A-TACS seems to be popping up everywhere at SHOT. Here. high atop the EOTAC booth a mannequin stands watch kitted out in their new RECCE Smock, Shirt and Pants.
Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category
A-TACS Sighting
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Crye Changes Everything
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010What the didn’t change, they added. I was duly impressed walking into the Crye Precision booth at this year’s SHOT Show. They have completely revamped their clothing line, making improvements to mainstays as well as adding new garments. The G3 Combat Shirt and Pants have received some streamlining and both Combat as well as Field Pants will feature the same pocket configurations. Another cool new feature is that the kneepad pockets have a recessed flap that can be pulled up and close off the kneepad pocket when not needed.
The Field Shell is a softshell jacket with angles pit zips that go around the circumference of a shoulder in much the same manner as a raglan sleeve. This is to accommodate those wearing armor systems. To complement the Field Shell they have developed the All weather Trousers and Combat Shirt. The All Weather Trousers are made from softshell material and the All Weather Combat Shirt is heavier weight than its sibling. Additionally, they are introducing the Wind Liner, a lightweight wind shirt that can be balled up and carried in your kit. Crye also revamped their kneepad, improving both the performance and comfort.
Additionally, they now offer three armor carriers; the CAGE, CAGE Plate Carrier and Jumpable Plate Carrier.
The JPC weighs an astonishing one pound! To help reduce weight Crye developed a skeletal MOLLE system called Airlite MOLLE and integrated new materials into the design.
In addition to armor, Crye has also introduced their new helmet. A two piece design, the Air Frame helmet is designed to stop frag The Air Frame features a chin strap and new rail system from Ops-Core as well as pads from Team Wendy. The two piece design allows new shapes to be molded and integrated resulting in increased nape coverage. Crye is also producing Chops, a facial protection applique as well as Ears which are armored add ons for the ear area.
And last but hardly least, Crye has begun to delve into injection molding with the Gun Clip. It is holster-like but Caleb Crye deigns to call it one. Rather, he referred to it as a pistol holder. With this technology, the days of the pull out and puch forward draw stroke are over. The weapon is retained by snapping into place. Due to their proprietary MOLLE compatible mounting solution, this allows you to present the pistol straight forward to the target when chest mounted. Additionally, it completely eliminates the exaggerated draw stroke for those using suppressed weapons. To draw, you simply flick the snap open with your thumb and pop the weapon from the Gun Clip.
I was told that everything would be available this year.
OTTE HT Insulated Parka
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
New from OTTE Gear is the HT Insulated Parka. It features five pockets to organize your equipment including two Napoleon pockets, two fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, and an internal pocket designed to keep your water bottle warm. The hood insulated and adjustable at the side and rear. It also has a stiffened brim. Insulated with 160 grams of PrimaLoft, the HT Parka is lightweight yet keeps you warm. I have used one over the recent cold snap and it works very well.
Available in MultiCam with Black trim, the HT Insulated parka will be on display at SHOT Show booth #7111.
Vertx Tactical Pant
Monday, January 18th, 2010
You might have run across Vertx in the past but may be wondering where they came from. The Vertx brand is actually an internal start up of Fechheimer Brothers Company, one of the Berkshire Hathaway Companies chaired by Mr. Warren Buffett. Fechheimer is best known in the Law Enforcement community for their Flying Cross brand of Police uniforms. Vertx was created as a collaborative effort with federal law enforcement and Arc’teryx to produce a progressive tactical pant.
Can you imagine paying less than $50 for an Arc’teryx design? With the Vertx pant that is exactly what you get. It’s the result of Arc’teryx’s world class design partnered with Fechheimer‘s 168 years of producing tailored garments for law enforcement and military customers. Combine that with Berkshire Hathaway’s tradition of integrity and financial strength, and authentic design direction from federal law enforcement operators, the first Vertx product, the premium tactical pant, was created.
