It might seem like winter just ended for us, but it’s just started in Australia. Platatac just introduced several new fleece layers.
My favorite is the Platatac OTG Mountain Shawl Grid Fleece.
– 240gsm Polyester
– Thumb loops
– Elasticised waist to trap heat
– Full length, tube style front pocket
– Taped button shawl collar
– Athletic fit (for a relaxed fit, select larger size)
www.platatac.com/catalogue/combatthecold
Last year, Canadian Special Operations Forces began their quest for a new Advanced SOF Combat Uniform. Several companies are currently competing for that business.
At CANSEC, Logistik Unicorp displayed their prototype for that program. It is made from Enhanced NYCO which is no melt, no drip and their own proprietary FR knit for the torso of the shirt. Also seen here is a prototype overwhite ensemble, complete with Pack Cover and handwarmer.
They also incorporated a few pocket innovations. For instance, the flapped upper arm pockets are right at the seam and inset. They feature covered, slotted buttons.
The pants have Knife slot as well as flaps for the front slash pockets as well as thigh cargo pockets.
The next in the new releases from Montane are two excellent lightweight softshell pieces. The Terra Stretch Pant and Shirt are available separately and offer ultra light weight and highly technical performance that draws directly from the high end outdoor user.
Quick drying and stretchy they present a highly comfortable combat uniform which is ideal for amphibious and mountain operations. The garments have been designed to work alongside mountaineering hardware and equipment and offer excellent protection from the elements whilst still maintaining high levels of breathability and functionality.
Due to the high degree of stretch in the garments they allow for a full range of motion and are significantly much easier to move in when compared to the more traditional poly cotton or NYCO options. They are therefore the ideal clothing for the fast moving light role operator who relies on speed in order to complete their mission.
For more information get in touch by email on international@brigantes.com or for UK customers tribe@brigantes.com.
Founded by two UK Special Forces Veterans, ThruDark has released the fiest of its new line of clothing. Their first three garments are the SF Zodiac Coat, SF Hybrid Jacket and SF Expedition Parka.
An anorak cut, the SF Zodiac Coat combines MAJO – TECH ’RIPPER’ micro rip stop (100% Polyester) laminated to a membrane and mesh liner for 3-Layer waterproof ripstop shoulders and hood with SERATES VENTO FX4 (87% PA 13% EA) 4-Way stretch body. YKK Aquaseal zippers help keep the weather out. Pockets include upper arm and zip micro fleece lined hand warmers. There are also Velcro panels on the upper arm and hood along with elastic and Velcro adjustable cuffs with thumb loops. The oversized hood includes 3 elasticated adjustment drawcords. However, this anorak’s most interestung feature is the laser cut breathable micro fleece chin guard.
Combining the performance of a combat shirt with the features of a jacket, the Hybrid Jacket is made from the highly wind resistant MAJO – TECH ’RIPPER’ micro rip stop (100% Polyester) ripstop with SERATES VENTO FX4 (87% PA 13% EA) 4-Way stretch shoulders and torso. The elbows are reinforced with Cordura and the zippers are YKK aqua seal. In all, the jacket boasts 4 external pockets and 2 more internal. Once again, there are Velcro panels on the upper arm pockets and hood. The low profile zip neck with button attachment allows the collar to be worn open or with the neck fully covered.
Made in Italy with the finest Italian fabrics, meticulously selected by the ThruDark cofounders, such as MAJO-TECH ‘DEER FB’ (82% Polyester 18% Nylon) shell and ‘GIPITEX’ ROOTY 70 100% PL camouflage liner. It is also insulated with 900 fill power 100% goose down. There are large capacity bellow pockets and extended chest pockets as well as 4 large internal pockets for sensitive items to be placed next to the bodies core. Additionally, the Parka features external micro fleeced hand pockets, wrist warmers and an internal balaclava provide exposed hands and face protection from severe cold. The YKK aquaseal zips are fitted with oversized zip pullers enabling convenient access when wearing gloves and the adjustable and removable Raccoon fur trim provides essential protection from ice build up. There is an internal waist draw cord and removable snow skirt. The SF Expdition Parka is fitted with two-part technology RECCO Rescue System on the upper right arm. This sophisticated radar technology provides mountain rescue teams a chance to detect wearers in distress. The upper arm and hood have Velcro panels and the elbows are reinforced with Cordura.
-UPF 35 UV protection body, 50 sleeves
-AG47 Silver Protection for anti-bacteria and odor
-Acclimate Dry Moisture management
-Flat seam construction
-Zippered upper arm pockets
-Elastic thumb loops
-Stretch woven elbow patches
-Made from combination of Modacrylic and FR Rayon
-UPF 35 UV protection body, 50 sleeves
-AG47 Silver Protection for anti-bacteria and odor
-Acclimate Dry Moisture management
-FR Zippers
-Zippered upper arm pockets
-1″ extra length
-Stretch woven elbow patches
Both feature 100% knitted construction printed with sleeves printed in MultiCam, sizes XS-2XL. Look for these by 4th quarter from XGO.
In this final installment of our series on The Lost Arrow Project’s Military Alpine Recce System, I wanted to take a deep dive on two garments. While the entire system was a ground up reboot of environmental clothing systems and packed with innovative concepts, these two jacket and pant combinations exhibit the systems’ departure from the status quo.
Earlier I referred to MARS as a take out menu and I believe that the Pnuemo Fuse and Mixed Range will be the most popular pieces in MARS, serving as the definition of what Patagonia designer Casey Shaw aspired to when he pondered how to make one garment replace six others.
