Amron International has two great offers. Now through 30 March, when you purchase select Arc’teryx LEAF jackets, you will receive a free Arc’teryx B.A.C. cap. Additionally, with the purchase of select Kelty military packs, you will receive a free CamelBak Water Beast Bladder.
Visit www.tactical.amronintl.com to order and while you are there check out their Outlet Center with FREE UPS ground shipping within the continental US.
At SHOT Show, along with the Rigger’s Belt, Arc’teryx also debuted the new Wraith. The Wraith is a lightweight clothing solution that can be called upon to accomplish a variety of missions. Using the Twight layering system adopted for PCU, it would be a level 4 (windproof) garment, except with a couple of key differences. Previously, other clothing systems have only offered a top for level 4, whereas Arc’teryx also offers a bottom. Due to the low porosity of the ripstop 40 denier fabric, it is an excellent windproof and offers an enhanced capability to protect not only the torso but also the lower extremities. The bottom design integrates partial side zips to facilitate rapid donning and doffing as well adjustable cuffs and a full front zip for the top. Combined with a low profile hood with stiffened brim, the Wraith is not only well suited for patrols but also for lying up as well as during long, cold, helo, boat, and vehicle transits to an objective.
Additionally, the Wraith is designed for use as an overwhite. Currently offered in two colors; White and Crocodile, the Wraith’s tops and bottoms can be combined based on the environment. For example, a Crocodile top can be combined with a White bottom in the Alpine zone where Evergreens are present in order to further blend in. An interesting feature of the fabric is that it is slightly translucent meaning the colors of the layers beneath are barely visible. This is particularly effective with the white version and means that the Wraith takes on the camo pattern on the clothing worn beneath.
Finally, the Wraith stores in a compact package meaning you can carry it with you if you are wearing civilian clothing and need to apply some quick camouflage. Obviously, the photo below of the Wraith in its integral pouch is not to scale with the other photos above. Aside from being enclosed in the pouch it can be further compressed to smaller than a softball.
The function of overwhites is normally singular in nature and that is to provide very specialized camouflage. But as you can see, the Wraith accomplishes this better by providing more capability than the standard overwhite and also serves as a windproof garment.
Also, Arc’teryx just found out that they will be able to print this fabric and are considering offering the Wraith in MultiCam. This means hasty camouflage will be all the more effective as well as blending seamlessly with issue clothing for troops from any of the numerous countries who have adopted MultiCam.
Available in the standard size range later this year from leaf.arcteryx.com.
Naturally there are a couple of stipulations. This contest is open to deployed military so if you fit the profile you could win a UCP Combat Jacket by Arc’teryx LEAF. The next step is to prove how cold it is in your AO by providing 27 8 x 10s with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one (actually, they only need one photo accompanied by an explanation). They are giving out more than one but haven’t disclosed exactly how many so be sure to enter.
For full details visit www.greygrouptraining.com
Since there were a lot of guys with guns showing up over on the Arc’teryx commercial Facebook page, LEAF finally got the go ahead to get their own profile. Be sure to join them!
www.facebook.com/Arcteryx-LEAF/
Months ago we promised you that Arc’teryx LEAF was going to release new Knee Caps.
Here are the Coyote versions. They will be joined by Crocodile and Foliage will go the way of the dodo. Look for them before summer.
We broke the story on Arc’teryx LEAF’s new TALOS combat uniform last July and now it is available for order. TALOS is part of the Armor Compatible Layering System and consists of a combat shirt and trousers. Both are made of lightweight ripstop NYCO fabric and the torso section of the shirt is of a lightweight jersey knit. Both top and bottom are available in MultiCam; 100% MultiCam. One of the things that sets this clothing apart from others on the market is that the shirt’s torso is printed rather than a solid color.
Additionally, Arc’teryx has released suspenders for use with the Talos, Sphinx, and Gryphon trousers. Production suspenders will be in Crocodile.
leaf.arcteryx.com or visit them at SHOT Show in booth #10525.
