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Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category

First Lite Merino Wool Clothing

Friday, February 18th, 2011

First Lite specializes in Merino wool clothing for hunting. We have gone over the many merits of Merino in the past but summarize; warm even when wet, inherent anti-microbial which inhibits odor, and inherent FR. Several friends of SSD have been raving about First Lite’s garments, particularly their underwear and hats so we thought we should introduce the brand to you.

This is the Gila Hunting Pant. It’s tough to find wool pants these days, and Merino has an increased comfort range so you can wear them in a wider variety of environments than most pants. Plus, if you get wet, you’ll still be warm and if you sweat, you won’t stink to high heaven. Plus, Merino isn’t scratchy like traditional wool.

You will notice the odd camouflage pattern which is called ASAT. To give you a little history on ASAT, you need to know is that it stands for All Season All Terrrain so it was envisioned as a “universal” camouflage pattern. Dating back to 1986, ASAT was developed for hunting and features a Tan base. Interestingly, in the late 80s, Brigade Quartermaster commissioned an “urban” variant using a Grey base with dark bands. Based on this, we guess you could look at ASAT as a family of patterns dating back over 20 years.

Remember, First Lite manufactures hunting clothing and their color options reflect this. They offer Black, ASAT, Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity, and Real Tree Max-1. Additionally, some products may be offered in more of fewer color options. Since we are in late winter, many colors are currently sold out.

Finally, in addition to the Gila Hunting Pants above, First Lite offers several next to skin layering options as well as headwear.

www.FirstLite.com

A-TACS SHOT Show 2011 Roundup

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Digital Concealment Systems released a great roundup of all things A-TACS from SHOT Show 2011. Rather than steal their thunder, we thought it best to show you a couple of our favorites and then send you on over to check out the entire list.

We’ve mentioned the upcoming TAC-U combat shirt from Propper. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Tactical Assault Gear unveiled their Combat Sustainment Pack at SHOT Show. We figured the web would have blown up already over this one but it looks like it is starting to receive some attention. Designed to be used to augment a chest rig load or as a bailout bag, one of this pack’s coolest features is that it includes a CCB (combat casualty bag) used to carry a down man’s kit while he is being moved, treated and extracted. Our friends at TAG have sent one along to us so be on the lookout for a review soon.

Make sure you read the whole thing so you can dig into the details at A-TACS.com.

More on Beyond’s New Lineup

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Last month we gave you a glimpse into Beyond’s new clothing lineup and website. Now, we want to go a bit more in depth on a couple of these designs. Not to take anything away from Beyond’s great designs and excellent fabric choices, literally the most awesome thing about them is that every garment can be manufactured to fit. It’s as good as having a neighborhood tailor who specializes in tactical clothing. What’s more, Beyond now includes women’s styles as well as men’s. A lot of work was put into developing a fit block specifically for the ladies.

Men’s RidgeBack Bib

Designed as a companion piece to the RidgeBack Jacket, the Bib is joined by a Pant as well. It is manufactured from Gore-Tex and features a full bib front and back in addition to generous side zips to facilitate donning and doffing. Additionally, Beyond has added a hip zip for ventilation as well as dual napoleon pockets on the front bib. The entire RidgeBack line is available in Black, Blue, Coyote, and Alpha Green.

Women’s Steel Jacket

Made from Scholler’s WB-400, the Steel Jacket offers slash pockets as well as optional hood and pit zips. This is another first for Women’s clothing. Take a look at these color choices. Molten Red, Lilac, Desert Khaki, Coyote, Brown, Black, White. There are a couple of options in there that are perfect for tactical operations. Beyond Clothing combines state of the art fabrics, with a true women’s fit block and made to measure in tactical colors. What’s not to like?

Beyond Clothing continues to come on strong with new offerings including insulation pieces and hardshells. We can’t recommend the made to order products enough. Sure, they’re expensive, but how often do you get to purchase clothing that fits you exactly like you want and was made specifically for you? In a big box world, you don’t. Visit www.beyondclothing.com and their sister site tactical.beyondclothing.com.

Roggenwolf Warg Update

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Last month we mentioned that the Polish company SpecOps would be incorporating Roggenwolf’s Warg camo patterns into their line. At the time we showed you the forest version. Newly produced, we can now unveil the desert pattern. This pre-production MBS-1 uniform features the 5-color desert variant of Roggenwolf’s Warg. Additional trial uniforms are now being shipped to Polish SF units and to Australia for field trials.

www.specops.pl

The Arc’teryx Wraith

Monday, February 14th, 2011

At SHOT Show, along with the Rigger’s Belt, Arc’teryx also debuted the new Wraith. The Wraith is a lightweight clothing solution that can be called upon to accomplish a variety of missions. Using the Twight layering system adopted for PCU, it would be a level 4 (windproof) garment, except with a couple of key differences. Previously, other clothing systems have only offered a top for level 4, whereas Arc’teryx also offers a bottom. Due to the low porosity of the ripstop 40 denier fabric, it is an excellent windproof and offers an enhanced capability to protect not only the torso but also the lower extremities. The bottom design integrates partial side zips to facilitate rapid donning and doffing as well adjustable cuffs and a full front zip for the top. Combined with a low profile hood with stiffened brim, the Wraith is not only well suited for patrols but also for lying up as well as during long, cold, helo, boat, and vehicle transits to an objective.

