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Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category

Safariland and Haley Strategic Partners Launch BASELINE Belt Line

Thursday, June 11th, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –Safariland® a brand of The Safariland Group, a leading global provider of safety products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets and one of Cadre Holdings, Inc.’s (NYSE: CDRE) (“Cadre”) key brands, is excited to announce the launch of the BASELINE™ belt line in collaboration with Haley Strategic Partners.

The launch includes two belt models, the BASELINE Slick Belt and the BASELINE MOLLE Belt, now available in black with coyote brown, multicam and ranger green to soon follow. Haley Strategic Partners also developed a suite of compatible belt accessories now available through Safariland, including D3 Pro Inner Belts, Mandible MOLLE Straps, pouches and medical support accessories.

Designed for a wide range of applications, the BASELINE Slick Belt delivers a streamlined, low-profile design engineered for durability, stability and all-day comfort. Constructed from advanced laminate materials, the next-generation gun belt provides lightweight rigidity while evenly distributing weight for extended wear. The innovative Overlock Tab Closure System works in conjunction with an integrated 1-inch Raptor® buckle to eliminate traditional weak points at the closure, creating true 360-degree support under load. Compatible with Mandible MOLLE Straps, the belt enables rapid, secure attachment of pouches and accessories while maintaining a clean, minimalist profile.

For users requiring advanced modular capability, the BASELINE MOLLE Belt offers the same rigid, lightweight foundation with an enhanced MOLLE interface featuring refined ½” spacing for more precise pouch placement. Fully compatible with standard MOLLE/PALS systems, Malice Clips® and Mandible® Straps, the belt is engineered to support demanding loadouts without unnecessary bulk. Similarly to the BASELINE Slick Belt, the BASELINE MOLLE Belt incorporates the Overlock Tab Closure System and integrated Raptor® buckle to provide superior stability, durability and comfort for performance-driven carry.

“The BASELINE belt system represents the next evolution of gun belts by combining innovative materials, streamlined design and purpose-built functionality,” said Greg Freeman, vice president and general manager of Safariland Duty Gear. “Our collaboration with Haley Strategic Partners allowed us to develop a platform that delivers the rigidity and modularity that users demand.”

“Working with Safariland on BASELINE was about bringing together two groups that understand what equipment has to do when failure isn’t an option,” said Travis Haley, Founder and CEO of Haley Strategic Partners. “The people this was built for need gear they can trust when the pressure’s on. That’s where good design starts. Not in a boardroom. In real-world use, under stress, over time. BASELINE is the result of that mindset.”

The launch of the BASELINE belt line is supported by Haley Strategic Partners’ broad ecosystem of accessories designed to enhance customization and mission adaptability. The D3 Inner Belt provides a streamlined system for secure attachment, with the D3 Pro Inner Belt boasting added comfort and support. Lightweight closure systems include the Mandible Angled MOLLE Strap and Mandible Vertical MOLLE Strap. The BASELINE 556 Mag Pouch, Single Pistol Mag Pouch and the Double Pistol Mag Pouch provide streamlined magazine retention and accessibility, while utility-focused equipment such as the Dump Pouch expand organizational capability.

Developed in collaboration with Haley Strategic Partners, the BASELINE belt line combines streamlined design with modular performance to meet the evolving needs of users. The launch is further supported by a lineup of compatible accessories developed by Haley Strategic Partners and now available through Safariland, expanding the ecosystem with solutions designed for enhanced performance and reliability.

To explore Safariland’s extensive range of holsters and accessories, visit Safariland.com.

Vortex and Hunter Constantine Launch Limited-Edition Carry Belt

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

PURPOSE-BUILT COLLABORATION GIVES BACK TO THE 2A COMMUNITY

BARNEVELD, Wis. – Vortex® is proud to announce a limited-edition collaboration with Hunter Constantine: The Vortex Constantine Carry Belt. Designed around the needs of the EDC community, this exclusive release combines the trusted performance of the Constantine Carry Belt with Vortex® branding. And there’s just 250 available. 

More than a product collaboration, the release was built around a shared commitment to the Second Amendment community through the Second Amendment Foundation. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Second Amendment Foundation and its ongoing mission to defend and protect constitutional freedoms.

The Vortex® Constantine Carry Belt is available now while supplies last.

Get your custom Vortex Constantine Carry Belt. To see more from Vortex®, visit VortexOptics.com or follow us on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

BFG Monday: The Weight Problem Is a Readiness Problem

Monday, June 8th, 2026

For decades, the conversation around Soldier load has often been treated like a comfort issue. Lighter gear was something nice to have. Easier on the back. Better for morale. A quality-of-life improvement for the individual Soldier.

But that way of thinking does not match the reality of the problem.

The weight problem is a readiness problem.

