KIT & GEAR VIPER 2023

NEW YEAR... NEW GEAR!

LIKE MANY OF YOU WE ALWAYS START A NEW YEAR OF AIRSOFT WITH A BIT OF A “GEAR AUDIT”, LOOKING AT WHAT NEEDS REPLACING IN OUR EXISTING KIT, AND INDEED WHAT NEW ITEMS NEED TO BE ADDED TO OUR PERSONAL GEAR LOCKERS FOR THE COMING TWELVE MONTHS! RED CELL HAVE BEEN HAMMERING THEIR EXISTING VIPER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT, SO BILL LOOKS BACK ON THE OLD AND RINGS IN THE NEW!

When I first set up the Red Cell testing program for Airsoft Action I had in my mind something quite unique and special, and I REALLY wanted “The Cell” to have a strong visual identity, one that was put together in partnership with out old mates at VIPER. I chose VIPER not only because they are long-term friends of Airsoft Action, but because their gear in recent years has come on absolute leaps and bounds!

For many years VIPER provided great entry level tactical clothing and gear but their changes in the last couple of years, and the re-working of their ranges of clothing and gear in an extremely focused way has paid dividends, not just for them in terms of sales, but for us in relation to the ubiquity and quality of the kit we can add at sensible prices to play airsoft!

Their range has condensed and crystallised into something quite special , and has taken things up into a whole new level of performance and choice . Although they have produced all sorts of gear and clothing before, it’s superb to see the VX Buckle Up range moving forward yet again as this took modularity in exciting new directions, and allowed you a huge amount of versatility when it came to setting up your gear just how you like it. The fabrics used and the quality achieved were better than anything they’d done before in my opinion, and the design was bang up to date.

I said at the time it was launched of the VX Buckle Up Multi Weapon System Set that;

“Not only have they developed new products but they’ve obviously had a very close look at how trends have developed in the tactical world, and the latest designs reflect a thorough understanding both of the “light is right tactical athlete” approach, and the change to “mission adaptable” gear that takes into account different methods of load carriage and adaptability from one primary platform to another whilst maintaining a solid “base”.

This was true at the time, and it’s equally true of the Gen 2 set as we enter a whole new year of airsoft, but one of the small issues I had with the set as it stands was the “workspace” that their modular-magazinesleeve-holding Ready Rig took up. It’s a personal thing, but I’m not keen on lots of clutter on the front of any rig I wear as I find it degrades my ability to go fully prone. Good as the Ready Rig/Mag Sleeve is, and I do love its modularity, it’s a little too bulky and I’ve told the guys at VIPER my opinion on multiple occasions…

Therefore you can imagine how pleased I was when at the back end of ’22 to see some new additions join the VX Buckle Up system, namely three new “uber lodrag” magazine panels. VIPER have obviously looked again to functional new technologies and designs that show “current best practice” in the tactical gear market, and they’ve developed the new panels, elasticated and lo-profile, one each for PISTOL MAGS (5 cells), for SMG MAGS (4 cells) and for AR/AK

MAGS (3 cells)… very sweet!

All three elasticated panels fix solidly to the velcro and twin-buckle arrangement of the VX Buckle Up Plate Carrier Gen2 and are VERY close fitting, something that I 100% approve of, and of course this means that your plate carrier setup become even MORE mission-adaptable than ever before! I’ve had all three to play with; they work brilliantly, and I even managed to squeeze a couple of SR25-style “big-boy mags” into the AR/AK version although of course this will deform the elastication over time, so I hope that a dedicated platform for this style of magazine may be forthcoming in time.

If you already own a VX Buckle Up Plate Carrier Gen2 these new panels are available in Green, Tan, Black and V-CAM and are a great addition to your personal “gear cage”; and if you don’t own one a VX set yet then it may well be worth considering one when it comes time to change out your kit!

SOFTWEAR UPDATE

Updates to the VIPER clothing range have been arriving steadily, but at a sensible pace that shows that the guys are really thinking about what we need, and how best to create this in a usable and affordable way! One thing I’d like to comment on here is the result of a conversation one of Red Cell had with another airsofter who bemoaned the fact that “VIPER is just airsoft gear”… and “not up to military spec”!

Let’s address this is fullness shall we? VIPER have never made any claims to being “MilSpec”, but firstly I know for a fact that many of their gear items have found their way into the hands of service personnel and contractors; in fact one old mate of mine who was on “The Circuit” once commented to me that he would take VIPER items out with him as he knew they would work for “long enough”, and he would have to ditch them at the end of his “tour”; said items usually ended up finding a home with the “local lads”.

Secondly let’s go back to that old adage about military kit and “the lowest bidder” shall we? I’ve not served full-time but I’ve been told by mates who have that the kit they were issued was “absolute crap”; these were regular soldiers and not some mythical “SF Operators”, but the fact is that most issued military uniforms are made to contract, to a contract price, and are not always of particularly high quality! I do own enough “real kit” and have worn it for long enough to tell you from a technical-clothing fabric and design perspective that most issued clothing is “utter sh1t”.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, as those of course are like buttholes… everyone has one! However, I can relate to you my direct experience of some of the VIPER clothing, unadorned…

A favourite of virtually every member of Red Cell, the ripstop-polycotton VIPER Elite Trousers have now moved into Gen 2 of their design and these just keep getting better and better; although the basic trouser can be had for less, the latest VCBLK camo version is most definitely worth the money if you want something REALLY distinctive and this has proved popular with us “in-house” as you’ll discover soon!

