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TA C T I C A L FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION BUSHCR AFT FIREARMS MEDICAL
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P U B L I C AT I O N !
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GEAR UP THE TRADE TACTICAL GEAR MAGAZINE
GEAR UP MAGAZINE
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING Gear Up Magazine is the worlds first business to business publication for the tactical gear industry, aiming to bring all of the relevant parties to the same table. With such a huge range of products on the market, knowing what to invest in, and more importantly, what to supply your customers with, can be a hard task. Gear Up Magazine aims to make this process easier, allowing you to enhance your understanding of the industry, allowing you to make smart purchases. With Gear Up Magazine, you’ll have a better understanding of the tactical gear and equipment on show, who buys it, and what they use it for. We’ll introduce you to the evolution of each of the ‘tools of the trade’, from ballistic helmets to boots, giving you the knowledge needed to traverse the tactical gear market with confidence.
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EBCON PUBLISHING
OVER A DECADE OF PUBLICATIONS Ebcon Publishing was launched in 2004 with one simple goal – to create a range of successful publications, which combined informative content with a high level of up to date design to match. Over the last 14 years, Ebcon Publishing has done exactly that, launching a number of publications that have won a number of awards in their respective sectors and continue to be dominant in their chosen area of operation. Ebcon Publishing has set up a fantastic portfolio and now the company’s next step is to further improve that portfolio by releasing Gear Up into the wild. All the staff at Ebcon Publishing work tirelessly to bring its readership a range of comprehensive editorial across its various magazine titles, providing thier readers with the best information available, along with high design values and inspiring imagery to suit.
how it works Broken into seven key sectors that drive the tactical gear market, Gear Up Magazine aims to bring you a selection of the finest products in each of our carefully deliberated sections. Whether you’re looking to procure items at a battalion level or are an individual in charge of bringing a plethora of tactical equipment to your customers, Gear Up Magazine aims to do the hard work, so you do not have to.
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TECHNOLOGY Due to various advances in technology, the ability to utilise said technology on the battlefield is imperative to the success rate of dangerous missions. Our technology section will look to those advances in tech, highlighting some of the most innovative items to hit the market.
tactical
PROTECTION
The tactical gear market is forever evolving, and with that evolution comes the necessity of adapting to it. Our ‘Tactical’ section aims to make that process as easy as possible, bringing you a number of key components, allowing you to equip the modern warfighter to the best of your ability.
Ensuring your customers can count on the protective equipment you supply them is of the utmost importance. Our ‘Protection’ section endeavours to provide you with numerous options, enabling you to best serve your clientele, allowing them to operate in the harshest environments known to man.
firearms
BUSHCRAFT
The firearms market is slowly becoming inundated with equipment that simply isn’t up to the task it was created for. With a plethora of optics and accessories on the market, Gear Up Magazine will ensure that you are providing your customers with products that will withstand the test of time.
The modern warfighter is often dropped in hostile locations, and ensuring the equipment they’re carrying is capable of dealing with the numerous areas of operation is key. Ranging from a variety of tools to sleeping bags, our ‘Bushcraft’ section aims to provide to cover the very best in outdoor equipment.
UK Based Kydex Holster and Equipment Manufacturer for Police and Military Personnel Around the World CAN BE MOUNTED ON A SINGLE ROW OF MOLLE
MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
FIXED RETENTION
MADE OF GENUINE 2MM KYDEX
LOW PROFILE
VERTICAL + HORIZONTAL MOUNTING
KYDEX CAT TQ CARRIER Price from £29.99
FOOTWEAR
medical
It is no secret that military and law enforcement personnel spend long periods of time on their feet. Due to this, it is imperative that the options you have on offer provide unrivalled comfort, protection, and support, allowing them to fight harder, for longer, with no unwanted issues.
Medical equipment by design is created to save lives. Our ‘Medical’ section aims to look at a range of equipment that is best suited to this role; from full-blown medical kits through to Individual First-Aid Kits, making sure your clientele is amply prepared for a worst-case scenario.
Available from ‘kydexcustomsuk.com’ Trade/bulk prices available upon request Can be wrapped in 500D Cordura Fabric Molle or Belt mounting available
Email: Sales@kydexcustomsuk.com
kydexcustomsuk.com
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GEAR UP
ISSUE #14
EDITORIAL MEET THE TEAM PAUL MONAF
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR paul@ebcon.co.uk
CONTENTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE 009 FEATURE VARUSTELEKA L4 EQUIPMENT
With a track record of launching a number of successful magazines and experience working within business-tobusiness sectors, Paul is the driving force behind Gear Up.
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CONNOR JAMES
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EDITOR connor@ebcon.co.uk
Having worked within Ebcon Publishing for ten years, Connor brings a wealth of knowledge to Gear Up Magazine. If you need any information regarding editorial, he’s your guy.
BEN DICKIE art DIRECTOR ben@ebcon.co.uk
Ben started working for Ebcon Publishing nearly a decade ago now and has been a vital member of the team since. The self-proclaimed Rambo of shapes and colours.
SHARON MONAF
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR sharon@ebcon.co.uk Beside every great man is a great woman, and Sharon is most certainly the Bonnie to Paul’s Clyde. Sharon looks after all of the administrative work within the company.
TACTICAL TACTICAL EQUIPMENT THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF THE INDUSTRY; CRYE PRECISION
TACTICAL SNUGPAK MM3 LONG TERM TEST
018 TACTICAL WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS ELITE OPS RUCKSACKS
023 TACTICAL QORE PERFORMANCE ICEPLATE SLEEVE
027 PROTECTION SHOOTING GLOVES ON TEST
033 PROTECTION TEAM WENDY EXFIL HELMET
036 PROTECTION OAKLEY PPE EQUIPMENT
038 FOOTWEAR ALT-BERG BASE BOOT
042 FIREARMS SUREFIRE RYDER TI2 SUPRESSOR
045 FIREARMS STREAMLIGHT TLR RM1 + RM2
049 TECHNOLOGY US AIRFORCE SKYBORG PROGRAM
ebcon publishing ltd.
