Constructed with Isolwool (50% Wool and 50% Polypropylene), the Woodbridge Sock utilizes merino wool and polypropylene to deliver moisture movement and is cushioned in high wear areas. I’m impressed with the price at $14 a single pair with discounts in multi-packs.
Made in the USA.
Utilizing the same Air Commando technology as their baselayers, XGO’s Extreme Hot Weather Combat Shirt features both knit torso as well as cape and arms unlike others on the market which use woven fabrics for the cape and arms. There are also stretch woven elbow patches.
The Air Commando material offers FR protection as well as Acclimate Dry moisture management and AG47 Silver anti-microbial. Additionally, the torso has UPF 23+ with the sleeves at UPF 25+. The sleeve and cape fabric is a Modacrylic and FR Rayon blend, paired with a no melt no drip Tan torso. The zippers are also FR and the Velcro patches on the sleeves are time matched. Flat seam construction avoids chaffing.
Offered in MultiCam and Tan 499 sizes XS-3XL.
We have teamed up with RE Factor Tactical and MMI Textiles to offer a limited edition Fleece Hoody in MultiCam to raise funds for Support a Soldier, non-profit, 501c3, that uses generous donations of American patriots to purchase equipment needed by troops deployed to combat theaters. RE Factor Tactical is donating 100% of the net proceeds of this limited run item to support this great cause.
Each hoodie features an embroidered logo of both of SSD and Support A Soldier on either lower sleeve.
These athletic cut hoodies are Made in the USA from premium fleece by Rhonda Valles.
Available at www.refactortactical.com/products/support-a-soldier-x-ssd-x-reft-collab-charity-hoodie.
Testing of the Army’s potential cold weather solutions is joint. Last month, Alaska’s 354th SFS partnered with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Developmental Command to try out some of the new cold weather gear also being evaluated at Fort drum in New York. 
Photos by Senior Airman Beaux Hebert
Not to be outdone by the Army, the US Marine Corps is evaluating upgrades to their Mountain Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment Program in Norway this Winter.
The MCWCP is a family of cold weather clothing items designed to support Marines operating in wet/cold and dry/cold or mountainous environments with a threshold temperature range from 4.4 to -31.6 °C (40 to -25 °F) when used as a system. The objective temperature range extends down to -37.2°C
Specifically, they are looking at product improvements to Level 1 and 3. They are also exploring mesh underwear for level 1. For Level 3 they want to enhance wicking/moisture transport and drying time and to decide whether it should be wool or synthetic.
There’s a Softshell uniform solution for insulation being evaluated as well. It is quick drying and more breathable than APECS meaning less sweat buildup and condensation inside the garment.
The Marines are also looking at a new balaclava and Extreme Cold Weather Cap as well as handwear systems.
Their handwear evaluation includes a Contact Glove, Intermediate Cold Weather Glove, Extreme Cold Weather Mitten, and Inserts.
Additionally, the Marines are apparently evaluating the Norwegian cold weather “system” which is actually a collection of cobbled together items. Considering the Norwegians are currently in source selection along with Denmark, Finland, and Sweden for the Nordic Combat Uniform, the Marines’ efforts seem to be a waste of time. Even the Norwegians know their clothing needs to replaced so you wonder if it’s not a throwaway, in order to validate current Marine systems as superior.
At any rate, data collected across all efforts will help shape the future of MCWCEP.
Although the services are working to update cold weather clothing, the Defense Logistics Agency has let a Blanket Purchase Agreement for Commercial Off The Shelf Cold Weather Clothing as a stop-gap measure. Currently, Army and Marine Corps units can order up to $250k from each group of items per quarter.
Current BPA holders are ADS, Darley, Unifire, and Danner. The equipment is delivered direct to the customer and is not stocked by DLA. Current agreements will last until 4/17/2021, but Bi-lateral Agreement could extend them up to an additional 36 months.
The program includes seven categories: Balaclavas, Boots (Full Regular & Wide sizes), Gaiters, Gloves, Mittens, Trigger Finger Mittens, and Socks. The image above is from a DLA briefing slide so the individual commodities are a bit compressed.
Brands include Outdoor Research, Belleville, Danner, Rocky, and Darn Tough. They plan to add Wild Things in both FR and NON-FR for Special Operations Customers Only as well as Half Sizes for Boots and possibly Mountaineering Gear.
