215 Gear announced on their Facebook page that they will be conducting a Christmas giveaway drawing. From now until 24 DEC 11, any order over $100 will automatically be entered into the drawing. The winner will receive a $75 product redemption code, to be used at 215 Gear. The winner will be announced by 215 Gear on 26 DEC 11. Good luck to all.
I’ve had a Vertx Smock prototype for well over a year. It’s served me well and I’ve worn it in a variety of environments. But, for me, there were two issues with the prototype. The first is that the pockets were closed with snaps and the fabric is 50/50 NYCO. Nothing wrong with the NYCO but when combined with the innovative design of the Vertx Smock, it just didn’t seem up to the task. A garment like this needs a softshell fabric and Vertx came through. They have combined the same fabric used on their Gunfighter Storm shirt (anti-microbial 40D face fabric treated with Scholler Nanosphere) and paired it with fleece in the hood and lower cargo pockets which are well suited to warming cold hands.
Almost every other smock I’ve seen on the market follows the traditional styling found on the original British smocks; fixed hood, big chest and hip cargo pockets along with a single FFD pocket on the sleeve. Vertx took an entirely different approach.
Their smock features a removable hood, pit zips (with a mesh liner to keep the nasties out), and pockets. Pockets unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The poacher’s pocket is divided in two and the opening is angled so you can get into it be reaching around behind. On both sides of the hips between the poacher’s pocket and the front hip pockets there are pockets for a single 5.56 magazine, kept at the ready. I am sure users will come up with a myriad of other uses for this pocket as well. The chest and hip pockets are of the patch cargo variety but feature rounded edges so that items won’t get caught in the corner of a pocket and the pleats keep the pockets nice and flat when empty but expand with ample room for your gear. The napoleon style chest pockets also feature integrated magazine pockets.
The bicep pockets aren’t exactly inset but their expansive design is very low profile with a vertical zipper closure. Both bicep pockets feature Velcro fields for ID or other insignia. Also, the elbows are reinforced.
The fit is designed to fit over armor so it’s got plenty of room for additional layers. Additionally, all of the buttons are of the slotted Canadian style so there is little to no chance they will fail. In fact, I’d say the base fabric will give way first.
Battleware caught up with the smock’s creator, Dave Walsh and shot this video of Dave talking about this “wearable go bag’s” various features.
If you’re looking for a combat oriented softshell then this is the one for you. The pocket configuration is unlike anything else you will find out there and this in turn, offers a unique look not found with other garments. Remember, it’s a softshell and priced accordingly. But it’s quality and innovation you are buying.
At this point I haven’t had any wear time with the production version. They just simply aren’t available. But…one lucky SSD reader is going to get a chance to win the very first smock. That’s right, Vertx is sponsoring a contest to give away the first smock out the door.
To enter for your chance to win, visit https://apps.facebook.com/webpromotions/vertxsmock. You’ll need to “like” both Vertx and Soldier Systems Daily. The contest ends on 16 December so go sign up! Visit here for full rules.
To win a bottle of 22nd Special Air Service Champagne, visit Intelligent Armour website for competition details, rules and how to enter.
www.body-armour-protection.co.uk/IA-Competitions
Today is Thanksgiving here in the US, a day when we commemorate the hardships of early settlers of our great land. We also take time to reflect on pur own trials and triumphs. Aptly enough, Mayflower Research and Consulting has provided a prize pack consisting of their new Assault Pack and a UW Gen IV Chest Rig. Both are in MultiCam and made from LiteLok fabric.
Mayflower asked us to find this gear a deserving home and we can’t think of any better group to honor than our readership. To enter, tell us what you’re thankful for in the comments section below.
On Friday the 25th, we’ll randomly draw a winner from the comments for the prize pack.
We will contact the winner via the email address you provide when you post your comment, so it would behoove you to enter a valid address you can access.
One entry per person.
You have up to 7 days to claim your prize after we send the winner email. Unclaimed prizes become forfeit.
Void where prohibited.
Author and Special Operations veteran Dalton Fury is releasing his latest book; “Black Site: A Delta Force Novel†in late January. To celebrate he is giving away one hell of a prize pack.
Consisting of some of the kit used by Black Site’s hero, Kolt “Racer†Raynor, it contains some of the best-of-the-best gear on the market. The prize includes a Suunto Core All Black Military watch, pair of Salomon XA Pro 3D Mid Assault Boots, and an Arc’teryx Combat Jacket from Ãœber Group. Additionally there are 14 custom tees, two hats, and sticker pack from Black Palm Syndicate. Not to mention a SureFire Pen Glass Breaker, a set of custom Hibben throwing knives, and much more. To enter, pre-order Black Site from Amazon or Barnes & Noble and post the date of order and vendor on Fury’s Facebook event page by Thanksgiving afternoon.
I’ve already entered. Why haven’t you?
Here are your winners:
“I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am!â€
– Terry on November 7, 2011
“Planes are overrated.â€
– Kyle on November 10, 2011
Terry and Kyle, please contact us at contest@soldiersystems.net with an address to claim your prizes consisting of a pair of smoke and clear Exoshield eyepro. You MUST use the address you used to enter the contest. Prizes not claimed by 1200 Zulu 18 November, 2011 are forfeit.
Look for upcoming details on our 12 Days of Tactical Christmas contest and how you can win some of the 90 prizes we will be giving away from the hottest names in industry.
You’ve never seen anything like this!
Don’t forget, you have until 0001 GMT on Friday, 11 November to enter the caption contest to win a set of clear and smoke Exoshield eye pro from Revision Military.
