Not only is Under Armour introducing an entire new line of footwear which includes the MultiCam Speedfreek. I haven’t worn them yet, but I can say that they are very lightweight.
They are also offering long and short sleeved T-shirts in the MultiCam print.
Under Armour has a whole slew of really cool new products as well as specialty Wounded Warrior Project wear. www.underarmour.com
Naturally Bates is going to unveil at least a couple of new styles at SHOT Show. After all, they are a footwear company and that’s the prime place to do it. But we have been fortunate enough to see behind the curtain and preview a couple of these styles at their headquarters in Michigan last fall. What we saw was awesome.
Bates is expanding their iCS line with the Delta-9 in Desert Tan. What it does is introduce the Individual Comfort System’s (ICS) Adjustable Comfort Technology to the world of desert boots. This “dial†technology allows each individual can choose the comfort zone that’s right for them by inserting a disc shaped dial into a channel in the heel of the boot. Different positions correspond to different ways that the foot interacts with the boot’s sole.
Additionally, Bates is introducing the Light Hiker and we think it is going to give the Improved Combat Hiker currently used by troops in Afghanistan a run for its money. Obviously, by looks alone you can see that it is not the same boot but rather incorporates some commercial technologies that many in the military will already be familiar with from the outdoor segment. The Light Hiker is just that, being designed for use as a hiker and perfect for scrambling and carrying light loads.
These are but two of the many tactical and duty footwear that Bates will be launching at SHOT show. Be sure to visit them in booth #12262.
Magnum is definitely a favored brand of the British armed forces who adopted a MultiCam variant called Multi-Terrain Pattern developed specifically for them by Crye Precision. MTP is restricted to the UK MoD but MultiCam isn’t and due to the matching colorways, it blends right in. As we reported last September Magnum has developed two new boots in the MultiCam pattern. Unfortunately at the time we were unable to take any photos but here you can see that Magnum went to painstaking detail to manufacture a MultiCam boot that also integrated a camouflage sole. Oddly enough, when our Editor worked with the Australians in Kuwait in 98 some of them had Taipan boots with camo soles. Apparently, they had noted that their troops stuck out while in the prone due to their solid colored soles but the project was just a one off and didn’t go anywhere. Interestingly, the Canadians looked at camo soles recently and found that the enhancement made no discernible improvement in the Soldier’s signature.
At any rate, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some serious interest in these across the Pond. In fact, one of Magnum’s advisors on the project is a former Royal Marine Both the Sidewinder and Spider are impressive and include the ion-maskâ„¢ hydrophobic surface enhancement which essentially shrink wraps the entire boot so that it cannot absorb moisture into the materials.
The Sidewinder includes printed suede patches and looks to be the heavier of the two.
The Spider is one helluva boot combining numerous special touches such as a patch of super fabric to mitigate wear and tear on the boot during fast roping as well as a Tec-Tuff leather toeguard, Vent-Guardâ„¢ sandproof ventilator technology, and TPU exoframe reinforcement for increased stability.
Check them out in booth #11164.
Right about the time you will be at SHOT Show, UA (Booth #6104) will be releasing the first of several models of new tactical footwear. They’ve actually been showing them at various trade shows since early Fall but most of these have been rather specialized shows with restricted entry. The Valsetz Trail boots are extremely lightweight and feature a 6″ upper but I am told that 8″ boots that are AR 670-1 compliant are in the works. Additionally, waterproof breathable models are also on the way. Currently, the Valsetz will be offered in Black and Tan. This photo we received gives you a good idea of what they look like.
UA has been refining their footwear technology for several years now and these boots are no exception. When the weather was warmer I was wearing a pair of their Tactical Mirage boots which are actually low top trainers, to the gym. The upper is made from a mesh so they are definitely not an inclement weather shoe but they are great for the hot, muggy mornings we get here in the Tidewater. However, while the uppers breather very well, a quick jaunt in light rain won’t leave your feet soaked. Why all of this is important is that the Tactical Mirage are very comfortable and the same technologies used to create them have been integrated into the entire line.
Rocky is releasing several new Hunting and Duty boot designs this year at SHOT Show. We like the look of the S2V Hiker based on the popular current S2V. As for the C4 Trainer it seems as if we have seen the sole design before.
We’ve been badgering them all year asking if they are going to ever release the Broadhead (does the sole look familiar?) we saw last year on the hunting side but it just doesn’t look like it’s in the cards. Who knows, maybe they’ll surprise us.
At any rate, check out Rocky at booth # 11034 for Hunting and #11170 for Duty.
Danner is releasing their Desert TERRA FORCE® X (TFX) series in the increasingly popular A-TACS camo pattern. As you can see in the photos, the boot even sports a camouflage sole. The TFX is available in standard and Gore-Tex variants.
Look for a variety of A-TACS products such as these boots around SHOT Show. and be sure to visit Danner in booth #10770.
If you are in the Air Force and work around POL at all you know that the current green suede boots absorb like a sponge. Not only does it look bad, but it’s hazardous as well. While the Air Force has decided to adopt a smooth leather version, implementation has been slow.
If you are wearing Black boots to work, the new Maintainerâ„¢ from Belleville’s Tactical Research might just be for you. Not only does it feature full grain leather, it also has a composite safety toe which, is not only lighter weight that steel, it does not conduct heat or cold like steel toes. Additionally, and ever important for maintenance troops, the outsole is oil and slip resistant.
To order visit www.bellevilleshoe.com and look for the TR636 CT – Maintainerâ„¢ Boot.
Grey Group Training, Smartwool, and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance have teamed up this holiday season to send three thousand pairs of Smartwool socks to Soldiers in Afghanistan. Initially, Grey Group Training will be seeding the battlepsace by shipping socks to trusted NCOs in theater to hand out to their troops. There will also be a reserve of socks maintained at the Grey Group Training Pro Shop outside of Ft Bragg for Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. These socks will be used to hand out to Soldiers heading to Afghanistan who stop by the Pro Shop. Additionally, if you place an order to an APO from now until all the socks are gone, the will include a pair of Smartwool Hiking Medium Crew socks with your order. Lucky guys. The Smartwool hiker is an excellent sock and I have used them for about 12 years.
Major props to Grey Group Training, Smartwool, and the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
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