This is still good, a year-and-a-half later.
Frenchman Eric le Fou or “Crazy Eric” carries over 1300 items on his person and has been called the “Human Pen Knife”. He carries most of his EDC in his coat but also straps “sub-loads” to his shins under his trouser legs.
Check out his website for details on all of the contents of his 7 kg Schott NYC Jacket. I have been informed by a reader that this jacket may no longer be in production but may be found in a retailer if you are diligent.
Blue Force Gear has done a great job of updating their look and added a few new features as well including product videos featuring BFG spokesmodel Larry Vickers. BFG has developed several brands that we love including the Denied Area Pattern line of packs and accessories. If you’re not familiar go find out what you’ve been missing. And while you are there take advantage of free shipping from now until Christmas!
New brand High Ground is offered by Ehmke Manufacturing Company who has been in the contract sewing business for generations. In fact, if you have flown on US military aircraft you are more familiar with Ehmke than you think. The thermal acoustical insulation blankets on the plane’s interior are produced by Ehmke as well as the ubiquitous panel mounted first aid kit so many paratroopers have swiped as they shuffled toward the door.
While they introduced a slew of innovative products this week at the Soldier Technology Expo presented by IDGA at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the Instant-Access Frag Grenade Pouch immediately caught our eye. The product is a combination of design and materials that make it the most functional grenade pouch we have seen. They have paired a large Grab-Tab and a Single-Flow Directional Pull Release which utilizes a lift-the-dot snap. This means that the only way to open the pouch is to pull straight up. Additionally, the pull tab is covered in non-slip material to make sure you don’t lose your purchase even in wet conditions. The cover flap also features a snap so it can be closed in the more traditional fashion. While designed for use with frag grenades, it also holds MBITR & PRC-152 batteries. We must say that the pouch’s mechanism reminds us a bit of the grenade elevator from TAG but that pouch carries two frags and the strap is used to elevate the second grenade rather than eject it from the pouch. Careful, when you pull that tab, the grenade pops right into your hand. Finally, the PALS compatible attachment utilizes the tuck design pioneered by Paraclete well over 15 years ago. This is the most innovative grenade pouch we have seen.
While Bulldog Equipment’s latest lineup of pouches is well suited for both communicators as well anyone who carries radios, it was designed specifically for use by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Designed to protect many communications devices and keep them close at hand on packs and fighting kit, there are also pouches for specialized equipment such as the izlid as well as options for both the AN/PRC-117F and 117G. Additionally, their AN/PRC-152 pouch allows the user to access the control panel without removing the radio from the pouch. Developed with feedback from the JTAC community, this unique pouch suite is a welcome addition to the tactical toolkit.
The entire Bulldog line is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors and patterns including their popular Mirage camo. For more info or to order, visit www.bulldogequipment.us.
ITS Tactical recently released a new Discreet Messenger Bag manufactured by Zulu Nylon Gear. Based on the popular Zulu brand bag, ITS Tactical worked with Zulu to make a few improvements and offer it to their readers.
We’ve been checking it out and it is quite nice and has a couple of features not found elsewhere. In fact the entire list of features is so long we suggest you go check it out on their site. Naturally, it is Made in the USA and available in Black, Coyote, Foliage, and MultiCam they pretty much have all of the bases covered. Mind you, you may have to wait a couple of weeks for anything but basic black. To order visit www.itstactical.com.
The Spanish Army adopted the Eberlestock Phantom for their Airborne Brigade and so can you. For a slight upcharge you can purchase the Phantom in the new Spanish Desert pattern.
This mid-sized pack features removable shoulder straps and bag from the patented Backscabbardâ„¢, which can then be combined with the top-cover to make a drag bag. The Phantom is a front-loader, with two rings of various-sized tuck-pockets lining its interior, MOLLE racks inside and out, and a fold-down shelf that can be used to divide the main compartment into upper and lower chambers. It will carry two 3-liter hydration kits, mounted in side pockets, and/or two 2-liter bladders in sleeves between the side pockets and the main pack. Includes the pack and scabbard combination, removable butt-cover, and pull-out G1RC rain cover.
One of our readers gave us a heads up on this one. Maxpedition products are available on the Walmart website. This is the first time we have seen a brand founded in the tactical arena make it over into mainstream sales but it probably couldn’t have happened with most of the nylon gear in our industry as the cost of Berry compliance is too high for the major discount chains. Walmart.com lists 65 Maxpedition products but we haven’t run across any of them in stores yet.
