Mystery Ranch puts just as much into supporting our firefighters as they do supporting our warfighters.
Today, December 4th, marks the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire, California’s largest wildland fire at the time. In conjunction with the American Wildfire Experience, Mystery Ranch has produced an amazing collaborative, community-sourced, map-based multimedia exploration of how we experience wildland fire, focusing on the Thomas Fire.
PenCott-WildWood® is a new pattern based on the well-proven and widely used PenCott® pattern geometry, developed at the request of Polish Special Forces. Working in close cooperation, Hyde Definition® and Helikon-Tex® created WildWood® to be an optimal pattern for the temperate woodland and grassland areas found in Central and Eastern Europe – and other similar terrains around the world.
The process began with re-appraising the GreenZone® pattern to boost the brown tones and desaturate the green tone. In-field digital colour sampling was used to analyze and verify the individual colours in the palette. Through several iterations of evaluating digital prints in-the-field we optimized and defined the final colour values and printing standards for the production of WildWood® fabrics.
WildWood® incorporates all of the features that make PenCott® patterns the most advanced and effective concealment solutions on the market today:
· 3-in-1 / 360° pattern geometry: the inclusion of large, medium and small fractal shapes makes the patterns effective at close, mid, and long range – and, because of its non-linear orientation, the full effectiveness of the pattern is retained whether the wearer is standing, kneeling or prone.
· Depth + Blending + Disruption: the combination of multi-sized fractal shapes, high-difference boundary layers and a hypoacuitively dithered micro-pattern creates the illusion of depth, whilst also creating a pattern that both blends into the terrain and disrupts the shape of the wearer.
· Natural tones and textures: the complex, hybrid design of WildWood® also delivers a pattern that looks more ‘organic’, natural and textured than typical digital patterns.
WildWood® is the optimum camouflage solution wherever the vegetation is a bit drier or sparser. WildWood® joins the existing PenCott® pattern family of GreenZone® for verdant environments, BadLands® for semi-arid environments, SnowDrift® for winter environments and SandStorm® for arid environments. WildWood® is also very compatible with GreenZone® and BadLands® clothing and equipment.
(Andover, Mass.) – November 28, 2018 – Polartec, the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, announces Polartec® Power Air™, the first fabric technology engineered to reduce fiber shedding. By encapsulating lofted fibers within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction, this revolutionary new platform offers advanced thermal efficiency that is proven to shed five times less than other premium ‘mid-layer’ weight fabrics.
Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high-pile knit structures that hold warm air. Although Polartec is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recognized that any exposed fiber is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear. The Polartec Power Air construction process mitigates this by encasing the insulating lofted fibers within the knitting process.
“By using the efficiency of encapsulated air to shelter lofted fibers, Polartec Power Air will drastically improve how fabrics perform over their lifetime with respect to versatility, comfort, and sustainability,” says Gary Smith, Polartec CEO. “We’re only beginning to realize the potential for this new type of fabric construction.”
While creating a more environmentally sound construction was the initial inspiration for Power Air, the innovation also enables greater design versatility, with distinctive visual signatures. The initial release features an internal grid structure on one side not unlike ‘fabric bubble wrap’ which simultaneously holds air and increases breathability, while the other side features a smooth, durable outer surface that resists pilling and minimizes drag.
As the first fabric construction to encase air with a continuous yarn, Polartec Power Air is a foundational technology platform that will eventually provide shedding reduction to all existing apparel categories (including insulation, lightweight next to skin, and extreme weather protection). The innovation has recently gained recognition from the World Textile Information Network with its Future Textile Award for Best Innovation: Sustainable Textiles.
“Polartec has never shied away from solving tough, intractable problems,” says Mike Rose, Polartec VP of Product Development. “Power Air has the potential to be our most significant development since pioneering the process to knit fabrics made of post-consumer plastic bottles.”
Power Air is the culmination of a multi-year development consisting of thousands of work hours and dozens of iterations, and is the latest product of Polartec Eco-engineering™. Eco-engineering is the process by which Polartec deploys recycled inputs, advanced production techniques, highly efficient logistics, and rigorous testing and certifications to create an unrivaled innovation pipeline devoted to producing sustainable fabrics with elite performance characteristics.
Throughout its history of innovation, Polartec has built many unique, robust and repeatable testing protocols that emulate a lifetime of use and abuse from serious athletes and professionals. In the case of Polartec Power Air, a whole new testing protocol had to be invented to measure shedding due to home laundering. The protocol simulates dozens of launderings in a single cycle to accurately capture any microfibers lost in a lifetime of use. The test then accurately determines the percentage of weight loss due to shedding.