Although the publisher has made every effort to ensure that the information in this magazine was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles in this magazine and the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors contained in material from independent sources or authors. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration in any form without permission from the publisher/editor is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, photographs or artwork for submission through the appropriate channels. Gear Up Magazine cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to unsolicited material. Please enclose a SAE if you wish your for your goods or material to be returned.
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052 BUSHCRAFT MAGPUL DAKA TAKEOUT
055 BUSHCRAFT GERBER SUSPENSION
058 BUSHCRAFT BCB RATION HEATING KIT
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ORIGINALLY FORMED AS AN ARMY SURPLUS STORE IN 2003 DUE TO A DISTINCT LACK OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT IN FINLAND, VARUSTELEKA HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, CEMENTING THEMSELVES AS ONE OF EUROPE’S BIGGEST RE-SELLERS OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT. IN THE MIDST OF VARUSTELEKA’S GROWTH, THE COMPANY BEGAN TO LOOK TOWARDS NEWER VENTURES, LEADING TO THE LAUNCH OF THEIR VERY OWN EQUIPMENT LINE – SÄRMÄ.
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Like a number of tactical equipment stores and manufacturers, Varusteleka was founded from humble beginnings. In 2003, a young Valtteri Lindholm found himself studying Finnish in Helsinki, and soon realised Finland lacked a real supply of surplus equipment. With the support of family and friends, Valtteri launched Varusteleka with nothing more than a €1,000 loan, a simple online store and a rusty van which served as Varusteleka’s very first ‘walk-in’ store. In Valtteri’s own words, “After that, things took off like a greyhound after a rabbit”. Valtteri soon finished his studies, paid off his loan in record time and began looking at ways to further grow the business. By 2010, Varusteleka was a fully functioning business with a staff of over 70 employees and steadily growing to become one of, if not the biggest surplus stores in Europe. Having established themselves as one of the largest surplus stores in Europe, Varusteleka soon turned their attention to newer ventures. While Varusteleka were able to provide a range of surplus equipment from a number of European and Western countries, this was purely dependant on sourcing equipment, and eventually, those sources dry up. To counter-act this, as well as to allow Varusteleka the ability to apply nearly two decades worth of experience in the market, they began looking towards their own range of equipment. Named ‘Särmä’, a Finnish military slang term used to describe a number of good qualities and/or things (for example, a well performing military unit could be described to be Särmä, or likewise, a well-made inanimate object), Varusteleka broke the brand into two – ‘Särmä’, focusing in on everyday items, and ‘Särmä TST’, focusing in on military equipment. In doing so, Varusteleka now have the ability to manufacture equipment specifically for the Finnish Armed Forces, taking their TST range (TST being short for ‘taistelu’, a term used within the Finnish military to denote combat) and applying close to two decades and close to 70 members of staff’s worth of experience in the process.
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Särmä TST was created for the simple purpose of providing Finnish soldiers with proper quality commercial alternatives for the mass issue gear and clothing. Since our humble beginning in 2013 we have expanded from simple subdued rank patches to a full range of combat gear and clothing, with new designs constantly under development.
KEY DESIGN POINTS
■ The Nordic climate: We design our gear primarily for Nordic users. This is most evident in our clothing system, but also affects some details of gear design. ■ Weapon systems: Locally used small arms, RK assault rifles, PKM machine guns etc. are naturally what most of our fighting gear is built around. Same thing goes for comms equipment etc. ■ Local production: Working with a number of experienced manufacturers in Finland and our neighbouring Baltic states assures flexibility and reliable QC. ■ Finnish MILSPEC: Much of the raw materials we use are made according to local military specifications. But since most of our products utilize more advanced materials than issue kit we like to think of our gear as being “up to and beyond Finnish MILSPEC”. ■ Military cooperation: On top of tons of unofficial field tests and input from Finnish soldiers some of our projects have led to cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces, unfortunately we can’t disclose further details about these projects.
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SÄRMÄ TST L4 COMBAT SHIRT
A lightweight and breathable combat shirt designed to keep the end-user as cool as physically possible. With soldiers now expected to make use of a wide array of body armour and load-bearing gear, Varusteleka ensured the L4 Combat Shirt provided the best in wicking properties. The stand-up collar and sleeves offer protection and pockets for essential gear, the wear prone elbows are protected by Cordura reinforced elbow pad pockets. ■ Lightweight and breathable knit torso ■ Zippered turtleneck collar ■ Raglan sleeves ■ Long hem ■ Articulated elbow reinforcements w/ pad pockets ■ Hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs ■ Two hook-and-loop flap bicep pockets ■ Loop for name tags and patches on bicep pockets
SÄRMÄ TST L4 FIELD PANTS
The L4 Field Pants were designed for pure functionality. Smart materials, a relaxed fit, and clever details make them what a pair of field pants should be, comfortable and utilitarian. These are a great alternative for the Finnish military-issue pants, which suffer from a load of compromises due to the fact that they were designed to double up as parade wear. ■ High waist, roomy cut ■ Zipper fly with a button ■ 50 mm (2”) belt loops with loops at the bottom (suitable for GrimLocs) ■ Elastic waist adjustment band. Easily removable ■ Loops for US M1950 style suspenders ■ Diamond gusset crotch ■ Generously articulated knees ■ Reinforced knees with pad pockets (we recommend CPE pad inserts) ■ Hook-and-loop cuffs ■ Two side slash pockets ■ Two slotted button back pockets (only with M05) ■ Two slotted button cargo pockets ■ “Idiot cord” tie downs inside the back and cargo pockets
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EVERY SO OFTEN, THERE ARE ITEMS RELEASED THAT COMPLETELY REDEFINE THE TACTICAL GEAR MARKET IN ONE WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. WITH THAT IN MIND, OVER THE COMING ISSUES, WE’LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MORE MODERN INVENTIONS, AND HOW EXACTLY THEY’VE LEFT THEIR MARK ON THE TACTICAL GEAR WORLD. TACTICAL CLOTHING
In the world of tactical clothing, it is very hard for something to be unique. Whilst you may find new, exciting materials being released by companies as the next big thing, very few people seem to pay much attention to the age old ‘don’t fix something that isn’t broke’ saying. To be honest, we have found that people simply don’t really care what their clothing is made from, as long as it performs in the field. With that said though, on the odd occasion that a new, mind-blowing design hits the market, people tend to take note. Whilst new materials and the likes are hugely important when regarding the construction of new products, looks certainly play a huge factor, giving certain brands that ‘wow’ factor that catapults them into the spotlight very, very quickly. And whilst I mentioned it is very hard for a company to bring original designs to the table, there are a handful of innovative companies that constantly strive to find that ‘next big thing’, and within the clothing market, there is one company that truly stands out in regards to re-inventing an item of clothing.
