GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category

Stuff I Like – Camber 107 Pant from Mountain Khakis

Wednesday, July 5th, 2017

I was first introduced to the Camber 107 pant by Dave Kramer of Über Group a few years ago at Outdoor Retailer. They’ve since become my daily wear pant.

They feature an external cell phone pocket on right thigh, chap-style double-layer knee panels with integrated articulation at the knees. They also offer a diamond-shaped crotch and “Mudflap” reinforced heel cuffs. There are six pockets in all including the two rear patch pockets, phone pocket, two front pockets with plenty of room at the opening to get your hand in, and a watch pocket at the right. 

The material is a very comfy 9oz, 98% cotton/2% spandex canvas which has been given an enzyme wash to improve the hand. 

The Camber 107 are also quite roomy in the thighs. I think they revised the fit at some point because my first two pairs are a slimmer fit than the ones I purchased later. Also, the thigh patch pocket will fit most phones and has a silver snap closure at the center of the opening. If you don’t snap it, you will notice a slight ‘ding’ when you walk from the two halves of the snap hitting one another. Keep it snapped and it’s no problem.

Offered in Yellowstone (seen above), Slate, Terra and Tobacco. Sizing is 30-36 every size and 38-44 even sizes with 30-36 inch even inseams.

www.mountainkhakis.com

WeatherWool Updates WarriorWool Program

Monday, July 3rd, 2017

We initially mentioned WeatherWool’s WarriorWool program last March. It enables donors to provide Al’s Anoraks to members of specific units of the US Military. WarriorWool donors can choose their recipient from the Navy SEALs, as well as the recently added Air Force Arctic Survival School or the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Oftentimes, the benefactor receives a call or a note from the service member who receives the donated Anorak.

Al’s Anorak is made from American wool. They tell me they start with American sheep eating American grass and are a sheep to shirt operation. Yes, they are expensive. This is because they are American made in small batches from expensive fabric. However, the WarriorWool donation Anoraks are $350 rather than the $575 to purchase a personal Anorak.

Al’s Anorak incorporates a side zip, large kangaroo pocket, zippered phone pocket, zippered interior pocket, slotted buttons on the sleeve cuffs and front V opening, and an adjustable hood. It’s offered in sizes Small – 3XLarge.

After seeing Bill McConnell wear it on the Discovery Channel show, ‘Dual Survival’, I purchased one for myself at the 2016 NRA Show. The quality is great and the features are top notch, but I got the heavyweight model and that is a good description. Except in a pouring rain, I can wear it as an outer garment and I’m toasty down to freezing with merino underlayers but it is heavy. Venting under exertion is easy thanks to the side zip and button front. Additionally, the material is hardwearing.

The Anorak is available in FullWeight Fabric in BLACK, DRAB, DUFF and LYNX Pattern. It is also available in MidWeight Fabric in BLACK, DRAB and LYNX Pattern.

www.weatherwool.com

Stuff I Like – Stretch Operator Shirt By Black Diamond

Sunday, July 2nd, 2017

During a recent trip to Ottawa I purchased this short sleeved shirt at Mountain Coop. I really like the construction and materials. It’s made from a slightly stretchy and quite confortable, blended cotton twill (150 g/m2, 68% cotton, 27% polyester, 5% spandex) which combines with underarm panels designed to keep the shirt from riding up during a reach. Additionally, it uses slotted buttons and features a low profile, inset chest pocket.

Offered in Burnt Olive (seen above), Slate (I purchased the Grey hued option) and Denim (the color, not the fabric). Sizes are limited at blackdiamondequipment.coml so you may need to check retailers like Amazon, Backcountry and Moosejaw.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Wind Cheater In Manatee Grey

Friday, June 30th, 2017

Back in stock in Manatee Grey the all-season FirstSpear Wind Cheater is constructed from an ultra light brushed 330D Ambush that breathes like a t-shirt and still sheds wind and light moisture with a DWR coating. Don’t expect a water proof rain jacket but rather a very light and fast drying garment that works exceptionally well as a layering component or stand alone item you can keep packed away in a small pack or pocket for year round use. Extra large hood with several points of adjustment works great with a hat or bump lid.

Orders over $150 ship with a free 32oz water bottle, seen below.

www.first-spear.com

Stuff I Like – Hyperair GORE-Tex Jacket by The North Face

Thursday, June 29th, 2017

I have been a fan of WL Gore & Associates’ SHAKEDRY membrane since I first saw it about two years ago. It’s amazing.

Initially, it was used in Gore’s running and biking line, but as the clothing is primarily aimed at Europe the sizing combined with the tight, no frills design precluded me from purchasing a jacket. Later, Arc’teryx offered a limited release Norvan SL Jacket.

Now, other brands are getting into the “ROFO”* game with its permanent DWR. Water just heads up on its face. You can literally take your jacket off and shake it dry. Moisture slides right off. Plus, it breathes very well during physical activity.