Additionally, the Wraith is designed for use as an overwhite. Currently offered in two colors; White and Crocodile, the Wraith’s tops and bottoms can be combined based on the environment. For example, a Crocodile top can be combined with a White bottom in the Alpine zone where Evergreens are present in order to further blend in. An interesting feature of the fabric is that it is slightly translucent meaning the colors of the layers beneath are barely visible. This is particularly effective with the white version and means that the Wraith takes on the camo pattern on the clothing worn beneath.

Finally, the Wraith stores in a compact package meaning you can carry it with you if you are wearing civilian clothing and need to apply some quick camouflage. Obviously, the photo below of the Wraith in its integral pouch is not to scale with the other photos above. Aside from being enclosed in the pouch it can be further compressed to smaller than a softball.

The function of overwhites is normally singular in nature and that is to provide very specialized camouflage. But as you can see, the Wraith accomplishes this better by providing more capability than the standard overwhite and also serves as a windproof garment.

Also, Arc’teryx just found out that they will be able to print this fabric and are considering offering the Wraith in MultiCam. This means hasty camouflage will be all the more effective as well as blending seamlessly with issue clothing for troops from any of the numerous countries who have adopted MultiCam.

Available in the standard size range later this year from leaf.arcteryx.com.

Air Force Seeking MultiCam Flight Suits – NOT

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

CANCELLED! Looks like Airmen will NOT be getting MultiCam flightsuits anytime soon. Quite specifically, a recent RFQ from the 45th Space Wing’s Contracting Squadron calls for some 200 DRIFIRE brand two piece flight suits, t-shirts, and combat shirts. In MultiCam no less. We’ve written about Drifire’s two piece flight suit. To summarize, the benefits of Drifire are myriad:
-Permanent Flame Resistance
-Moisture Wicking
-Fast Drying
-Superior Comfort
-Anti-Microbial
-Anti-Odor

Based on these stats, it’s now wonder that they asked for Drifire.

It is important to note that the procurement originates at Patrick AFB on Florida’s Space Coast (hence the 45th Space Wing). Patrick is home to the USAF Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing. Think PJs and Rescue Helos. So this isn’t the start of some big Air Force procurement for MultiCam flight suits. However, it is a great opportunity for Dri Fire.

All of this may sound confusing. But you have to understand how the Air Force conducts business. The 45th Space Wing is the host base and the 920th is a tenant. Consequently, they will rely on the host Wing for things like contracting. While the 45 Wing might be buying these garments, they are probably not the folks paying for them, or using them.

While the Air Force recently announced that it will be fielding Army OCP clothing and equipment to deploying Airmen, flyer’s clothing was not discussed. The Army does in fact have a certified two piece flight suit in MultiCam in the form of the OCP A2CU. What’s more, they just equipped the first unit a few weeks ago. But, the Air Force often wants to go its own way when it comes to flight suits. In fact, two piece flight suits have been a bit of a touchy subject in the Air Force for quite some time, whether they have been certified by another service or not. However, the two piece ensembles are much better for helo crews including PJs and flight medics. It’s good to see the troops getting the kit they need.

DRIFIRE Phenix II Flight Suit

www.drifire.com

TAD Gear Releases Ranger LT

Friday, February 11th, 2011

SSD readers should be no stranger to Triple Aught Designs. Today, they release the new Ranger LT which is based on the popular Ranger Hoodie. Consider it more of a year-round design. For example, when it’s cooler out, it acts an outerlayer to keep you warm without overheating. When it gets cold, it’s a great mid-layer underneath a hardshell.

Despite its lightweight rating, the Ranger LT is feature laden:
• An active fit streamlined enough to wear under another outer layer when needed
• Manufactured from Polartec Wind Pro (288 weight or 8.5 oz) with a DWR finish (Black SPEAR Fleece was 300 weight)
• Highly breathable and constructed to support a full range of motion
• Aero hood that provides head protection and warmth
• Eight pockets including two chest pockets with media port and D-rings, two upper arm pockets with Velcro patches, media port and d-rings, a left forearm pocket and rear hunters pocket
• The thumbhole cuffs have been sewn into the seam to reduce excess wind from getting in
• Pit vents provide extra breathability
• Chin guard
• Guide wires allow headphones to be neatly threaded down the hoodie and through the media port(s)
• Available in Black, ME Green and UE Gray

www.tripleaughtdesign.com

Great Pre-Order Deal on A-TACS ACUs

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Predator BDU contacted us to let us know that they are offering a special pre-order deal on the A-TACS ACU from Propper – $129.97 for the uniform and boonie hat with free shipping.

www.predatorbdu.com