All commercial items are assigned an NSN by size. Vendors may introduce alternates but they must be approved and no requisition will be delayed in order to approve an item. Any alternate will be added to the NSN as an acceptable part number.
Units CAN NOT specifically order one brand. Unit must accept any “or equivalent item” approved under the BPA.
The program is already a success. FY19 (May 2019 – September 2019) obligations were $10M.
• Socks – 150,000 PR
• Balaclavas – 34,000 EA
• Gaiters – 27,000 PR
• Boots – 6,600 PR
• Gloves – 3,500 PR
• TF Mittens – 3,000 PR
The Cipher is Carbon Tactics’ 17th Kickstarter project.
Carbon Tactics says the belt practically patches itself, thanks to the two neodymium magnets and their patent pending design.
The tail or “flap” of the belt tucks underneath. When you’re ready to remove your belt, just push and twist to unlatch. Yet, the connection remains secure under load.
The buckle is made from anodized Aircraft Grade Aluminum. Choose from Black, Dark Earth, and Silver.
The belt is available in a single or double-layer Biothane or single or double-layer nylon. Or, a hybrid option with Biothane and nylon.
Between buckles and belt, you’ve got a wide variety of combinations.
Here’s the size chart.
Remember, it’s a Kickstarter campaign, so if funded, it will be awhile before you receive your belt. Having said that, Carbon Tactics has a great reputation for successful campaigns and fulfillment.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cipherbelt/cipher-the-belt-you-never-have-to-re-adjust
Eighth Order, Inc is a specialty apparel brand started by Army SF Veteran Tom Kerr and Air Force Veteran William Romes. This Veteran owned small business was started with mission, purpose, and giving back in mind. As many of us know, transitioning Veterans are faced with several challenges when they leave the military and try to establish themselves in the civilian sector. For many, they bring the scars of the battlefield everywhere they go and often fall short. One of the most difficult pieces of that transition is feeling a loss of purpose. This wasn’t different for Tom and Will as while both are generally highly motivated individuals, they were struggling with “what they want to be when they grow up”.
Tom and Will being friends for nearly 15 years decided to create their purpose. “If purpose is what I am lacking now, I guess I am just going to create mine” Will said. “I had all of these uniforms laying around in my closet, accumulating for the last 20 years… I have got to try and figure out something to do with them instead of throwing them in the dumpster.” After 3 different manufacturers and nearly 2 years of building the business out, they are launching with their first product. Pre-order began this week, with stock arriving at their office on February 24th.
As they lead with extremely high-quality button-down shirts, fitted with camouflage trimming, they are already in development of their next 3 products. The Gray Label product release is made of a Cotton/Poly/Spandex blend and will become even more customizable, with the addition of woodland and AOR camo. Additional products over the next weeks and months will include the short sleeve version of these shirts and new 4 way stretch bamboo fabric logo and pocket T’s.
Eighth order manufactures in Chicago, Illinois. They chose Chicago because it is an emerging apparel ecosystem filled with small sewing shops and pattern makers who are working hard to remind America of Midwest manufacturing. You do not have to go to NYC to make high performing, rugged, quality, beautiful garments. For Eighth Order, it’s 3 hours and 40 minutes in a car from Ohio to Chicago to craft high quality products at fair prices, without having to go offshore.
Beyond making and selling high quality products people wear each an everyday, Tom and Will care deeply about Veterans issues. Today, there is an entire generation of fighting men and women who are suffering from PTSD, TBI, and suicide. If this year is anything like last year, we will see another record number of Veteran suicides. “I know what it is like to suffer in silence and have the worst thoughts. I think about Tom and other action hero’s like him. So many of them go from American hero to an American hero statistic. I’ve had enough of that and I want to do something, anything, about it. That’s one of the reasons we started this business. More must be done because we can’t keep setting new records for suicide. We are working with Warrior Rising to empower Veteran entrepreneurs to start business’s or boost their existing businesses. We are also speaking with several Veteran advocacy and treatment program entities who provide PTSD, TBI, and suicide prevention programs to our ailing Veterans. Right now, we have committed 5% of each sale to organizations like Warrior Rising, with larger percentages committed as we grow our new business.” Said Romes.
Thanks for all your support. From now until forever, the committed readers of Soldier Systems Daily can get 10% off everything in our webstore by using the code “SSD”.
