During SOFIC we gave you a sneak peek of Direct Action Gear’s new Assault Shirt and Pant. They’ve done a great job and in spite of the assertions of some who haven’t actually seen the garment but insist on making declarations about it, the suit is not tight fitting. All Direct Action Gear products are designed and developed with input from experienced special operations personnel and are extensively field-tested and “approved” by special operations units before they go into production and go on sale. If anything, they overdevelop their products, refining and refining the designs.
The Direct Action Assault Shirt (or ‘Bluza Szturmowa’ in Polish) was designed with the goal of being as comfortable as a long-sleeved base layer t-shirt, but at the same time to retain the functionality and durability of an outerwear garment.
Features:
– full woven FR fabric body and sleeves (Polartec® fabric currently)
– arm pockets made from 2-way-stretch fabric (non-FR) for reduced weight and increased functionality
– arm pockets can also take pads made from a proprietary combination of foam and 3D mesh for increased comfort, or soft armor inserts (compatible with the planned ‘up-armor’ ensemble for SPITFIRE® Plate Carrier)
– elbow protection pockets also made from 2-way-stretch fabric (non-FR)
– removable elbow pads made from a proprietary combination of foam and 3D mesh for increased comfort
– removable elbow pads wrap partially around the elbow joint for increased protection
– forearm reinforcing panel made from no-melt/no-drip ripstop Nylon-Cotton fabric
– sleeves can be pulled / rolled up partially when elbow pads are removed
The Direct Action Assault Pants (or ‘Spodnie Szturmowe’ in Polish) was designed with the goal of being as comfortable, non-restrictive / non-irritating and lightweight as possible, but at the same time to retain the functionality and durability needed for hard-core field and tactical use.
Features:
– 4-way-stretch fabric (non-FR) inserts in the seat and in the crotch and thigh areas provides maximum ‘give’ and comfort during dynamic physical activity with no binding or pinching
– no seams in the crotch of between the legs reduces the possibility of getting fabric burns or rubbing irritation, and the risk of infection, during prolonged tactical movements
– 4-way-stretch fabric (non-FR) inserts above the knees ensure that knee protection pads stay in the right position when kneeling or going prone
– knee protection panels / pockets are made from DWR-treated 500D Cordura® nylon (non-FR)
– remainder of garment is made from no-melt/no-drip ripstop NyCo fabric
– knee protection consists of removable pads made from a proprietary combination of foam and 3D mesh for increased comfort, with a separate polymer outer shell for additional protection
– knee protection fit and position can be adjusted with Velcro® fastening tabs
– cargo pockets are made from 2-way-stretch fabric (non-FR) for reduced weight and increased functionality
– cargo pockets also feature Velcro® panels inside for attaching blade charges or other pouches or inserts – the Velcro® also allows the user to tuck the pocket flap inside and use the cargo pocket as a provisional dump pouch
– zipper-sealed front flat pockets made from 2-way-stretch fabric feature a micro-organizer inside
– the pants also feature slash hip pockets, zippered back pockets and small Velcro® fastened calf pockets
Direct Action Gear’s Assault Shirt and Assault Pants will be offered in all of Direct Actions standard camouflage patterns and solid colors.
ADDITIONAL GARMENTS
Plans for additional garment types / layers include:
– intermediate weight combat shirt for use during cooler weather months
– cold / wet weather protection outer garments
– specialist camouflage outer / over garments
Tags: Direct Action
I like them pants
Finally, a grey combat trouser accepting an external plastic pad. Hopefully some PenCott too going by their site. So many solid gear brands out of Poland doing great design work at the moment.
Maybe like to have seen adoption of the d3o pads since they’re clearly the new oncoming standard, but very glad to see the upper end of materials being selected rather than compromising to keep the price down.
Wonder if the Gen 4 from CP might look a little bit like this whenever it shows up…
I saw this system up close at SOFIC. There’s clearly some really creative and innovative thinking that’s gone into the design, and some clever new ways of addressing the operators’ needs – like the stretch fabric through-out the entire crotch and inner thigh, and in the seat of the pants. I also thought that the partial wrap-around design of the elbow pad is a great idea – as is the ability to add armor into the bicep pocket!
The knee pad system is a clever idea too – the 3D mesh helps mitigate heat and sweat build-up, and is probably also more comfortable as well.
Clever chaps these Poles. 😉
Very nice but im for ufpro.si any time!!!
UF-Pro are good garments indeed, however most of their uniforms are over-engineered (pockets and zippers galore) and for me personally, over the top. Direct Action combats are also primarily made of Mil-spec NyCo, while UF-Pro is predominantly made of Poly-cotton.
I prefer NyCo, how it wears, feels and ages over time. Never been a great fan of poly-cotton for field and combat garments.
But that’s me, I know Eric isn’t big on NyCo 😉
Interesting placement of the main cargo pockets. I remember many ‘users’ of the older G2 Crye’s Army Custom (AC) combat pants provided a negative feedback on the main cargo pockets being placed too far at the back on the thigh under the buttocks causing a wearer frequently to sit on its content.
But as DA mentions above, the pants were a result of a feedback from the field, so this may be a non-issue.
Interesting.
I guess that’s becuase a lot of those users were riding around in GMVs, whereas these are designed more for folks using LPCs. At any rate, this is the “Assaulter” model – there are probably other designs in the works for general field / vehicle / infantry use.
I was actually more surprised by the inclusion of the calf pocket – I was under the impression that these aren’t very popular with non-vehicular folks.
Yeah, I think almost any modern combat uniform pretty much assumes 10-pocket design these days. Blame Crye 🙂
I hardly ever use my Crye combats calf pockets for anything but appreciate the fact they are there, just in case.
That said, I absolutely despise the ACU calf pockets, I’m pretty sure there was a good reason why PEO Soldier thought placing a calf pocket right underneath your knee level would be a good idea. I can’t think of any, though. Every time I squat or kneel, the pocket is ‘squashed’ and there’s no way you can easily open the flap and reach its content. Same goes for sitting in the vehicle. Maybe it’s placed so high up from the bottom for easier blousing and enough clearance from top of the boots. Dunno…