The guys at Grey Group Training really outdid themselves this time. Their Christmas Stocking comes packed with tactical goodness and the contents are selected based on the amount you specify. This is a really good deal. According to GGT, “Each stocking will be up to a 50% discount from retail for the items included for your purchase price, so whether you are using it for a great gift selected by the professionals or a holiday grab bag at a great price for yourself, pick one up today for the holidays.”
**Picture is example only**
The stocking is MultiCam and Grey Group says that they reserve the right to randomly hook up Christmas Stockings with crazy extra gifts.
I’ve had a Vertx Smock prototype for well over a year. It’s served me well and I’ve worn it in a variety of environments. But, for me, there were two issues with the prototype. The first is that the pockets were closed with snaps and the fabric is 50/50 NYCO. Nothing wrong with the NYCO but when combined with the innovative design of the Vertx Smock, it just didn’t seem up to the task. A garment like this needs a softshell fabric and Vertx came through. They have combined the same fabric used on their Gunfighter Storm shirt (anti-microbial 40D face fabric treated with Scholler Nanosphere) and paired it with fleece in the hood and lower cargo pockets which are well suited to warming cold hands.
Almost every other smock I’ve seen on the market follows the traditional styling found on the original British smocks; fixed hood, big chest and hip cargo pockets along with a single FFD pocket on the sleeve. Vertx took an entirely different approach.
Their smock features a removable hood, pit zips (with a mesh liner to keep the nasties out), and pockets. Pockets unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The poacher’s pocket is divided in two and the opening is angled so you can get into it be reaching around behind. On both sides of the hips between the poacher’s pocket and the front hip pockets there are pockets for a single 5.56 magazine, kept at the ready. I am sure users will come up with a myriad of other uses for this pocket as well. The chest and hip pockets are of the patch cargo variety but feature rounded edges so that items won’t get caught in the corner of a pocket and the pleats keep the pockets nice and flat when empty but expand with ample room for your gear. The napoleon style chest pockets also feature integrated magazine pockets.
The bicep pockets aren’t exactly inset but their expansive design is very low profile with a vertical zipper closure. Both bicep pockets feature Velcro fields for ID or other insignia. Also, the elbows are reinforced.
The fit is designed to fit over armor so it’s got plenty of room for additional layers. Additionally, all of the buttons are of the slotted Canadian style so there is little to no chance they will fail. In fact, I’d say the base fabric will give way first.
Battleware caught up with the smock’s creator, Dave Walsh and shot this video of Dave talking about this “wearable go bag’s” various features.
If you’re looking for a combat oriented softshell then this is the one for you. The pocket configuration is unlike anything else you will find out there and this in turn, offers a unique look not found with other garments. Remember, it’s a softshell and priced accordingly. But it’s quality and innovation you are buying.
At this point I haven’t had any wear time with the production version. They just simply aren’t available. But…one lucky SSD reader is going to get a chance to win the very first smock. That’s right, Vertx is sponsoring a contest to give away the first smock out the door.
Australia’s Platatac has introduced their new Platatac’s CUTS (Cool Under Tactical Shirt): Special Projects. It is a combat style shirt designed for use in hot climates and is very traditional in that the sleeves are woven and the torso is knit.
One interesting feature of the CUTS:SP is that the shoulders are constructed from 3D air mesh to facilitate cooling. Additionally, the bicep include Velcro patches as well as a webbing flap to cover up the IR Square when not needed. These pockets also feature an additional smaller zippered pocket on top of the original pocket.
Currently available only in MultiCam in XSmall – XXLarge in both Regular and Long lengths. All sizes have been issued NSNs. It is important to note, that while CUTS:SP has incorporated some interesting features it was designed for the Australian military and is not FR.
Talk about goodness. You’ve got outdoor/tactical brand OTTE Gear offering a Liberty Bottle Works bottle emblazoned with a Bawidamann pinup decal. Want one? Get in line behind me. OR, you can get one for FREE when you order a Multicam DK Heavy jackets for 50% off, November 16 – 23.
Kifaru Tactical has just updated their excellent Woobie and Doobie. They are now offering both in a reversible, two-tone MultiCam/Coyote color combination. The Woobie was originally envisioned as a modern replacement for the USGI poncho liner. It combines RhinoSkin Shell with ClimaShield combat insulation. The Woobie uses 2 oz/square yard of insulation and the Doobie (Double Woobie) uses 4 oz/square yard of insulation.
Kifaru invested in the RhinoSkin Shell material so other products will also be offered in the new colors. For example, Slick Bags will also be available in either MultiCam or Coyote with OD interiors.
I got a Woobie several years ago when they were first released and it has weathered very well. Much better than the issue item. Granted, it costs more, but I have to remind of my old adage; “Buy Quality, Cry Once.” The issue poncho liner will never insulate like this thing.
Available in Black, SORD Base Color, DPCU, MultiCam and A-TACS UA, the new SORD Watchstrap is made from US Mil-Spec materials. Due to the plastic hardware, it is also non-magnetic. Designed to fit large dive watches.
Australia is purchasing an additional 10,000 Operational Combat Uniforms. These “test” items will be manufactured from TenCate’s 6.5 oz Defender M fabric. This is the improved fabric used by the US Army and Marine Corps rather than than the earlier fabric used in the first run of ODUs. The ODU is essentially a Crye Precision combat uniform. Apparently, someone at Department of Defence has determined that there is a need for FR protection for the Australian Soldier.
Photo: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo, 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit, Australia DoD
The new Combat Uniform M/11 in MultiCam is coming soon for Danish troops who have been using the M/84 pattern uniform for over 20 years. Rather than separate M/01 desert and M/84 woodland uniforms, there will be heavy and lightweight variants of the new M/11.
Despite popular belief, the M/84 pattern uniform has actually been improved numerous times over the years. For instance, a breathable membrane was introduced as well as integrated knee protection. Additionally, they have gone to a nylon based fabric. And while this is an improvement over cotton for use in cold wet environments found in Northern Europe, as we know, in a flame threat environment, nylon is not your friend.
Due to manufacturing lead times, ISAF 15 & 16 should deploy with the new uniforms in 2013.
