Whether you’re a fan of the history of load carriage systems or a student of the wars in Africa, Niemoller Webbing has legendary status.
Niemoller webbing gets its name from its designer, Johann Niemoller. He served as a member of the South African Defence Force’s Recces, a special forces unit that conducted deep reconnaissance and raids into enemy strongholds.
Niemoller wasn’t satisfied with the 70s-era kit he had been issued, so like many of us, he modified what he could but eventually crafted a unique load carriage harness. Other operators saw what he had done and asked for their own. Before he knew it, everyone was wearing one of his rigs.
Unfortunately, his original design was dumbed down a bit once the SADF adopted it for general issue. Eventually, Niemoller founded the company Adro during the 1980s which served as a military outfitter.
Original Niemoller webbing can go for high prices on the collector’s market so few want to use them for training or operations.
Kommandostore made it a goal to reintroduce the design and tracked Johann Niemoller down to make it happen. They’ve re-introduced this design under their North Equipment Collection.
I don’t want to call these reproductions because these are the genuine article, just of new construction, Made in South Africa, using South African materials from the company that originated the design.
Now available for pre-order. To order, and for a much more in-depth discussion of this project, visit kommandostore.com/products/sadf-niemoller-recce-webbing.
Another preorder from this company? Approach with caution.
I can’t agree it was “dumbed down” it was only issued to the Recces during the ’80’s of which there was only a couple of hundred at any one time, I’ve seen many variants that has been for specific jobs or requirements (always following the great basic design) and is frankly still relevant ( I run a set for anti-poaching). There has been other copies issued in more resent times to other units