KADRI Clothing makes adventure/tactical technical apparel for women and has just launched an exclusive new women’s lifestyle T-shirt now available on the FirstSpear web store. Ultra comfortable 60/40 fine gauge blend provides for an ultra soft hand.
Features a relaxed crew neckline, side seamed, and tagless design. Designed and screen printed in the USA!
Two color options available in sizes Small – XL.
www.first-spear.com/technical-apparel/t-shirts/kadri-womens-logo-tee
WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Based on overwhelming feedback from the field, Department of the Air Force officials announced today women may elect to wear pants or a skirt with their mess dress uniform.
The changes, which are effective immediately, are outlined in an exception-to-policy memorandum addressed to all Air Force personnel.
“It’s our responsibility to provide flexible uniform options that are functional and comfortable for all Air and Space Professionals,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “We have a lot of people working really hard to review our existing policies to make sure there are no unintended barriers or unfair practices that may be impacting specific groups of people on our team. We still have our work cut out for us, but this is a step in the right direction in creating an inclusive culture.”
Previously, women were required to wear a floor-length skirt with the mess dress uniform. As an interim solution, until women’s mess dress slacks are available for purchase in approximately 18-24 months, women are authorized to immediately purchase and alter men’s mess dress trousers.
Alterations for women opting to wear the men’s mess dress trousers will be provided by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at no cost to the member.
“We hear you,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright. “This is a bit of good news for some of our teammates who’ve wanted this change for a while now. A small thing, but one that I hope can go a long way to helping Airmen realize that we listen, we hear and we care.”
Changes will be incorporated in the next update of Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. In the interim, for more information, the exception to policy memorandum and frequently asked questions are available on the public website of the Air Force’s Personnel Center at www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/Dress-and-Appearance.
??
DEVELOPMENT:
In 2012 we began developing our female body armor shape. We wanted to provide a system designed specifically for the female shape, rather than just putting a female in a smaller male style carrier.
The design needed to provide all the same qualities and attributes of the male TYR Tactical® carriers.
|1.| PROPER COVERAGE
• Issue: Protection of vital organs and breast tissue
• Solution: Lateral darts on the outer carrier have an inset/cut above the breast tissue to accommodate shoulder rotation and allow for shouldering weapon.
|2.| CARRIER SHAPE
• Issue: Focus on female anatomy driven by the need support and stability
• Solution: Two lateral darts, on the tactical outer carrier, contour around the females natural shape while still providing a full range of motion, support and eliminates excess compression on the breast tissue.
|3.| PLATE LOCATION
• Issue: Current female systems lacked the ability to provide proper plate pockets. The placement of the plate did not lay flat on the torso of female participants. It would lay at an angle, applying pressure to the breast tissue area. This ultimately took away from the ballistic performance of the plate and soft armor.
• Solution: The front of the female carrier incorporates a gusseted plate pocket. This pocket relieves tension and pressure that is normally placed on the body from the hard plate in typical plate pocket configurations. This enhances the users range of motion to allow for increased ergonomics and performance. It also provides decreased hot spots on the body by utilizing our airflow chamber technology.
|4.| LOAD CARRIAGE
• Issue: In the past, load carriage has typically been static and designed in a vertical alignment which does not self-adjust with the operator’s natural movements.
• Solution: Female shaped components such as the shoulders, yoke, collar and belt were created to enhance the overall female system.
UNIQUE TO TYR TACTICAL®:
|1.| PATENTED FEMALE SHAPE
US Patent No. 9,970,736, Patent Pending in Australia, Europe and Canada
Two lateral darts, on the tactical outer carrier, contour around the females natural shape while still providing a full range of motion, support and eliminates excess compression on the breast tissue.
|2.| GUSSETED PLATE POCKET
The front of the female carrier incorporates a gusseted plate pocket. This pocket relieves tension and pressure that is normally placed on the body from the hard plate in typical plate pocket configurations. This enhances the users range of motion to allow for increased ergonomics and performance. It also provides decreased hot spots on the body by utilizing our airflow chamber technology.
|3.| PATENTED PV®
Canada Patent No. 2812982, Patent Pending in Australia, Europe and US
It’s engineered utilizing our revolutionary PV® material which offers significant weight reduction with increased resistance to abrasion. PV® has been tested to have 7-10 times higher abrasion resistance than standard mil spec nylon. PV® also enhances the ballistic attributes of armor within the vest. Antimicrobial/FR treated padded spacer mesh is used internally for comfort.
|4.| PATENTED BALLISTIC VEIN®
US Patent No. 9,435,614, Patent Pending in Australia, Europe and Canada
It increases the overall load carriage performance and provides a more rigid platform improving the overall structure and capabilities of the carrier. It also, retains the soft armor panels in the proper configuration, prevents bunching and supports the plates to improve edge hit protection.
