Herschel, the brand known for daypacks and luggage has entered the soft-sided insulated cooler market with the Pop Quiz line.
Offering room for a 12-pack they’ll be available in a variety of colors, including a Woodland-style camouflage.
For those of you who really love your adult beverages, there’s a 30-pack version as well.
I made it to Denver for the 2021 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, the first in-person event for OR in over 18 months. But even this show isn’t going to see exhibitor or attendee numbers as in years past. Brands had to make decisions months ago on whether or not to attend and continued false promises of opening society drove most major brands to sit this one out. With hysteria looming over the COVID-19 Delta variant, many more are afraid to come out as Colorado remains mask free for the vaccinated.
While I’m sure I’ll find some great new gear at OR, it will be an interesting show.
Prometheus Design Werx introduces their new Ti-Line Multi-Fuel Survival Stove for mid-Summer 2021. A compact, titanium stove that uses more easily sourced-foraged wood (biomass), hexamine tabs, or alcohol (with our optional Alcohol Burner Core) for fuel and does not use or rely on highly processed fossil fuels to operate. The Ti-Line MFSS is engineered with a unique double wall, which optimizes the air flow mix to create a hotter and cleaner burn of all fuels. A total of five components take down to easily nest inside most common 500-600ML backpacker style mini-pots. Designed to boil between 1 cup (240ML) to 2 cups (500ML) of water to match required volumes for most freeze-dried meal packs to instant noodles. 2-position pot stands fit cups to pots.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“While it’s tough to beat the convenience and expedience of a modern isobutane-propane cartridge backpacking stove, there are finite limitations to their use. Simply put, when you run out of the cartridge gas fuel, the stove becomes useless. We wanted to create a compact stove with a similar packed footprint that was not constrained by highly processed fossil fuels. A stove that uses fuel that could be easily source or foraged in the field. The Ti-Line MFSS can use biomass fuel from sticks, pinecones, to even cardboard. Hexamine type fuel tabs are also an available fuel source which pack down very small and are designed to boil 1 cup of water per tab. And with our optional Alcohol Burner Core, you can use alcohol (which you could distill at home) in its many forms, as long as it is of a high enough proof. You can use common 97%+ isopropyl rubbing alcohol to even everclear if necessary. We like the alcohol option and as a liquid fuel, it burns clean, can be used as a disinfectant, and won’t leave behind messy toxic residue like white gas. Our double wall construction bumps up the tech in this stove, creating a more efficient, hotter, and cleaner burn. With a little prep and planning, our Ti-Line MFSS can be used in a variety of conditions, and useable far beyond any fossil fuel based types of stoves. The small footprint of our stove allows it to be easily packed and stored until it’s needed. From backpacking to survival and a little peace of mind, the Ti-Line MFSS will keep you cooking.”
The Ti-Line MFSS will be available for $59.00 on Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 at 12:00 noon Pacific via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
“The Los Angeles Police Department is one of the largest and most elite law enforcement agencies in the country, with roughly 10,000 uniformed officers, and we are proud that they have chosen the FN 509 MRD-LE as their next duty pistol,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO of FN America, LLC. “The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies seeking an extremely capable and versatile duty pistol platform with proven reliability, accuracy and optic interoperability. Serving the men and women of an outstanding law enforcement agency like the LAPD brings great pride to everyone at FN, we look forward to supporting their police force with a remarkable handgun platform their officers will rely on every day.”
During the LAPD handgun trials, FN competed against several contenders in a 20,000-round-count endurance qualification, which it surpassed with zero malfunctions. “Exceeding all of the requirements LAPD sought in their new duty pistol was a high-performance standard to meet,” said Chris Cole, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at FN America, LLC. “With over a million rounds fired in development, the FN 509’s reputation for durability is proven here again giving LAPD officers a superior handgun they can depend on in the most demanding policing environments.”
Superior accuracy of the FN 509 MRD-LE starts with the patented FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System™. Adapted from the original development for the U.S. Army’s handgun trials, it gives officers more precision and sighting versatility than all other handguns.
“LAPD needed the ability to quickly and securely mount a variety of duty-rated micro red dots to their service pistols to improve the accuracy potential of their handguns and their officers,” said Charles “Bucky” Mills, Sr. Director of Law Enforcement Sales for FN America, LLC. “FN pioneered the MRD mounting technology the LAPD required, enabling precision shot placement and immediate target engagement no matter the environment.”
Accuracy is further enhanced by the high-performance trigger assembly and cold-hammer forged barrel. The combination of accuracy, speed, longevity and versatility gives the FN 509 MRD-LE the edge that today’s officers need.
FN’s New FN 509 MRD-LE
The FN 509 MRD-LE delivers more precision and versatility than any other duty-rated handgun. Building on the proven FN 509 lineup, the exclusive upgrades for law enforcement place every advantage in an officer’s hands. The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies who require complete reliability.
