Clothing | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Clothing’ Category

Off-Duty Part IV – Arborwear

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

We have been wearing Arborwear for years and we aren’t alone. Although designed for the arborist, their hard wearing clothes have had a cult following in the contractor community for quite some time. Additionally, they have been a favorite of military personnel who do not wear uniforms due to mission requirements. Some brands stand out in a crowd, Arborwear doesn’t.

The one place Arborwear does stand out, is in the fit department. The entire Arborwear line has a very distinctive fit and nothing else we have ever tried has been as comfortable. While other brands offer freedom of movement with stretch fabrics, Arborwear does it with design. Their trousers all have a large gusset which was designed to ensure freedom of movement for lumberjacks who spent a great deal of time climbing trees. Additionally, unlike some brands, Arborwear takes great pains to ensure a consistent fit between styles as well as production runs.

Arborwear Tech Pants

In particular, we prefer the Tech Pant, a cargo style work trouser. They are offered in three colors: Forest Green, Driftwood, and Dark Grey. Although many would feel the Forest Green color is a bit deep for most applications, the Driftwood resembles Flat Dark Earth and blends in well with many other earth tones. Unfortunately, the Dark Grey is almost Black and picks up a great deal of lint due to the soft fabric so they may not be the best color for tactical applications. The Tech Pants have a soft hand and are very comfortable. You wouldn’t know that they were made from Nylon. The Tech Pant is the trouser of choice for range work around Soldier Systems Blog. However, the entire line is made up of the most comfortable and durable work clothing we have found.

For more information contact Arborwear. Additionally, AFMO has Arborwear on GSA.

Tags: Arborwear
Posted in Clothing, Off-Duty | Comments Off on Off-Duty Part IV – Arborwear

Darn Tough Vermont Socks

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

A relative newcomer to “tactical” hosiery, Darn Tough Vermont makes one heck of a sock. For over 30 years the Cabot Hosiery Mill in Northfield, Vermont has made socks, but for everybody else. Five years ago they decided to launch their own brand and within a year the “Darn Tough Vermont” brand hit the market. They immediately began to work with members of the military to develop socks that meet the unique demands that service members face each day.

They have a sock for everything from PT to mountainous cold weather environments. They have filled both individual as well as unit orders for both conventional as well as special operations forces of all services in addition to Federal law enforcement agencies.

Three components make Darn Tough Vermont socks stand out: premium quality yarns, exacting manufacturing standards, and unique knitting techniques. Merino wool is their material of choice. They can be worn in almost any climate and will keep the end user comfortable no matter how hard he sweats. Additionally, Merino is naturally anti-microbial, suppressing the growth of foot fungus, is warm even when wet, and naturally Flame Resistant. The consumer line is knit with 100% 21.5 fine gauge Merino wool from New Zealand but any of the socks can be manufactured to Berry compliance. For example, their Army Aviator sock on the RFI program is Berry Compliant as well as the Marine Corps sock.

When we spoke with Darn Tough Vermont they made an excellent point. The modern Soldier wears and carries over $11,000 worth of equipment. So why would you provide low-quality footwear? The foot is the foundation of the Warrior and our Warriors deserve the best.

Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion

For more information contact Darn Tough Vermont. Additionally, the entire Darn Tough Vermont line is available on GSA.

Tags: Darn Tough Vermont
Posted in Boots, Clothing | Comments Off on Darn Tough Vermont Socks

PCU Alternate Source of Supply

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

ADS and Beyond Tactical are proud to announce that they are beginning to offer the complete Protective Combat Uniform in the issue Ranger Green as well as Coyote. Available as an entire kit or as individual components, this is an excellent opportunity for units requiring PCU out of the procurement cycle as well as for units or individuals that wish to upgrade their current environmental clothing system. In addition to standard sizes, customers will be able to take advantage of Beyond’s custom sizing program. Originally conceived in the fall of 2001 by PM-SSS in order to satisfy an urgent need for operational clothing to combat the environment of Afghanistan, PCU is a clothing system consisting of seven levels used in concert with one another based on activity and environment.

ADS has gone one step further by developing an excellent DVD which provides an overview of PCU components and their use as well as some excellent background on the system’s design philosophy by the “Godfather” of PCU; Mark Twight. In concert with Kwikpoint, makers of the waterproof basic language guides currently in use in theater, ADS is offering a pocket users guide describing PCU components, environmental conditions and a wheel to help the user correlate components with conditions. This has been needed for a long time and is a must for even current users of multi-component environmental clothing systems.

The user guide is available from Kwikpoint.

Look for a future article with more details on PCU.

Contact ADS or Beyond Tactical for more information.

User guide graphics property of Kwikpoint.

Tags: ADS, Beyond Tactical, Mark Twight, PCU
Posted in ADS, Clothing, PM-SSS, Training | Comments Off on PCU Alternate Source of Supply

Wild Things “Name That Jacket” Contest

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Last week we met with Wild Things owner Marie Meunier-Bouchard. Marie is a lifelong climber having begun mountaineering in her native French Alps at age 14. She combined her love of climbing with a desire to build better products and founded Wild Things, named after the book, “Where the Wild Things Are” with her ex-Husband, John Bouchard. Vermont-based Wild Things is a longtime supporter of the military. Their designs have been used for years in the SOF community. But recently they have gained prominence in the Soldier Systems industry by designing and manufacturing the Gen III ECWCS Level VII Loft layer for the US Army. A slightly modified variant of the Level VII garment has been dubbed the “Happy Suit” by the Marines and included in a developmental Cold Weather Clothing System. Both of these garments are also available from ADS.

