For those of you jonesing for a modern M65, Nike offers their version. Manufactured from Gore-tex with modern embellishments, it retains the classic four pocket styling as well as tuck-in-the collar hood. Yes, the cuff says “NSW”. Available in White, Black, and Golden Harvest.
visit www.nike.com
SSD was fortunate enough to participate in a media roundtable earlier today. We picked up a few tidbits to keep our readers up to date. While the Army began fielding OEF Camouflage Pattern (OCP is the Army’s designation for Crye Precision’s MultiCam pattern) clothing and equipment to CONUS-based Afghanistan bound troops in September, equipping troops who are already in theater has kicked off. According the COL William Cole, Program Manager for Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment they recently began issuing OCP kit to in-theater troops. Additionally, he brought us up to speed on a few items being fielded. First, he clarified the Gen III ECWCS issue. Only layers three through six are being issued in OCP. The puffy layer and under layers are already in solid colors that are either worn under other clothing or a suitable shade.
Next he explained that troops are now receiving the Gen II IOTV which is more comfortable most notably due to the new cummerbund which makes it more easy to mount the side plates. COL Cole related that during his most recent trip into theater, he fitted the new style cummerbund to his IOTV. Additionally, the Army has let contracts for conversion kits to upgrade currently fielded armor to the Gen II standard and OCP camo coloring. This is quite cost effective for the Army as the retrofit kits cost less than one-third the cost of a new vest.
A decision still has not been made on the Mountain Combat Boot, but data collected during a wear test this summer in Afghanistan is being crunched.
Finally, while the Air Force is still staffing their OCP fielding strategy, BG Peter Fuller, PEO-Soldier explained the Army’s commitment to field full OCP kits to sister troops working with Army units. Way to go Army! Hopefully, we will see OCP versions of the USAF’s ABS-G soon.
Winter is right around the corner and I/O Bio presents the Contact 1 Pilot Suit to keep you warm and snugly. Nothing feels like a union suit and the Contact 1 Pilot Suit takes the design one step further by adding thumbholes and a hood. Naturally, they have retained the shoot-the-moon drop seat to accommodate those pesky calls of nature. But probably the best feature about the Pilot Suit is that it made from Merino wool and what’s not to love about Merino? It’s naturally comfortable against the skin, hypo-allergenic, no melt no drip, and anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.
Short Bark Industries manufactures the Marine Corps issue IWCS and we were lucky enough to run across one in the Tencate booth at Modern Day Marine. As you can see it has thumbhole cuffs and Super Fabric shoulder caps and is manufactured from FR fabrics. Check it out.
TacticalPants.com has prepared an excellent article on tactical pants for the ladies. Quite frankly there is a dearth of information on this subject and the tactical community becomes more gender integrated, the market is only going to grow. (Take note of this manufacturers, there will be a test, and only those that pay attention will survive)
One of the article’s features that we really liked was the information on Men’s vs Women’s pants since there are still so few styles available. We hope that TacticalPants.com revisits this issue in the future as we hear there are more products for women on the horizon.
The Military of Montenegro (Vojska Crne Gore) is a professional force consisting of a 2500 member combined Army, Navy and Air Force. As you can see, they use MultiCam.
Officially known as the U.S. Army Anthropometric Models to Optimize the Human Systems Interface (ANSUR II), the Army is taking steps to update its Anthropometric Data. First off, we need to explain the term “Anthropometric Data”. Anthropometry is the study of physical dimensions in people, including the measurement of human body characteristics such as heights, breadths, girths, and reaches. In all, Natick’s ANSUR II program will measure 13,000 Soldiers to determine this information and update its models of human sizing.
The data currently used by the Army to size clothing and individual equipment as well as in workstation such as cockpit design is from 1988 and it’s about time it was updated. Nowadays, the Total Army force includes not only Active Duty but also Guard and Reserve troops, not to mention that the American is larger than 20-odd years ago. Consequently, current sizing tariffs are incorrect causing the Army to experience shortages of select sizes of CIE. Size tariffs are predictive tables that guide the Army when they purchase, stock and issue clothing and other sized equipment. For example, for every 1000 Soldiers, a size tariff might tell a Program Manager to purchase 5 X-Small Short trousers, 5 X-Small Reg, 3 X-Small Long, etc. until each size had been specified. The information is based on the anthropometric data of the force and is critical to procuring the correct amount of gear in the proper sizes.
One of the biggest changes to how the information will be collected and used is that it is now 3D in nature. In addition to the 95 traditional body measurements taken, 3D whole body, head/face and foot scans will be collected. When data on an entire body is collected, it can be correlated in new ways to further show how the entire body is shaped and how clothing and equipment interact with a Soldier’s body. This improved shape data will result in improved designs for body armor and other close fitting protective equipment such as headgear, footwear, and handwear.
For more information visit http://nsrdec.natick.army.mil/ANSURII/.
According to Arc’teryx, Polartec is giving away a Strato Hoody Jacket. Just visit their Facebook page and leave a comment. Ok, so it’s not a LEAF product, but Arc’teryx makes some cool civy stuff too.
