CSM Gear is run by a real-deal retired Navy Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman and his experience shows in his designs. It is some of the most no-nonsense kit on the market. In addition to the standard fare that you will run across with most outfitters, CSM Gear has a limited number of their Single Strap Packs left.
Designed for use by someone wearing armor, the single strap allows for the right shoulder to be free in order to shoulder a weapon without encumbrance and features a side release buckle to allow you to ditch the pack rapidly. The main compartment opens fully and the two outer pockets sit on a panel of foam, enabling you to use this pack as a shooting platform. In addition to full PALS fields inside and out, the pack also features a hidden compartment large enough to hold a 1911.
Available in Coyote, Ranger Green and Gray, it isn’t cheap but it is Berry compliant and well made.
We met up with Granite Gear at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and had an opportunity to check out their tactical line. They’ve always got lots of cool products in the works. This past year they concentrated on developing products for the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) solicitation so there are a bunch of new medical products coming out. They are featured on pages 6 – 8. The DA-Med Pack in particular is well thought out and features the most innovative use of translucent cubic material we have seen yet. Additionally, the Armor Mounting System MOLLEs into place in order to stabilize the pack yet facilitates a quick removal.
A couple of other highlights to look at…First, on page 5 is the Voile strap, adapted from the ski industry it makes an excellent tie down for packs and odd loads. Next on page 9 is the Dragster, GGT’s drag bag. it has too many features to list here so just make sure you read about it in the catalog. Finally, is page 15’s Steripen Ready Aquasack that combines a water bottle, a specialized pouch for the Steripen and batteries, and an Aquasack to carry the whole thing in.
Like a flood gate opening Tyr Tactical released images of not less than 20 new products on their Facebook page yesterday. And these weren’t a bunch of little pouches. For example, they’ve included a 5-Day Lightweight Assault BackPack in the release. Although, I have to admit I am a bit skeptical on this one. That is a lot to ask of a frameless pack. I’m looking forward to seeing one to take a look at how they are reducing weight and handling that type of load.
As far as innovation goes, my vote is in for the Assaulter Sustainment Pack. Apparently, you can remove the padding in order to attach it directly to a vest. It also has a generous beavertail that will make it easy to access kit.
I’m not sure how they are doing it, or keeping up. They’ve already sprinkled some of the the new products throughout the website in their respective categories so you will have to head over and root around a little to get an idea of what I am talking about.
Ares Armor presents the R.A.D. (Rapid Armor Deployment) Pack. Designed to do exactly what the name implies, the wearer can deploy armor from a storage slot in the pack and deploy a sidearm in less than two seconds. Once we get to the features you will see that one of their main concerns was to keep the features of this pack from betraying its intended purpose. It is important to note that this pack was designed more for civilian concealed carry than for military or LE use although it looks like it will do a great job there as well.
One of the first things you are going to ask is, what armor plates will it accept? According to ARES Armor, it is designed primarily for SAPI cut plates but is fully adjustable to accommodate different sized plates and individuals. However, we have not had our hands on one yet so we are looking forward to feedback from users on how well it handles various plate setups.
Additionally, this isn’t a one trick pony. While it does offer armor protection, it can still be used as a normal pack. Featuring a rear compartment that is fully separated from the plate panel and that is designed for the storage of everyday items, it’s storage capacity is comparable to a normal bookbag-sized pack. There is also PALS webbing on the inside of the storage compartment that allows users to set it up however they choose. The RAD Pack can carry both front and back plates with backers or just soft armor panels.
As you can see in the video, a cable system keeps the front plate panel in place inside the pack. Once the cable is pulled, the plate can be pulled up over the head. not only does this provide immediate protection it also allows access to a chest mounted sidearm.
It comes with a simple universal pistol holster that is attached via PALS webbing into the front plate panel. This is what you pull over your head. There is also PALS webbing covering the entire front of the carrier to allow whatever setup you want or to change out holsters.
In order to maintain the low profile image, there is no PALS webbing or other military/LE/tacticool giveaways on the outside of the pack. Additionally, the colors are very civilian friendly: Black, Black and Grey, Black and Blue, in addition to Black and Red.
Ares Armor left us with this statement about the RAD Pack.
Its not made to turn people into super heroes just to give them an advantage in an unexpected gun fight. (imagine if one of the innocent people at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Arizona the other week etc. were wearing a system like this. Having armor as well as a handgun might have very well given them the bravado to save some lives)
Overall, it looks like a promising design. According to Ares Armor, they are manufacturing the packs themselves and are applying for patents that cover how the pack works. Naturally, this makes them Made in USA. While we aren’t going to delve very deep into this, Ares Armor is collectively owned by several veteran and active duty military members. A big part of their business model is giving back and we will write more on this soon.
We received the coolest Pre-SHOT Show announcement we have seen this season from Eberlestock.
“In keeping with Eberlestock’s tradition of unveiling surprising new products at the Shot Show, this year we’ll display more unique and new intellectual property per square inch than any other company under the roof. Stop by booth #1108 and see:”
A new sniper / precision long range chassis system that is the core of the shortest-folding stock in the world. Designed as a bolt-on commercial product, this chassis brings the look of modern weaponry to conventional bolt-action rifles. See the above photo for a hint of what this system looks like. On the 25th anniversary of the “Eberle Stock” that revolutionized the Olympic sport of biathlon, they felt it was appropriate to remind people where our company name is derived from, and to reaffirm that they are more than a pack company.
The first in a line of new generation ALICE-frame-based pack systems developed by request of their military sniper customers.
New big-mountain packs targeted at both sheep hunters and the European military market.
A set of exciting new camouflage patterns developed in partnership with the Hide-Open camouflage company, and first introduced to the world on Eberlestock products.
The new Gunrunner pack, which is simplicity and elegance in backpack form… it’s just going to be a fun way to run around with a rifle on your back.
We received Blackhawk!’s 2011 catalog a couple of weeks ago and to be honest, we are impressed. It’s hard to believe that they are able to introduce as many products as they do, year after year.
One of the products we are happy to see hitting the streets this time around is the High Performance Fighting Uniform (HPFUâ„¢). BLACKHAWK! is now offering a version of it without their patented I.T.S. â„¢ (Integrated Tourniquet System) called the HPFU Slick. This woks out great for those who don’t need the added security of tourniquets day-to-day.
Additionally, they are offering an updated version of the standard HPFU with a more streamlined I.T.S. ™. A single tourniquet is pre-positioned in the axillary area of each arm and the apex of the thigh of each leg for immediate activation by self or buddy-aid to stem blood loss in an emergency. Both are available in Black, Olive Drab, Desert Digital, and MultiCam® (yep, Blachawk is on the MultiCam wagon big time).
In addition to the HPFUs look for new athletic wear, station house uniforms for fire and EMS, clothing, updated versions of popular clothing designs and a whole slew of nylon gear.
Visit BLACKHAWK! at SHOT Show in booth #11971/12271 Level 2
Kifaru recently unveiled their Ultralights packs a few weeks ago. With over 11 years of development, these packs have a lot of great ideas combined into a single line.
If you are at SHOT Show be sure to visit Kifaru and check out their new Ultralights, we sure will. They will be in booth #20652 on Level 2 in the Law Enforcement section.