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CRYE PRECISION
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past two decades, you’ll be well aware of Crye Precision, the outstanding products they produce and the invention of their own camouflage pattern, known as MultiCam. Their innovative designs and build quality have pushed them to the forefront of the game and their development of the MultiCam multi-environment pattern has more than helped them push their products into service with some of the best armed forces around the world, having contracts with the American Armed Forces at current and previously supplying the Australian Armed Forces with their ‘Australian MultiCam Pattern’. Formed in 2000, the small New York based design firm of ‘Crye Associates’ won a 2001 contract to participate in the U.S. Army’s project ‘Scorpion’; the first phase of the Future Combat Systems program. Crye’s involvement in the project included a complete redesign of the uniform and equipment worn by the combat soldier as well the invention of their now famous MultiCam pattern. Thus was born Crye Precision, the new manufacturing/production side of the design orientated Crye Associates.
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THE RE-DESIGN OF THE MODERN BDU
BEST EFFECTIVENESS
The MultiCam pattern is a result of extensive development and testing over the period of a few years by both Crye and the Army. Designed to work in multiple environments (hence the name) – which include desert, woodland and urban. Although coming out as the top contender in the Army tests, the Army decided to go with the now obsolete ACU pattern, something we covered a couple of issues back in our ‘Battle-Tech’ section. MultiCam is comprised of six colours – a dark chocolate brown, flat earth brown, Khaki, a medium green, desert pink and a light grey. What makes MultiCam difficult to both describe and see is that some of these colours fade into each other in certain places. Another brilliant feature of MultiCam is that it does not consist of a uniformly tight pattern that is reproduced repetitively, with the medium shades of a colour alternating in a larger pattern, with areas changing colour throughout the pattern, for example one area may be full of grey and brown blotches but be completely absent in others. This combination of sections of tight pattern and larger colour changes enables MultiCam to work both close up and from a distance, with the large changes of overall tone break up the silhouette of the larger form while the small patterns blend it with the immediate environment. Crye coined the term ‘macroflage’ for the way the distribution of large areas of colour works.
What Crye really did for the military world though was completely revolutionise the standard BDU into something that has been widely adopted the world over, and is recognised by members of the military and civilian communities alike. Crye’s complete re haul of the current clothing system came as part of their involvement with the United States Military ‘Future Force Warrior’ programme. The US Military used this as a way to demonstrate advanced technology in line with their Future Combat Systems project. The Future Force Warrior project sought to create a lightweight, fully integrated infantryman combat system, and whilst much of the technology shown at the time was way beyond any understanding currently grasped, Crye Precision were able to create a clothing system that matched that of the Future Warrior. Originally labelled as a ‘Combat Uniform subsystem’, the idea was to rid the soldier of any unnecessary components as possible, essentially stripping off any extras. Now lets be serious here - there simply aren’t many unwanted extras when it comes to clothing, it simply covers your body and protects you. What Crye aimed to do though was to streamline any other additives you may have used in line with your clothing. For example, with the trousers they chose to integrate kneepads. Whilst a hugely simple idea, the effect it has had on the tactical gear market is massive with a variety of companies following suit and releasing their own copy of Crye’s game changing adaptions and innovations. And whilst at the time there may have been a handful of hand modded shirts that took the idea of incorporating an under armor-esque into the BDU shirt, Crye were the first to offer this on a commercial level,
BETTER
GOOD TUNDRA
MULTICAM
DESERT
MULTICAM
TEMPERATE MULTICAM
WOODLAND MULTICAM
JUNGLE
MULTICAM
removing the need for a base layer. What Crye did was simply break down to clothing system, and incorporate the most important parts into one layer of clothing. Whilst the Gen I uniform was by far one of the best combat uniforms on the market, Caleb Crye was not one to rest on his laurels. It didn’t take long for Crye to streamline the original Gen I uniform and released the Gen II, otherwise known as the ‘Combat AC’ range. Revisions were made to cut the weight from the Gen I but still offering the same kind of integrated protection provided. However the Gen II was not just a lightened version of its older brother – the addition of stretch panels in key areas on the pants was a new feature, allowing more mobility and range of motion to it’s predecessor and they had a completely new pocket layout, becoming far more functional than the Gen I uniform. When the G3 Shirt and Pants were released many were confused as to what had changed and rightly so, as visually there weren’t any changes. Instead the G3 was more an evolution of the design with a few improvements as opposed to a complete overhaul. Small changes such as enhanced fire resistant material for the torso and a colour change from grey to khaki and a change to the cuff closure system show a refinement of an already good system opposed to destroying a good thing! You really don’t have to venture far to see a pair of Crye’s Gen II or III pants in use, be they on your local range for those of you in the States, or on shooting celebrities such as Chris Costa or Travis Haley. Crye Precision are very much a household name within the tactical gear market now. Over the years, Crye have simply polished their current designs, releasing new generation products to a high standard that simply do not fail, and that is why they’re our first company to change the modern day tactical gear market.
