In 2003 Mammut brand purchased Swiss footwear mainstay Raichle. Although Raichle turns 100 next year, Mammut found that they weren’t getting the market share under the Raichle brand name that they were seeing with the Mammut clothing, hiking and mountaineering lines. Starting this year, boots produced by Raichle will carry the Mammut name.
Many of you may have worn Raichle combat and mountaineering boots. No word on how this may affect their black boot line.
In response to queries about a recent article on DPM. The MOD has issued the following statement:
Mr XXX
Your e mail of 30 July requesting information about Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) camouflage has been passed to this Department for response. The Defence Clothing Integrated Project Team, part of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is responsible for clothing issues.
I can inform you that there has been no announcement of changes to DPM. The current camouflage patterns are under review as part of Project PECOC (Personal Equipment, Common Operational Clothing) for design, colours and properties, and several variants are being considered. No final decisions have been made about any changes. PECOC is not due into service until 2011, so as development work continues any announcement in the near future is not likely.
I hope this explains the situation.
XXX
DES Sec Pol Sec JSC 1b
Apparently, we were incorrect although our sources maintain the veracity of the information. Perhaps this is the British equivalent of the “US Army will switch to Multicam in 2011” rumor. But alas, the problem lies in bureaucracy. For you see, the British military must jump through several hoops, the Initial Gate Business Case and then the dreaded Main Gate Business Case. Officially, the overarching program; Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing (PECOC) is barely halfway through the IGBC. Normally, new kit never receives a large unveiling until it has surmounted both obstacles.
To the contrary, we do have sources that insist that a new “hybrid” camo pattern has been developed for use with field equipment and it is a compromise between the current temperate and desert versions of DPM. Additionally, limited numbers of assault packs have been produced in this pattern and are in use in Afghanistan and kit in this new pattern were on display at a recent military expo.
A lot of people have been asking about MulticamVS â„¢. Its is used in Propper’s Multicam products and has the same proven visual performance as the original Multicam®. The only difference is that MulticamVS â„¢ is optimized for the visible spectrum. Notice, we said visual spectrum. It does not have the same NIR values as the original Multicam® and was designed for applications which don’t require NIR protection.
For more info contact Crye Precision.
This is a little old but interesting nonetheless. Apparently in November, 2007 NATO’s international research and technology group conducted evaluations of several camouflage patterns at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
The article can be read here at the Arizona Daily Star. A slide show of the photos is here.
Due to copyright issues I will refrain from posting anything but the link here. However, it is well worth your time to check it out if you are even a little bit interested in camo.
A reader sent this to us. It was posted 8 July 2008 on FEDBIZOPS. The solicitation was awarded by RDECOM Natick Acquisition Center.
Synopsis:
U.S. Army RDECOM Acquisition Center, Natick, MA on behalf of the United States Marine Corps, Program Manager- Infantry Combat Equipment, has a requirement for the development and testing of an improved Marine Corps camouflage measure for individual clothing and equipment. Per U.S.C 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source, the Government anticipates awarding on a sole source basis, a firm fixed price service contract to Timothy R. ONeil, a small business located in Alexandria, VA for approximately $30,900.00. The Period of performance for this effort is One Year from the date of award. The purpose of this service is the development and field evaluation of an improved / enhanced MARPAT that will ultimately provide Marines with enhanced concealment through optimization of MARPAT print. The North American Industry Classification System Identifier for this procurement is 541712; the Small Business Size Standard is 500 employees. Questions concerning this synopsis can be directed to Kevin Parker, Contract Specialist, at kevin.james.parker@us.army.mil .
SOD is an Italian company that combines the attention to detail of a fine Italian tailor with the needs of a Soldier.
Probably the first thing that everyone who sees SOD’s products notices are the little touches. In the picture you can clearly see that the velcro pile is Multicam.
Additionally, the goggle retention strap utilizes a brass fastener as well as Multicam print webbing.
These aren’t knock-offs of Crye’s designs, everything SOD does is a refinement of Crye Precision’s original styles. Those of you familiar with Crye’s Future Force Warrior helmet cover will recognize the reinforced material at the front of the cover. SOD produces kit for the Italian Special Operations Forces and constantly tweaks their products based on the operational experience of their customers.
SOD has also incorporated a pocket with dummy cord loop for battery packs and NOD counter-weights as well as channels for power cables.
In addition to the ever popular Multicam, most of SOD’s line is availabe in Tan as well as Vegetate Woodland and Desert camo patterns. This is truly the high end of Soldier Systems. If you appreciate well thought out equipment with the extra touch, then check out SOD.
They can be purchased from SOD.
There are a lot of very well designed foul weather jackets on the market. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for trousers. They tend to be ill-fitting or the pockets aren’t well suited to the mission. Oftentimes, the wearer suffers from a sagging waist or blown out seams. But Arc’teryx has come to the rescue. They worked with a small user community to develop a purpose built pair of trousers for wet and cold environments. Arc’teryx designers incorporated features into the design normally found in combat clothing. The bib’s anatomical styling was chosen so that the garment moves with the wearer as well as protect the wearer’s lower back from exposure in extreme weather. The elastic shoulder straps keep the waist up where it belongs, even when the pockets are stuffed with equipment. The bibs also feature two roomy sets of pockets on the front of the thighs and shins.
Even more unique than the design is the material. It is a brushed face Gore-tex fabric that reduces both the noise and shine usually associated with commercial waterproof breathable clothing making it more suitable for military applications. The non-standard Mossy Oak camo blends in well with many environments and the design also features side-zips for rapid donning and doffing as well as reinforced cuffs to protect the bib’s legs from abrasion.
Arc’teryx currently has some remaining inventory from this program and is available until supplies run out. Get them before they are gone forever.
Qualified personnel can purchase them here
The latest news from the Clothe The Soldier office is that the experimental CADPAT boot is out and a new smooth leather chocolate brown version is in. Aside from technical challenges facing the CADPAT boot project, the boots would have cost more as each Soldier would receive two colors of boots. The chocolate brown blends better with both the temperate-woodland and arid versions of CADPAT.
