Sponsored by (in no particular order) Smith Optics Elite Division, Elite Defense, FirstSpear, Renegade Armor, Magnum, and L3Warrior Systems Insight, Occupy the Range 2012 is on!
Diamondhead USA and Orion Design Group are also on hand as well as our friends from Army Times Gear Scout!
Let the games begin!
The guys at FirstSpear have been hard at work in their design shop cooking up some pretty amazing leaps forward in tactical nylon. The newest additions to their line include two distinct yet complimentary improvements; 6/12 and Tubes.
Training company Ronin Combat Strategies recently made a visit to the FirstSpear HQ and shot this video. It’s certainly worth a look if you want a peak behind the scenes.
Today, FirstSpear announced a partnership with Elite Defense that will expand FirstSpear’s channels to market, increasing access to the company’s innovative personal equipment solutions.
FirstSpear already has a product line of over 60 items that include vest systems, backpacks, pouches, holsters, and apparel. Elite Defense maintains a comprehensive network of qualified distributors and retailers around the globe and works extensively with specialized, research and development focused companies to facilitate the transfer of niche products into broader markets.
Capitalizing on a shared understanding of their products and their capabilities, Elite Defense will maintain FirstSpear product inventory and distribute products to retail dealers throughout the US. This partnership will maximize distribution opportunities for FirstSpear and facilitate the rapid filling of increasing demand for FirstSpear products.
“Partnering with Elite Defense will enable FirstSpear to support multiple markets, while maintaining our unique focus on developing innovative, field-driven solutions,†said Scott Carver, CEO and President of FirstSpear. “As we grow our product line, collaborating with Elite Defense will ensure our expanded reach into new channels, without sacrificing the direct R&D work with our end-users that drives our technologies.â€
“At Elite Defense, we work with industry leaders to grow their business and help further their success. We are excited to join FirstSpear in their work to pioneer lightweight, innovative solutions for our soldiers and professional users domestically and abroad.†said Brett Westcott, Vice President of Business Development & Marketing at Elite Defense. “Working together we will establish a limited quantity of dealers in strategic demographic areas to represent the FirstSpear line, and get these solutions to the field quickly.â€
FirstSpear will be displaying their current line of next-generation products and releasing over 25 new items at the 2012 SHOT Show taking place from January 17-19, 2012 in Las Vegas. FirstSpear and Elite Defense will be sharing booth #27411 and interested retailers may contact Elite Defense to schedule a product review at the show or to learn more about becoming a dealer.
Originally developed for a Government customer, the Squadron Smock is evolved from traditional British designs. FirstSpear sat down with their customers and integrated the features they required for use under combat conditions. These smocks remain one of the most prized possessions of the men who were issued them.
Features
-Hood and Torso lined with gridded fleece
-Hood accommodates helmets
-Hood features drawstring and rear adjustment
-Hood Brim incorporates wire stiffener
-Scrim/Camo attachment points along hood, upper back and waist
-Velcro patches for ID on upper back and bicep pockets
-Removable padding in Cordura reinforced elbows
-2-Way Pit Zips for ventilation
-Pen pockets on both lower sleeves
-Drawstring waist
-Drawstring hem
-2-way Main zipper (closed with Velcro strips as well as Slotted Buttons)
-Snap closure at bottom of main zipper
-Drawstrings feature captive barrel locks for one-handed adjustment
Pockets
Amazingly, the Squadron Smock features a total of 18 pockets!
Here is the breakdown:
2 x Bicep Pockets with Velcro for ID
2 x Cargo Chest Pockets
4 x Cargo Pockets Along Skirt
2 x Zip Closure Exterior Napoleon Pockets
2 x Zip Closure Interior Napoleon Pockets
1 x Exterior Poacher Pocket
3 x Interior Flat Mesh Pockets
2 x Zip Closure Gridded Fleece Lined Handwarmer Pockets
There is an ingenuous pass through at the main zipper flap that allows you to access the left interior Napoleon pocket without opening the main zip. Additionally, there are three flat mesh pockets along the inside of the skirt to store flat items or those that need to be next kept to the body.
Cargo pockets are bellows design and feature drain holes as well as slotted button closures, interior D-rings and tacked corners with pass troughs for dummy cords. Additionally, the pocket flaps are the fold over style for positive closure and Cargo pockets also incorporate drain holes. Additionally, the Cargo and Poacher pockets as well as the main zipper flap rely on large Slotted Buttons which can be handled when wearing gloves or mittens. When paired with slightly undersized buttonholes, it means you won’t have a pocket fly open while in a helo or vehicle. Additionally, the Slotted Buttons are properly attached meaning there isn’t too much play in the ribbon and the buttons have room to slide which helps avoid rips.
