According to Tactical Fanboy Predator BDU is already shipping their A-TACS ACUs from Propper! That’s right, ahead of schedule. How often can you say that? This also means that they have them in stock.
Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category
Predator BDU Shipping A-TACS Pre-orders
Monday, March 14th, 2011Unleashing Cilahc
Thursday, March 10th, 2011We know, so you’re asking yourself, “What the hell’s a Cilahc?” Don’t worry, we did the same thing when Unleashed Tactical Equipmentâ„¢ came to us to talk about it recently. You may recall that last summer we wrote an article about UTE’s Fit to Fight initiative which came about due to a longtime mate’s battle related severe burn injuries while wearing non-FR clothing. Over time this project evolved into the Cilahc range.
Below are two of the Cilahc products; the jacket and pants.
You need to read this exclusive interview to get an idea of where they are heading with this range of FR clothing and their overall philosophy.
SSD Interview With UTE on Cihalc
For more information visit unleashed-tactical.com.
Battlefield Airmen on the Job
Thursday, March 10th, 2011We like seeing official Air Force photos of Battlefield Airmen applying airmanship to the tasks at hand. In this case we see U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stacy Maxey, a command air mobility liaison officer with Task Force CROM, giving a landing zone safety officer course U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Romanian army personnel at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lagman, Afghanistan.
You will note the combination of AF Digital Tigerstripe, Army UCP and Army OCP (MultiCam) clothing and equipment on the Airmen in the photo. Expect this to be the norm for at least the near future as deploying Airmen transition to OCP.
A Lowkey Alternative to the Rigger’s Belt – Updated
Friday, February 25th, 2011Mountain Hardwear has two alternatives to the GI rigger’s Belt for those that like the basic look but don’t want to scream “average”; the Double Back Belt and the Alloy Nut Belt.
Sure, they’re not life support capable, but either are the issue Rigger’s Belts which really are nothing more than a few feet of Type VIII webbing and friction adapters from a Parachutist H Harness. The issue belt might look cool but won’t do much for a you in a jam. On the other hand, the Mountain Hardware belts look really cool and come in enough different colors you can make up your own combatives belt system. What’s more, you won’t look like a toolbag if you wear one of them in civilian clothing.
Colors include Espresso, British Tan, Stone Green, Grill, Moondust and the boringly named Black. One size fits most.
Update- One of my colleagues who is a big MH fan told me he had purchased the Alloy Nut Belt and it just wouldn’t stay tight. I have had hands on the Double Back and the design keeps the belt secure but he feels that the webbing on the Alloy Nut Belt was too supple and slippery to stay secure. Looking at the two designs you can see that the buckles are drastically different and this may contribute to the disparity in performance. So at this point, the SSD verdict is Double Back = Good, Alloy Nut = Not So Good.
Thanks for the input Rob! If anyone else has any input please feel free to share it in the comments section.
Pathfinder from TAD
Friday, February 25th, 2011
Triple Aught Design’s new Pathfinder pulls double duty as a mid layer as well as an outer layer thanks to its hardface fleece construction. The Cardigan-style streamlined design is intended to ensure comfort whether worn alone or with plate carrier, harness or pack. TAD’s design philosophy believes that you should be able to move without feeling constrained by the materials or style.
• Polartec’s Thermal Pro, renown for its thermal properties and breathability
• Polartec’s Hardface, abrasion resistant, doesn’t pill and has been treated with a DWR just in case you get caught in a light precipitation
• A single panel running from the cuff, up the arm, and down the torso to the bottom hem enables full range of motion
• Active fit accommodates baselayers and is streamlined enough to wear under another outer layer when needed
• The hardface surface makes it easy to slip into your outer layer as there’s less to “grab ontoâ€
• Two front pockets sewn into the seam for easy access and large storage
• Forearm pocket for quick access to small items
Kick Ass Caps
Thursday, February 24th, 2011Have you ever found yourself looking for classic military cap styles in modern camo patterns? Well, some of you may have but I bet after seeing these most of you will want them too. Slangvel, a disabled US Army vet who later went on to work for the Veterans Administration hand crafts various styles of military caps. Many camo and militaria collectors will recognize the significance of the name. The term Slangvel is Afrikaans for snake skin and was used to used to refer to SADF para smocks which featured texturised nylon elbow patches.
Slangvel currently manufactures M43-styles, Bigeards, Recce Hats, 2″ Brim Boonie Hats, Berets, and Rhodesian Kepis. Currently, all offerings are made via eBay as they come off the line so you have to check back regularly to ascertain available styles and patterns. Word is that Slangvel will undertake commissions in patterns he does not stock if you can supply the fabric. Additional charges may apply.
Two weeks ago I ordered a MultiCam M43-style as well as a MultiCam and AOR2 Recce Hats. Overall, craftsmanship is excellent and the patterning follows the original caps. Stitching is flawless. The M43 fits like a glove and had the perfect crumple right out of the box. The Recce Hat is a Short Brimmed Boonie with shock cord cinch strap, Crye Boonie-style slash air vents with mesh lining and a Day-Glo Orange signal panel sewn into the crown that pulls double duty as a pocket. I can’t say enough good things about these caps.
Those interested in his services should visit Slangvel on eBay. myworld.ebay.com/slangvel
He has also asked me to provide his email address for those interested in custom work. graywolf47@comcast.net
Arborwear Stretch Tech Pant
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
It’s literally been years since we last wrote about Arborwear. We hadn’t spoken with anyone from Arborwear in quite some time and they’ve always been considered a bit of a specialist brand. After all, the company was started by lumberjacks. But, we ran into Arborwear Team Captain Bill Weber at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in SLC and it became blatantly obvious how much we have missed out on. They have just gotten better and better. They make a lot of great clothing but one thing that caught my eye was the Stretch Tech Pant. I’ve always loved the Tech Pant with its comfortable fabric and cut that moves with you. This new Stretch Tech Pant doesn’t disappoint.
They come equipped with two front pockets and two rear pockets along with a side cargo pocket and utility pocket. The bottom cuffs feature 18″ zippers and Velcro tabs to fit over boots. Available in Teflon-coated Charcoal four-way stretch fabric they include Black Kevlar knee patches which are darn near indestructible. Waist sizes 28-44.
Smokin’ Blowout from 782 Gear
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
782 Gear is running a “End of Season Blowout” on their Smokin’ Series Midlayer Apparel. We first wrote about the Smokin’ Series during SHOT Show 2010 and since that time 782 Gear has developed several options that are based on time tested products like the old field jacket liner. Many are moving back to loft insulation since it is highly compressible and provides the warmth of fleece at half the weight. In the case of the Smokin’ Series the ripstop nylon shell is not only durable but its slick face makes for easy layering.
If you have been considering purchasing new loft insulation, this is the time to do it with discounts as high as 50% off MSRP. www.782gear.com
