During SHOT Show I had an opportunity to check out First Tactical’s new Defender Series. I was impressed by the fabric choice as well as the design features.
First off, the Defender series is the first to use a new NYCO fabric featuring mechanical stretch. The fabric was engineered for wear in warm and humid weather and is moisture wicking. First Tactical added features like vented crotch, knee, side gussets, and mesh pockets to help make life more bearable during hot weather wear. In addition to the fabric’s mechanical stretch, First Tactical designers also created a garment with running gussets throughout, a comfort waist, and articulated knees and elbows.
The Defender series is designed to be fully-functional for SWAT teams, but not look overly militaristic. The ensemble boasts over 30 pockets, with 25 in the pants and 8 in the shirt.
The Defender Shirt is a Combat-style. It’s made with a 6.5 oz, 100% polyester jersey body, offering snag and wrinkle resistance with moisture wicking fibers and an anti-microbial finish. The Sleeves and Collar are made from the 6.9 oz DuPont NYCO fabric (45% Nylon/ 55% Cotton) mechanical 2-way stretch micro double ripstop with moisture wicking finish. This material in the collar offers a stretch panel. Interestingly, they used a different fabric for the Side Panels. It’s a 4-way stretch (85% nylon/15% spandex)that won’t snag with moisture wicking properties and an anti-microbial finish. ??
The Defender Shirt has a 1/4 zip front with professional fold-down collar and a yoke with off shoulder seams for a comfortable load/carry. The zippered sleeve pockets incorporate Velcro panels and a pen holder. The Elbow Patches FT Elbow Pads and the Sleeves are finished off with rollable cuff. ?
The Defender Pants are made from the 6.9 oz (55% Cotton, 45% Cordura® Nylon) mechanical 2-way stretch double ripstop, with moisture wicking finish.
Design features include welded reinforced knees with zippered side access for FT Defender Knee Pad integration, Comfort Flex Action Waist, riveted reinforced belt loops, nylon reinforced mesh pocket bags, knife clip protection pocket to prevent snagging, zip secure cargo pocket with internal organization which will accept up to 3 pistol mags, running gusset with articulation at the knees for maximum movement, and lower secure leg pocket.
Tags: First Tactical
Nice looking set of threads! I especially like those cargo pockets on the pants.
They should really consider adjusting their model and supporting an ever-growing pool of dealers that want an accessible alternative to 5.11.
A promise not to open a store in their backyard would get them automatic dealer loyalty.
Minn-Kota.. Stay tuned on that request……
Thanks for the nice comments to a great technical review. I’m the Oregon field rep for First Tactical & can say that the Defenders have been very well received by everyone who has seen them. At the Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Assoc Conference a couple of weeks ago one team bought a dozen sets almost as soon as they saw them. They were that impressed by the product and the company. Defenders will be available in OD, Black and Multicam. The OD and Black tops can be easily matched with our other same color series pants (Specialist, Tactix or Velocity) for teams on a little tighter budget. If you’re interested in our products feel free to write me at Whutton.firsttactical.or@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to sign you up for a 25% discount by adding you to the marketing list. Just need your first/last name, email and zip.
Wait, that’s all you have to do to save 1/4 of your MSRP? You’ll want to get that out of your system before you start opening up dealers.
Despite the First Tactical motto of (essentially) “We cut out those greedy middle-men, and pass the savings on to you”, Being a stocking dealer costs $$ and you’ll have to learn to respect the financial commitment of your dealers. Stocking 200 pairs of pants in the hopes that we’ll have the size/style/color a particular customer needs isn’t greed, it’s a commitment to serving our customers.
Learn at least that from those that came before you and did/do it poorly. Being a partner needs to be more than lip-service.
Is anyone else failing to see the lack of innovation in their products? Throwing pockets at a pair of pants and a combat shirt does not add up to me.
Apparently, you missed the whole discussion of fabric choices.