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long term test MML3 JACKET WEST YORKSHIRE-BASED SNUGPAK HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE TECHNICAL CLOTHING MARKET FOR WELL OVER 40 YEARS NOW. SINCE THEN, SNUGPAK HAVE MOVED FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH; WINNING VARIOUS ACCOLADES ON THE WAY. WITH THE ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY, SNUGPAK HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE USE OF A RANGE OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING PROCESSES - SOMETHING THAT HAS SEEN THE COMPANY INCORPORATE A DEDICATED WORKFORCE AT THEIR WEST YORKSHIRE FACTORY IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND; ALL OF WHICH ARE TRAINED TO USE STATE OF THE ART MACHINERY COUPLED WITH THE TRADITIONAL SEWING TECHNIQUES THAT ALLOWED BRETT TO SHAPE SNUGPAK INTO THE BRITISH POWERHOUSE IT IS TODAY.
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CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about Snugpak’s range of products via the following points of contact. ENGLAND ■ Contact Number: +44 (0) 1535 654 479 ■ Email: softie@snugpak.com
Here we have tested the MML3 based on the idea that the temperature will rarely be so cold as to require the greater insulation of the MML6. Developed by Snugpak with input from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing instructors, meteorological staff, and military personnel, the new functional Snugpak Military Mountain Leader Smock has been created to support the soldier in a diverse range of operational environments making it ideal for winter airsoft excursions. Whether you are training, on exercise or need an extra layer when the weather simply isn’t playing ball, the Snugpak Military Mountain Leader (MML) Softie Smocks are ideal for a diverse range of environments, all year round, where the main environmental considerations are wind and cold weather, when thinner layers are insufficient to protect against the punishing elements. The MML Softie Smock is lighter than normal expedition style jackets, and uses water resistant YKK zips, making it ideal for when size and weight need to be kept to an absolute minimum. It’s ideally worn with a variety of base layers, such as the Snugpak 2nd Skinz Coolmax base layer, or regular UBACS type shirts to move moisture away from the
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skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature in extremes of cold. The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency can be maintained with a cool tumble dry after washing and periodic re-treatment with suitable after care products, such as Nikwax and Grangers. The MML Softie Smock will keep you dry in a short, light shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and put on more effective (hardshell) waterproof layers, if required. The MML Softie Smock can also be worn under waterproof [PTFE] membrane hard shells in severe weather, still allowing easy access to your essential equipment. In dry, colder conditions, the cut of the MML Smock enables you to layer effectively with additional thinner insulation, or warmer layers worn underneath so that core temperature can be effectively managed. In warmer months, the Softie 3 weight is light enough to be worn when static for long periods of time. The MML Softie Smock allows essential equipment to be carried centrally, with easy access when wearing a back pack, as well as plate carriers and webbing systems.
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long term test HOOD STORAGE
The hood of the MML range has been removed allowing greater compatibility with other items of clothing, but the storage space remains. This allows you to roll up items such as a neck scarf, Buff®, fleece liner gloves or skull cap.
CHEST POCKET
The MML includes a central map case pocket in the chest area for the storage of a full size map case or comparable sized item. The main pocket also incorporates two D-rings to secure essential items, such as a compass or whistle, to prevent accidental loss, as well as tethering other waterproof cases so that they do not need to be carried in an unsafe position around the neck. A large Outer-Pocket on the front of the central chest pocket, with a hook & loop security tab and a functional D-ring. This pocket can accommodate an A6 folded map, or a notebook and pen/pencil, or smartphones in a waterproof case as well as small digital cameras. In front of this is a smaller outer-pocket with hook & loop security tab, ideal for keeping your compass close to hand, or used for securing smaller items when on the move. The large outer pocket is compatible with an M4 style mag and the smaller outer pocket can accommodate a double-stacked 9mm size mag for fast and efficient reloads, when additional equipment and plate carriers are not to hand.
HOOK & LOOP PATCHES
There are various Hook & Loop Patches, designed to accommodate APALS Personal Identification (PID) LEDs, or 3M Scotchlite™ Reflective Tabs to make you more visible in low-light conditions. Small APALS patches are located on the back of the collar, as well as the left sleeve. There is also a larger soft Hook & Loop patch on the Right arm, for ID’s, Morale Patches as well as Group and Organisation Patches, allowing you to personalise your Smock. Soft Hook & Loop is also available on the front of the small outer-pouch, for either an APALS LED or reflective marker.
HAND POCKETS
The MML Softie Smock design also incorporates a harness compatible, muff-style, TS1 hand-warmer pocket, giving you a large internal storage space if needed. It can also be used for storing other essential items and will keep them safe due to the deep pocket and side zips that prevent items falling out.
CONSTRUCTION
The Snugpak MML Softie Smock is a tri-layer garment and uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric, and an internal Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining. Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against the cold, as well as high protection against wind, the MML Softie Smock is available in two weights, for the following temperature ranges: ■ The MML3 (Softie® 3) 0oC to -5 oC ■ The MML6 (Softie® 6) -5 oC to -10oC
MML JACKET FEATURES
■ Each jacket is supplied with one APALS® (All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips). ■ Can be seen up to 1 mile for 200+ hours. ■ Velcro backed, Waterproof, Dust & shockproof. ■ Made in the UK. Support UK manufacturing and enjoy superior British quality. ■ Unisex Design/. ■ Crye Precision Multicam Material. ■ Lightweight & durable, for when weight & space need to be considered. ■ Windproof: The Paratex Micro fabric protects you from wind chill. ■ Breathable: The Paratex Micro high moisture-vapour transmission rate helps to keep you dry when active. ■ Comfort: Softie Premier insulation is available in different weights. ■ APALS Soft Hook & Loop Patches (All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips). ■ Unit/Name Hook & Loop Patches. ■ Large Map Chest Pocket, with D-Rings. ■ Large & Small External Pouches. ■ External D-Ring for LED Torches, etc. ■ TS1 Lined Hand Warmer ‘Muff’ Pocket. ■ Thumb Loops. ■ Hem & Neck adjuster for a better fit. ■ 1/4 Length Water-resistant YKK Zip, to help trap warm air, or ventilate. ■ Soft Armour Panel (SAP) and Hard Armour Plate Carrier (PC) Compatible.
