The shoulder straps can be worn alone and are also compatible with CTOMS’ Pack to Armor Rapid Integration System which allows you to connect this pack directly to your armor carrier with quick donning and doffing capability. This really frees up the motion in your shoulders.
The entire inside of the Temba is Velcro compatible and will accept the pockets from CTOMS line of second line packs. Items such as the TRaCE kit will mount for easy access right to the top row of PALs webbing.
The Temba opens completely for full access to the contents. It opens so much that you can place a casualty into the bag and use it as a littler to extract a casualty by using the handles found inside both side pockets.
There are currently three piggyback panels available. The first is the Alpine panel which accepts a shovel, probe, crampons and two ice axes.
Next, is a PALS panel.
Finally, there’s an accessory pocket piggyback panel.
There’s also a pack cover in MultiCam Alpine pattern coming.
Update: here’s the cover.
Although CTOMS is a Canadian company, the Temba is Made in USA.
Learn more at www.ctoms.ca.