FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Off-Duty’ Category

Off-Duty: This is REALLY Off-Duty

Sunday, August 17th, 2008

Today’s article is interesting in that it is an indicator on how the war has influenced American culture. We began to see it a few years ago in fashion. The pallets changed to more earthy tones and the designs took on a militaristic feel. here is just another example of how the war has influenced American society.

Dog Tag Condoms. Yes, they are exactly what they sound like. The manufacturer, named oddly enough Dog Tag Condoms has come up with the spiffy idea of packaging condoms in a silenced pair of ID tags. They come in a variety of colors (sorry no Multicam) including the ever popular pink…don’t ask, well you know the rest.

For more info contact Dog Tag Condoms direct.

Insect Shield – On and Off Duty Insect Treatment

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

Insect Shield

The Editor brought home interesting literature from OR about the new Insect Shield treatment being applied to a variety of product lines. Word is that the developer of the Buzz Off TM line from Ex Officio struck out on his own and has licensed this technology to several companies. It works. Adventurers and explorers rely on Insect Shield garments to protect them from the onslaught of the insect world. Using a synthetic version of a natural repellent found in the Chrysanthemum, Insect Shield treatment lasts 70 washings.

Here is a list of companies who have signed up so far:
Ariat
Ex Officio
Horseware
L.L. Bean
Eagles Nest Outfitters
Tilley
Mad Dog Gear
Outdoor Research
Orvis
REI
Sloggers Garden Outfitters
Cintas

We are so excited about Insect Shield that we are going to make it a point to write about as many of the products as possible and will post the Insect Shield logo on every article.

For more info on Insect Shield check out their website.

Off Duty – The Beerdolier: Drink Like a Commando

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Beerdoleer

Chances are good you’ve seen the beer belt. The Beerdolier moves all of your extras to your chest, Pancho Villa style and keeps your six pack cool in beer cozies. Too bad its red. You can’t go wrong for $15 but who’s going to do a tacti-cool version? [Beerdolier via Uncrate via 2dayBlog via Gizmodo]

Under Armour Tech T Now Available in Sand

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Under Armour

Under Armor has been making outstanding products for years and while many of them have been designed specifically for tactical use the bulk of the line consists of best of breed solutions brought over from the sporting line. One such product is the Tech T. The Tech T has been a big hit around here for a long time but the dearth of military colors has made it problematic for tactical use…until now.

Black has been a standard product in the line for years and the Editor often wore a Black Tech T under his BDUs before retiring from the Air Force. Additionally, there has been a solid brown version for about two years now that was sold exclusively to one unit. Its existence wasn’t even acknowledged by the staff at UA. But now that same variant is available for purchase exclusively from ADS. Intended for Navy Special Warfare and Combatant Command personnel who wear brown T-shirts with their combat uniforms. They have also developed a Sand version for wear with the ACU and ABU.

The Tech T feels like cotton but is made from a synthetic and performs as you’d expect from a UA product; very well. It’s raglan sleeves and flat seams make the Tech T extremely comfortable as a next to skin layer. We cannot stress enough the comfort of the Tech T.

We wear Tech Ts all of the time. In addition to the new Brown and Sand they come in a variety of colors and are great for off-duty wear.

Under Armour Tech T - Sand

Patagonia Surf Brim

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Patagonia

In the past we have published articles about equipment for MAROPS. Riding around in a Zodiac can get pretty hot and sunburn is always a threat. It would seem the the boonie hat is the perfect solution but oftentimes they blow off of your head and usually end up floating away. We recently ran across the Patagonia Surf Brim. Other than the fact that it has a short brim, built in DWR (durable water repellent) and a floatable brim, it won’t blow away due to its unique neoprene headband, a tuck-away chin strap, and an adjustable rear buckle.

Patagonia Surf Brim - PumicePatagonia Surf Brim - Sage KhakiPatagonia Surf Brim - Seagrass

The Surf Brim is available in Pumice, Sage Khaki, and Seagrass. Additionally, all of the colors feature a dark underside to reduce glare.

Available from Patagonia.

Off-Duty Part IV – Arborwear

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Arborwear

We have been wearing Arborwear for years and we aren’t alone. Although designed for the arborist, their hard wearing clothes have had a cult following in the contractor community for quite some time. Additionally, they have been a favorite of military personnel who do not wear uniforms due to mission requirements. Some brands stand out in a crowd, Arborwear doesn’t.