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DESIGNED HERE IN THE UK Warrior Assault Systems prides itself on its extensive range of designs. Their products don’t just look good, they have to be functional and that starts with the design process. The design process begins with an idea that originates from Warrior, or with a specific request from one of their customers or end-users. Many of Warrior Assault Systems’ products have been developed with direct input from UK Special Forces, and their good friends serving past and present in SF units from around the World. Warrior Assault Systems’ have been fortunate to forge great bonds with some of the Worlds most elite units, from both Military and Police.
Warrior Assault Systems was founded in the United Kingdom in 2005, with an onus placed on functionality, durability and overall weight reduction, their product range has enhanced the operational capabilities of the modern warfighter around the world. Their product range includes a variety of cutting-edge tactical equipment, all manufactured to the highest standard using certified mil-spec materials sourced from the United States. Warrior Assault Systems is a brand you can place your trust in, having been tried and tested in the most intense and critical of environments; the theatre of war. With a product range that includes a range of equipment that has been designed and developed following direct input from serving Tier-1 assets following deployment in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it is of no surprise that Warrior Assault Systems has fast become a mainstay in tactical excellence, with dealers found in 28 different countries. By using Warrior Assault Systems’ equipment, you are investing in equipment that has been battle tested by the world’s finest modern warfighters. Warrior Assault Systems have blossomed since their inception, taking full advantage of their Hereford-based offices to breach the inner circles of some of the UKs most prestigious Tier-1 units. Since the company’s inception, their mission objective has been simple, with Warrior Assault Systems’ endeavoring to produce a range of high-quality tactical equipment, with an onus placed on functionality, durability and overall weight reduction. In doing so, they have been able to enhance the
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operational capabilities of the modern warfighter around the world. With a product range that includes a range of equipment that has been designed and developed following direct input from serving Tier-1 assets following deployment in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it is of no surprise that Warrior Assault Systems have quickly become a mainstay in tactical excellence, with dealers found in 28 different countries. Furthermore, Warrior Assault Systems have managed to keep their prices low, allowing the average user to make use of their equipment, as opposed to their pricing being non-accessible for those who need it the most. Due to this, Warrior Assault Systems have grown a global following, with their equipment combat tested by some of the best military units around the world. From the design through to the materials used, Warrior Assault Systems’ have ensured that their offerings work well in unison, as well as in a standalone capacity, and do so for extended periods of use. One advantage of working so closely with a number of SF units from around the world is the design process. Through direct input from UK Special Forces, along with a number of other SF units, Warrior Assault Systems have been able to proactively make changes to their equipment. Something causing specific discomfort? Changes can be made. Improvements due to new technology? Again, changes can be made. In fact, Warrior Assault Systems are consistently taking their product range back to the design table to ensure their products fully represent the attention to detail they hold themselves to.
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ELITE OPS HELMET CARGO PACK
Warrior’s Large Helmet Cargo Pack (HCP) is the big brother to their legendary HCP. Similar in every way the Large HCP has all the same features, just on a larger scale. The Large HCP has a main central compartment for general storage which opens via a heavy duty zip. Inside a separate sleeve holds a 3 litre hydration bladder (not included) there are 2 x side pockets on the outside providing additional storage for a variety of small items. On the outside of the main compartment is a fully adjustable folding pouch which is designed to store a combat helmet, jacket, or clothing etc. On the inside of this pouch are 3 sewn elasticated pockets that can hold up to 6 Magazines, or a combination of Personal Med Kit and Radio. The HCP can be worn with 2 padded removable shoulder straps, or when these are removed the HCP can be MOLLED on to the back of any carrier, eg DCS or RPC. ■ MAIN COMPARTMENT: 11” x 18.8” x 7” (28cm x 48cm x 18cm) ■ SIDE POUCHES (x2): 5” x 9” x 2.5” (13cm x 23cm x 6.5cm) ■ CAPACITY: 28 Litres (approximately)
ELITE OPS PREDATOR PACK
The Predator Pack is designed to be a Medium to Large size pack featuring a “Clamshell” fully extended opening of the main compartment. Comes with a padded lumbar support featuring 3D Mesh with a padded MOLLE belt for extra support and stability this can be removed if not required. The inside compartment features 3 zipped mesh pockets on the inside of the lid for storage while the outside has small and large cargo pouch pockets to facilitate quick access to smaller mission critical items. Internally there is a hydration sleeve which has webbing sewn on in order to allow the attachment of various pouches when required. The top of the pack features Antenna and Hydration tube ports either side of the heavy duty carry handle. The Predator Pack can accommodate Warrior’s MOLLE mission insert. This insert is covered on both sides with 9 rows of MOLLE and can be pre configured with your own choice of pouches for specific Ops the MOLLE Insert simply clips inside the Predator via 2 x ITW quick release clips and can be released in seconds making it mobile. Uses can include pre configured Medical Insert for Medics Flash Bang and breaching Kit General Utility and Ammo set up with Smoke Frag and additional mags. ■ MAIN COMPARTMENT: 21.5” x 13” x 7” (550mm x 330mm x 190mm) ■ POUCH 1: 11.5” x 9” x 2” (300mm x 230mm x 60mm) ■ POUCH 2: 7” x 9.5” x 3” (180mm x 250mm x 80mm) ■ CAPACITY: 42 Litres (approximately)
ELITE OPS PEGASUS PACK
The Pegasus Pack is the baby brother to the best selling Predator pack. It also features the “Clamshell” fully extended opening of the main compartment. It comes with a padded lumbar support featuring 3D Spacer Mesh. The inside compartment features 3 zipped mesh pockets on the inside of the lid for storage while the outside has small and large cargo pouch pockets to facilitate quick access to smaller mission critical items. Internally there is a hydration sleeve which has webbing sewn on in order to allow the attachment of various pouches when required. The top of the pack features Antenna and Hydration tube ports either side of the heavy duty carry handle. ■ MAIN COMPARTMENT: 5.5” x 13” x 15” (140mm x 330mm 390mm) ■ POUCH 1: 2” x 9” x 8.5” (50mm x 240mm x 220mm) ■ POUCH 2: 4.5” x 10” x 2.5” (120mm x 260mm x 70mm) ■ CAPACITY: 23 Litres
CONTACT INFORMATION Warrior Assault Systems has an extensive dealer network, with their products currently available in over 24 different countries. Contact information is available on their website.
