Archive for the ‘Materials’ Category
Snap-On Quick Strap from National Molding
Monday, April 22nd, 2013Storm Freerun – Featuring GORE-TEX Tactical Footwear for Police
Friday, April 12th, 2013When I first saw this video a few weeks ago it really blew me away. It’s fun to watch free runners in action and interesting to check out what the European footwear brands are up to and how they are integrating the latest GORE-TEX® technology.
The footwear
Recent and comprehensive market research has shown that the effective climate comfort and management of moisture and heat loss together with reliable waterproofness, light weight, well cushioned, flexible and sporty performance soles are becoming more and more important for the police officer’s daily duty footwear. To meet these requirements the Gore professional footwear team together with HAIX®, LOWA® and MEINDL® has developed “GORE-TEX® Tactical Footwear“. The styles include HAIX® Black Eagle, MEINDL® Black Cobra and LOWA® Zephyr Black.
GORE-TEX® Technology
The footwear’s main feature is the durably waterproof and highly breathable GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort Laminate, which keeps the wearer’s feet dry and comfortable due to the increased breathability of the laminate together with the components used allow moisture to easily escape and keep the wearers feet at their optimized temperature even in the warmer climate of summer or inside environments.
The film
To launch the new “Tactical GORE-TEX® Footwear” collections Gore´s professional footwear team worked together with the film-maker and photographer Claudiu Voicu and the freerunning team “Storm Freerun” in London.
Katie McDonell, Tim “Livewire” Shieffs, Chima Akenzua and Kie Willis tested the footwear to the extreme while shooting a fast chasing story through the backyards and over the roofs of East-London. Next to “Tactical GORE-TEX® Footwear” all runners were equipped with police-uniforms made with the latest GORE-TEX® and WINDSTOPPER® technologies.
Claudiu Voicu used a Canon 5D and 7D camera, a Helicopter and a Go Pro camera to capture the full action. To capture the details of the performance of the footwear he used a Phantom Ultra Slow Motion camera.
Feel free to watch the full length version here.
Is Your Web Dominator Installed Properly?
Friday, April 12th, 2013ITWNexus Advanced Products and Accessories created this cool graphic to show you how to properly install your Web Dominator.
Duraflex Buckle Style Guide
Thursday, April 11th, 2013
So What’s This 6/9 Technology We Keep Talking About?
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Recently, I mentioned FirstSpear’s new 6/9 Modular Pocket Technology. Several friends immediately wrote to me thinking I had published a typo. Assuredly, FirstSpear has their 6/12 technology but what’s this 6/9 think we keep talking about?
Really, it’s pretty simple. FirstSpear developed this really cool, proprietary pouch attachment system called 6/12. Thing is, not everybody is ready for change. So, they went back to the drawing board and came up with the 6/9 Modular Pocket Technology, a completely backwards compatible PALS-style attachment system which holds the pouch closer to the platform than traditional MOLLE and also features weight savings (no snap or plastic stiffener). In fact, it holds pouches so much closer that the initial M4 mag shingles couldn’t be worn directly below an admin pouch on the front of a vest. Traditional PALS makes them stick out far enough that you can generally draw a magazine without hitting the pouch above. Not so with the new 6/9 equipped pouches. They fit so closely to the platform that there’s no standoff. Look below and you’ll see how 6/9 is a bit of a hybrid. They’ve used laser cut backers on the pouch combined with a woven strap that is similar to PALS.
Great idea, but, what to name it? 6/12 was named to signify that you are fully ready for action. The witty guys at FirstSpear thought about it and decided that if 6/12 is all the way there, then the 6/9 system will get you about half way, acknowledging it’s an improvement, and a pretty popular one at that. In fact, so much so, that after this Summer, FirstSpear will no longer offer PALS attachments on any of their pouches except via minimum quantity special order. So don’t fear 6/9 but rather embrace it if you must continue to rely on traditional MOLLE systems.
National Molding 2013 Catalog
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013National Molding has released their 2013 catalog which includes the Quad Release system (used in IOTV Gen III) and its little brother the Evil Twin (a two point release system) designed for plate carriers.
Palspocket – New from Hill People Gear
Friday, March 29th, 2013HPG has introduced a very cool new modular pocket for their packs. Called the Palspocket, it was created by adapting the material used in FirstSpear’s 6/12 technology. They turned the material inside out which boasts a Velcro backer. Thanks to the laser cut PALS compatible holes combined with the Velcro pile you can affix other pouches and equipment to the interior of the Palspocket. At just 8 ounces, it’s 9″x17″x3″ and offers a 6 channels / 7 rows PALS grid. It’s very innovative.
HPG offers is description as well –
The Palspocket is a relatively shallow panel loading compression panel / pocket where the interior side is a full 6/12 panel. You can mount PALS or Velcro backed accessories inside, or you can mount PALS accessories to the back side in between the Palspocket and the host pack.
S&S Precision Introduces PullTabs
Monday, March 25th, 2013S&S Precision knew they could make a better pull tab for bungees used on tactical gear and I’m impressed with their solution. S&S PullTabs are a rubberized replacement for the sewn pull tabs we are used to encountering. The material selection means your fingers won’t slip and the design’s wide base offers repeatability and correct orientation every time they are used. Much like the Weebles of yore, they always settle back in place up right, ready for instant use. Additionally, installation is simple meaning anyone can do it.
Available in Tan, Black and Toad Vine (a SSP color similar to MAS Grey) for individuals as well as cut and sew shops who want to integrate PullTabs into their products. These are cool and I can tell you that I will be putting them on my gear.