Pinpoint accuracy is made possible for all officers with a precision, hammer-forged barrel with recessed target crown, high-performance, conical striker and flat-faced, duty-rated trigger. With a positive wall at 90° before a clean break, officers maintain their sights on target through the full trigger pull. The FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System™ with co-witness tritium 3-dot iron sights, delivers rapid sight acquisition and consistent shot placement, vital when every shot must be accounted for.
To inquire about the FN 509 MRD-LE, LAPD’s newest duty-issue sidearm, for agency or individual office purchase, please contact the FN Law Enforcement Sales team at LE@fnamerica.com. More information about the FN 509 MRD-LE or FN’s other law enforcement products can be found at www.fnamerica.com.
Salt Lake City, UT (August 4, 2021) – After two decades serving as the go-to marketplace for outdoor enthusiasts to buy and sell used gear, Geartrade has even more in store: a new consignment selling option to make it even easier to sell used outdoor clothing and gear. Now, customers can simply send in their gear and Geartrade takes it from there. Designed to reduce seller friction and improve the purchase experience, Consignment makes it easier than ever for Outdoor Adventurists to reclaim their gear closet.
This continued investment in the experience of Geartrade.com is the result of Geartrade’s dedication to advancing a waste-free circular economy. Since 1999, our mission has been to keep people in the outdoors and gear out of landfills. And that mission is thriving—a vast community of users list, sell, and purchase their gear on our platform every day, keeping quality gear and apparel in use while giving their wallet a nice boost. Now, in response to customer input, we have added a consignment selling option alongside our traditional marketplace model to make the selling process as easy as possible.
Geartrade “Reclaim Your Gear Closet:” Consignment Selling
It’s streamlined and easy. Using this selling option, sellers simply send Geartrade their gear. They can use their own box and print out a label at home, or request a compostable bag or box—even a ski/snowboard-sized one.
Geartrade covers shipping. Shipping labels are free. Sellers pay nothing upfront.
It’s full service. Geartrade creates the description and photos, and handles customer service, marketing, and fulfillment. The only action sellers need to take is to drop the package off at any FedEx box, Walgreens, or Dollar General.
Robust pricing analytics included. Geartrade’s pricing analytics match twenty years of sales data with current market conditions and seasonality to find the right price.
Sellers get paid in cash, not gift cards. Sellers get paid in cash via PayPal, Venmo, or ACH.
Sell your gear, your way. Sellers can choose to sell their gear via the marketplace model or the new consignment model. They can adjust the pricing of their item. They can choose to donate or have their gear sent back to them if the item doesn’t sell.
In addition to the new consignment selling option Geartrade is excited to announce that we have committed to become Climate Neutral Certified. By partnering with Climate Neutral we will be able to leverage their vast expertise as we start the process of working toward carbon neutrality by first measuring and offsetting our 2020 carbon footprint and then working to reduce future emissions.
For added sustainable goodness, Geartrade has partnered with the noissue Eco-Packaging Alliance Program. Through our partnership with noissue we are able to provide our customers with fully compostable mailer bags and packing tape as we strive to eliminate plastic use. As a partner of the noissue Eco-Packaging Alliance, we have committed to plant trees through One Tree Planted for every order we place with noissue. To date, thanks to the Eco-Packaging Alliance, more than 13,000 trees have been planted worldwide.
Geartrade has always been the secret stash for people to find great deals on gear. Today, with more people considering the impact of their purchase decisions and with the re-commerce revolution picking up steam, Geartrade continues to lead the way on its path to being the go-to hub for the outdoor industry’s full circular economy.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) —
Reservists in the 419th Operations Support Squadron play a crucial role to ensure the safety of pilots assigned to the 419th Fighter Wing, the Air Force Reserve’s only combat-capable F-35 Lightning II unit.
“We are responsible for maintaining and repairing pilot gear to ensure everything is in proper working condition,” said Staff Sgt. AJ Arteaga, 419th OSS aircrew flight equipment Reservist. “That also includes their helmet.”
Every helmet is custom-fitted to its pilot during a two-day process at a fit facility. To begin assembly of the helmet, pilots have their heads measured and scanned to secure the perfect fit.
Once assembled, pilots need to have the optics aligned using a pupilometer, which measures the distance between their pupils within two millimeters of its center, so pilots see a single image on the helmet-mounted display.
On the display, pilots are able to view mission-critical information and obtain enhanced situational awareness of the battlefield simply by moving their head. The helmet gives pilots a 360-degree view of the F-35’s external environment without needing to tip the jet.
“The pilot can look down through a portion of their wing and see what’s below,” said Tech. Sgt. William Vass, 419th OSS. “When they look toward the cameras embedded on the F-35 that image projects onto their helmet display.”