www.warriorassaultsystems.com
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QORE PERFORMANCE HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK ONCE AGAIN, CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO IN REGARD TO HYDRATION SYSTEMS FOR THE MILITARY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL. THE ICEPLATE SLEEVE IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THIS, ROUNDING OUT THEIR ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM, WHICH AIMS TO COMBINE HYDRATION AND COOLING WITHIN THE SAME SYSTEM.
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ICEPLATE SLEEVE Inspired by the tried-and-tested emergency responder protocols, Qore Performance’s co-founder Justin Li initially thought to combine first aid science with athletic base layers while on duty as a sworn law enforcement officer in the California desert. Faced with difficult terrain, a formidable adversary, heavy protective gear, and high altitude, Justin was looking to improve his odds in the field. Unwilling to add more weight to his kit, he realized that efficiently offloading heat to stay hydrated was the best way to boost his endurance, strength, focus and recovery. Following a number of innovations, Qore Performance began work on providing a solution to cooling soldiers down in hot environments following a call from the United States Army. Qore identified that while a number of innovative cooling systems were on the market, many of them simply were not applicable to use on the battlefield due to weight restrictions. They did however realise that soldiers were already carrying one of the most effective cooling sources available – water. With this in mind, Qore Performance began work on the IcePlate, which was designed to minimise weight and maximise cooling duration and body contact. Working with the top thermoplastic engineers and designers in the US, IcePlate went from concept to prototype to reality in only six months’ time, and is now deployed across all branches of the US military as well as in the kit of body armour users worldwide.
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The IcePlate Sleeve uses the same proprietary laminate technology as their IcePlate EXO ultralight ventilated plate carrier. The laminate material does not stretch, is completely hydrophobic, and delivers significantly greater abrasion resistance than 500D Cordura Nylon. IcePlate Sleeve is 33% lighter than the outgoing IMS Flex. IcePlate Sleeve facilitates native integration with the IcePlate EXO, but is also universally compatible with all plate carriers on the market. IcePlate Sleeve has a six column by seven row laser-cut MOLLE field on both faces, allowing the user to reclaim all MOLLE attachment points that the IcePlate Sleeve takes up on the plate carrier. The product also has the entire MOLLE field covered with hook tape on one side and pile on the other, allowing direct connection on the inside or outside face of a plate carrier. The design allows it to be mounted inside a plate carrier to maximize the multiple benefits of IcePlate Curve’s thermoregulation properties. While it is possible to mount the IcePlate Sleeve to nearly any carrier on the market, it optimally mounts to future-proof designs that include pile tape on the inside, which minimizes the movement of the IcePlate Curve. As with IcePlate Exo, IcePlate Sleeve is compatible with the right and left exit port versions of the IcePlate Curve, allowing for user-specific routing of the Source 90 Drink Tube over the left shoulder for right-handed shooters and over the right shoulder for left-handed shooters.
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FEATURES ■ OPTIMIZED: Optimized for IcePlate Exo compatibility. ■ UNIVERSAL: Works with any plate carrier with a 6x4 MOLLE field and/or a hook and loop Velcro field. ■ VENTILATED: Dual-face laser-cut MAPs double as ventilation ports. ■ CAPABLE: Built from the same high-tech, ultra-strong, ultra-light, hydrophobic HMWPE used to build IcePlate Exo. ■ LIGHTWEIGHT: IcePlate Sleeve is 30% lighter than IMS Flex. Laser-cut negative MAPs (MOLLE Attachment Points built by removing, not adding, material). ■ AMBIDEXTROUS: Accepts both Left and Right Exit IcePlate Curve to work for both right-handed and left-handed shooters. ■ STREAMLINED: Laser-cut Drink Tube Routing Ports on Left, Right and Top keep your hose as low profile and tight to your kit as you want or need. ■ RELIABLE: Bottom zipper closure is out, Velcro bottom closure is in with the Hook Velcro field on the inside of IcePlate Sleeve to prevent contact with clothing or uniforms. ■ PURPOSE-BUILT: Can accept any IcePlate Curve or Medium ESAPI armor plate to give you maximum versatility for your cooling, heating, hydration and protection needs. ■ FLAT: Conformal design geometry with IcePlate Curve delivers the flattest, strongest and most capable plate carrier cooling/heating/hydration system ever built. ■ MODULAR: Dual-side MAPs let you carry your water and preserve your MOLLE field.
