Blue Force Gear will have kit available in the Arc’teryx Urban Wolf color soon.
Archive for the ‘Materials’ Category
OR – Arc’teryx
Friday, January 25th, 2013The big story for Arc’teryx this OR is Down. But these aren’t down garments as you have traditionally known them. As with most things, Arc’teryx took a long look at the issue and came with a couple of improvements. First, these garments have fewer pieces than others on the market meaning fewer stitches resulting in stronger garments. Next, they increased the durability of the shell of the garment to mitigate the abrasion that ruins so many down jackets. Finally, they placed Coreloft synthetic in areas of high compression and vapor transfer; the shoulders and cuffs. This feature eliminates cold spots. Currently, the garments run either 750 and 850 fill down.
Another innovation is the new hood design. Rather than traditional two direction hood adjustment, this new version brings the crown of the hood down over the top of your head and ears.
There are already 11 garments in the line (including models for both mean and women) including traditional jackets as well as hooded variants. They have also introduced a true hybrid with a Gore-tex shell and the insulation is the Down and Coreloft combo.
Look for these late Summer 2013.
Silent Magnetic Closures Patent Has Just Arrived
Thursday, January 24th, 2013I just received this news. The silent Velcro magnetic closure we wrote about last August has been issued a patent. Congrats to designer FIGHTER DESIGN and their distribution partner Velcro USA.
Today was a big day for FIGHTER DESIGN in Austin, Texas. US Patent number 8,316,515 arrived in the mail and is now on their wall following a brief Budweiser fueled ceremony. This patent protects the Silent Magnetic Closures for Velcro® Brand Fasteners being made by FIGHTER DESIGN. The product instantly converts any Velcro® Brand Fastener into a Silent Magnetic Closure. FIGHTER DESIGN is an inventor group that collaborates with some of the greatest minds in the industry to create and deliver innovative products.
Silent Magnetic Closures for Velcro® Brand Fasteners are now available for purchase online at www.FighterD.com
Models are available to fit all military uniforms and other models are coming soon for certain backpacks, bags, and pouches. Manufacturers are being told that custom models can be made for any size and strength of hook-loop closures. Retailers are encouraged to contact Fighter Design online.
Visit www.FighterD.com for more information.
*Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro® Industries
SHOT Show – Duro MultiCam Fabrics
Thursday, January 17th, 2013Duro has finally introduced a MultiCam pack cloth called Gamma. This 400D fabric is printed in the MultiCam pattern and available now. It’s a lightweight fabric with a slick hand. Some will say that it isn’t very abrasion resistant and compared to 1000D Cordura it isn’t. But remember, we won a couple of wars using pack cloth. It can be a great tradeoff for low weight, you just have to consider what you’re using it for.
SHOT Show – ITWNexus Advanced Products and Accessories Developmental Items
Thursday, January 17th, 2013ITWNexus APA let us see behind the curtain to take a look at some upcoming products. Some are still so new they don’t even have names. As these are still developmental pieces they may be made from unusual colors. Final models will feature the standard color palette.
First up is a shotgun shell caddy that adapts to he front of the popular FastMag.
This attachment also allows the shotgun shell carrier to be attached directly to PALS webbing.
Next up is a 40mm carrier that accommodates two rounds. It is also compatible with both the FastMag as well as PALS-type webbing systems.
As you can see it incorporates a lid of sorts that helps keep the rounds in place.
This is something completely new for the division formerly known as ITW Military Products. They have developed a Mil Std 1913 foregrip. In the event you want to slide the grip down the rail and lock it into place, the detent buttons are fore and aft and it features two blocks to ensure it stays fast in the Picatinny rail’s grooves. Additionally, one side plate can be removed in case there are item already affixed to the rail and it can slid into place. To install you remove the side plate, select a position on the rail and rock it into place. Then you replace the side plate.
Although only featured in the top photograph APA has also developed an adapter for the FastMag that will allow the user to wear it sideways on the belt.
