Visit booth #13372 at SHOT Show to see the latest from KAC.
This is very exciting news from Patagonia and Elite Defense. For the past few years Patagonia has been responsible developing and producing USSOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform, a 9 level ensemble of environmental and field clothing items. Every once in awhile pieces have become available on eBay or at surplus outlets but, outside of program, we haven’t been able to purchase these garments. Now, you’ll be able to get not only the Level 9 Combat Uniform but also a Jungle Uniform (seen above) as well in addition to other pieces such as the level 3a jacket just adopted by SOCOM. The Level 9 garment features an innovative kneepad system (below) we have written about in the past and offers both combat and field shirt options.
Elite Defense and Patagonia have the stage set for a January release of the Level 9 combat uniform and have targeted SHOT show 2013 as the location for its release for commercial sales.
Patagonia is a world leader in clothing design, protective garments and an industry pioneer in environmentalism. They have designed and developed numerous layers of clothing to protect our Warfighters, and now have a commercial global distribution channel through Elite Defense.
Bringing this large scale collaborative effort together was the 132 Group, lead by Founder and President William Jarvis. “We’re excited to launch the Patagonia L9 Combat Uniform commercially; there has been a lot of hard work and patience to pull this all together. We are prepared for an incredibly successful launch at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV.”
“Adding an internationally known brand like Patagonia to our portfolio is exciting; there has been a buzz about it since we started making all the right steps to pull this partnership together and bring it to market.” said Brett Westcott, Vice President of Business Development & Marketing at Elite Defense.
The level 9 combat uniform will be the first of many products that will be brought to commercial market space; the team anticipates a new jungle style uniform as well as a commercial variant of the PCU 3 Alpha Jacket to be ready for delivery in the second Quarter of calendar year 2013. All of the offerings are Berry Complaint to meet the needs of the US DoD and other domestic agencies. The distribution agreement includes a dealer network that is equipped to handle multiple Government contract mechanisms to support that customer base.
“Patagonia has been a go-to for top tier design and development services to the SOF community for over a decade, and has long supported the soldier” Says Eric Neuron, Patagonia’s Director of Strategic Product. “We are very excited to make available these innovative products commercially, and further that support. Elite Defense’s business model is unique in this trade area, and is exactly what Patagonia has been looking for.”
Elite Defense will be in Booth # 27411 displaying the NEW Patagonia Level 9 Uniform, Jungle Uniform, and 3 Alpha Jacket. For more information please visit www.EliteDefense.com.
Meet Larry Vickers, star of range and screen in the Aimpoint Booth #14573, daily from 10:30am – 12:00pm Tuesday – Friday.
As I was talking with FirstSpear the other day getting ready for this article I realized a few things. It was just in Dec of 2010 that we first published the FirstSpear logo. Since then they’ve launched 4 new catalogs, including the full-size 64 pager you’re going to see here. They’ve also reinvented the way the industry looks at pouch attachment and releasable vest systems including fully integrating floatation and buoyancy compensation into load carriage systems. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they’ve also launched a clothing line and begun to branch out into weapon accessories. They aren’t doing everything. Instead, they are looking for niche areas where no one has done anything before. Some would say that you are crazy to launch a new tactical nylon company in this economy but they are thriving. And I’d say that this is a testament to their people. These guys are both innovative and driven. Plus, they really know their customer and they listen.
Take a look at what that combination of customer interaction and innovation has wrought for Spring 2013.
Armor
-Two new maritime specific platforms
-The Sloucher – armor carrier
-The Slick – ultra lightweight plate carrier
Clothing
-Asset combat shirt
-Discreet Anorak
Load Carrying
-Discreet Tactical Belt – Designed to be worn under a suit coat or jacket
-Backward compatible 6/9 pouches – Replaces PALS attachment system and also 6/12 platform compatible
-Split front modular chest rig
New pouches
-MP7 pouches
-Mini Admin
-New hinged radio pouch
-Montana GPS pouch
-CSM Gear Drop pouch – Now available direct from FS
Accessories
-MICH/ACH helmet covers
-Patterned Advanced Gunfighter Belt
-The Thug – Rapidly attaching pouches to the front of a carrier
-The DAS DING – low profile SERE equipment carriage
-Break down transport bag
FirstSpear™ 2013 Catalog [V4] by scottcarver
Look for coverage of some of these new items starting Monday when we’ll get to take a look at them during a Pre-SHOT Show range day.
We know that there are travel restrictions in place making it difficult for many of you to make it to SHOT Show this year. So, in addition to our live press coverage on SSD we’ve arranged to bring you exclusive video coverage from ADS Inc starting Tuesday and running through the show. They will provide interviews with the hottest brands right from the show and this will not only increase how much you get to see but help fill in any gaps in our coverage.
S&S Precision has released their 2013 catalog along with a handy planning calendar. If you’re going to be at SHOT Show, be sure to visit them in booth #8206.
2013 S&S Precision Catalog by sandsvasquez
Orion Design Group has offered a preview of several items you will see around SHOT Show including this LF15 from Legion Firearms and Ops-Core FAST helmet with mandible.