Pnuemo Fuse
USSOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform was designed from a seven level template codified by Mark Twight in his book “Extreme Alpinism: Climbing Light, Fast and High.” His level five is referred to as an “Action Suit.” Unfortunately, the PCU level 5 garment never seemed to live up to what I saw in my mind’s eye. The material could be hot at times and lacked the comfort level of something that might be worn day-in and day-out.
The Pneumo Air garment in MARS on the other hand fits it to a “T.” I look at it and think comfort. It also makes me think of the clothing on science fiction shows. It’s like what Space Marines will wear in the future, except it’s available now; a great combination of design and materials.
It’s definitely a three-season garment and so long as you’re in a Temperate zone, you could get away with wearing this all year. The fabric is so cozy, I think you’ll want to. I can see operators wearing this all the time while deployed, whether in the field, on the FOB lounging, or conducting PT. In one of the solid colors (Fatigue Green or Forge Grey), they’ll even wear it while off duty at home station as well.
The material is unique to MARS. It’s a reversed block knit (aka gridded fleece) laminated to Aerolite nylon face fabric which is common across most of the MARS garments. In the chest area on Pneumo Fuse, the two fabrics are used together, but not laminated.
The name of the garment alone tells you what is going on. This material selection offers a high degree of air permeability (40 CFM) which is great while active as the block knit has recesses which traps a layer of boundary air which serves as insulation when static. The lamination also reduces bulk yet doesn’t reduce air permeability or compromise the integrity of fabric.
The uniform also offers a DWR coating and elasticize hem and cuffs. The helmet compatible hood adjusts with a concealed cord to avoid snagging.
Wherever possible, the seams use ultrasonic welding and are backed with 11mm seam tape. Additionally, they’re reinforced with ForgeLine, an X-stitch pattern developed in Patagonia’s R&D facility, The Forge.
Across the board, pockets are kept to a minimum with front slash pockets in the pants along with a side patch pocket while the jacket incorporates handwarmer pockets.
Mixed Range
Like Pneumo Air, Mixed Range is a huge departure from what’s currently available. It’s a hybrid garment which combine hard and soft shells. Granted, these are nothing new, but how The Lost Arrow Project created this garment is a bit different. It’s a combination of their 3-layer waterproof breathable fabric called H2No Air and a treated version of the Aerolite fabric which serves as a highly breathable soft shell.
In this case, they’ve made the horizontal surfaces waterproof, including elbows, knees and lower legs, while the vertical surfaces are features soft shell fabric including the chest, back, and crotch. In both cases the fabrics offer some stretch.
An interesting feature across both Mixed Range and Pneumo Fuse is the integrated belt, despite incorporating low profile belt loops for use with life support capable belts when needed. The belt loops are low bulk and don’t create friction points which can rub the wearer. Finally, the gusseted zippered cuffs fit over boots and feature tie-down loops.
Like the Pneumo Air, the Mixed Range features ultrasonic welding and narrow seam tape along with ForgeLine for reinforcement.
Once again, pockets remain few, yet functional, like this thigh pocket.
The pant also incorporates a zippered lower leg to assist with donning and doffing.
For this, and other garments in MARS, Patagonia developed a Berry compliant Touch Point System cord lock which is embedded in the garment. The helmet-compatible hood cord adjustments are concealed and the excess fits into a drainable garage at the rear of the hood.
Conclusion
Both garments are impressive and I expect will be adopted for use in greater numbers than full kits, as Patagonia rolls out their product options. They offer a great deal of versatility, being useful in a wide variety of climates.
This is the final installment of a four-part series on the Military Alpine Recce System developed by Patagonia’s The Lost Arrow Project. Earlier installments include the history of Patagonia’s SOF support, a system overview and a focus on the production partner, Peckham Vocational Industries. The full system will be on exhibit at SOF Select during SOFIC.
Kitanica’s American Hoody is made from TenCate 8 oz Single Sided FR fleece. Turns out, it’s a comfortable fabric. The hoody itself is made in USA and features a left sleeve pocket as well as zippered kangaroo pocket.
At SOFIC, Crye Precision debuted their new Hot Weather Combat and Field Uniforms as well as Temperate Shell Jacket and Combat Pants.
I look at the HW Combat as a Desert Uniform, HW Field as a Jungle Uniform and the Temperate as a replacement for the G3 All Weather Uniform. You’ll notice some design similarities with the new G4 garments such as the internal pockets. Despite looks, that new pocket design has just as much carrying capacity as the old style.
Made from the same Burlington fabric selected by USSOCOM for hot weather uniforms, Crye utilized two different weights (3.5 and 4.5 oz) of the material to mitigate wear in high abrasion areas (knee, seat and elbows). It is very breathable at about 30 CFM.
Pockets feature button closures and the pockets are lined with mesh for drainage. Additionally, the pants integrate an internal mesh gaiter for bugs.
The Combat Shirt and Pant use similar base fabrics as the Field Uniform with the addition of VTX ripstop stretch and 3.5 oz with Polyester wicking material in the padded waist for the Pant and Polartec polyester mesh with X-static for the Shirt.
The goal was to lighten the weight, so they stripped away the back pockets and calf pocket. They also use the same buttoned shoulder pocket as in the HW Field Shirt.
Designed for for cool, windy, wet conditions, this is a super lightweight replacement for the all weather garments. It’s made from a 4 oz nylon with integrated stretch.
The Shell Jacket is a hybrid shirt/jacket replacing both Field and Combat shirts. It features Thumb holes at the sleeve cuff and Large internal front pockets.
Color Choices
The Field Uniform will be offered in MultiCam and Tropic while the Combat Uniform will be offered in MultiCam and Arid. However, as they share fabrics, special orders of the garments in Arid and Tropic will be easier. The Temperate uniform will be available in all standard Crye colors.
Availability
On a final note, last ok for these new items by the end of the year, while G4 is currently beginning production.
