For a limited time, Hyde Definition is offering their SnowDrift fabric at only $9.80 per yard – minimum order quantity five (5) yards. The fabric is milspec, ripstop NyCo with a durable water-resistant finish. Contact info@hydedefinition.com for further info, or to place an order.
www.hydedefinition.com/nycosd.html
Last year, WL Gore introduced their reversible technology. This type of garment is great for organizations with multiple camouflage patterns like the Marine Corps. With the release of the woodland version of the USMC Combat Jacket, WL Gore displayed a prototype that reverses to Desert MARPAT during the recent Modern Day Marine expo.
The Marines now have two separate Combat Jackets (Desert and Woodland MARPAT). The new optional wear CWJ will be available through clothing sales stores this Fall. But, if a Marine wants to deploy with both models it means additional weight and space in his sea bag, not to mention up front cost. The folks at Gore realized this and worked to adapt their reversible technology to the specialized fabrics used in this performance garment.
In addition to the Combat Desert/Woodland Jacket seen here, WL Gore has also produced versions of APECS. These types of reversible outerwear are great not just for the Marine Corps but also the Navy who uses different patterns for arid and woodland environments.
Long time collaborators DEFCON and Vans Syndicate have once again partnered up, this time to produce a limited edition set of digital camo shoes featuring “non classified/non ITAR, visually similar versions” of the AOR patterns that have been adopted by the US Navy.
Sk8-Hi Notchback “S”
The Sk8-Hi Notchback “S” features a reinforced tan Warrior Suede upper. The AOR1-inspired digital desert pattern is printed on ripstop panels. Additional features include the leather side stripe with nylon webbing, the gusseted tongue with Velcro patch, notch back heel, flipped waffle sole for grip, Dri-Lex lining, paracord laces, and a custom DEFCON patch.
Old Skool “S”
The Old Skool “S” features a black Warrior Suede upper, paired with an AOR2-inspired digital woodland pattern printed on ballistic mesh panels. Additional feature include flipped waffle sole for grip, Dri-Lex lining, and paracord laces. The Old Skool “S” is designed mainly for skating.
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DEFCON is a frequent collaborator with Vans Syndicate. They started their camouflage shoes packs in the mid 2000s and were the first in footwear to work with Crye Precision directly for a MultiCam shoe. www.defcongroup.com/
The Vans Syndicate line offers limited edition products available mainly through skate shops and specialty boutiques. A full listing of Syndicate licensed stores in your area can be found at www.vanssyndicate.com/
A few weeks ago I wrote a story about Sergeant Major the Army Chandler’s comments at a town hall meeting in Afghanistan regarding a new MultiCam camouflage (also known as The Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern) variant coming. Prior to this I mentioned that the US Army had announced plans to negotiate a license agreement with Crye Precision for OCP. Last week, Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Ray Odierno held a virtual town hall meeting. His comments were captured in a US Army press release and are most revealing.
Addressing the Army uniform currently being worn in Afghanistan, the OCP, or “Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern,” Odierno said the Army is studying the viability of that uniform.
“They appear to be the most effective uniforms that protect our Soldiers, and are most effective in a variety of scenarios that we’ve looked at,” he said, noting that he expects a decision soon on whether the Army will stick with that uniform.
All along, the Army has been comductng a multiyear, multi-million dollar effort to find a new family of camouflage patterns. Announcement of the results of this undertaking have been delayed several times. According to sources, the latest date for the announcement is during the AUSA annual meeting later this month. However, the Army has yet to notify the four finalists (ADS Inc, Brookwood, Crye Precision, and Kryptek) on the results of the solicitation and subsequent evaluations. This step is critical to the procurement process as it gives the participants the ability to launch protests if there are irregularities in the decision. A late October announcement becomes more and more difficult the closer we get to AUSA.
So the question is, will the Army discard the Camouflage Improvement Effort and just adopt MultiCam under a new name such as Army Camouflage Pattern? The evidence certainly seems to indicate that this is the case.
In what is the biggest news of Modern Day Marine, DRIFIRE and Crye Precision have teamed up to introduce an FR, certified, PCU level 9 garment. This gives SOCOM its first SOF Unique FR combat uniform option that is available to any units on the SPEAR program.
DRIFIRE is offering their performance FR fabric called Foretrex and Crye Precision created the garment design. Foretrex is not only FR but also wear resistant, moisture wicking and anti-microbial.
It integrates the features found on the Crye Precision combat uniform, including the interface for the Crye knee pad, and is a great option for those requiring FR coverage.
Available in virtually any camouflage pattern, the first run is in Woodland camouflage. However, it is important to note that the stretch panels at the lumbar and knees are non-FR.
These new Overwhites from the Dutch company Applied Orange are manufactured in PenCott Snowdrift. Available as trousers and jackets in sizes Small – XLarge (EU Fit).
www.ao-store.com/applied-orange/overwhites
In May the USMC approved the Combat Woodland Jacket (CWJ) for wear. The CWJ is manufactured by Short Bark Industries and designed with fabrics made by Gore and Milliken. This comfortable, lightweight, and windproof soft shell jacket, currently being procured in a desert camouflage pattern, is designed to provide Marines with enhanced weather protection from the environmental challenges encountered in woodland operations.
The Combat Woodland Jacket will be on display at the upcoming Modern Day Marine, September 24-26 at Booth #1423.
