GORE-TEX Professional

Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category

Direct Action Presents the Core Assaulter Setup

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

Mission first. Gear second to none.

Direct Action introduces the Core Assaulter Setup – a reference configuration designed for frontline operators without a dedicated specialist role, operating in full kit under changing operational tempo. This setup is not a universal solution or the only correct configuration. It’s a reference built to demonstrate system logic, capability, and versatility: load carriage, access, control, and speed.

The setup can be stripped down for low-profile operations, expanded for longer missions, or adapted to unit SOPs and team standards. One principle remains constant: the gear works for the operator, not the other way around.

Built for Operational Tempo

The Core Assaulter Setup is designed for operators in environments where contact is real and situations can evolve beyond the original plan. Typical operations include buildings, vehicles, and confined spaces – often at night and under time pressure.

Mission scope includes:

    Direct action (DA)
    CQB entries and exits
    Securing and searching
    Detentions
    Covering evacuations
    Rapid transitions between mobility and static positions

When operational tempo increases, three factors become critical: time, predictability, and repeatability of movement. The setup allows operators to move naturally within the mission rhythm, without unnecessary adjustments, gear interference, or chaos.

System-Based Configuration

The Core Assaulter Setup is built around the SPITFIRE MK II Plate Carrier with a Rapid Access Cummerbund and Spitfire Cutaway System. Key elements include:

    AR mag pouches
    SPITFIRE Assault Panel on the back
    Warhawk Modular Gun Belt MKII
    Rope Bag as an additional operational element

Each component follows a clear placement logic: gear remains organized, accessible one-handed under stress (even with gloves), and stable even under heavy load. The setup is fully compatible with the Direct Action modular system, letting operators adapt their configuration depending on mission profile and operational requirements.

Direct Action: Individual-as-a-system Approach

Direct Action treats the operator’s loadout as a system, not a collection of unrelated products. Plate carriers, belts, panels, pouches, and accessories form a modular ecosystem configurable by mission, role, and environment.

Direct Action gear is designed, tested, and manufactured in Poland, based on real operational experience. The result: gear that supports movement, maintains order under stress, and performs reliably under extreme operational load.

A Reference, Not a Limitation

The Core Assaulter Setup represents one of many possible configurations. The same system can be adapted to create:

  • Lighter, low-profile setups
  • Heavier configurations for extended missions and increased load carriage

The goal is to demonstrate configuration logic and flexibility: what goes where, why it’s there, and how quickly it can be accessed. The rest is up to the operator.

Learn More

Discover the full Core Assaulter Setup and explore the modular system:
directactiongear.com/en/core-assaulter-setup

BFG Monday: Why Signature Management Matters More Than Ever

Monday, March 9th, 2026

There’s a reason why soldiers in the early days of the Global War on Terror were spray-painting the stems of their safety glasses. It wasn’t about aesthetics or unit cohesion; it was about survival. A glint of light reflecting off glass or the distinctive silhouette of night vision devices could be the details that turn a concealed position into a target.

That reality hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s intensified. As optics improve and adversaries become more sophisticated, the margin for error shrinks. The things that make you visible don’t just compromise your position, they compromise your mission.

Blue Force Gear took all of this into consideration when designing the BNVD Slipcover. The Slipcover addresses a reality that many operators face: your night vision is an incredible tool, but those reflective lenses can also make you detectable during missions. The Slipcover simply slides over your NODs providing minimal protection and when worn during the day, doubles as a face-shade and most importantly, a key signature reducer.

Blue Force Gear is known for creating “elegant” designs that are simple for a reason. In an industry that often defaults to “more” – more attachment points, more pockets, more features – there’s something quite radical about equipment that succeeds by staying out of your way. The Slipcover adds virtually no weight and is incredibly easy to stow. The Slipcover was designed to work with the BNVD Pouch, and together they address the full lifecycle of your NODs.

Between movements, in staging areas, during transport—those are the moments when NODs need to be protected against damage that compound over time. The BNVD Pouch was designed around that reality. It keeps your devices shielded from the elements, impact, and scratches whether it’s mounted to your kit, stowed in your pack, or sitting on a shelf. That kind of reliable, ready availability means when the moment comes that you need your NODs, they perform.