Pioneers of eco-engineering sustainable fabrics, Polartec invented the process of knitting technical fleece from post-consumer plastic bottles in 1993, upcycling well over one billion bottles to date, and continues to lead the industry in offering fabric technologies made of recycled content. Earlier this year, Polartec introduced its 100% recycled Power Fill insulation that further reduces environmental impact by eliminating the need for wasteful and non-recycled carrying agents used in other insulation options.
Initially for apparel, Polartec Power Air technology will be publicly unveiled by Polartec CEO Gary Smith tomorrow, November 29, at Performance Days in Munich Germany. The Polartec Power Air Hoody is now available from Adidas, with more brands including Houdini and Mammut set to release their own offerings in the coming months.
To view the Polartec Power Air launch product from Adidas:
“Polartec Power Air is more than solving a problem and creating a new platform,” says Gary Smith, Polartec CEO. “It’s a brand statement about the power of fabric.”
Combat Defense Systems (CDS) is a multifaceted company focused on providing those who serve our country with relevant, cutting edge technology to maximize preparedness and tactical effectiveness. We accomplish this through three key mechanisms: retail sales (commercial and government), kitting and product design/development.
On the retail front, CDS provides high end tactical gear. Our store front offers a combination goods and services to the conventional war fighter, through both commercial (individual) and government (unit or higher) sales. Our products are competitively priced, readily available and adaptable to the rapidly changing battlefield.
Because of our location just outside of Fort Bragg, CDS also serves as a gateway for companies seeking to introduce their technology to the Armed Forces, by providing a prime location to showcase their products year round, not just at large expos.
Finally, we deliver innovative solutions tailored to the conventional warfighter. Our inspiration is derived from the end user—down the the team level. We facilitate realtime solutions targeted to your needs. To guarantee our customers get a quality product, we keep thumb on pulse throughout the entire process; beginning at product design, manufacturing, quality testing and from point of sale on. Upon delivery, we track feedback, facilitate modifications where needed and ensure that needs of the customer have been met. Our mission is your readiness.
What:
Combat Defense Systems (CDS) offers a special blend of high level sales representation and retail space at the same time. We structure sales strategies for our partners’ product(s)/ service(s) to take military and commercial sales to the next level. Our business structure provides a pathway for both commercial (individual sales) and bulk/contract (government sales) purchases, touching both markets simultaneously. If you’re looking to introduce your product/ service to the military, receive real-time product feedback and/or rapidly close more deals in a constantly changing environment, contact the experts at CDS! If you’re seeking the latest in gear/equipment or require a specific solution, come on in and check us out!
When:
CDS was originally founded as Tactical Inc. in June 2017 and was postured to sell high- end tactical gear/equipment. With the exception of a few local retailers, Soldiers attending school/training at Fort Bragg, preparing for deployment (or just looking to buy quality, non- standard issue items) were forced to purchase online (OPS-Core chin-strap anyone!?) Fort Bragg is the largest military installation in the world—why aren’t there solutions on every corner? Enter CDS. Through daily interaction with Soldiers (of all walks) and companies, CDS morphed into what it is today.
Where:
CDS is headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina and has a storefront on a major thoroughfare just a quarter mile from one of Fort Bragg’s main access control points. Easiest directions to those familiar with the area: Head toward the “Center of the Universe” (Fort Bragg), take the first exit and turn right.
Why:
CDS was founded by a retired combat veteran (Chad) that understands the need for technology and solutions at all levels, not just Tier-1 Units. Years of personal experience as an end user (retired Infantryman of 20 years) means he gets it—he has seen it, done it and has the T-Shirt….We all know the story of “Joe” designing solutions in his garage, on his own dime because either the technology isn’t available or GPC restrictions won’t let you purchase what you need or it isn’t worth the months of red-tape to get it. CDS bridges that gap. We will even teach you how to navigate the procurement process (with us). And that is CDS…in a M-249 Nut Sack.
Prometheus Design Werx’s Fine Cutlery Combo for Camping & Overlanding
This holiday season, Prometheus Design Werx releases their Field Kitchen Knife Set under their Special Projects Division (SPD) label. This fine Field Kitchen Knife Set is ideally suited for group camping to the discriminating, well-equipped overlander.
Featuring two knives; a 6” chef and a 4” paring, both of which perfectly nest in the folding box carry case-cutting board combo. The handles and carry case-cutting board are made with reclaimed American maple hardwood, felt lined and have retaining magnets. The knives are made with Carpenter CTS BD1N steel and at a 61RC. Many know that a well-prepared meal tastes best when savored outdoors and the FKKS will be help you achieve that end.