BIOMECHANICAL STUDY & ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE:
Existing male or unisex systems do not allow female users to properly perform basic tasks and still maintain comfort. The cause of this design flaw lies within the lack of ergonomically shaped ballistics and carriers that conform to the female anatomy. This coupled with our biomechanical findings lead to the development of the Patented Female Shape.
FEMALE CARRIER IN THE FIELD:
Mountain Home Air Force Base – CBS News
366 Security Forces Squadron
Luke Air Force Base
56 Security Forces Squadron
CURRENT FEMALE CARRIERS:
TYR Tactical Female EPIC Enhanced PICO Integrated Carrier
TYR Tactical Female EPIC Non-Cutaway Enhanced PICO Integrated Carrier
TYR Tactical Female PICO-MV Assaulters Plate Carrier
TYR Tactical Female EPIC Concealable Carrier
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio (AFNS) —
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Female Fitment Program Office has awarded a contract to begin production and development for body armor designed to better protect female Airmen during combat and contingency operations.
Finding uniform items and gear optimized for female Airmen is an Air Force Chief of Staff initiative. The Female Fitment Program Office was created in response to identify problems and find solutions quickly. The office partnered with the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio to find a “sufficient armored plate carrier system that addresses appropriate form, fit and function while providing adequate protection for female Airmen.”
“This is a perfect example of Air Force Materiel Command getting feedback from the field and delivering the Air Force we need to the warfighter,” said Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., AFMC commander. “I’m proud of the team pulling together to do what is right for our Airmen. They deserve gear that offers the protection they need while allowing them to complete their mission.”
AFLCMC’s Human Systems Division is the lead organization to assess, evaluate and acquire new body armor for Security Forces Defenders and other female Airmen whose jobs require them to operate in dangerous environments. The new body armor will be specifically fitted to the female body preventing exposure to risks.
“Our female Airmen had gaps due to poor fitment issues,” said Maj. Saily Rodriguez, Female Fitment Program manager. “The new gear fits properly which improves protection and offers better comfort for gear that has to be worn in difficult environments and conditions.”
The program office conducted an evaluation that included laboratory and field assessments. The contract was awarded to TSSi of Harrisonburg, Virginia for the Aspetto “Mach V” system that was deemed the best solution in terms of price, effectiveness and fitment.
“The feedback during our field assessment was overwhelmingly positive. This is something our Airmen want because it offers a great benefit to their health and safety,” Rodriguez said.
The first product deliveries are expected in Fall 2020.
The team at Kadri Clothing got a chance to check out the Mechanix Wear Women’s Specialty 0.5mm Covert gloves.
These shooting gloves combine their 0.5mm thin AX-Suede palm with the breathable TrekDry reduce heat build-up on the back of the hands and expandable flex joints improve trigger finger mobility for smooth manipulation, all with a female fit.
Women owned Kadri Clothing exhibited their new Valkyrie Field Pant which are designed to fit women. The pants offer 11 pockets And are made from a DWR finished nylon/spandex blend with overbuilt construction for durability. Designed with a mid-rise waist, the Field Pant features two waist gussets as well as an extended crotch gusset to allow for the perfect amount of stretch and enhanced range of motion when on the move. Belt loops accommodate up to a 2” riggers belt and include two front cross-design loops to secure clip on accessories like a carabiner.
They rely on a revolutionary sizing system. The Waist-Hip Variation Representation, or WHVR, Matrix sizing system uses waist, hip and inseam measurements to find a customizable fit.
Ladies, get yours from www.first-spear.com/valkyrie-field-pant.
The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) is proud to announce the addition of Candice Horner as the organization’s digital communications manager.