Every extra pound a warfighter carries affects speed, endurance, mobility, recovery, and the ability to stay effective over time. That weight does not just sit in a ruck or hang from a plate carrier. It is connected to a human being. It compounds over hours, miles, training cycles, deployments, and years.

Eventually, weight becomes fatigue.

Fatigue slows movement. Slower movement reduces effectiveness. And in combat, reduced effectiveness can carry serious consequences.

The Army has acknowledged this plainly. In Soldier Load: The Art and Science of Fighting Light the issue is framed as more than a comfort concern. Excessive Soldier load creates risk to the force and risk to the mission, especially inside formations that depend on speed, endurance, and the ability to maneuver under pressure.

That is the point.

This is not about making the load feel better. It is about making the force more capable.

Heavy loads reduce maneuverability, increase energy demand, slow reaction time, and accelerate wear on the body. Knees, hips, backs, and feet absorb that cost over time. Research on the biomechanics of load carriage has shown that carried loads can change movement patterns, increase stress on the lower extremities, and add to the physical burden placed on military personnel.


Photo credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Olivia Bithell

The damage does not always show up immediately. It builds quietly through training, field problems, deployments, schools, movements, and repetitions. Eventually, it can affect performance, recovery, and the long-term health of the people who have carried that weight for years.

The cost is cumulative.

A few extra ounces on one pouch may not seem like much. Neither does a heavier attachment system, a bulky platform, or one more piece of unnecessary material. But multiply those ounces across a full fighting load. Then multiply that across every mile, every movement, every range, every training cycle, and every Soldier in the formation.

The burden was never just one item.

It was the totality of all of it.

That is why fighting light is not a trend. It is not a slogan. It is not a marketing angle.

It is a design responsibility.

A lighter load can help a warfighter move better, conserve energy, recover faster, and stay effective longer. It can support better awareness, better decision-making, and better performance under stress. When the body is less consumed by the burden of carrying unnecessary weight, more energy is available for the mission.

None of this means reducing capability. That has never been the right answer.

The answer is not to ask Soldiers to carry less of what they need. The answer is to examine every piece of equipment with greater discipline. Every pouch. Every platform. Every attachment method. Every material choice. Every ounce that does not need to be there.

Military leaders routinely study vehicles, fuel, logistics, sustainment, and mobility because movement wins wars. The same level of scrutiny should apply to individual warfighters.

If unnecessary weight slows the force, then unnecessary weight affects readiness.

This is why Blue Force Gear has always been so focused on weight reduction. Not because lighter gear sounds better on paper, but because weight matters in the real world. It matters when a Soldier is climbing, crawling, sprinting, patrolling, recovering, reacting, or fighting through fatigue.

It matters when the mission lasts longer than expected.

It matters when seconds count.

The answer is not carrying less capability.

It is carrying capability, smarter.

At Blue Force Gear, we have always believed that weight matters because the person carrying it matters. Fighting light is not about comfort. It is about movement, endurance, readiness, and survivability.

Because every ounce matters.

For units seeking to increase survivability and operational performance through reduced load carriage by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the Blue Force Gear Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Hudson Supplies

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Hudson Supplies is well known for their distribution of the DownEast Inc FASTmag.

Features:

• Mounts to any MOLLE/P.A.L.S. 1″ web system, up or down [operators preference]
• GhillieTEX™ IR Signature Reduction Technology
• Reduces reload cycle time
• High-Impact resistant polymer case with anti-fragmentation properties
• Attachment slots for ‘double-stack’
– Magazine stays secure without pouch flap, hook, cover, or bungee
• Enhanced urethane tension strap can be moved up or down for additional tension

Although they are well known to SSD readers, Hudson has FASTmags available for individual purchase as well as distribution to retailers.

This and other products shown at Rampart Range Day are available for unit and agency orders in Canada and the US through Rampart.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Multimag Rapid-Adjust Pocket

Friday, May 29th, 2026

The MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET was built for those who need gear that adapts on the fly. Thanks to patented retention hardware and the Boa® Fit System, you can quickly dial in precise retention for rifle mags, pistol mags, and other essential items without digging through a pile of inserts like it’s a yard sale. It’s fast, secure, and ready to run straight out of the box.

Built with ultralight 6/9™ construction, the MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET weighs just over 2 ounces while maintaining the durability demanded in operational environments. The low-profile design keeps your kit streamlined without sacrificing retention or reload speed. The optional MOLDED SPEED TAB KIT is available for those who want to tamp down retention even further. Add a pistol SPEED RELOAD INSERT KIT, and it can securely run dual pistol mags while still delivering fast, consistent access when things get loud.

Fully compatible with MOLLE/PALS platforms, this pouch integrates seamlessly into existing loadouts without forcing you to rebuild your entire kit. Lightweight, adaptable, and mission-ready, the MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET is built for professionals who expect their gear to perform every time.