Ten years ago, Arc’teryx developed the Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) pack for the Marine Corps. Based on their award winning Bora technology, ILBE was a monumental leap forward in load carrying capability for the military. Over the ensuing years not only did Arc’teryx continue to lead the way as a commercial pack innovator, but the Marines adapted how they fight and consequently, how they use load bearing systems. Loads changed radically including the adoption of armor vests with bulky armor plates as standard fair. In particular, rear plates play havoc with the balanced carrying of a load on the back. Unfortunately, ILBE was not updated, so early this year Arc’teryx took it upon themselves to create Anteaus ILBE as an internal project. Now in its fifth version, this pack, named the Antaeus is the most technically advanced military pack we have seen. Unlike ILBE it is not a modified civilian pack but rather leverages technologies developed for the commercial market, but applies them in ways more appropriate for a tactical pack. However, when you look at the Antaeus, you can see that it has a similar pedigree to the ILBE.
The portage handles are still there as well as the articulated waist belt. While they are improved, the Antaeus also features quick release sternum, should and waist straps. And, like ILBE Antaeus is a system. It is made up of three components that can be used alone of in concert with one another. The core of the system is the 3967 cu in main pack. Designed as a top loader it features a simple lid and lower side pockets designed for water bottles or other items requiring quick access. Additionally, the assault pack is a 2135 cu in beast that most will find sufficient for short duration missions. It can be attached piggy back style to the main pack or strapped down under the lid depending on the load configuration. Finally, a 730 cu in lid can be used as a waist pack or attached in a more traditional role on either the main or assault packs. It features multiple pockets in order to help compartmentalize items such as medical supplies or communications devices.
The differences are numerous as well. This pack has been designed specifically to accommodate someone wearing body armor with a rear plate. New foam has been integrated into the shoulder straps. Conventional wisdom would tell you that you don’t need padding if you are wearing an armor vest but unfortunately, a heavy pack with narrow shoulder straps still digs into the shoulder despite the layers of ballistic material. Arc’teryx has dealt with this by relying on dual density foam and a unique should strap shape which spreads the load across the shoulder. Additionally, the concave, non-slip back pad will stabilize the load so that it does not teeter on an armor plate yet still provides ample lumbar support for those not wearing armor. Also, a heavy-duty U shaped zipper facilitates easy access to sleeping gear or other bulky items located at the bottom of the main pack. This design reduces stress on the zipper and does not compromise the integrity of the pack’s ability to carry a load if the zipper fails. Finally, the pack is not slathered in PALS webbing but rather features limited amounts where additional load carrying capacity would be most effective. This helps mitigate both weight and cost.
While it appears that the Marine Corps is adopting an externally framed pack similar the Army-issue MOLLE, Arc’teryx plans on continuing refinement of the Antaeus for those that require an internal frame military pack. The Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement Armed Forces) program is also developing an entire new family of packs based on the latest in commercial pack technology. They will be unlike anything you have ever seen.
According to a Sources Sought Notice released in November, it appears as if the Marine Corps has decided on a way ahead for a replacement for the Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) pack.
From the Notice:
The Program Manager Individual Combat and Equipment (PM ICE), Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is seeking industry input that identifies potential sources and best practice information regarding the manufacturing of a government-designed USMC Pack System. The USMC Pack System is similar to the US Army’s MOLLE Large and Assault Packs. The resultant System must be Berry Amendment compliant and as well as be produced at a rate which will result in a total of 108,000 Systems being delivered within 12 months of contract awards. It is anticipated that production would be satisfied through multiple contract awards.
Ironically, Marine Corps dissatisfaction with MOLLE spawned the ILBE program in the first place. Based on commercial backpacking technology, ILBE was developed by Arc’teryx and manufactured under license by Propper. The system includes a large internal frame pack, assault pack, hydration system, and waterproof liners. Issues with the design began to arise after the Marines began to use body armor with integral rear plates as standard issue. The internal frame ILBE was not designed to accommodate the added bulk of the plates and the Marines chose not to undertake a Product Improvement Program. The Marines Corps has looked at dozens of designs over the last two years including a proposal called the ‘WELBE‘ that would have modified their existing packs to accept the Mystery Ranch NICE frame.
Over the summer they announced they were going to conduct a limited test of “five Government owned pack designs”. This is a natural step in the development of a new material solution to avoid starting a new program when there is already a product that satisfies the requirement. If this Sources Sought Notice is any indication, they found their solution with MOLLE, or at least something similar.