Horner is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, competitive shooter, social media expert, distinguished outdoor writer and avid hunter. She is also a proud labor union member and supporter, having served as a registered nurse and an executive board member for AFGE Local 408 with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
A seasoned communicator, Horner’s most recent role was an editor for RECOIL Group and its companion website, RECOILweb.com. She has also written for a number of other hunting and shooting media outlets. Horner is also a decorated professional shooter, with an extensive track record of top finishes at national long-range and multi-gun matches.
Hailing from Box Springs, Georgia, Horner will oversee the USA’s social media efforts, website, and other digital communications. She will also aid in production and promotion of the USA’s Brotherhood Outdoors television programming and Union Sportsmen’s Journal magazine.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Candice as our digital communications manager,” said USA Director of Conservation and Communications Forrest Parker. “She brings a wealth of social media, website management and journalism experience. Combined with her union, military and competitive shooting background—plus a lifelong passion for the outdoors—she brings all the assets necessary to drive our mission forward through increased engagement and integration in the digital space.”
“I’m honored to be a part of an organization that shares my values and goals,” said Horner. “It’s rare to find such an amazing group of people who are doing all the right things for all the right reasons. I look forward to raising awareness of everything the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, its partners, and volunteers are doing across the country.”
Tags: Brotherhood Outdoors, Candice Horner, RECOIL magazine, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, Union Sportsmen’s Journal
I first met the founders of KADRI earlier this year at Warrior East and soon realized that this is the most significant innovation in the tactical industry in years. A product created out of necessity, they not only designed a new pant to fit their needs, but a completely new sizing schema as well. Like it or not, women are here to stay in squad cars, ambulances, and on the battlefield. I also see a need for their innovation in the outback as more and more women enjoy the outdoors for both leisure and work. It’s about time they had some clothing that was designed by them, for them.
Women need pockets. Women in the tactical field definitely need pockets. This simple concept is typically not even a second thought for men working in the same occupation. For them, it’s not so much a question of whether or not pockets are needed, but how many, what kind and what placement best suits their tactical needs. For women, however, this is a constant battle. Due to the wide array of women’s body shapes and sizes, women are stuck with either clothes that fit with little tactical function, or clothes that are functional that don’t fit. Most end up wearing men’s clothes and simply deal with the ill-fitted reality of their current situation: to work in a male-dominated industry, there are just some things women must deal with.
This was the problem founders of KADRI Clothing wanted to solve when they started their company. Founded by two women who served in special operations units, KADRI Clothing is a by-women-for-women adventure-tactical apparel brand created to address common issues women experience in the field and other tactical environments. This includes everything from the functional to the fit needs across multiple body types and various tactical occupations and adventure hobbies.
We got the opportunity to look at the first item from their product line—the Valkyrie Field Pant— and the revolutionary sizing and fit system that goes along with it in the best environment possible: on a shooting range with seven tactically-minded women.
KADRI Clothing owner and USMC veteran, Katheryn Basso, walked us through this innovative new product.
The Valkyrie Field Pant is arguably one of the most advanced female garments available today with features intelligently designed for women. The pant contains 11 functional pockets, including well-sized cargo pockets that maintain their volume no matter the thigh size, and two back welt pockets sized for an M4 mag or large cell phone.
Constructed with a DWR finished nylon/spandex blend with overbuilt construction for durability. Designed with a mid-rise waist, the Field Pant features two waist gussets as well as an extended crotch gusset to allow for the perfect amount of stretch and enhanced range of motion when on the move. Belt loops accommodate up to a 2” riggers belt and include two front cross-design loops to secure clip on accessories like a carabiner.
Potentially one of the most ground-breaking features of the Valkyrie Field Pant is the industry-first sizing system. The Waist-Hip Variation Representation, or WHVR, Matrix sizing system uses waist, hip and inseam measurements to find a customizable fit.
This revolutionary system allows women to choose their waist size and up to two sizes larger in their hips. For example, if you are a size 4 waist, you now have the option of purchasing pants with a size 4, 6, or 8 hip. Additionally, the Valkyrie Field Pant comes in short (30”), regular (32”) and tall (35”) inseams. These options enable women to purchase pants specifically designed for their unique body type.
For more information on the pants, visit www.kadriclothing.com
For more info on the FirstSpear and KADRI collaboration click here first-spear.tech/f/firstspear®-and-kadri-clothing-collaborate
To purchase, visit www.first-spear.com/valkyrie-field-pant
