CP Gear by Wheeler has launched an entirely new website. They have also added three new colors to their line of CADPAT-TW and CADPAT-AR; Coyote, Universal Camouflage Pattern, and Multicam are now also available.
Check it out at www.cpgear.com.
Archive for the ‘Packs’ Category
CP Gear Launches New Website
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009Down East at SHOT
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009Down East are the geniuses behind such products as the FastMag, Snap Dragon buckle, and MOLLE Frame. Amid little fanfare they unveiled their latest incarnation of the FastMag at SHOT Show. As the prototype FastMag passed from hand to hand among gear aficionados, the inventors explained the evolutionary improvements over previous versions. The greatest improvement is the attachment mechanism. A thin, rubberized, PALS compatible strap has been integrated directly into the design and pulls over a tab to secure the pouch via tension. Additionally, they introduced the ability to shingle the FastMag with Tactical Tailor’s MALICE Clip. The pouches can be stacked on top of one another or in conjunction with soft pouches as seen below. Additionally, you will notice that the bungee is missing. Down East felt that it was superfluous and drove up cost. Instead they engineered holes into the design so that the user could integrate a bungee if they felt the need. The new design is still in the prototype phase but if past performance is any indicator, these should begin to be available soon.
To announce their new Direct Sales program, they also showed a version of their rucksack. In order to test their latest frame (DEI 1606) and suspension (in this case made by Eagle), Down East commissioned Log House Designs to manufacture a 2400 cu in pack. They are pleased to now offer limited numbers of these for sale in UCP and Multicam (available Late Jan 09) as well as civilian Black and Navy Blue. The pack is a simple top loader with ample PALS webbing to attach accessories and features a comfortable suspension.
For more information visit www.downeastinc.com.
Photos from Soldier Systems Daily, Down East Inc and Mil Spec Monkey.
SHOT Show – Mystery Ranch
Thursday, January 15th, 2009As usual, to get the real scoop on what the folks at Mystery Ranch are up to you have to catch them at a trade show. In fact, if you still aren’t sold on MR’s feature laden packs then all you have to do is try one on. If there is one common design element in the entire MR line it is functionality. The innovative designs have been refined over the years and the telescoping Futura Yoke ensures you have a custom fit no matter what you are wearing underneath the pack.
Mystery Ranch will be showing a new item at SHOT Show called the Medical Pallet. It is a velcro panel that fits inside the 3 Day Assault Pack. It is available with a variety of velcro based pouches in order to organize your equipment for rapid deployment.
Mystery Ranch is located in Booth Number 23244.
TAG Introduces Large Mountain Ruck at SHOT
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
Large Mountain Ruck (Includes Straps, Kidney Pad and Frame)
TAGs® Large Mountain Ruck is a reimagined version of the original mountain ruck. Designed to fit the ALICE frame it is crafted from 500d Cordura and lined with pack cloth. This combination allows the ruck to be lightweight and yet retain durability. The shoulder straps and kidney pad are contoured to improve fit. The three external general purpose pockets were designed to accommodate an issue H harness and lowering lines making this pack jumpable. The outside of the ruck features PALS webbing. To support hydration systems, the interior has two 100oz. bladder pouches ports for the drinking tube holes along the sides for on-the-move drinking. The lid of the ruck has an antenna port for radios with center mounted antennas and the radio pocket has been lowered slightly and enlarged to fit man pack radios. The TAG® Mountain Ruck is Berry compliant and features a lifetime warranty.
Be sure to check out TAG’s entire new line up in Booth number 9484 at SHOT Show.
Picture from TAG.
SOCOM Pack Program Winners – Update
Monday, December 22nd, 2008While there still is no official announcement, Granite Gear and their partner Montgomery Marketing Inc have announced that they have captured at least some of the SOCOM Pack program. Two packs were out for competition and they have won the Patrol Pack category with their Chief Patrol and they will begin manufacturing within 60 days.
Mystery Ranch, long thought to be the leader in the large Recce Ruck category has won and will be offering a custom design based on their internal frame technology.