Materials
The shell fabric on the Squadron Smock is 330 denier by 3-ply 70 denier Taslanized nylon with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Additionally, it integrates a gridded fleece lining, 330D Cordura elbow reinforcements as well as mesh interior pockets along the skirt. All fasteners are US Mil-Spec from ITW Military Products and zippers from YKK.
General Impressions
Although I haven’t had a lot of experience with this particular smock (just 4 days), I’ve had years of experiences with smocks from a variety of origins. The Squadron Smock is excellent. Due to its construction it is admittedly a 3-season garment. With the fleece lining I feel it would be too warm for warm weather use. However, the fabric is very breathable, has a comfortable hand and feels like Cotton even though it isn’t.
The hood has plenty of room to go over your helmet when needed and features a wired brim. This keeps it stiff so it won’t sag into your eyes and can be formed when needed to form the opening during extreme weather. The hood also has a Velcro adjustment at the rear as well as attachment points for camouflage material that extend down the back of the Smock. Additionally, there is a Velcro patch for ID badges.
I really like the inclusion of Pit Zips. This will help with venting if worn during dismounted patrols. Additionally, the smaller bicep pockets are a welcome relief. They aren’t big enough to overload or have gear flailing around inside.
The Squadron Smock is absolutely built for combat, but…it looks good doing it. Even with all of its features, in the Coyote color, it doesn’t scream military. In a solid color, it looks like a high end, foreign jacket. You’re not going to be the grey man wearing it, simply because it is so feature laden, but you won’t necessarily be made for a guy with a gun.
If I were to change anything it would be to make the pen pockets slightly wider to accommodate larger pens. Additionally, the handwarmer pockets aren’t the deepest or easiest to use. However, considering the overall geometry of the Smock, it would be difficult to alter them without affecting other features.
I recommend the FirstSpear Squadron Smock if you are looking for a cold weather, fully feature laden, combat jacket.
Available for pre-order in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam sizes Small – 2XLarge. Look for deliveries beginning 1 December, 2011.
Developed by NFM as part of their GARM combat clothing line, the Combat Anorak has been brought to the US by FirstSpear. With a classic Anorak cut it is a lightweight garment that is intended to serve as a shell over all of your equipment. Consequently, it is very generously cut and extends down low on the torso with a lower cut on the rear. Please notice that there are no pockets on the Combat Anorak and it is simply an overgarment. It is manufactured from a lightweight, coated ripstop fabric making it wind and rain resistant.
Venting is facilitated via a quarter length zipper from chin to chest as well as a mesh insert integrated into the back flap.
Internal gear is easily accessed by a tug on a pull tab. The half moon opening features two zippers as well as a snap backup to keep the opening securely closed. You grab the tab and pull down. With practice this can be done one-handed.
Additionally, there is an access flap on the back of the Combat Anorak for packs or back panels.
The hood is large enough to fit over a helmet and features four points of adjustment which are simple to use.
Two of the hood adjustments are on the rear. That small flap covers a barrel lock that pulls the lower portion of the back toward the rear.
The shoulders are capped with lightweight Cordura and the cuffs are secured via Velcro adjustment to accommodate a wide range of layered garments. Additionally, there are small 1″ Velcro squares on both sleeves and the rear of the hood for IR or other ID squares.
The Combat Anorak stores inside an integral stuff sack and can easily be carried in a pack or cargo pocket.
Available now in Coyote size Small – 2XLarge. It is very generously cut and will easily fit over your equipment. It kind of reminds of the oversizing found on the old USGI rain suit. Depending on your climate and intended use, you may want to go down one size.
This is a great combat piece and definitely gets my recommendation. At some point I hope that they make a beefier version, from a performance fabric and integrate a lined handwarmer kangaroo pocket in the chest.
This garment is not currently made in the USA but is made in a friendly country in the Americas.
Coming tomorrow, exclusively from SKD Tactical, the Patrol Incident Gear MOLLE Side Plate Carrier utilizes Velcro One-wrap fabric to encapsulate any size modern side plate and soft armor backer, in a one-size-fits all solution. The plate is wrapped in the pouch like an envelope and it attaches to the platform via Tactical Tailor’s MALICE clips. Thanks to an accessory kit, the MSPC will even accommodate 6″ x 6″ plates. Made in USA by FirstSpear!