Word on the street is that these were designed for the most elite of law enforcement units in the country but when I pressed him on it, brand manager Dave Walsh wouldn’t comment on any federal agency that contributed to the design process. However, he did have this to say, “We took a ground up design approach. Our preference is to design with the direct input from the end user and hold informal focus groups that include Federal, state and local law enforcement as well as experienced Special Forces operators. Our goal was to produce comfortable, function-first equipment that a gunfighter can wear and not stand out.” I would say that they have succeeded.
Ultimately, Vertx looks at their customer as the “Operational Athlete.” This is a concept grounded in public service and is used to describe the persona that requires high quality yet discreet tactical clothing. It’s the person that seeks to become the best at what they do. Dave Walsh had this to say about the Operational Athlete, “Our product is for the individual who seeks the satisfaction of training for, and confidently experiencing head to head combat. The operator who appreciates that when your opponent underestimates you it gives you power. Let the potential threat think you are slow, unarmed and weak, that’s the discipline.”
Bob Getto, President & CEO of Fechheimer also sees the advantage they are offering the end user. He said, “We’re extremely excited to bring Vertx apparel to the operational athlete. Vertx is designed by and for the operator who wants the combination of low visual profile, function of a battle garment and the appearance of business casual. Try the pants, and you’ll be sold – there is a not better fitting pair in the market.â€
As for me, they are the most comfortable low profile pants I have worn. They move with you. They are articulated, but just enough so that they don’t look like outdoor pants and they are packed with features. You would never see the hidden pocket and even the cargo pockets are set in to the pant leg so you won’t notice them. Literally, you could wear these in a briefing in the morning and go right to work on the street the same afternoon, and then slip on a sport coat and meet the wife for dinner; all in the same pair of pants.
In addition to the tactical pant, Vertx also produces the Cold Black polo which reflects up to 80% of UV light making them a much cooler alternative for those who work outside. They are also introducing new styles for women but these aren’t resized men’s trousers. Vertx worked with female LE officers to develop a unique fit block, accommodating the body form that is the American Police Woman.
I think Bob Getto’s comments sum it up best, “Try the pants — as many have — and you’ll be sold. There is not a better fitting pair in the market…”
Make sure you visit Vertx in booth #11044 at SHOT Show.
Stealth Suits
Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Most of you are used to using waterproof breathable hardshells as an outer layer but snipers have to wear ghillie suits for camouflage purposes and are a bit shy about the accompanying characteristic ‘whish-whish-whish’ noise of nylon outer garments. During the late 1980’s British and Dutch snipers pioneered the use of the ‘Stealth Suit’. Designed as an ultra lightweight waterproof breathable drop-liner garment that was designed to be worn under a ghillie suit or smock during inclement weather for example consider a British Army sniper in a Northern Ireland rural hide. If you think that the concept of the stealth suit is foreign to the US military, they were a component of SOCOM’s Battle Dress System, a forerunner to PCU in the early 1990s.
Our friends at CPGear have brought this concept over to North America with their Canadian made Stealth Jacket and Trousers. Weighing in at an unbelievably light weight of less than 14 ounces and packing down to a compact 3.5†diameter x 8†roll for the jacket, it can be stowed in most 1 quart canteen pouches. Due to its unique nylon tricot Gore tri-laminate construction the stealth suit also tends to be more breathable than garments with a taslan or supplex nylon face. At $140 Cdn for the jacket and trousers each (jacket and trousers sold separately) this is a bargain for a fully seam taped Gore-Tex garment. If you’re a sniper, or recon type with an LRS/LRRP/RSTA organization, the Stealth Suit concept is definitely worth a look. But don’t let that limit you. If you are operating where space and weight are limiting factors, you should consider the Stealth Suit as a replacement for a bulky hardshell. You can slip it on under your uniform and preserve heat as well as keep your body dry.
Those interested can order the Stealth Suit through CPGear.
Introducing the Fusion Jacket and Pant
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Arc’teryx has just released the Fusion Jacket and Pant as part of the LEAF line. Developed as a Buy America compliant alternative to the popular Fission series, the new Fusion products are insulated pieces with windproof yet breathable shells. They are insulated using a non-quilted, laminated material called ThermaTekâ„¢ to prevent cold spots. This construction also means that they will pack down to an amazing 183 cubic inches each.
