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McNett Gruntline

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Sometimes the simplest things make life better. For guys who can’t rely on KBR laundry, washing your clothes on a washboard and hanging them out to dry is a reality of life. Manufactured from braided rubber tubing the Gruntline stretches up to 7′ and has clips on each end to attach it for use as a clothes line or as a tie down strap. Although its been around for awhile, its a classic. I carried one with me for years and it got lots of use as intended as well as to suspend ponchos in a large tent so I could stake out some “me” space.

Available from McNett.

Photos courtesy McNett

Tags: McNett
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Slumberjack VariCom Sleep System

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

The quest for a good nightâ€™s sleep is a constant battle for the Soldier. Slumberjack has used intelligent design engineering to enhance its five component Slumberjack Variable Component Sleep System (SVCSS) or VariCom System.

The flexible VariCom System consists of five interchangeable components, including the Delta 30ÂºF sleeping bag, the Gamma 0ÂºF sleeping bag, the VariCom Bivy and two compression stuff sacks. The system offers a temperature rating between 30ÂºF to -30ÂºF and even lower temperature ratings can be achieved if the system is used in conjunction with layers of extreme cold-weather garments. Both the Delta 30ÂºF and Gamma 0ÂºF sleeping bags feature Climashield Combat insulation and double-offset, differential-cut construction, which eliminates cold spots. Each bag has a nylon, ripstop outer and interior liner for durability and compactibility. The Delta sleeping bag comes with an Enhanced Situational Awareness (ESA) hood, which provides coverage around the head, yet reduces sound-blocking fabric around the ears. This patent-pending hood maximizes awareness levels when sleeping in hostile conditions. Slumberjack offers an optional anti-microbial VariCom Bag Liner, which provides moisture management for warm nights and extra insulation for cold nights.

In addition to the sleeping bags, the VariCom System comes with the VariCom Bivy, which keeps the user dry in up to 2 inches of standing water. The bathtub-style bivy incorporates a stuffable,
patent-pending DelrinÂ® hoop, which keeps the mesh away from the face. The VariCom Bivy measures 35 inches by 86 inches and weighs 2 pounds. In addition to the bivy there is the optional No Fly Zoneâ„¢, which provides light protection from flying insects. Its mesh construction provides full coverage around a sleeping bag.

Finally, Slumberjack offers optional VariCom Compression Stuff Sacks that are weatherproof and breathable (one for each sleeping bag).

The complete system weighs 9 pounds 10 ounces and compresses down to 11 inches by 11 inches when fully packed.

The SVCSS is available from Slumberjack.

Tags: Bivy Bag, Sleep System, Sleeping Bag, Slumberjack
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Solkoa – SERE Products and Training

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

Solkoa is well known in very tight circles for their specialized survival training. In conjunction with an expansion that provides both training and full E&E kits to a wider customer base, Solkoa has began to offer some of the individual pieces of their line. Solkoa specializes in working with the user to develop a dedicated kit or they can provide a variety of containers, survival aids, and general guidance so that the individual can develop their own solution. I hope to see a full article on the container in the near future, but sufficed to say that they are works of art; truly. Specialized symbols can be machined directly into the container.

I recently tried the fastfire fire starter. Like so many of their other products, each package is discreetly wrapped in a resealable black bag that does not scream military. Each package of two pieces of tinder is designed to start up to 16 fires and the tinder burns both smokeless and odorless.