Two big surprises for me this Blade Show. First, Triple Aught Design is exhibiting for the first time. As I looked around their booth, out of the corner of my eye I spotted some MultCam which led to my second surprise.
For years, TAD fans have been asking for them to bring back MultiCam. They are doing it, in limited runs, in three pant styles. First up will be the Force 10s seen here followed by two as-yet-unnamed models. Keep your eyes peeled and your credit card ready and be prepared to mash that ‘F5’ button.
Kitanica has released their Range Shorts in MultiCam Black as a Special Edition release. Constructed of NyCo ripstop, the Range Shorts features a double layer reinforced seat, bar-tacked stress points, and a contoured, Velcro cinching waistband with 7 belt loops. There are a total of 8 pockets on the Range Shorts: 2 hip pockets, 2 rear pockets, 2 side pockets, and 2 cargo pockets. The left and right side pockets are reinforced in the corners with Cordura to prevent knife clip wear.
When Arc’teryx Launched their 2015 LEAF line during SHOT Show they held something back. For years, customers have been asking Arc’teryx for FR Versions of their combat clothing. They listened and the results are variants of the new Enhanced Combat Uniform Assault Pant and Shirt in FR Defender-M fabric from TenCate.
Vancouver BC (June 2015) – For when mission critical doesn’t always include comfort, ARC’TERYX LEAF presents its new Assault Shirt FR and Assault Pant FR – specifically designed to deliver the ultimate in fire protection, durability and lightweight comfort for a range of military and law enforcement activities.
Applying its technical expertise to create functional designs that are the hardest wearing in the field, ARC’TERYX LEAF delivers its most protective and purposeful combat uniform to date with these two new designs that emphasize movement and function, while also focusing on safety with TenCate Defender M with Coolderm™ Technology. Lightweight and breathable, TenCate Defender M with Coolderm™ Technology wicks moisture and perspiration away from the skin, minimizing discomfort in high-heat environments. Created to give troops an extra margin of protection, this everyday textile also utilizes Lenzing FR® fiber, a cellulosic fiber that helps to provide additional heat and flame resistance for improved protection.
Technical, fully featured, and suitable for a variety of combat applications, the Assault Shirt FR is an all-round combat shirt that is designed to fit while wearing body armor or a chest rig. As part of a layering system, the shirt is patterned to allow room for a full range of unrestricted motion and move easily over a next-to-skin layer without binding. Constructed with flame resistant and no melt/no drip textiles, the Assault Shirt FR includes air permeable underarm mesh for breathability and the clean efficient design and meticulous craftsmanship ensure long-term performance.
Designed to work in conjunction with the Assault Shirt FR, the Assault Pant FR is a fully featured flame resistant technical pant appropriate for assault assignments. The reinforced seat, knees and gusseted crotch of the Assault Pant FR provides significant durability and allow enhanced user mobility. The spacious fit allows for seasonal layering, while articulation in the knees and seat allows a full range of unrestricted motion. Integrated pockets in the knees fit removable soft kneepads and/or LEAF Knee Caps. Six pockets are thoughtfully placed for operational function and are equipment compatible.
Emphasizing fire protection, enhanced movement and specific function, the new Assault FR combat uniform delivers unmatched capabilities.
XGO is offering a compression sleeve and its received a lot of interest. In addition to its intended use as a compression garment, it has a little bit of nap on the inside for cooler weather. They’ve sold quite a few to motorcycle and mounted Police Officers as well as to a company that has been hiring Vets in order to cover sleeve tattoos in some applications.
LBX Tactical has released a combat uniform featuring the Caiman camouflage from the LBX Region Pack first seen at SHOT Show 2014. This is the second camouflage from the Pack to be released with a commercial uniform; the first was Inland Taipan, released earlier this year in January.
The uniform consists of a combat shirt with a jersey knit center body and 65/35 PolyCotton ripstop sleeves, and a combat pant made of 65/35 PolyCotton ripstop. Look forward to products featuring the remaining two camouflages in the LBX Region Pack, Mantis and Snow Raptor, in the coming months.
During SHOT Show we gave you a sneak peek of the Forager Cap from FirstSpear. The story was quite popular and for this week’s Friday Focus, we are happy to announce that the Forager is now available for purchase. I’ve got one of the prototypes and I love it.
The Forager Cap features a slightly longer brim than other caps that gives extra shade and has a preformed, foldable bill that makes it a snap to store flat in your pocket. You’ll also notice that there are slits, called eyeglass channels, for the temple pieces of your eyepro that make sure they won’t go anywhere when stored above the brim.
The unique back hook strap combines stretch as well as a great deal of mechanical adjustment thanks to the buckle and loops. The Forager is also lined with an ultra light weight mesh for ventilation and wicking.
The front of the cap has a light weight breathable low nap pile from Velcro that will let you place a FS Cell Tag, PVC Patch or other ID marking. Additionally, the front breathable panel is embroidered with the FS logo if you don’t want to wear a patch.
Standard size currently available in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam. The Small size will be available in 4-6 weeks.
Serket’s new Extreme Cold Weather Hinge Balaclava has been tested in Alaska by the U.S. Army where it offered protection down to -40 deg F. While it isn’t a membrane fabric it does offer excellent wind resistance (4.5 cfm) on par with membrane fabrics.
The material has a fleece on the inside for comfort and is water resistance. The real innovation is the stiffenes in the external shroud that not only directs the exhale down and away from goggles but also keeps exhaled air from flowing upward and fogging eye wear. The balaclava is not FR but Serket is investigating appropriate materials pending a requirement from the field.
This is the first installment of a three-part exclusive sneak peek at Huron Tactical’s new pack and clothing line. While I showed you the new Huron Tactical Smock as well as the Approach Anorak back in January, I finally got my hands on one of the Anoraks and I’ve got to say that it’s my favorite new Huron product.
I worn the Huron Smock last week while hunting in New Zealand at Woodbury Safari Lodge. It’s late Fall there and the conditions change by the minute. It can go from cold wind and rain to warm sunshine in an instant, but the Anorak’s full side zips allow you to vent on the fly as well as facilitate rapid donning and doffing in the event you need to add or shed underlayers. The DWR coated four-way stretch softshell fabric also does an excellent job of repelling water, even in rain.
Additionally, the Approach Anorak incorporates nonslip elbows, a 1/4 front zip, removable hood, zippered bicep pockets with Velcro field for ID patches and an excellet Kangaroo pocket that sits atop a large zippered handwarmer pocket. Both of these chest mounted pockets feature elastic holders for M16-style magazines for a total of two per pocket. Finally, they’ve added a Cordura panel along the rear hem for sitting on ice or on other wet areas.
It is not quite as generously cut as the Huron Smock but I still recommend going down a size unless you are pairing it with a high loft insulation layer underneath. I usually wore it over a Merino base layer and Gen 2 Naga Hoodie from Arc’teryx LEAF and was very comfortable, even while sitting.
For all of these reasons, it has made the list of kit I recommend.