The Pouch mounts to any MOLLE-compatible platform using BFG’s Helium Whisper attachment system, which means it integrates with your current MOLLE gear using the lightest, most durable attachment system available. The Fastex Buckle closure keeps everything secure and the padded, structured pouch keeps the NODs protected.

What makes the Slipcover and Pouch work as a system is the same principle that defines everything Blue Force Gear builds: every design decision serves the end user, not the other way around. The Slipcover is a great signature reducer while NODs are being worn, and the Pouch protects them when they’re not. Neither one gets in your way, adds meaningful weight, or asks you to compromise somewhere else to accommodate them.

The soldiers who spray-painted their safety glasses understood something fundamental: in tactical operations, what you don’t show can be as important as what you bring. Blue Force Gear built that operational insight into equipment designed for the reality of modern combat—not as an add-on, but as a foundational principle.

Because the best gear doesn’t just protect your equipment. It protects you.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Pistol Magazine Pocket, Single-Double-Triple

Friday, March 6th, 2026

The FirstSpear Pistol Magazine Pockets delivers a secure and mission-ready solution for carrying spare pistol magazines in operational environments. Available in Single, Double, and Triple configurations, the system allows operators to scale their loadout based on mission profile and ammunition requirements. Each variant is purpose-built to carry one, two, or three pistol magazines, providing flexible capacity while maintaining a streamlined footprint on the kit.

Designed for broad compatibility, the pockets accommodate most single- and double-stack pistol magazines commonly fielded by military and law enforcement personnel. This includes 7- and 8-round 1911-style magazines, as well as double-column 9mm magazines used with platforms such as the Glock 17/19, SIG P226, and Beretta M9. The design ensures reliable retention while maintaining rapid accessibility when the situation demands it.

Each pouch utilizes a hook-and-loop closure system to keep magazines protected and secure during movement, vehicle operations, and dynamic environments. The closure design also allows operators to quickly access magazines when speed matters most.

For integration across a wide range of load-bearing platforms, FirstSpear Pistol Magazine Pockets are available with FirstSpear’s 6/9™ and 6/12™ attachment style options. This allows the pouches to mount cleanly to plate carriers, chest rigs, and other modular systems while maintaining stability and minimizing bulk. Whether supporting a low-profile setup or a higher-capacity combat load, the FirstSpear Pistol Magazine Pockets provide a dependable, adaptable solution for carrying critical sidearm ammunition in the field.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.

Tracer Tactical Viper Adapters

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

With teeth made from Curv, Tracer Tactical’s Viper Adapters make your pouches super sneaky quiet.

Their Viper Adapters are available for the Spiritus Systems JSTA Pouch, Pangolin Flaps, SPUD pouch, and HSP GP SAW Pouch.

They also make closing the pouch in extreme conditions (mud, snow, ice, maritime) possible.

tracer-tactical.com

Before You Buy a MOLLE Handcuff Pouch, Read This

Monday, March 2nd, 2026

Not all MOLLE handcuff pouches are created equally. This article, as well as the feature video with Chris Sizelove, discusses handcuff pouch design and how the BFG model might be exactly what you’re looking for, or it might not be.

A handcuff pouch is purpose built to hold handcuffs but there are load carriage pouches and there are rapid retrieval pouches. The Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch was specifically designedfor load carriage, NOT for rapid-access restraint during a hands-on altercation.

Constructed with ULTRACOMP laminate, the pouch balances durability and lightweight while minimizing bulk. This MOLLE pouch securely holds two sets of handcuffs, keeping them tight and controlled to prevent movement or noise during dynamic operations. An integrated Ten-Speed pocket inside the pouch provides dedicated retention for a handcuff key, ensuring it stays accessible without adding external clutter.

The double Handcuff Pouch MOLLE attachment is handled by Blue Force Gear’s patented Helium Whisper attachment system, which reduces weight and form factor while eliminating traditional hardware failure points like snaps, buttons, or plastic stiffeners. This attachment method allows the pouch to integrate cleanly with MOLLE-compatible gear, making it ideal for plate carriers, chest rigs, and other load-bearing equipment.