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THE GEAR TO COMPLETE ANY MISSION. PERIOD. The Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ In the field, on duty, or totally off the grid, accidents happen everyday. You can’t predict where it’ll happen, but you can be ready when it does, with the Micro Trauma Kit Now! ™ Quick, one-handed deployment of critical first aid supplies means you’ll be there to provide life-saving care to yourself or anyone you come across. Things don’t always go according to plan. Be prepared for any situation with the Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ Get yours today at BlueForceGear.com/prepared. MADE IN USA
877.430.2583 • WWW.BLUEFORCEGEAR.COM
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International sales Contact: Doug Duggan Email: DDuggan@blueforcegear.com Phone: 1 (912) 225-1262
09/08/2019 14:00
GLOVES
COMPARATIVE REPORT
FOR US, THERE ARE THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PRIORITISE WHEN GOING ANYWHERE. FIRST YOU SHOULD KEEP YOURSELF WELL FED AND WATERED. SECOND, YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE YOUR FEET ARE WELL PROTECTED. AND LAST OF ALL YOU SHOULD PROTECT YOUR HANDS. WHY YOU ASK? YOUR HANDS ARE THE MOST DEXTEROUS PART OF YOUR BODY, AND WITHOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO PROPERLY MANIPULATE ITEMS, YOU MAY BE IN REAL TROUBLE WHILST IN THE WILD.
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GLOVE-LY STUFF...
FIRST ‘HAND’ EXPERIENCE When it comes to protecting yourself through your clothing there are simply a huge amount of things to take into account. Obviously in a warzone, the first thing that takes preference is your vital areas - usually centre mass and head where a bullet wound could be fatal. After that you step into a
huge world of other gear that can potentially help you in certain situations. Over the coming months we’ll be looking at a range of these items that can simply help you protect yourself in bad situations, and whilst some of these items may seem obscure, many of them
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GLOVES
OUR ‘BEFORE YOU BUY’ GLOVE CHECK LIST PROTECTION 1 Protection comes first on this list for one reason alone - the fact we’re looking at items that protect you! Whilst gloves offer very little in terms of protection, some offer more protection than others. Making sure you have a pair of gloves that can offer the protection you need is vital. Start by looking at things such as being flame resistant.
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COMFORT
Comfort is a huge factor for us when it comes to buying and using gloves. Essentially you’re using something to protect the part of your body most associated with touch. Suffocating your hands with a pair of uncomfortable, poorly fitted gloves isn’t going to do yourself or anyone else any favours. Obviously comfort is measured differently for different people, so our advice here is to simply go with what you’re comfortable with!
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DEXTERITY
Being able to make use of your hands whilst you are wearing gloves is an absolute must. There’s no point going
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out and buying a pair of gloves because they look cool. Looking cool on your chosen battlefield will not save you, gloves that allow you to do the task ahead however, well they will save you.
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MATERIALS USED
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ADDED FEATURES
Whilst many of the materials used in gloves will mean nothing to you, keeping an eye on certain materials is always a plus. For example if you are someone who is looking for a pair of gloves with protected knuckles, make sure you’re aware of what is protecting your knuckles. The last thing you want is to try smashing something with said knuckles to find them not up to the task!
Added features are always worth looking out for when buying gloves, just so you know what you have and what you do not have. Things such as protected knuckles, breathable palms and smartphone compatibility are brilliant to have. However please do not make your decision purely on these features. First and foremost make sure you have a pair of gloves that does the job they are supposed to do.
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will be items you already know well. But do you know them well enough to spot a good item from a bad item? Thankfully you won’t have to as we have our panel of testers to do that for you! This month we’ll be taking a look at an item of protection that all of you should be familiar with… Gloves.
WE TRY BEFORE YOU BU Y - OUR PICK OF THE PACK
PIG FDT ALPHA
SHOOTING GLOVE Described as ‘so sensitive you can wear these on your next date with PALMela HANDerson’, the PIG FGT Alpha Touch Glove not only look the part, but they are now absolutely compatible with smartphone use. Are you tired of having to take your gloves off at the range overtime someone calls you? Or do you simply want to make sure you get all those important range ‘selfies’ without having to remove your ‘Operator as %@£^’ gloves? Then these are simply the best glove for you. The PIG FDT team didn’t want to simply re-invent the Aviator Flight Glove here, nor did they want to create a super-awesome looking glove that had next to no real world purpose whatsoever. Instead what they’ve done here is create a glove that works, bringing in various different designers to help them create a glove that fits… well like a glove.
FEATURING SEVERAL INDUSTRY FIRST, THE FDT ALPHA ALLOWS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO ALL OF YOUR FIREARMS CONTROLS AND MANIPULATIONS, WITHOUT THE OVERWHELMING BULK OF UNNECESSARY PADDING AND LAYERS. WHEN IT COMES TO GLOVE YOU CAN SHOOT WITH THERE IS ONE SAYING WE ALWAYS ADHERE TO, AND CONTRARY TO MOST OF THE OTHER TACTICAL GLOVE COMPANIES WITHIN THE MARKET WHO SLAP THINGS WHEREVER IN A BID TO MAKE THEM LOOK COOL. THIS SAYING IS SIMPLY ‘LESS IS MORE’ - THE LESS WE FEEL OUR GLOVES, THE BETTER WE CAN SHOOT WITH THEM.
OAKLEY SI ASSAULT SHOOTING GLOVE
When you think about modern gloves in the tactical marketplace, 9 out of 10 times the Oakley SI Glove is going to be the first one to pop into peoples minds. And over the years they have been the ‘go-to’ glove for people involved in the tactical shooting world. The original Oakley SI Assault Glove was so successful that they caught the eye of the U.S. Military, who had Oakley make some minor changes to bring them in line with other military gloves, and they are now also the go to glove for the American Special Forces!
THE OAKLEY SI ASSAULT GLOVE REALLY IS A WELL THOUGHT OUT PRODUCT IN TERMS OF LOOKS, AND OAKLEY KNOW FULLY WELL THEY’VE LANDED ON A GOLDMINE WITH THE DESIGN. THE CARBON FIBRE KNUCKLES, THE FULL GRAIN LEATHER PALM AND THE OAKLEY ‘O’ PROUDLY SITTING ON THE WRIST STRAP. BUT LOOKS AREN’T EVERYTHING, ARE THEY? We’ll be honest, we’re a firm believer of the Oakley SI Assault Glove only being as successful as they are due to their looks. Over the years we’ve owned a few pairs of these, and we’re always left with a nasty taste in our mouth. Our first pair was bought when the glove first came out, and after a month or two solid use, they began to fall apart. Our 2nd pair was bought when Oakley made a number of changes, and again whilst they looked even better this time around, they soon fell apart, and the 3rd pair we owned was for this article, and whilst they seem to be holding up better than the previous two pairs we’ve owned, well we’re not holding out any hope, but we’re hoping to be proved otherwise. That said we’ve heard brilliant things about these when they are used in a deployment situation, so they could very well perform in that environment. But for the range? We’ll look elsewhere.