The helmet’s innovative technology and precise fit require routine maintenance so pilots can complete their mission. In addition to pre- and post-flight fittings, the helmet is inspected every 105 days and has a 120-day fit check to ensure its functionality and safety.
“Pilots come in and put on all their gear so we can double-check to make sure everything fits properly and without issue,” Arteaga said. “Small things such as a new haircut or a couple of pounds gained could cause the helmet to not fit correctly.”
Mask adjustments are also included within the helmet fitting. Pilots are sent to an oxygen tester where aircrew flight equipment technicians can identify any leaks around the mask that could prevent adequate oxygen flow.
“The next part is to ensure there is a proper distance between the mask and the visor,” Arteaga said. “We have to make sure when the pilot moves or talks, the mask doesn’t hit the visor. If it’s too close, it will bend the visor and distort the display image.”
Reservists in the AFE shop are an integral part of the helmet-fitting process and maintenance intervals. They verify it remains as precise as possible to guarantee the safety of the 27 pilots in the 419th FW. The work is involved and in-depth, but essential to providing a seamless interaction between the helmets’ advanced capabilities and the exacting skills of the pilot wearing it.
By Senior Airman Erica Webster, 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Ground system defense leaders to experience the latest blast mitigating technology and innovative energy absorbing materials for interior vehicle protection
CENTENNIAL, COLO. (August 5, 2021) – SKYDEX, a global leader in advanced impact mitigation and energy absorption solutions, today announced that the company will attend the 13th Annual Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan on August 10-12, 2021.
GVSETS is a three-day event dedicated to the engineering and technology of Military Ground Vehicles, and is intended to accelerate innovation to provide warfighters with the ground vehicle capabilities they need to meet mission success and return home safely. Government, academia and industry representatives bring together their knowledge and exchange ideas with the overarching goal to refine solutions to meet the military and commercial challenges of today and tomorrow.
SKYDEX will send Scott Osborn, Director of Business Development, Defense, and Rich Kase, Senior Product Engineer, on behalf of the team to showcase the company’s newest blast mitigating decking, blast seat cushion inserts and other innovative energy absorbing materials for interior vehicle protection. Osborn and Kase will also be available to discuss SKYDEX’s leading shock-mitigating, proprietary technology.
“As the global leader in advanced impact mitigation and cushioning solutions, we are excited to attend GVSETS and have the opportunity to connect with ground system defense executives, leaders and other key decision makers on our latest blast mitigation innovations,” said Osborn. “SKYDEX prides itself on leading the charge with advanced materials used to better protect people and the things that matter and we are looking forward to providing a closer look at our solutions that are protecting our men and women in uniform at this impactful industry event.”
For more information about SKYDEX, please visit www.skydex.com or contact the team via email at info@skydex.com to set up a meeting.
Centerville, TN – T.REX ARMS is pleased to announce the release of the next generation of the industry-standard Sidecar holster: a total redesign making it the slimmest, lightest, and most modular of all flexible AIWB holster systems on the market.
Six years ago, we launched the original Sidecar, a rigid, one-piece holster holding duty gun and spare magazine, made specifically for appendix carry. The industry followed, and a number of companies have built on that design, extending it, and improving on it.
Today, we are further updating this holster with the Spine System, an integral hinge that allows the holster and attachment to flex with the movement of the wearer, providing maximum comfort, but only pivoting on a single axis so the flexibility does not compromise concealability.
The Spine allows for a sleek and simple design, but also the ability to quickly and easily swap out attachments to carry different equipment at customizable ride heights. Current attachments include a pistol mag carrier, rifle mag carrier, tourniquet carrier, and universal handcuff carrier. More attachments are currently in development for unprecedented adaptability of the holster system by the user.
Every holster also includes our new Raptor Wing, an outrigger clip adapter that allows stable carry of the holster without an attachment, in all IWB positions. The wing also has mounting holes that can be used to attach knife sheaths or other tool holders for unlimited extensibility.
In addition to this new flexibility and modularity, the Sidecar redesign adds expanded support for optics and suppressor-height sights and coincides with a complete overhaul of our manufacturing pipeline to improve overall product quality and consistency of fit and finish.
The new Sidecar launches with full ambidextrous support for standard 9mm/.40/.357 Glocks, The S&W M&P and Shield line, Sig P320 and P365 variants, the Walther PPQ and PDP, and FN 509. Light compatibility includes the Surefire X300 and XSC, and the Streamlight TLR-1, TLR-6, and TLR-7 families of lights. Additional weapons and lights are coming soon with CZ and HK support slated for later this year.
Furthermore, the design of this new hinge system has been open-sourced, and CAD drawings and 3D models of parts and tooling can be downloaded here. T.REX ARMS invites the rest of the industry to extend and build upon this latest design as we all work together to serve those who desire to be better equipped to protect themselves and those around them.
