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XGO Montana Wool

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016

I didn’t know that XGO offered wool garments so it came as a quite a surprise when we were discussing their line last week. Apparently, they offered wool briefly in 2008, but they’ve reintroduced it for Spring 2016.

The issue has long been access to American wool that is on par with the famed Merino sheep of New Zealand. It’s happening and XGO has access to it.

The advantages of wool are well known. Its inherent no-melt, no-drip and odor resistant properties as well as excellent warmth, even when wet, are all great reasons to use this natural fiber. XGO has also enhanced the wool’s performance with their AG-47 anti-microbial silver treatment.

Don’t forget, XGO has offered a very generous discount to SSD readers by using discount code “SSD50” for 50% off everything on their site except clearance (not stackable) items. This offer ends 2 April at COB.

www.proxgo.com

Tags: XGO
Posted in Clothing, Materials | 6 Comments »

Hexonia – Ballistic Garments

Friday, March 18th, 2016

One of the brands I encountered at Enforce Tac and IWA earlier this month was Hexonia. They have been working on Gladius, the German Army’s Future Soldier System and produce some very interesting knit garments.

They’ve done a lot of work on the clothing subsystem of Gladius which includes ballistic undergarments as well as Combat Shirt. Hexonia’s approach to ballistic underwear, called BALUW is the combination of three dimensional production techniques utilizing specialty yarns. As you can see, they offer body mapped knits for the torso of the garment. Their production offers ergonomically shaped products with significantly reduced number of seams, or in some cases, no seams at all. BALUW is worn as a first layer directly on the skin. The tight fit is to ensure that it can’t be blown away from the skin by a blast wave. Even the elastic zones are made of ballistic material and increase comfort without reducing the level of protection.

Their material combination also has excellent physiological properties. It has a very smooth hand against the skin and doesn’t lead to any abrasions. Additionally, thanks to the hydrophobic materials, sweat is absorbed readily and wicked away from the body. What’s more, the material is flame retardant with no burn, melt or drip. Finally, BALUW can be washed at 60 °C.

www.hexonia.de

Tags: Hexonia
Posted in Armor, Clothing, FR, International, IWA | 10 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Combat Anorak

Friday, March 18th, 2016

For this week’s Friday Focus, we’re taking a look at an update on a classic garment, the Combat Anorak. We first featured the Combat Anorak in 2011, when it was part of NFM’s GARM combat clothing line, imported by FirstSpear. Since then, FirstSpear has moved production to the USA, and the Anorak is now made of Nextec epic fabric, which is a highly water-resistant, silicone-encapsulated nylon.

With a classic Anorak cut it is a lightweight garment that is intended to serve as a shell over all of your equipment. Consequently, it is very generously cut and extends down low on the torso with a lower cut on the rear. In fact, generous might be a bit of an understatement; I’m currently able to comfortably wear a small as an overgarment, and I usually wear a large military jacket. Granted, that’s with standard clothing underneath, however even then there’s still some room to layer.

Venting is facilitated via a quarter length zipper from chin to chest as well as a mesh insert integrated into the back flap.

Internal gear is easily accessed by a tug on a pull tab. The half moon opening features two zippers as well as a snap backup to keep the opening securely closed. You grab the tab and pull down. With practice this can be done one-handed.Additionally, there is an access flap on the back of the Combat Anorak for packs or back panels.The hood is large enough to fit over a helmet and features four points of adjustment which are simple to use. Two of the hood adjustments are on the rear. That small flap covers a barrel lock that pulls the lower portion of the back toward the rear.The shoulders are capped with lightweight Cordura and the cuffs are secured via Velcro adjustment to accommodate a wide range of layered garments. Additionally, there are small 1? Velcro squares on both sleeves and the rear of the hood for IR or other ID squares. The Combat Anorak stores inside an integral stuff sack and can easily be carried in a pack or cargo pocket.

Available in Coyote and Urban Discreet, sizes SM – 2XL.

www.first-spear.com – Combat Anorak

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Clothing | 8 Comments »

Welcome To Our Newest Advertiser, XGO

Thursday, March 17th, 2016

I’ve written about XGO many times over the years and I’ve got to tell you, I love their stuff. In fact, it’s an honor to welcome them as an advertiser. I actually became familiar with the Polarmax brand while I was still on active duty, before they split the military side of the business off as XGO. Over the years, XGO has done a great job working with end users to provide some very functional and comfortable knit garments. The secret is in the fabrics which are made to their specifications, including performance anti-microbial as well as FR blends. They even offer wool blends.

Longworth Industries, Inc., parent company of XGO® and Polarmax® next-to-skin active apparel. Longworth Industries, Inc. is a vertically integrated manufacturer and our products are manufactured exclusively in the United States and distributed to select domestic and global markets. XGO® also has a complete line of next-to-skin FR products. Our FR products are made up of our patented blend of Modacrylic and FR Rayon.