SHOT Show – ITWNexus Advanced Products and Accessories
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
First off, ITW Military Products is now ITWNexus Advanced Products and Accessories. Second, they’d like your feedback on their upcoming development of additional models of the Grimloc. Below are four variants, the all black version is the current model. Counter-Clockwise from there is Grimloc XL, Grimloc Low Profile and finally the Grimlocissomo. Notice they all use the same arm, no matter the size of the overall Grimloc.
Those are to get your creative juices flowing. What would you like to see in the next generation of Grimloc? Leave your feedback in the comments section here.
SHOT Show – Massif Battlefield X
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
Here is the application of Massif’s new Battlefield X technology. This FR fleece jacket features a WL Gore membrane for wind and water protection.
Massif Announces Introduction of New FR Fabrics with WL Gore Membranes Into Their Line
Monday, January 14th, 2013Innovative FR nylon-face fabric provides all the benefits of the best water resistant outdoor fabrics while meeting the ASTM F2302/ASTM D6413 standard for flame resistance.
Massif announces the commercial introduction of Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics, two revolutionary new nylon-faced, flame resistant, water resistant laminates for the military and tactical markets.
Nylon garments have a long history of field-proven outdoor performance, yet have never before provided adequate flame resistance. Massif Battleshield and Battleshield X fabrics offer a shift in FR protection by combining filament nylon-faced laminates with exceptional FR protection.
Massif Battleshield and Battleshield X fabrics provide excellent durability, water resistance, breathability, flame protection, stretch, and warmth-to-weight ratio. There is simply nothing like the Battleshield fabrics on the market; they perform as well as other non-FR outdoor fabric in the industry and provide exceptional flame protection.
Massif Battleshield and Battleshield X feature Gore® FR stretch technology, which dramatically increases breathability while simultaneously improving water repellency and water entry pressure. The result is an extremely durable, highly breathable fabric with a superior warmth-to-weight ratio that is very water resistant and fully flame resistant. “Gore has played a pivotal role in providing best in class durable, breathable and environmentally protective products to the U.S. military,” says Mark Miller, Product Specialist at Gore. “We are excited to be working with Massif and bringing this product line to the warfighting community. Unlike any other flame-resistant, water resistant softshell fabrics, Massif Battleshield and Battleshield X fabrics featuring Gore® FR stretch technology compete with the very best technical performance softshell fabrics on the market today.”
Over the past year, every branch of the United States military has been evaluating either Massif Battleshield or Battleshield X fabrics. “We’re getting some very exciting feedback from our military partners,” said Dave Bywater, Vice President of Government Sales at Massif. “It’s gratifying to be able to provide garments and fabrics that improve comfort and durability, increase life cycle costs, and provide the best flash-fire protection possible for our soldiers.”
Some of the key benefits of Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics are:
BREATHABILITY/COMFORT – With unsurpassed breathability, Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics can dramatically increase the warfighter’s overall comfort. In high-activity situations Massif’s unique fabrics, in combination with Gore’s breathable, stretch membrane, reduce overheating and chilling from moisture retention and reduces user fatigue, ultimately keeping soldiers dryer, safer, and more effective in a wider range of situations and temperatures.
DURABILITY – The nylon face fabric of Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics provide superior durability when compared to traditional FR fabrics on the market today. In fact, for its weight, Battleshield is likely the most durable FR fabric on the market today. This extreme durability can significantly reduce life cycle costs as compared to other FR materials.
WEATHER PROTECTION/WATER RESISTANCE – Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics provide exceptional water resistance by combining Gore’s breathable, stretch membrane with a technically superior face fabric that will not absorb or retain water as with conventional cellulosic-based fabrics.
STRETCH/FUNCTIONALITY – With multidirectional stretch, a key feature of any high-quality outdoor garment, Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics offer excellent mobility and comfort.
FLAME RESISTANCE/BURN PROTECTION – These truly revolutionary synthetic fabrics have all of the benefits of high-quality outdoor softshell fabrics while meeting the stringent requirements of ASTM F2302/ASTM D6413 and showing extremely low Burn Injury Prediction when tested on a manikin per ASTM F1930.
Massif will begin using Massif Battleshield and Massif Battleshield X fabrics in its Massif Elements Tactical Jacket. Plans for using these fabrics in US military and tactical garments are underway.
