IW Company is a relatively new Danish company offering private purchase MultiCam clothing under the brand Major League Viking. They currently have three offerings, a Waterproof Combat Smock, Field Shirt and Combat Pants as well as a line of graphic t-shirt featuring iconic Norse imagery such as a ship, helmet, and hammer.
The Smock is made from ripstop 50/50 NYCO and features a zip-in waterproof membrane. Additionally, the detachable hood features a wide brim along with Velcro adjustments. It’s also jam-packed with pockets, just like a Smock should be. The Smock was designed specifically to wear with armor systems. Additionally, there is PALS webbing along the skirt.
Tags: IW Company, Major League Viking
What makes that smock design to work with armor? Looks fairly like a traditional smock design to me. Interesting with the zip-in membrane, but why have it on the inside?
Because membranes work better, the closer to your skin they are.
According to the designer, the pocket locations were selected so as to be more comfortable with armor.
The only thing is that the NYCO will be soaked, so even if it stops raining your jacket will still be wet. If it was an outer membrane (is it 2.5L or 3L?) then you’d at least be dry when you remove it. It’s basically 2 jackets anyway.
Yes, but it will dry out once it stops raining and you’ll still be snug and dry underneath it, without needing to carry an extra jacket.
Also, as importantly, you’re outer layer will be silent as you move. Ever noticed how noisy hardshells are?
Its a nice looking smock. Whilst RS is a nice lightweight/silent option for the outer and the zip in waterproof membrane will keep you dry, there are other options for the shell that will provide a higher level of water resistance. nano treated 4 way stretch or agility be nice options as they are more silent than a hardshell fabric but on saying that if its raining the whole silent fabric thing is not that important.
I agree that you wouldn’t want the outer to be soaked through as that would put more pressure on the membrane plus if its below freezing or close to then your shell fabric will freeze.
just my two cents though
Truth. We always wore our shells underneath our cam shirts if it rained while on patrol.
Yeah i can understand doing that, that is a good idea.
“What makes that smock design to work with armor?”
I’d say wearing jackets and smocks over armor, like NATO sizing expects, and either a gear vest or LBE over that, like NATO sizing expects, or having the smock set up to replace the pouches.
Forgive my ignorance, but in 2017 what is the deal with smocks? literally the only thing I can see that some people see value in is ‘lots of pockets’ because you know…. pockets.
They are massive when not being worn.
The outside layer holds water.
The thermal properties can be replicated by a garment at least 1/5 of the wieght.
They are stupid expensive, for an item with limited technical features.
There are several materials that offer better water, wind and cold performance. Some that do all 3 well.
So it has pockets?
Please someone explain.
Because the SAS wore them. Duh.
For me it’s just a thing…I like them, their history, oddity and the cool factor of not everyone wears them.
It never fails when I wear one I always get asked what am I wearing, where did I get it?
Also I don’t see smocks as being something “recent” but it’s always been a niche market out there for smocks. I see them as very versatile. Meant to carry gear, hunting, fishing, survival, camera gear but it was never meant as a raincoat.
They are not stupid expensive compared to the price of a Arcteryx LEAF Alpha jacket. That jacket costs more than 3 times what the smock costs in Denmark.
I need this T-Shirt…now
The MLV smock was designed to be an improvement on the Arktis waterproof smock, that is approved for wear in the Danish Armed Forces.
Historically there was no other option for a waterproof jacket when we wore M/84. The, at that time, issued raingear was horrendously badly designed and noisy and bulky.
Arktis smocks were better designed and waterproof, so a lot of us bought those and used them. They were then approved for wear after years of actual use.
The one problem with the Arktis smock is that the waterproof liner was sewed in, so they were hot in warmer weather.
Yes smocks are bulky, but so is our issued combat jacket and the issued jacket don’t have a permanently attached hood like the smocks do. That hood is nice in our weather and climate. Pockets on the issued combat jacket are inferior to the smocks also.
The MLV smock sort of solves the problem with having to carry two jackets. The liner packs away much smaller than any of the other options we have.
After I got back in, I took a look at the MLV smock, but since I’m not line infantry anymore, I don’t have a need for it, but if I was, I would probably have gotten one.
We were happy to welcome Soldier Systems to our booth at this years IWA and are thrilled about the interest shown in our MLV brand.
The approach we’ve chosen is, first and foremost, to meet the demands of the infantry in our region of the world.
To avoid secondary object damage –due to backside deformation of the plate– we’ve replaced the buttons on the chestpockets with hook and loop.
The vertical zipper opening of the ’Napoleon’-pockets (often seen on older Smocks, placed behind the chest pockets) has been moved from center chest and out towards the armpits, thus avoiding the aforementioned S.O.D. and at the same time giving easier access to the contents of the pockets.
The zippers that fastens the membrane to the Smock itself will either have the zipper slides so far up, when in use or so far down, when removed, that they won’t be uncomfortable while wearing Armor.
As always we appreciate Your feedback and promise to keep listening!
Kind regards
Karsten
CEO IW Company
Denmark
Ah, I just now realize this was designed to be worn UNDER body armor. We usually wear smocks OVER our smocks, and then a chestrig on top.
You, Sir, are a man of many pockets.
“…smocks OVER our smocks…”
I can promise you – we don’t.
@Karsten
Hej!
Where can I get your T-Shirts in Germany?
Mange Tak!
Hi Björn
Thanks for your interest in our Major League Viking T-shirts. We have got some contacts for shops in Germany during IWA. Camostore was the first to place an order, but it is not delivered yet. http://camostore.de/info/mein-kontakt.html
We do also ship out of http://www.inf-wear.dk
Best regards
Karsten
Hej Karsten!
Mange tak! Order is set… 🙂
Hi Karsten,
Do you have any USA distributors for your MLV shirts and patches yet?
I would love to know this as well. I need one of those shirts in my life.