Fjällräven’s Expedition Down Knickers are insulated shorts. You’ll find that if you’re active, you don’t need full-length insulated pants so these are a good option, particularly if you’ve got to carry everything with you.
Currently, available in sizes XS-XXL in Basalt (shown) and UN Blue (no kidding, that’s the name).
www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/men/trousers/insulated-trousers/expedition-down-knickers
Prepare for the Fall with FirstSpear’s American Made Advanced Clothing Material. This week, we’re featuring ACM-MID 400 Merino Wool layer.
The ACM – MID 400 has a 100% Merino Wool exterior with a 100% Polyester interior which is perfectly matched to trap warmth and wick away moisture. FirstSpear ACM is breathable, anti-microbial, warm when wet and provides flam resistance.
The FirstSpear Mid Shirt is a comfortable, 2/3 zip pull over that is perfect as a standalone over a t-shirt or added to a layering system.
The Lightweight Vest is a versatile mid layer that traps heat while allowing ample ventilation and dexterity of the arms.
An old world design meets the Tip of the Spear in performance materials and expert craftsmanship. The Squadron Smock is sourced and built in the USA.
Visit FirstSpear to find all the gear and apparel for America’s War Fighter.
COSTA MESA, Calif. (Nov. 2, 2022) – 5.11 Tactical®, the global innovator of purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear, today unveiled a lineup of new technical apparel, including bottoms, tops and outerwear for both men and women, that it will make available this fall.
“Technical apparel is at the core of who we are as a brand and it’s an aspect of our business that we continually strive to improve upon as new technology, textiles and innovations become available,” said 5.11’s Vice President, Global Product, Matt Page. “In addition to many exciting new products, there are a number of updates to past customer favorites that are a direct result of end-user feedback and our product team’s commitment to providing customers with the best apparel possible.”
For men’s apparel, the Defender Flex Pant 2.0 ($85) is a redesign of the original, and widely popular, model. It offers new, reinforced belt loops for extra support at the waist to go with its seven pockets and durable cotton-poly construction to create a clean, yet durable look that’s great for the office or a trek through the woods.
Customers seeking more of a smart casual look can turn to the Bravo Pant 2.0 ($90) to provide a clean and stylish appearance with a slim fit and maximum comfort. Thanks to Enduro-Flex properties and a soft jacquard elastic lining in the waistband, these pants ensure a proper fit without being restrictive. Its reinforced belt loops, seven pockets, and knee articulation make it a perfect pant option for the office, out to dinner, or wherever looks matter as much as functionality.
The Britta Denim Jean ($80) features a classic five-pocket design, with the addition of two low-profile hip pockets to create 5.11’s signature seven-pocket functionality without altering the classic denim look. Its slim fit silhouette features soft, washed denim that’s woven with elastane for just the right amount of stretch. It’s performance and style make it a great option for any occasion.
Minister Anand announces investment of up to $3.7 billion to supply operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces
October 20, 2022 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced that Logistik Unicorp based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, has been awarded a contract to provide operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This contract, valued at up to $3.7 billion over 20 years, will support over 3000 jobs in Canada’s clothing, footwear and textile industries.
This investment will deliver approximately 1,222 different items of clothing and footwear worn by CAF members during their deployments, including:
• combat uniforms using Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) camouflage,
• badges and insignias,
• footwear including combat boots, arid/hot weather boots, and mukluks,
• winter gear such as parkas, headwear and hand wear,
• soldiers’ personal equipment, such as sleeping bags and day packs.
This contract will deliver supplies for more than 160,000 people, including Regular and Reserve Force members, Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers, search and rescue technicians, firefighters and Cadets. This contract also contains provisions to enable the ad hoc procurement of equipment required for unexpected deployment operations – such as the immediate supply of Personal Protective Equipment during critical emergencies.