With multiple adjustment features these trousers can be modified to the user’s own shape for comfort and feel. The built in yet removable ABS knee pads with neoprene lining also offer comfort, protection and durability for hard use. There’s a velcro waist closure and zipped fly, along with elasticated waist adjustment. There are two regular, angled thigh pockets which are easy to access, two buttoned back pockets, two deep cargo pockets, and two ankle utility pockets. Velcro knee retention tabs keep the knee pads exactly where you need them, along with internal pad adjusters located in front two pockets; this is a neat feature as the pads can effectively be “lifted” to position them perfectly. The ankle closures are also velcro tabs which can be set to snug in around the cuffs of high leg boots keeping dust, dirt, and debris out effectively. With all the features and the level of adjustment the ELITE trousers can be set up very individually and offer great value for money, especially as the knee pads are included in the price, and the addition of V-stretch material allows for a more athletic feel and additional comfort!

The members of Red Cell and indeed some of the AA Legion especially like the ELITE trouser model, and in fact that’s one of the VIPER items that “The Cell” chose for their rangewear and has served them well. However, for a long while now we’ve been asking the VIPER guys to bring out a matching combat shirt that offers the same comfort and performance, and we know that we’re not alone in this as many of you out there have been asking for the same; finally VIPER

have come up with the goods!

The new VIPER Special Ops Shirt has been specifically designed to be worn under

body armour and plate carriers. With elbow pad pockets and hook and loop panels on the shoulder pockets, you can customise the shirt according to your specs and taste. The shirt features 100% cotton material for the body part allowing for maximum breathability and comfort. The sleeves are made of ripstop fabric providing enhanced performance during the activities. The ¼ neck zip and adjustable cuffs with hook and loop tabs allow for a perfect fit of the shirt. The new shirt can be used throughout the year in a variety of environments which makes it perfect for airsoft; I’ve been wearing one for a while now, and thus far it’s stood up to some proper abuse well!!

One sound little item that kind of crept into the VIPER range with little fanfare was something SO simple that I’m honestly amazed that I’ve not seen one before… especially in so many colours and patterns! Wearing layers of clothing during any outdoors activity allows for easy control of the body core temperature, and the VIPER Tactical Roll Neck Top is a versatile garment that can be worn as an outer layer during warmer months or as a baselayer in autumn and winter. It is made of fast-wicking mesh fabric that draws moisture away from your body, helping you to maintain a stable core temperature and providing comfort as it helps keep skin dry. The roll neck not only provides additional temperature control but can be worn over the face, so can act as an emergency face covering as well as giving some protection from BB strikes! Available on Black, Coyote, Green, Titanium, V-CAM, and VCBLK this is an ideal base garment for any loadout.

Another firm favourite among us is the VIPER Frontier Jacket; although this is not a new model it’s one that has REALLY proved its worth, and my black one is most definitely an “EDC” item! The Frintier is a padded/filled thermal layer to compliment your current BDU or it can be used as a stand-alone jacket.

It’s made of 100% Polyester and has a RipStop-esc inner and outer. It’s a man-made filling material, rather than down but that’s a positive as it stays warm even when wet. It’s lightweight, weighing in at only 500g/17.6oz and packs down into a stuff sack that is provided, measuring only 140mmx254mm/5.5”x10”. This is great as it will fit in a daysack or large pouch. Available in Tan, Black, and V-CAM, this is a well-designed, well-cut, comfortable and practical addition to your kit. If worn correctly and in conjunction with other items of a layered system, this jacket could well save your skin on a cold day. I’m genuinely pleased at just how well my Frontier Jacket has performed over the winter months and it’s a bit of kit that will be in my, and our, gear lockers for a LONG time to come although I believe that the main zip may well need taking up to a larger size to provide true longevity.

All of the latest gear and garments are a cracking addition to any collection of VIPER kit you may already own, and all of them have been worn and used by me, and us. They offer a cool look with the latest colours and patterns whilst not costing the earth; in fact you could pay as much for a jacket from one of the gucci BNBs (Big Name Brands) as you will for a complete VIPER loadout; this has to be a good thing for any airsofter on a budget, but 100% does not mean that you won’t be getting righteous-looking and totally serviceable gear!

There are still more items in the range that I haven’t included, not because they’re not good, but because they are still to be added to this growing range. All of the gear though adds to the already focused yet comprehensive range that VIPER offer, a range that will give a total camo solution of excellent quality, at a sensible price. To keep up to date with the new VIPER tactical products as they become available please visit www.viperkit.co.uk and youll also be able to find full stockist details there too. If you’d prefer you can follow VIPER TACTICAL via their Facebook and Instagram pages which are regularly updated.

Thanks to VIPER TACTICAL Ambassador and AA Legionnaire Miguel for some great “in-game” images of the gear; rest assured there’ll be more to come in next month’s issue as we pull together a very special “photoshoot loadout” for a new airsoft product launch! AA