When Arc’teryx Launched their 2015 LEAF line during SHOT Show they held something back. For years, customers have been asking Arc’teryx for FR Versions of their combat clothing. They listened and the results are variants of the new Enhanced Combat Uniform Assault Pant and Shirt in FR Defender-M fabric from TenCate.
Full-Featured Flame Resistant Combat Uniform Offers Comfortable Lightweight Protection
Vancouver BC (June 2015) – For when mission critical doesn’t always include comfort, ARC’TERYX LEAF presents its new Assault Shirt FR and Assault Pant FR – specifically designed to deliver the ultimate in fire protection, durability and lightweight comfort for a range of military and law enforcement activities.
Applying its technical expertise to create functional designs that are the hardest wearing in the field, ARC’TERYX LEAF delivers its most protective and purposeful combat uniform to date with these two new designs that emphasize movement and function, while also focusing on safety with TenCate Defender M with Coolderm™ Technology. Lightweight and breathable, TenCate Defender M with Coolderm™ Technology wicks moisture and perspiration away from the skin, minimizing discomfort in high-heat environments. Created to give troops an extra margin of protection, this everyday textile also utilizes Lenzing FR® fiber, a cellulosic fiber that helps to provide additional heat and flame resistance for improved protection.
Technical, fully featured, and suitable for a variety of combat applications, the Assault Shirt FR is an all-round combat shirt that is designed to fit while wearing body armor or a chest rig. As part of a layering system, the shirt is patterned to allow room for a full range of unrestricted motion and move easily over a next-to-skin layer without binding. Constructed with flame resistant and no melt/no drip textiles, the Assault Shirt FR includes air permeable underarm mesh for breathability and the clean efficient design and meticulous craftsmanship ensure long-term performance.
Designed to work in conjunction with the Assault Shirt FR, the Assault Pant FR is a fully featured flame resistant technical pant appropriate for assault assignments. The reinforced seat, knees and gusseted crotch of the Assault Pant FR provides significant durability and allow enhanced user mobility. The spacious fit allows for seasonal layering, while articulation in the knees and seat allows a full range of unrestricted motion. Integrated pockets in the knees fit removable soft kneepads and/or LEAF Knee Caps. Six pockets are thoughtfully placed for operational function and are equipment compatible.
Emphasizing fire protection, enhanced movement and specific function, the new Assault FR combat uniform delivers unmatched capabilities.
Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF, TenCate
Holy shit that looks fooken awesome.
Right, so, a full set of these are 560$. A set of Crye/DriFires would be 1220$ MSRP, and about the same surplus. Crye G3s are not FR, but a full set is about 350-400$ For comparison, both FRACUs and surplus USMC FROG gear are made of Tencate Defender-M fabric and are both around the 60-70 dollar mark.
I wrote up a post about how Arcteryx is forcing itself into civilian markets under the guise of appealing to hardcore LEO/MIL customers, but everyone should already know that that has been their gimmick since LEAF’s conception. The Tactical industry is just a fashion show at this point. Having said that, Arcteryx is the peak of Haute Couture in the tactical sphere.
They look fairly well designed. I like that they are offering Ranger Green, although it looks a bit more “brown” than traditional Eagle RLCS and Crye Ranger Green.
Firstly, I’m no Arc’teryx fanboy. With that out of the way, I’d imagine that they have their reasons for releasing said products at such price points putting aside from the fact that LEO/MIL purchases probably cost less than mentioned.
You’re right to say that there are alternatives out there that potentially cost less (or more) and depending on mission or customer requirements, have superior performance. I’d say that the more choice customers and buyers have, the better. Let the customer decide what’s an economically viable product and what isn’t.
Also it’ll be quite unfair to compare this with the surplus FROG gear considering most of what’s found as surplus are not worth purchasing the condition they’re in.
Where are you getting $560 from? Article doesn’t list a price and this product isn’t on their webpage. Unless the AR version is the same as the FR
I can assure you that the FR will be more than the AR.
Darrel
ARC’TERYX was offering clothing to the commercial market long before LEAF existed. It has long been known for innovation and quality, concentrating on mountain sports. That’s why elite military units went to Arc in the early 2000s.
If you asked the average Arc customer if they knew the LEAF line existed, they’d look at cross eyed. LEAF remains less than 10% of Arc’s bottom line.
Hey Arcteryx, if you are listenin7g.
Do a heavy duty GoreTex jacket that is FR and that doesn’t look “too” military (make it fit well and skip all the large velcro areas for patches. If you have to just have some small ones that are discrete). A hood that can be tucked into the collar would be nice if possible.
In solid colours CHIEFLY. Like your Crocodile and som urban greyish.
You can market it towards Contractors and police. Civvies will buy these also.
It will be unique in the market. AFAIK
So, do some of their civilian items in FR Crocodile?
I own more civilian dirty bird than military, and all of it is in subdued earth tones.
Jon, OPT
Well aside from the reflective, fist-sized, Archaeoteryx skeleton and logo that they invariably use in the civilian line they have a number of color ways that work.
Are you saying they have FR stuff in their civilian line? That would be perfect!
All FR goretex I can find is Propper and Massif stuff that look to military for what I want.
Where in what I wrote did I say specifically that?
Jon, OPT
They don’t. There is a balaclava which is awesome and now the ECU in FR. In the no drip no melt realm they have the ECU which is NYCO and some base layer pieces which are Merino.
Love the promotional material. FR, in my experience, is not a big seller in direct sales, prices are too high and it is a feature most people could care less about. That said, unit sales may be different. YMMV.
Jon, OPT
You know the deal on FR. Guys scream for it until they see the pricing. It’s definitely govt $.
And until they have to wear it. Frankly FR materials are irritating to the skin, hold too much heat, and always smell weird even if the FR properties are native to the material instead of being sprayed-on. Guys want FR positives without the FR negatives.
$5K wholesale value of Propper FR Combat uniforms I ended up shoveling out for a loss of over $1K over two years taught me that lesson.
I have always said just go with 100% cotton, far less expensive, and meets at least the no drip standard.
I, personally am not at all a fan of wearing FR on my skin, as outerwear it’s fine, as a uniform, no one I know has enjoyed it. The FRACU itself requires about 6 washings before becoming anywhere near comfortable.
Jon, OPT
I don’ t mind the feel of the FRACUs. My only concern was the durability which from what Ive seen is far from NyCo.
The reason they issued so many per individual was the durability issues. To each their own, most people I know disliked them, but when you are also issued PCU LVL9 it makes sense.
Jon, OPT
You’ve got that right! But even with. .gov budget, I usually get a push to find a suitable substitue…in their eyes. To add to budget woes, it is important to remember the lightweight FR gear like above, FRACU, FROG, are designed to be accompanied by additional FR base layers. Simple dry cotton can work, but regular synthetics are a No Go. Thus the reason for FR underlayers from Drifire, Potomac Field Gear, and the like. It really does add up. Its a niche bit of kit and not for everyday wear, but when needed it provides critical protection.
Well that and cotton undergarments are only a half-step above wearing week-old garbage if you wear them for more than like 12 hours sitting still or a few hours of sweating.
Try merino wool for your base layer. It can be surprisingly cool and the wool has some inherent FR properties.
Everyone wants to see FR shit… until it’s time to pay FR prices.
Jon, OPT
how do Merino base layers perform in FR sensitive situations?
Wool is no melt no drip and doesn’t immediately take to flame. It’s FR in the loosest sense.
Soooo
Whats better this or the Crye stuff?
They both have their advantages but considering that Crye is actually used in the field and this might be (or not) I’d like to know who edges out who