The one place Arborwear does stand out, is in the fit department. The entire Arborwear line has a very distinctive fit and nothing else we have ever tried has been as comfortable. While other brands offer freedom of movement with stretch fabrics, Arborwear does it with design. Their trousers all have a large gusset which was designed to ensure freedom of movement for lumberjacks who spent a great deal of time climbing trees. Additionally, unlike some brands, Arborwear takes great pains to ensure a consistent fit between styles as well as production runs.

Arborwear Tech Pants
Arborwear Tech Pants

In particular, we prefer the Tech Pant, a cargo style work trouser. They are offered in three colors: Forest Green, Driftwood, and Dark Grey. Although many would feel the Forest Green color is a bit deep for most applications, the Driftwood resembles Flat Dark Earth and blends in well with many other earth tones. Unfortunately, the Dark Grey is almost Black and picks up a great deal of lint due to the soft fabric so they may not be the best color for tactical applications. The Tech Pants have a soft hand and are very comfortable. You wouldn’t know that they were made from Nylon. The Tech Pant is the trouser of choice for range work around Soldier Systems Blog. However, the entire line is made up of the most comfortable and durable work clothing we have found.

For more information contact Arborwear. Additionally, AFMO has Arborwear on GSA.

Offduty Part 3 – The Nerf Gun

Sunday, July 6th, 2008

Three words: Tactical Accessory Rail. Those three words make the new line of Nerf N-Strike guns the coolest toys ever. And what can be more fun than shooting “harmless” foam darts at one another? We realize they are intended for kids, but the ability to tailor the Nerf gun, reconfiguring it into different configurations with accessories make it almost as much fun as using a real carbine. In fact, there is a growing community of folks who modify their N-Strikes.

Base guns all feature the 1913-esque rail mount and Nerf produces several accessories like the weapon light and extra magazines. The editor purchased the Longshot CS-6 for his four year old last Christmas and his teenagers have yet to forgive him. Can you say intimidation?

Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25

And joining the lineup soon, a tripod mounted, box-fed machine gun; the N-STRIKE VULCAN EBF-25. Available this fall and retailing for $59.99, the belt-fed EBF-25 fires 25 rounds of screaming fury. That’s right, the mini darts make noise when fired in order to psych your opponents out. Spare belts will also be available.

Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Belt

The entire office has agreed to spend the “curse” jar money for one. Too bad the summer interns won’t be around to feel the wrath of the Vulcan.

And we won’t even go into the new Rocket Launchers for the Iron Man and Hulk movies.

Available from toy stores and discount retailers everywhere.

Off-Duty Part 2 – Pacsafe Travel Security

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Pacsafe Logo

Most of our readers travel and many of them often find themselves in some pretty seedy locations. Theft of one’s property is always a concern. Continuing our weekly focus on off duty wear, this week’s feature introduces you to Pacsafe, a company who produces luggage with security of the contents in mind. No use having all of those Gucci suits and safari wear if they are going to be pilfered on the ride from the airport to the resort. We have known for years about their steel mesh bags designed to secure the contents of a pack but I recently received an education on Pacsafe’s security features and want to pass on what we learned to you.

Ant-Theft Bag and Backpack Protector

Pacsafe engineers several unique features into their designs to help ensure the safety of your valuables.

eXomesh

eXomesh® Slashguard panels
Pacsafe has developed slashproof panels by discretely hiding a layer of eXomesh® between two layers of fabric. These lightweight slashguards are placed in vulnerable sections of the bag, giving protection against a bag slasher’s knives and blades.

Slashproof Belts/Cables/Straps

Slashproof belts/straps/cables
It only takes a split second to cut through a conventional belt or strap. Pacsafe belts and straps are embedded with slashproof, high-tensile stainless steel wire. All Pacsafe securing cables are made from heavy duty steel wire.

Snatchproof Security Clip

Snatchproof security clips/locks
In an instant, someone can take your bag without you knowing. That’s why Pacsafe has designed bags with snatchproof metal clips on slashproof belts, straps, cables or chains. These can be unfastened at one end allowing you to loop and anchor your bag to any secure fixture, such as the arm of your chair, bus seat or poolside lounger.

Snatchproof Lock

For extra security, Pacsafe has designed products which offer an additional snatchproof locking system. This system enables you to not only anchor your bag to a secure fixture but lock it safely there as well.

Tamperproof Zipper

Tamperproof zippers/compartments
Subways, busy traffic intersections, and crowded markets are prime pickpocket locations. Pacsafe products have tamperproof solutions to thwart pickpockets, including zippers that lock closed or latch to a spring-loaded metal clip. Pacsafe bags with flap-covered compartments offer hidden safety hooks for extra security to keep prying hands out.

They have an entire line of luggage for everything from your laptop to a rucksack. For information on their entire line go to Pacsafe.

All graphics supplied by Pacsafe.