Congratulations to both Granite Tactical and Mystery Ranch!
The Granite Tactical Gear line is currently available from Extreme Outfitters. Mystery Ranch information can be accessed here.
Picture from Extreme Outfitters.
PECOC Update
Sunday, November 30th, 2008Recently some photos of PECOC trials webbing appeared on the net. MOD still has not settled on a camo scheme but the Hybrid Cam for load carriage seems to be catching on. In fact, as you will see in the photos, the actual nylon webbing is in the pattern and there are plans to offer camo buckles and Hypalon as well.
On the load carriage side, there are currently 14 MOLLE-style (yes, we said MOLLE) pouches associated with the PECOC program in addition to a new set of webbing, assault vest, patrol sack, rucksack (bergan), plate carrier, and armor vest. The armor vest has been slimmed down a bit from the current Osprey design in order to improve the agility of the wearer. However, an improved Osprey is in the works for use when there is a need to go in heavy.
One of the most interesting features on the assault vest is the use of Hypalon. This can be seen in the photo as Black surfaces. Non-skid has been in use for some time on the shoulders of vest in order to “lock” the buttstock in place. However, the concept’s application in PECOC goes one step further. Hypalon is also sewn to the underside of straps in order to provide improved purchase. Additionally, a large MOLLE grid is supplied in order to customize the vest.
Similar to the current Soldier 95 webbing, the new PECOC variant relies on a “Hippo” padded belt as a foundation. Added to this is a yoke with Hypalon patches on the shoulders and a family of pockets. One item still requires some additional development and that is the closure system for the pouches. Apparently, they are having difficulty establishing a consensus on which style is preferable.
MSM Loop Panels
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
A myriad of low-profile tactical clothing and packs are currently on the market that rely on a velcro-based attachment system consisting of a grid of pile to secure holsters, pouches, and other accessories. Unfortunately, many of the pouches intended for these systems are very specialized and do not support a wide enough variety of equipment. Other models don’t offer internal organizers at all. Quite frankly, since the advent of PALS, velcro based systems have taken a back seat.
With this in mind, MilSpecMonkey developed the new Loop Panel as a low-cost alternative to what’s currently on the market.
The Loop Panels accommodate a wide variety of items from pistol and rifle magazines to flashlights due to the ingenious, yet simple design that utilizes two rows of different widths of elastic. There are two, 2″ slots on the inner elastic and a 4″ slot on the outer elastic. The loops are sewn down about .5″ from the ends to help prevent the panel from curling and the ends of the elastic are great for holding pens and markers.
They are sold in pairs and measure about 5″ x 2″.
To order go to Mil Spec Monkey.
Photos courtesy of MilSpecMonkey.
Evolution Armor Systems Evo-Tac SF 3-day Pack UPDATE
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Evolution Armor is owned by Allan D. Bain, inventor and originator of modern scalar armor. Evolution has been developing improved scalar systems but recently branched out into load carrying systems to complement their armor. Their latest offering is the Evo-Tac SF 3-day Pack. Evolution Armor spent several months looking at packs available on the market and considered ways to offer an improved product.
Manufactured from 1000D Cordura, the Evo-Tac 3-day pack a capacity of over 3200 cubic inches organized into a main compartment, bottom front pouch, top front pouch, and slip pocket. It features double stitch construction, mil-spec buckles, YKK zippers, and a hydration compartment. There are also four side pouches which run down most of the height of the pack. Finally, the interior is lined with PALS and there are two removable interior pockets as well as a removable wasitbelt.
Evolution Armor found Multicam to be the most effective pattern available. In order to preserve the IR suppression of the pack, they decided to manufacture all of their PALS webbing and edge binding from Multicam fabric. The graphic below from Evolution Armor shows their attention to detail. However, packs in any color scheme are available as well.
Available in Multicam with other colors such as UCP available on request from Evolution Armor Systems.
Photos courtesy of Evolution Armor Systems.