Some of the most exciting things that Marie showed us were two recently released new jackets designed for the Soldier Systems market. Essentially they are different versions of the same jacket with the exception of materials. One is FR and the other is not. The price on the Basic jacket is phenomenal, just under $100 direct. The FR version is 100% FR, shell, lining, insulation, and zipper so naturally the price is going to be a bit higher but wasn’t available yet at press time. Intended to replace levels 3 and 4 in Gen III ECWCS, these jackets are simple yet elegant. A lot of thought was put into the design by a house that always been at the forefront of new, promising fabrics. There aren’t extraneous bells and whistles on either of these jackets and the casual observer wouldn’t appreciate the design features incorporated into these garments until he wore it. Every design element makes sense from a functional point of view. These jackets a practical application of the Ultra-LightWeight movement in combat clothing. They combine the practicality of more than one other garment and each feature is there solely for function.

Manufactured with a face fabric of Polyester microfiber, the Basic jacket features a quilted Primaloft insulation, the same material found in both PCU and Gen III ECWCS. The rear hem is elastic in order to keep it taught and prevent cold air or snow from entering the jacket. There are two slash handwarmer pockets on the front of the jacket and a single interior pocket on the left chest. The hand warmer pockets are lined with a comfortable knit material. The jacket also comes standard with pile tape for Name, Service, and Rank insignia.

Both jackets are currently available in Black, Coyote, Foliage, and UCP. Plans are underway to also offer the basic jacket in Multicam.

Marie is looking for your help in naming both of these jackets. The winning entry will receive a jacket as prize.

Contest Rules:

– One entry per contestant

– Name BOTH jackets

– Marie decides the winner

– Winner will be announced here

– In the event more than one contestant submits the same winning entry date of email will decide the winner

– Winner receives a jacket as prize

– Only one winner for the contest

– Contest ends 31 July, 2008 at 11:59 PM

– Send all entries to: Marie Meunier-Bouchard.

For more information on their entire line go to Wild Things.

Tags: ECWCS, Multicam, Wild Things
Posted in Clothing, MARCORSYSCOM, Multicam, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Wild Things “Name That Jacket” Contest

MARS is Alive and Well

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

In 2004 Patagonia developed a turnkey environmental clothing system called the Military Advanced Regulator System or MARS. Based on their commercial Regulator line, slight modifications were made to designs and the color was changed to Alpha Green. Since its initial inception Patagonia has also added base layers in coyote.

Patagonia has recently changed distributors so many have sent us questions as to the availability of MARS. Rest assured, it is available in all sizes through their new distributor ADS as well as direct from Patagonia.

Look for a full article on MARS soon.

Updated to correct Ranger Green to Alpha Green. Alpha Green came first and was adopted for use by the Rangers after a slight name change to Ranger Green.

Tags: MARS, Patagonia
Posted in Clothing | Comments Off on MARS is Alive and Well

Navy Adopts Blackhawk Uniforms

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Blackhawk Products Group unveiled a new family of high concept uniforms at SHOT Show 08 in Vegas. Less than six months later one of the variants has been adopted and the Navy will begin deliveries today.

The desert digital uniforms will be issued to a small user community and feature Blackhawk’s patented Integrated Tourniquet System at key areas on the arms and legs of the four component uniform system. Dubbed the High Performance Fighting Uniform, the system consists of an FR athletic cut combat shirt, a lightweight zippered vest for wear over the combat shirt in garrison, a BDU style blouse and combat trousers.

Commercial variants may be available in as soon as 60 days.

Look for a more comprehensive article soon.

Tags: Blackhawk, ITS
Posted in Clothing | Comments Off on Navy Adopts Blackhawk Uniforms

EOTAC Denim Discreet Pants

Friday, July 4th, 2008

After the sneak peak we posted last week, we have gotten several inquiries for more info on the Denim Pants. They feature the same pocket layout as the original Discreet Pants developed by the EOTAC team meaning no large cargo pockets on the legs. Instead hidden, zippered pockets are located on the outside of the seams.

Available soon from EOTAC.

Tags: EOTAC
Posted in Clothing | Comments Off on EOTAC Denim Discreet Pants

Arc’teryx Mossy Oak Bibs

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

There are a lot of very well designed foul weather jackets on the market. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for trousers. They tend to be ill-fitting or the pockets aren’t well suited to the mission. Oftentimes, the wearer suffers from a sagging waist or blown out seams. But Arc’teryx has come to the rescue. They worked with a small user community to develop a purpose built pair of trousers for wet and cold environments. Arc’teryx designers incorporated features into the design normally found in combat clothing. The bib’s anatomical styling was chosen so that the garment moves with the wearer as well as protect the wearer’s lower back from exposure in extreme weather. The elastic shoulder straps keep the waist up where it belongs, even when the pockets are stuffed with equipment. The bibs also feature two roomy sets of pockets on the front of the thighs and shins.

Even more unique than the design is the material. It is a brushed face Gore-tex fabric that reduces both the noise and shine usually associated with commercial waterproof breathable clothing making it more suitable for military applications. The non-standard Mossy Oak camo blends in well with many environments and the design also features side-zips for rapid donning and doffing as well as reinforced cuffs to protect the bib’s legs from abrasion.