The North Face Hyperair incorporates a hood, Velcro adjustable cuffs and large zippered chest pockets with mesh liners for both weight and ventilation.

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Right now, SHAKEDRY is only available in Black. Additionally, the material is extremely lightweight at just 197g/m2. Regardless of brand, a jacket will compact into a ball the size of your fist. This is why they tend to be no frills designs. It keeps weight and bulk to a minimum. I’d say that TNF’s Hyperair is the fanciest so far on the market.

One last word. While I love the Jacket, it’s not a replacement for a hardshell parka. That Lightweight material isn’t going to put up with abrasion. It definitely has a place for physical training. Additionally, it can be used like an old Stealth Suit, worn under outer garments, like a smock.

www.thenorthface.com

*During development Gore’s stretch fabric was known as ‘TOPO’ and SHAKEDRY was called ‘ROFO’.

Kitanica – Cargoid Shorts

Monday, June 26th, 2017

Features:
-65/35 poly/cotton Ripstop
-7 Belt loops
-Dual waist cinches for fit adjustment
-Double layer reinforced seat
-Reinforced hip pocket corners to prevent knife clip wear
-26 Bar-tacked stress points
-2 large rear pockets with VELCRO® closure
-Metal button with 2 prong fastener and YKK® metal zipper
-100% American Made

Offered in Charcoal Grey, Khaki and Ranger Green, sizes 30-42.

www.kitanica.net/cargoid-shorts

Triple Aught Design – Mercury Tech-T 

Sunday, June 18th, 2017

Designed to augment and enhance your body’s natural cooling mechanisms, Triple Aught Design’s Mercury Tech-T is designed specifically for performance and comfort for hot conditions.

While natural materials such as cotton excel at trapping moisture against your skin to keep you cool, they can cling to your skin and chafe. Mercury features Polartec® Delta™, a highly engineered 3D mesh that optimizes moisture dispersal and airflow while reducing friction against your skin.

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Delta captures and retains moisture in pockets, while remaining cling-free. The specialized knit construction uses both hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns to enhance convective heat loss, remain breathable, and regulate drying time.

TAD advises that because the Mercury Tech-T cools so well, it shouldn’t be used as a baselayer in cold weather.

Available in Black and Gunship.

store.tripleaughtdesign.com/Mercury-Tech-T

3 Farben Flecktarn and SloCam are New Camouflage-Pattern Options for UF PRO’s Striker Gen.2 BDUs

Thursday, June 15th, 2017

JUNE 15, 2017 – Cutting-edge maker of tactical clothing UF PRO today announced that it is now offering its popular Striker Gen.2 BDU combat shirts and pants in two additional high-performance, widely acclaimed camouflage patterns – 3 Farben Flecktarn and SloCam.

Tactical operators have long been impressed with the capacity of 3 Farben Flecktarn and SloCam to blur human body contours in temperate-zone woodlands as well as in urban areas brimming with cultivated foliage, but disappointed that neither camouflage pattern was an option for the Striker Gen.2 BDU line, UF PRO said.

According to UF PRO, both 3 Farben Flecktarn is exclusively available at the company’s online store and through UF PRO’s distributor in Germany, TACWRK. SloCam, however, is sold only at the UF PRO online store, the company said.

3 Farben Flecktarn In Use Around the World

“Flecktarn” comes from a mash-up of the German words for “spotted” (fleck) and camouflage (tarnung), UF PRO explained.

Flecktarn is the regulation camouflage pattern worn in all branches of the German military, UF PRO said.

The 3-Farben Flecktarn is the desert version of the 5-Farben Flecktarn used by the Bundeswehr in arid and semi arid regions. The camouflage pattern consists of three colours that replicate those found in arid regions, UF PRO elaborated, adding that the specific colours employed in 3 Farben Flecktarn are green, brown, and black.

SloCam Wearers Difficult to See in Woodlands

SloCam is a camouflage pattern likewise engineered for use in forests and in urban areas where shrubs abound, UF PRO said.

SloCam was designed originally for use by the Slovenian army in response to its changing strategic role as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to UF PRO. The idea was to provide for Slovenia’s troops a camouflage pattern that would permit greater uniformity and cohesion with forces from other NATO nations during joint operations, the company clarified.

More so, the Slovenian army needed camouflage pattern colours that would make detection of the wearer at a distance particularly difficult in heavily vegetated environments. SloCam succeeds in that objective with its light and dark olive greens and five shades of brown-green, the company said.

SloCam has earned accolades from tactical operators outside of Slovenia. For example, a German police special-forces unit selected SloCam as the top-choice pattern for sniper suits, UF Pro recounted.

UF PRO offers the Striker HT Combat Pants and the Striker XT Gen.2 Combat Shirt in 3-Farben Flecktarn. SloCam is available in the Striker XT Gen.2 Combat Pants and Combat Shirt.

For more information about SloCam, 3 Farben Flecktarn, Striker XT Gen.2 BDUs, and other quality UF PRO products, visit the company’s website ufpro.si.