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Canadians Seek Combat Shirts

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

The Canadian DnD has just issued a tender through Public Works for 25,270 “Hybrid Shirts” in CADPAT(AR) to be delivered by 31 March 2010. The documentation describes the “Hybrid Shirt” as having “a knit material body and FR fabric arms in Canadian Disruptive Pattern Arid Regions (CADPAT AR)”.

Something you have to know is that everything purchased by the Canadian military is purchased through Public Works and Government Services Canada. I know it sounds kind of odd to us Americans but it’s how they do things.

As for the requirement itself, it’s kind of interesting. Industry insiders tell us that the specified body material is the Cordura no-melt, no-drip fabric we wrote about last year. Incidentally, the Tru-Spec Combat Shirt also utilizes the same Cordura fabric for the body. The Cordura fabric offers a lower cost alternative to the more expensive performance FR materials used in many combat ensembles. No-melt, no-drip fabrics are sort of a “do no harm” option and are generally based on natural fibers with performance enhancing treatments.

What is intriguing in all of this is that there is a Canadian connection to this fabric. Tac Wear had the exclusive on that fabric for awhile and pioneered its use in military base layers. In fact, they produced the initial run of t-shirts, some of which were offered through military outfitter Ranger Joes near Fort Benning, Georgia. Wonder how TW will dare on this procurement.

So the news is good for the Canadian soldier. Sort of. Eight years into the war they are finally starting to procure proper load carrying systems and uniforms. Unfortunately, the Hybrid Shirts won’t be available until Spring of next year. On the other hand, for those of you who can’t wait, CP Gear offers a full range of load carrying solutions as well as combat clothing such as the OTW Shirt seen above.

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OTTE Gear -DK Jacket

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

OTTE Gear debuted their new line of DK Jackets at last year’s SHOT Show. Several military organizations had been looking for an enhanced version of the Combat Jacket design and OTTE Gear has worked a couple of these changes into the DK lineup. Now that it’s starting to get cool outside, I thought it would be a good time to show it around.

The jacket features a generous cut. With many of the current combat-style jackets on the market I wear a Large. However, with the DK from OTTE Gear, I still wear a Large but I can layer effectively which makes the jacket all the more versatile. Additionally, the DK is offered in two weights; Standard (unlined) and Heavy (lined with X-static, same as the Alpine line). The Heavy was the first to be rolled out but OTTE released a lighter, Standard version for when temps are a bit more temperate.

Some of the DK’s features are fairly standard. For example, there is a stand-up collar and flat pockets on the biceps which have Velcro to attach patches. But that’s where the similarities end. The cuffs in addition to being partially elasticized, have an adjustable tab closure and the two large hand slash pockets can be used to vent the jacket. This is a feature not normally found on a combat softshell. However, ultimately the most interesting mod to this design is the 20 inch pit zips which allow for venting as well as an â€œon the goâ€ conversion of the jacket to a short sleeve. OTTE uses elastic straps to keep the sleeves rolled up and out of the way. This is particularly handy when under heavy load and just venting the pits won’t do.

The DK features Schoeller NanoSphere protective finish to keep the jacket water resistant and repel stains. Made in the USA and available in Small – 2XL from OTTE Gear.

Tags: OTTE Gear
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First Ascent

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

First Ascent is a new line of hard core outdoor line from Eddie Bauer in collaboration with Whittaker Mountaineering, and Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. They’ve set their sights high with this undertaking as the name itself gives nod to a first successful summit of a mountain. In a way this is Eddie Bauer getting back to its roots. They claim that First Ascent is the most significant line of gear in a generation and for them this would certainly be true. It’s been about that long since they produced anything like this. Back in the 70s, if you were going mountaineering, chances were good you’d be using Eddie Bauer. Somewhere along the way they drifted to a lifestyle brand. It’s good to see them coming around full circle.

The Hangfire Hoodie is a great example to give you an idea of the type of products in the line. It is made from a combination of two-way stretch under the arms and anti-pill fleece. The design features an off-set zipper to aid layering as well as a Napoleon pocket.

To see the entire line which includes clothing, packs, and other equipment visit First Ascent online.

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EOTAC Establishes NYC Show Room

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

EOTAC has teamed with NY Ironworks to establish a showroom in Manhattan at the NY Ironworks store.

“I am very happy to be working with the folks at NY Ironworks. They have been serving the law enforcement community for the past 15 years and have a rock solid reputation with their customers. Their location in Chinatown, around the corner from One Police Plaza, is the perfect place for EOTAC to present our full product line to the NYC law enforcement community,â€ said Fernando Coelho, President of EOTAC.

â€œWe are proud to be EOTACâ€™s New York City showroom. We believe in carrying the best in any category we offer our customers, and with EOTAC, we can do that,â€ said Neil Guideman, Owner of NY Ironworks.

â€œWe like to carry the best product in the market that is available to the law enforcement community. With the EOTAC products they offer the best comfort and high quality material made,â€ added Tony NG, the Sales Manager of NY Ironworks.