Just as important as what this pouch does well is what it is notintended for. Unlike open-top or rigid cuff carriers designed for patrol use and rapid deployment, this pouch is not optimized for drawing handcuffs during an active physical struggle. Attempting to deploy cuffs from a closed, load carriage pouch in the middle of a fight is neither efficient nor realistic and the design intentionally reflects that reality.

Instead, this pouch excels when handcuffs are needed as part of a broader loadout: carrying multiple sets for team use, staging restraints for post-control situations, or allowing teammates to access cuffs from each other’s kit. In those contexts, security, retention, and reliability matter more than immediate draw speed.

Choosing the right gear starts with understanding the mission. To hear a detailed explanation of the features, limitations, and intended use of the Blue Force Gear Handcuff Pouch, watch the video where Chris Sizelove walks through its real-world role and application.

Nixie Works Restocks Packing Cubes

Sunday, March 1st, 2026

Nixie Works just restocked their 2WIDE and Micro Packing Cubes.

Packing cubes are a great way to keep your gear organized and accessing important items quicker without having to dig through packs/pouches. They also enable you to easily transfer the contents of a pouch to another kit, or to your ruck.

Made of Berry compliant 200D nylon packcloth, these cubes slide in and out of your pouches easily, and scrunch down to almost nothing, while still being durable and water resistant.

There’s 2 sizes: the 2WIDE and the Micro. 2WIDES obviously fit inside our 2WIDE GP Pouch. Our 3WIDE GP Pouch will hold a 2WIDE + a Micro, and our Mag Pouch will hold a Micro. You can mix and match these pouches and packing cubes to hold practically anything.

As always, made by real Americans in the USA.

www.nixieworks.com

Platatac – Peacekeeper Mk 5

Saturday, February 28th, 2026

Platatac’s Peacekeeper Mk 5 is their flagship chest rig after years of development and refinement.

Features:

  • Space for up to 6 x 30 Round AR/M4 style magazines or each pouch can accommodate 2 x AK magazines, or a single 20 Round 417/.308 magazine
  • 2 x Accessories/Water bottle/GP/ANPRC 152 pouches with front zip admin pockets
  • 1 x Large Velcro mesh pocket with included Velcro in zip
  • 2 x Tweave 4 way stretch pockets at the flanks
  • 1 x Horizontal zippered pocket with webbing loops to attach elastic loop inserts to carry a TQ, Plasti Cuffs or Cyalume
  • PALS areas between pouches and on the sides of the GP pouches to attach additional MOLLE-compatible pouches
  • Velcro sandwich for sub load pouches to boost carrying capacity
  • Colour matched velcro loop for IFF, C/S or Flag patch with embroidered Platatac logo
  • Sewn drainage holes in all pouches

Offered in an amazing 18 colors and patterns.

Get yours at platatac.com/products/platatac-peacekeeper-mk5-chest-rig.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: M4 Single, M4 Double, & M4 Triple

Friday, February 27th, 2026

FirstSpear’s M4 Single, Double, and Triple pouches deliver scalable 5.56×45 magazine carriage for operational loadouts. Each pouch is built to securely hold 30-round magazines with mil-spec elastic webbing and a reinforced flap for positive retention. The hook-and-loop closure provides fast access while keeping mags locked in during movement.

The M4 Single holds one or two stacked magazines in a compact footprint, ideal for streamlined setups where space and weight matter. It’s available in both 6/9™ and 6/12™ attachment styles for mission-specific integration.

The M4 Double features two adjacent pockets, carrying up to four total magazines. It offers increased capacity without sacrificing retention or accessibility and is also available in 6/9™ and 6/12™ configurations.

For maximum on-kit ammo load, the M4 Triple carries up to six magazines across three pockets. Built with the same secure retention system, it mounts via 6/12™ for a lightweight, low-profile attachment. Whether scaling up or running slick, the M4 line provides reliable, mission-ready magazine carriage.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.