Today’s Operational Clothing and Footwear Consolidated Contract (OCFC2) represents a new approach to supplying the operational gear that the CAF needs to succeed on domestic and international operations. Once the contract is fully implemented, members will be able to order items online and have orders shipped to their door, while also providing the CAF with the ability to continue distributing uniforms directly to units. This new approach will deliver better resource and inventory management for the CAF, improve item availability, and provide better value for taxpayers.
This project will deliver concrete economic benefits to Quebecers and all Canadians. Logistik Unicorp will invest in research and development and skills training in the textile, apparel and footwear sectors, which will generate additional jobs and export opportunities. Logistik Unicorp must also conform to mandatory Canadian content requirements by ensuring that the majority of manufacturing of clothing and footwear items is done in Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to providing the CAF with the equipment and tools that they need to serve Canada domestically and internationally.
“Today’s investment will support thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadian workers, and deliver modern, cutting-edge equipment for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Canadian Armed Forces uniform is a source of great pride for Canadians at home and abroad, and this new contract with Logistik Unicorp will ensure that our members have the equipment they need, when they need it to fulfill the duties that we ask of them. I look forward to seeing the results of today’s investment, which is great news for Quebecers and all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
• Currently, operational clothing and footwear items are being procured through multiple individual contracts. By combining the various contracts into one, we will achieve greater efficiency and availability of items the CAF needs and better value for taxpayers.
• This contract is the result of a competitive process and the winning bidder is qualified and capable of delivering a managed clothing solution to the CAF.
• Delivery of items to clothing stores will commence during the second year of the contract, and individual online ordering capability is targeted to be implemented during the third year.
• This contract also incentivizes the contractor to include Indigenous businesses as part of its supply chain.
• The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, was applied to the OCFC2 request for proposal requirements to leverage economic benefits for Canada equal to the value of the logistics services component of the contract. As a result, the contract will ensure long-term, sustainable support for the Canadian apparel, textile and footwear sectors.
• Logistik Unicorp has experience in ensuring that Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) considerations are incorporated. Procured items will meet the requirements of the diverse CAF population with a faster turnaround time.
During last week’s AUSA event GORE-TEX brand outfitted three mannequins with jackets made from their GORE-TEX Stretch Fabric Technology which retains the water and wind proof breathable characteristics of Gore’s ePTFe material but adds the ability to stretch.
This offers an adaptive fit that reduces air gaps and leads to a more optimized design with less bulk. This means a garment with a more tailored fit can be worn with underlayers without going up a size. It will also move with the wearer. An added bonus is that the fabric improves the garment’s evaporative resistance and increases breathability by 25%.
It was an excellent means to demonstrate how verstaile a shell garment made from the GORE-TEX Stretch fabric is. It can be worn under armor, or over it, fully protecting the gear from
invelement weather.
GORE-TEX PYRAD is a flame retardant fabric; a self-extinguishing technology that provides durable protection against flash fire exposure while remaining highly breathable, water resistant, and windproof. It’s used to make the Fuel Handler 2-Piece Suit worn by Soldiers and Marines.
In one of the most effective displays I’ve seen, WL Gore & Associates have showcased an example of what this garment looks like after a flame test.
As you can see, the material chars, but remains intact and protects the wearer from direct burns. It is also self-extinguishing. In addition to FR protection, the wearer also benefits from a breathable, water and windproof GORE-TEX shell.
To see a video of GORE-TEX PYRAD in action, go here.
Coming soon from XGO is the new short sleeve Rugby Polo. It’s features a higher collar for increased neck coverage and is made from a No Melt/No Drip Fabric tested with Acclimate® Dry Moisture Management for Wicking and Drying as well as Ag47® Silver Anti-Microbial/Anti-Odor.
Offered in Black, Coyote, and Tan 499 in sizes Small – XXLarge.
DNS Alpha is exhibiting in the Mountain Horse Solutions booth. They showed me their new Over Whites which are based on a design they did for a European SOF unit.
They have a version made from a 3 layer GORE-TEX fabric as well as a version in a 40D material printed in MultiCam Alpine.