XGO is a small business right outside of Fort Bragg, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. This company makes Berry Compliant base and mid-layers as well as PT clothing. In fact, almost all of the work, from the milling to the dying and sewing are all done within a 100 miles or so of their headquarters. Only the raw fibers are sourced from outside of the Carolinas.

One of their shirts you might want to check out is the new PHASE 1 Lightweight Technical Mesh Shirt. You can look at the photo and realize that the mesh is a tight weave that won’t look out of place in uniform. In fact, it’s offered in the Army’s new Tan 499 for compatility with the OCP ACU. This relaxed fit T-shirt is made from XGO’s 4 ounce ACCLIMATE DRY polyester which wicks moisture vertically at a rate of 3” in 3 minutes, providing exceptional dry times. This shirt is also finished with their Ag 47TM. As you know, silver has great anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. As moisture is moved through the fabric, the Ag 47TM attacks the bacteria contained in the perspiration and effectively eliminates odor and harmful bacteria-improving overall hygiene.

To celebrate their aponsorship of Soldier Systems Daily, XGO has extended an awesome deal to SSD readers. Use discount code “SSD50” for 50% off everything on their site except clearance (not stackable) items. This generous discount runs through 3/17-4/2 at COB.

www.proxgo.com

Tags: XGO
Posted in Advertiser, Clothing | 16 Comments »

For The Ladies – Urban Tactical Skirt from Helikon-Tex

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

Some of the ladies working at Helikon-Tex took the features of their popular Urban Tactical Pants and created this skirt.

It features an elastic waist with Velcro front fastener. For pockets, there are two flapped thigh pockets for smartphones or magazines, two zippered inset thigh cargo pockets, two front slash pockets with double material for pocket clips, two slim rear pockets for knives or lights and two wide rear pockets for wallets. Offered in Black, Khaki and Denim.

www.helikon-tex.com

Tags: HELIKON-TEX
Posted in Clothing, For the Ladies, IWA | 4 Comments »

Propper Brings Back the M-65 Field Jacket

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

Technically the Coat, Field M-65, the “Field Jacket” as it was commonly known, was an upgrade to an iconic piece of American military outerwear tracing its roots to the beginning of World War II. Propper produced these over the years as a US military contractor and this new production model is the same as the one you were issued in basic training. It also comes complete with the liner which had to be turned back in at the end of your tour.

Features:
50% nylon / 50% cotton sateen
Built from military specification
DWR (durable water repellent) finish repels stains and liquids
Button-in removable liner provides insulation
Packable hood stows in collar
Shoulder epaulets
Four-pocket front with snap closure
Zippered front with storm flap
Adjustable drawstring waist and hem
Bi-swing shoulders for enhanced movement
Hook and loop adjustable cuffs

Offered in OD, Black and Woodland, sizes Small – 4XLarge in Regular and Long lengths. What’s more, the price will astound you.

www.propper.com/mens/outerwear/propperr-m65-field-coat

Tags: Propper
Posted in Clothing, History | 29 Comments »

First Tactical Is Launching The New Specialist Line

Saturday, March 12th, 2016

During IWA I had a chance to sit down with First Tactical to discuss their next wave of products as well as their direct to consumer sales strategy. Next week, First Tactical is launching their new Specialist Line which includes shirts and trousers.

What makes these pants different is that they are a great value for someone looking for an inexpensive pair of duty pants. Sure, they look just like First Tactical’s other offerings and have the same fit but they’ve changed fabrics and removed a couple of extras from the design like rivet reinforcements from the belt loops. But that doesn’t mean that aren’t built to last; the pants are still triple stitched. The material for the Specialist Line is a double ripstop polyester/cotton blend with no mechanical stretch and a Teflon Shield+ stain repellent finish. The Specialist Pants come in BDU, Tactical, and EMS styles and will sell for $39.99.

The Specialist Shirts feature three new shirts in Tactical and BDU stylings and are designed with a strong, ripstop polyester/cotton and a Teflon Shield+ stain repellent finish. Built-in ventilating system gives wearers durability, freedom of movement, and breathability. The Specialist Shirts are priced at $44.99.

www.firsttactical.com

Tags: First Tactical
Posted in Clothing, LE | 10 Comments »

Dutch SF Wearing Fibrotex Fightex Uniforms for Mali Deployment

Friday, March 11th, 2016

During Enforce Tac we shared a few photos of signature management products by Fibrotex. The uniform used in conjunction with the ghillie suit is an FR garment issued to Dutch SF in their new digital pattern.

Offered in the Netherlands by Profile Equipment, these garments are intended for wear in hot weather and the proprietary fabric is treated with Permethrin as well as being FR.

The ripstop weave fabric is a blend of four different fibers. Additionally, stress points and slotted buttons are bartacked and they’ve incorporated wide belt loops for duty belts as well as height adjustable kneepads in addition to easily removable labels and washing instructions to prevent irritation.

For more info, visit Profile Equipment.

Tags: FibroTex, Fightex
Posted in Camo, Clothing, FR, International | 25 Comments »