Tags: EOTAC
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Arc’teryx Combat Pant and Jacket Combo

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

Grey Group is offering a fantastic deal on a Combat Pant and Jacket Combo. Both garments work great alone, as outer garments, or as part of a layering system.

The Combat Jacket features athletic patterning and high-tech TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® fabric to ensure freedom of movement and breathability.

The Combat Pant has burly, extra-wide 2Â¼” belt loops and is crafted from breathable, four-way stretch TweaveÂ® DurastretchÂ® fabric. Designed for athletic movement under rugged conditions, these pants are equally at home in coastal forests, arid deserts, or on mountain ridges.

When purchased together, the combo would normally retail for $660 from most vendors but is only $399 during this special offer. This deal is only available in Crocodile and only from Grey Group.

Tags: Arc'teryx, Grey Group Training
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Arc’teryx Launches Veilance Today

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Arc’teryx needs no introduction to the readers of Soldier Systems Daily. Their LEAF line has set the standard for technical military wear. Now, they have brought their expertise to a new area; performance menswear. The much anticipated Veilance collection offers a new level of urban camouflage for the armed professional. Finally, the pinnacle of performance is being engineered into garments that will fit in as well on a battlefield as a shopping center. A very limited offering of Arc’teryx Veilance was unveiled in select stores beginning October 1.

Veilance started with the question of why the philosophy of ‘form follows function’ was not a mainstay in clothing worn in the urban environment. Spurred by developments in garment technology, as well as by wide reaching technology based shifts in society and culture at large, the potential for an entirely new type of apparel has evolved. Arc’teryx has applied its expertise in performance design, basing Veilance on aesthetic style, superior quality and extraordinary performance for the urban arena. Technical textiles provide full weather protection and personal comfort. 3D anatomic patterning augments fit and drape and creates a distinguished look. Innovative features and premium components highlight the extraordinary finishing detail. Performing well under a myriad of activities and conditions, social settings, modes of transit, physical exertion levels, interior and exterior climates, the Veilance collection creates protection that is always comfortable and projects an aesthetic of quiet confidence.

Designer Conroy Nachtigall, a graduate of Central St. Martens in London, has reinterpreted menswear classics and combined them with state of the art manufacturing techniques and technical materials usually found in outdoor garments, creating this radically innovative menswear collection. The Veilance collection includes a GORE-TEX long coat and field jacket, WINDSTOPPER blazers and pants, fine Merino sweaters, and ingeniously designed dress shirts and tees. Continuing the trajectory established in outdoor and military sectors, the Veilance collection is the company’s entry into inspired clothing for day-to-day urban use. The Veilance collection will be manufactured in Canada in Arc’teryx’s own Vancouver factory and available in a limited offering this October from select premium men’s clothing stores: 290 Square Meters, Amsterdam; The Tannery, Boston; The Glade Firmament, Berlin; International Gallery Beams and Beams House, Tokyo; The Hideout, London, as well as direct from Arcâ€™teryx.

For any of you who still aren’t convinced, check out this great article from Code magazine.

For those of you ready to experience Veilance visit veilance.arcteryx.com

*Note that existing LEAF and Pro customers will not be eligible for discounts.

-Eric Graves
Editor

Tags: Arc'teryx, Veilance
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Modern Day Marine Round Up

Monday, October 5th, 2009

There were a lot of great products at last week’s Modern Day Marine expo at Quantico, Virginia.

Wilcox Industries showed their new interface for the Ops-Core mount.

Speaking of Ops-Core, they debuted several new products available in early 2010. This eye shield was actually developed a couple of years ago but placed on hold while they refined the FAST technology for a military customer. The lens slides up and down on a track located inside the shell. It will replace the front brow pad inside the helmet as a unit and is ready to go awaiting production of the actual clear shield which will be manufactured by Oakley.

The Smith Optics Elite Division crew was on hand.

Australian firm Global Safety Solutions & Management PTY LTD exhibited their new wet weather laminate material. It is used in the current Australian issue foul weather clothing system.

Inert Products, LLC displayed a wide variety of training aids including the M4 “rubber duck” as well as other inert training aids.

Benchmade Knives showed a set of their HK signature knives packed inside a pistol case. The combo pack includes a 20-Tools-in-One mutli-tool, LED light, and Ally knife.

Tags: Modern Day Marine, Ops-Core
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Swedish Combat Bra Under Development

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

This story come from a recent report by the Gothenburg Post and English-language Swedish journal The Local via the UK Register. Apparently, female members of the Swedish military must purchase their own brassieres. Their main concern is that the sports bras available are not FR and not designed for the rigors of combat. Instead, according to the article there are complaints that they unhook too easily.

Sweden still has National Service and inducts about 2000 women per year. Paulina Rehbinder a representative of the Council of Conscripts criticized the military for its lack of gender equality, in a country widely considered a pioneer in the field. In response to such concerns the Swedish military is developing a new combat bra that should enter service this Winter.

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