The jacket features a Napoleon pocket as well as two hand pockets as well as knit cuffs to keep wind debris out of the sleeve. The pant has full side zips to facilitate donning and doffing in addition to an integrated waist belt. Available in Crocodile, naturally.
Be sure to visit Arc’teryx at SHOT Show booth #11044 and at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market booth #1021 with beer call at both locations from 4:00 – 5:30 each day. The beer is really quite tasty and the clothing ever so toasty.
So What About the IAs?
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010A couple of readers have contacted us to ask what the adoption of the new NWU Type II means for Navy Individual Augmentees. The answer is simple; nothing. Currently IAs wear the Army Combat Uniform as they generally fall in on Army units. It’s just easier for them to fit in but they wear US Navy service tapes as well as Navy ranks. They remain Sailors but wear the uniform of the service they are supporting, just like Navy personnel who support the Fleet Marine Force wear the MARPAT Marine Camouflage Combat Utility Uniform. The new NWUs are intended for Navy units and they provide a distinctive Navy look.
(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released)
More on New Navy Working Uniform Variants
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010At first I was kind of perplexed by the Navy’s decision to retain the old 3-color desert pattern uniform for non-Special Warfare personnel as reported yesterday. And then it hit me. NSW has adopted PCU Level 9 and it comes in the AOR 1 pattern.
I guess rather than manufacturing a true “Type II” version of the NWU in AOR 1, they have chosen to continue to use the traditional 3-color desert combat uniform so that the two uniforms would remain distinct. PCU level 9 for NSW and DCUs for other Naval Ground Combatants so not only will the patterns be distinct but also the styles of uniforms.
One thing you can say about the new Level 9 uniform built by Ready One under license from Patagonia is that it is a full on combat uniform. I still find it interesting that they plan on issuing that uniform to everyone in NSW who is heading down range as they still have support troops and various attachments in addition to their actual operators. It is important to note that SOCOM also procures the PCU Customization System from Beyond Tactical. They produce garments for personnel who are in special size categories.
Additionally, there is a distinct line item in the still unsigned National Defense Authorization Act FY2010 budget for the Naval Special Warfare Protective Combat Uniform to the tune of $2.5 Million. So this is a good deal for the Navy. It isn’t going to cost them anything. Since PCU is SOF-unique it will be paid for with MFP-11 (Special Ops) funds and it looks like these will be beefed up specifically for this purpose. However, my guess is that there will be an AOR 1 variant of the NWU within a year. The Navy has chosen a theme or branding if you will, and it doesn’t make sense to continue to purchase something that doesn’t fit in with the rest. Additionally, developing an AOR 1 NWU won’t jeopardize the Navy taking advantage of the SOCOM gravy train. What really makes PCU unique is the cut of the uniform and not the pattern. It could just as easily be manufactured in MultiCam or UCP if one of SOCOM’s other components desired it. However, on the other hand, one could make the argument that the Navy calling PCU Level 9 an NWU could cause some to consider it a service common item and make it ineligible for MFP-11 funds. So Navy, beware one of the Assessment Directors at SOCOM figures that one out.
Finally, I’ve received numerous questions on what the plan for tactical nylon will be but at this point I have no idea. Over the last few years, both NSW as well as the fledgling Naval Expeditionary Combat Command which between them control all of the Navy’s ground forces have fielded equipment in Coyote Brown. For NSW I have been told that this will change to AOR patterned gear but since there has been no centralized purchasing of commodities by NECC it will most likely be left up to the individual unit as to what pattern of equipment they purchase. Up to now it has been all but impossible to acquire AOR patterned raw materials without contracts with specific customers. The patterns will be adapted slightly with the inclusion of the Anchor, Constitution and Eagle (ACE) symbol and a process to vet manufacturers will have to be instituted so it may be much later this year before we begin to see any quantifiable movement in this area.
