When we need raw materials for a custom project we go to DIY Tactical and they recently revamped their site adding a whole host of new features including RSS feeds to keep you updated. Additionally, the “wishlist” option allows you to form a list of products you want to purchase at a later date. They have also added a “kits” section featuring instructions and materials to make basic nylon projects.
Check out the new site www.diytacticalstore.com.
Last Fall Duro took over distribution of Multicam fabrics under license from Crye Precision. Already they have introduced several new fabrics and are constantly developing new products.
Current offerings include:
330 Denier Cordura
500 Denier Cordura
725 Denier Cordura
1000 Denier Cordura
NYCO Ripstop
40D Nylon 2-Way
70D Nylon FR Coated
70D Nylon FR Finish
To order Multicam fabrics from Duro visit their web-store.
Archangel Armor, LLC (AAA) has been working with AustriAlpin of Austria to develop a cable releasable version of their popular Cobra buckle. The Cobra buckle is the only side quick release in the world that will not release accidentally by human or mechanical error when under load. They are going one step further and also developing a cable releasable plastic buckle as well and AAA recently demonstrated both types of buckles to us. AAA uses the new buckles as part of their Internal Frame Load Bearing Armor system.
While they are covered under Patent applications they have asked that we not release too much information on the buckles just yet. We have received a lot of inquiries from interested parties on whether the buckles will be made available commercially and the short answer is yes.
As our readers know, we are big fans of Darn Tough Vermont and so is the US military. Several of their products are issued through RFI and they recently developed a Sock Kit for a US customer. It covers everything a foot craves; comfort and warmth.
Socks are described below and are in order from Left to Right.
This five sock system was developed with members of the Special Forces community to offer a family of socks to cover any mission in any climate. Darn Tough Vermont socks are known for their long term durability and comfort. The fine gauge Merino wool used in these socks is naturally anti microbial, fast wicking/fast drying and will keep the wearer warm even when wet. Dense terry loops for cushioning without bulk and heavily re-enforced heels and toes are just two of the features that make these socks unique.
1493 Merino Wool ¼ Sock Mesh
68% Merino Wool, 28% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Physical Training
The ¼ Sock Mesh is a light weight PT sock with reinforced heels and toes. The cuff breaks approximately 2†above the ankle. These socks have open mesh knitting on the top of the foot for greater breathability and no cushioning on the bottom of the foot for a performance fit.
1418 Merino Wool Nordic Boot Ultra Light
60% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, and 7% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Tactical Boots
The Nordic Boot Ultra Light is a light weight ¾ height tactical socks that is approximately 7†tall. The heels and toes are reinforced and there is no cushioning on the bottom of the foot for a performance boot fit. The leg is a rib knit construction.
1466 Merino Wool Micro Crew
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Tactical Boots
The Micro Crew is a ¾ height tactical sock that is approximately 6†tall. The leg is a flat 5 x 1 rib construction with resilient terry loop cushioning on the foot bottom.
1403 Merino Wool Boot Sock Cushion
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: All Condition Boot Sock
The Boot Sock Cushion is a mid calf sock that is approximately 9.5†tall. The foot bottom and leg is surrounded by resilient terry loop cushioning.
1405 Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion
67% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra® Spandex
Color: Graphite
Category: Cold Weather Boot Sock
The Boot Sock Full Cushion is a mid calf sock that is approximately 9.5†tall. The foot and leg is surrounded by densely knit terry loop cushioning. The heels and toes are reinforced.
Notice, all of the socks in the kit are manufactured from Merino wool which provides a myriad of advantages including comfort, inherent FR properties as well as being anti-microbial.
For more information contact Darn Tough Vermont. Additionally, the entire Darn Tough Vermont line is available on GSA.
Expect to see new Hangtags on Cordura® products. They have released new Hangtag as well as Sew-In-Label Designs.
Many factors were considered when creating the new CORDURA® brand hangtag and sew-in-label, both of which were designed in collaboration with Howard, Merrell & Partners, the Raleigh-based agency of record for the CORDURA® brand. With manufacturers, retailers and consumers in mind, the CORDURA® brand team set out to tailor complimentary hangtag and sew-in-label silhouettes. These marketing materials instill the brand’s universal brand promise of durability, versatility and reliability. These updated brand identifiers will also give manufacturers the ability to prominently showcase products constructed with best-in-class durable fabrics.
With regional versions for North and South America, Asia and Europe, the new hangtags will be translated in nine different languages, each with the universal message of the CORDURA® brand’s core values.
The CORDURA® brand hangtag and sew-in-label will be featured on qualifying products across the brand’s four main segments – outdoor, workwear, on-the-go and military, and were launched as part of the brand’s new image campaign that debuted in August, 2008. This campaign celebrates the durability of adventurers who, because of their lifestyles, hobbies or jobs, benefit from fabrics that are just as durable as they are. The campaign revolves around the tagline, “As long as the world is full of durable people, we’ll keep making durable fabrics™.†For more information on the CORDURA® brand and its wide array of durable fabric offerings, visit www.CORDURA.com.
While Mayflower won’t have their own booth at SHOT, they will have mannequins on display in the POF and ITW booths.
Mayflower is producing a line of gun cases, vests, and slings for rifle manufacturer Patriot Ordnance Factory located in Booth number 23060. For example, designed for 7.62 magazines, this chest rig is a PALS-fixed pouch hybrid manufactured from 500D solution dyed Cordura.
ITW Military Products produces Berry compliant fasteners used by Mayflower and is located in Booth Number 7561.
Crafted from pure New Zealand Merino wool, Icebreaker makes the finest base layers I have used. Yes, I said “crafted”. The material is heaven and Merino naturally repels odors as well as being inherently FR. Additionally, it is breathable and like all wools insulates even when wet.
My favorite piece is the Boxer Brief. They are so comfortable that you can wear them all year round (preferably not the same pair). In addition to base layers they have also introduced mid and outer layers as well. Check them out.
Available in a variety of colors, they can be purchased here or from many fine outdoor retailers.
Recently, health hazards in Outdoor industry products have surfaced. Perhaps the most famous is the BPA threat publicized by the Canada’s Health Ministry. BPA is used in plastic baby bottles but also many popular polycarbonate water bottles utilize the material to increase impact resistance. This has led at least one manufacturer to produce BPA-free bottles.
Additionally, carbon nanotubes have been finding their way into a variety of Soldier Systems items. They are used for such applications as body armor and the installation of serial buses in load carrying harnesses. For some time now there has been concern that nano tubes when broken, work much like asbestos as a threat to healthy lungs. This is particularly disconcerting as the applications that make nanotubes most desirable are exactly the ones that will result in their breakdown and release of potentially dangerous materials.
The most recent alarm on potential health threats has been by the UK’s Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP). While they don’t go so far as to say that wearing fabrics with silver nanofibers is hazardous to your health, they do caution that further research is needed and that as their use increases, they may have an aggregate effect on the environment as those garments are laundered. The major concern is that the silver will leach into the water table and scientists are unsure about its effect on the environment.
The US military has not traditionally been known to rush to reaction at environmental threats but as the US government overall becomes more green it will be interesting to see how they react to this information. Many recently issued garments feature silver nanofabrics in order to control the growth of bacteria and associated odor.