The SPD FKKS is hand made in small production runs and part of their made in the USA, CORE-Line.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“Some of us have been life-long backpackers and around 2006 really began to embrace vehicle based camping, also popularly known as overlanding. The advancements and smart design found in outdoor products notably improve with each passing season, but there is a distinct aspect about overlanding over backpacking, which has a particular appeal and that, is honestly, an ability to bring along more creature comforts. In particular, a wider variety of food, methods to prepare, offer a broader menu, and yes, we like that a lot. In addition to quality, usefulness, and durability, being organized in any backcountry outing is key. We saw an opportunity to improve on a product gap in the camp kitchen with our FKKS. We wanted useful, finely made kitchen knives with design considerations suited for backcountry vehicle based travel. Two knife sizes seemed to cover just about everything one could think of in most practical instances, and also an improved self-contained multi-functional case. While we all know how to improvise with existing products, we wanted to design and offer a finely made cutlery set for the field kitchen that met all of our design and usage criteria, and was just ready to go out of the box. Our FKKS is a finished backcountry product commensurate with an overlander’s dialed-in 4×4 and the rest of the curated equipment that goes along with it. Live Free Eat Well.”
The SPD FKKS will be available for purchase Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
St. Louis, MO (Dec 3, 2018) – Warson Brands, official licensee of Reebok for duty and uniform footwear, announces two new additions to its popular Reebok Sublite Cushion Tactical series of footwear for law enforcement and military professionals.
The new RB8809 builds upon the success of the Reebok Sublite Cushion Tactical series by offering a coyote brown version with composite safety toe and side zipper for wear with the new Air Force uniform. “With the Air Force transitioning to the OCP uniform, we wanted to make sure they had the option of wearing a composite toe and side zip version of our most popular military boot,” said John Duvic, VP of Product Development at Warson Brands.
Also new for 2019 is the addition of the RB8606, a 6-inch version of the Sublite Cushion Tactical featuring a composite safety toe and side zipper. “Because it is so lightweight, our Sublite Cushion Tactical boots have been popular among law enforcement professionals, and we had several requests for a safety toe version with a side zipper. The composite toe is still very lightweight, but adds a lot of protection,” says Duvic.
The RB8809 and RB8606 will be available for purchase at an MSRP of $150.00 and $160.00, respectively. Reebok Duty will display the full line of Sublite Cushion Tactical boots at SHOT Show booth #10179.
Reebok duty footwear and the Sublite Cushion Tactical series are available through select retailers throughout the United States. For more information on the Reebok Sublite Cushion Tactical, visit reebokwork.com/sublite-tactical.
[ARLINGTON, TX, 12/3/2018] Imminent Threat Solutions has made the EDC Trauma Kit™ even smaller! Utilizing the TruFlex™ material found in the Boo-Boo First Aid Kit™ and the ETA Trauma Kit™, they’ve reduced the overall footprint. This durable material is more puncture resistant than other vacuum material on the market, which allowed ITS to eliminate the protective outer sleeve from the previous version of the EDC Trauma Kit™.
Featuring a full-size tourniquet, the EDC Trauma Kit™ is designed with a minimum footprint, while still being fully capable of preventing the number one CoTCCC preventable cause of death; extremity hemorrhage. (AKA Bleeding Out) At around the size of an average wallet, the EDC Trauma Kit™ fits perfectly in your back or side pocket and weighs only 7 ounces!
Imminent Threat Solutions provides indispensable skill-sets and products to explore your world and prevail against all threats.
In an effort to continually improve our products, we have upgraded all wire forms in the MARK (Modular Attach Rail Kit) to a standard length with swaged tips. This means that MARK wire forms will allow more vertical adjustment and will be 100% drop-in compatible with 3M Peltor products out of the box. The new swaged tips are also 100% compatible with our SARA (Sordin Arc Rail Adapter) systems for use on MSA/Sordin-based headsets.
The MARK is the most complete system for direct mounting communication headsets and electronic ear protection to modern helmets. It is the smallest, lightest, and lowest profile attachment method for most popular headset systems used by professionals on the modern battlefield, including 3M Peltor, MSA, Sordin, Safaraliand TCI, TEA, and many more. Kits are available to interface with Genuine Ops-Core ARC, Crye Precision ARC, Revision, Team Wendy, and MTEK MLOK rail platforms. The wire forms of the MARK system are designed to put more inward pressure on the ear cups to improbe the seal. This can provide better hearing protection, electronic communication transmission, and overall fit of the helmet. The small hub leaves more helmet rail estate open for attaching other mission critical gear like lights, illuminators, cameras, etc.