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.

Rampart Range Day 26 – S&S Precision

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026

Despite it being summer in the Great White North, S&S Precision surprised everyone with a MultiCam Alpine variant of their popular load carriage panels.

www.sandsprecision.com/gear/oss-pouches

Safariland Releases the New HOLLE Duty Belt System

Friday, May 15th, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –?Safariland® a brand of?The?Safariland Group, a leading global provider of safety products designed for the public safety, military, professional and outdoor markets and one of Cadre Holdings, Inc.’s (NYSE: CDRE) (“Cadre”) key brands, has announced the launch of the new HOLLE™ Duty Belt system, a new space-optimizing lightweight load-carrying duty platform.  

The HOLLE™ Duty Belt is a next-generation belt that combines a traditional profile, finish and buckle selection with an integrated, precision-mounted load-carrying system. Designed for consistency, stability and long-term wear, HOLLE™ allows duty accessories to be mounted, adjusted or repositioned without the need for keepers or threading pouches onto the belt. While maintaining a professional appearance, the belt’s optimized mounting pattern ensures secure accessory retention, reduced movement and repeatable placement.  

“Safariland is proud to introduce HOLLE as an innovative system created for seamless integration between belts and accessories,” said Greg Freeman, vice president and general manager of Safariland Duty Gear. “We developed this platform to deliver enhanced durability and versatility, giving those who wear it the flexibility they demand without compromising uniform standards.” 

With minimal unusable space at the belt overlap, improved interaction with liner belts and broad compatibility across Safariland duty and tactical accessories, HOLLE™ offers a versatile platform that supports evolving loadouts. Available in buckled (Sam Browne, Coplok™, Cobra®) and buckleless configurations, HOLLE™ is supported by a growing ecosystem of purpose-built accessories designed for durability, ergonomic setup and operational flexibility.  

Features:

  • Pouch addition and removal without having to unthread other accessories or buckles 
  • Reduced long-term sag on pouches from duty wear 
  • ¾” incremental accessory placement adjustment 
  • Compatible with existing Safariland tactical accessories, including ELS, QLS and TQP 
  • All 4-hole HOLLE™ pouches mount vertical or horizontal  
  • Hard-mounted QUBL2, VUBL2 and CUBL2 holster belt mounts, with CUBL2 available in mid and hi-ride, with higher pull strength than traditional mounting 
  • Reduced hook-and-loop interior interference for stronger liner belt engagement  
  • Full accessory line including dump pouch and cantable closed and open top single mag pouches 
  • Existing duty accessories with traditional belt loops can slide onto belt 
  • Specific HOLLE™ belt keepers available that hard mount to belt, helping eliminate lost or dropped keepers 
  • Included spacers and hardware on accessories allows canting pouches away from the body for easier grasp 

To explore Safariland’s extensive range of holsters and accessories, visit Safariland.com.  

FirstSpear Friday Focus: FirstSpear X ATLAS46 Collection

Friday, May 15th, 2026

Atlas46 was founded in 2013 with one mission: to build American-made gear for professionals who can’t afford equipment failure. Now, Atlas46 and FirstSpear are teaming up for the first time with a nine (9) piece collection of MultiCam and Hi-Vis Orange products built for the tradesmen, maintainers, armorers, and technicians who keep America’s infrastructure running.

This isn’t lifestyle gear for social media photoshoots. The MultiCam 500D Nylon Duck Canvas exterior, known for its abrasion-resistance and durable, tactical-grade performance, is built for shipyards, flight lines, forward operating bases, and maintenance facilities where dirt, grease, and hard use are part of the uniform. The Hi-Vis Orange interior exists to help in finding the right tool fast when the clock is running.

The Pouch products use Atlas46’s AIMS and AIMS2 attachment systems, delivering 360-degree rotation in 15-degree increments with no tools or screws required. The MURPHY TOOL SPEED POUCH, COMPACT DOUBLE STACK TOOL POUCH, PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN’S POUCH, and 7 POCKET ELECTRICIANS POUCH are built to keep essential tools organized, accessible, and ready for work.

The Yorktown Carry Line includes theSAE, METRIC and MINI Yorktown Tool Rolls. Every piece is designed around the same principle: every tool has a place and wasted movement wastes time.The GEAR CARRY BAG and WIDE MOUTH TOOL TOTE are the ideal solutions for rugged, high-capacity general-purpose bags for professionals or do-it-yourself enthusiasts looking for fast access and reliable storage on the job. 

Made in the USA and Berry Compliant, this collection is built for the professionals who build, repair, and sustain the backbone of American capability. Because nobody wants to explain to the boss that the job got delayed because someone couldn’t find a 10mm socket. Visit First-Spear.com/Collections/Atlas46 to explore the entire collection.

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.