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OUR PICK OF THE PACK - WE
MECHANIX ORIGINAL SHOOTING GLOVE
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need a solid pair of gloves that are relatively plain, Mechanix is wholeheartedly your answer. ‘The Original’ has been tried and tested for over 20 years, and with that amount of testing, you know you’ll at least have a pair of gloves that have seen a lot of time and care to get them where they are today. With that 20 years of testing, Mechanix have slowly but surely made a pair of gloves that simply rock. Offering the perfect blend of flexibility and protection, these Mechanix gloves simply do the job intended without any nonsense. Created from a durable synthetic leather, form-fitting stretch Spandex and a flexible Thermal Plastic Rubber wrist closure, these materials combine to create the ultimate tool for working hands. And with such a intended use, it is no wonder these gloves have slowly found their way to our ranges and our armed forced personnel! If we have one gripe about the Mechanix range in general, its the fit. We’ve sometimes found the fit of Mechanix’s gloves to be a little generous. So make sure you try a couple of pairs on before purchasing your own!
VIPER SPECIAL OPS SHOOTING GLOVE
A huge favourite with Raider staff, the Viper Special Ops Glove is a very cost effective way of making sure your hands are protected in the worst environments possible. There’s none of the bells and whistles you see on various other gloves on the market, and we’ll even go as far as saying that they don’t really have any form of ‘Gucci’ factor at all. They’re just a simple pair of tactical gloves in a design done by many other companies in the past. So why have these gloves found their way into this article then? Simple, Essentially what these gloves do is offer a no nonsense solution to your glove needs. Made from a mixture of advanced composite materials, the Viper Special Ops Glove is both tough and well fitting, as well as quick drying which is a must for gloves in my eyes. The protection offered is to a very basic level, not making use of protected knuckles, however the protection they do offer is to a high standard, and they hold up well. Overall the Viper Special Ops Glove offers you what you need from a glove - protection, and they offer that for a very, very low price. Certainly worth taking a look at if you’re on a budget.
HATCH OPERATOR CQB SHOOTING GLOVE
Hatch are a name that have been in the glove market for many a year, and the Hatch Operator Glove is a pair of gloves we’ve had a lot of time working with. We originally bought the Hatch Operator CQB Glove way back in 2012, and 3 years on they’re still going strong. Made from a Kevlar/Nomex blend, the Operator CQB Glove is probably the most simplistic glove on review here. No fancy brand logos, no fancy protection… literally no fancy anything. However, their simple design allows them to focus on the good stuff. And that good stuff is comfort and dexterity. There’s no better compliment you can give to a pair of gloves in my eyes than ‘it didn’t feel like I was wearing gloves’. And that’s exactly what the Operator CQB Glove from Hatch offers. Apart from the obvious being able to feel the wrist strap tightened, I honestly can say that I didn’t really feel these gloves when wearing them - with both comfort and dexterity being absolutely amazing. However at £56.00+ I’d kind of expect a little more than comfort, and that’s kind of where I lay with these gloves. If they were cheaper, then I’d be singing their praises. But at this price point, I’m more sat here feeling used and abused by Hatch.
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WE TRY BEFORE YOU BU Y - OUR PICK OF THE PACK
UNDER ARMOUR BLACKOUT SHOOTING GLOVE
The Under Armour Blackout above all else are an absolutely sexy pair of gloves. If Megan Fox were a pair of gloves, we’re certain these are the gloves she’d be - sleek, elegant and soft to the touch. Created from a mixture of fancy Under Armour materials and a two piece Cabretta leather palm, these are another pair of glove that simply feel like you’re not wearing them after extended use. The comfort offered by the Under Armour Blackout Glove is simply amazing. Protection is so-so though. You’ve essentially got a very basic pair of wide receiver gloves here that have been spruced up a little and given a tactical name to sell more units… But we’re okay with that, because sometimes simple is all you need. The Under Armour Blackout is essentially in our eyes what the Hatch Operator CQB could have been. Sleek, elegant, comfortable… and above all else simple. Thankfully the Blackout Glove isn’t let down by it’s price like the Hatch glove though, and at just under £30.00, you’re not going to feel as if you’ve been held up at gun point and robbed!
BLACKHAWK HELLSTORM SHOOTING GLOVE
Sometimes all you need is the most basic form of protection and grip, but to get something so basic you need to rewind the history books a little and look at one of the forefathers to find what you are looking for. And that thing is the Aviator Glove. It’s absolutely no secret that whilst Aviator gloves were made for pilots, they very quickly found their way onto the battlefield with various units as far back as the Vietnam War, and have continued to do so since that date. Over the years various companies have released their own Aviator Glove, but likely the best received pair have been from glove experts BlackHawk. Now, we’d love to be able to sit here and talk about the ins and outs of the Aviator Glove, but simply put there are no ins and outs. This take on the Aviator Glove is as pure as can be, made from a simple Nomex back and a durable cowhide palm. They are both comfortable and durable, and are available in a range of colours to best suit you. Is there much to complain about here? Well no, not really. Could we moan about the price? Definitely. But if you’re really after a pair of Aviator Gloves then you certainly know you’ll be getting a well put together pair from BlackHawk
WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS SHOOTING GLOVE
We’ve got a lot of time for Warrior Assault Systems here at Raider. They’ve always produced brilliant gear for brilliant prices, and finding a company able to offer such high quality gear for such competitive prices is a very hard find. The Firestorm is what I’d call the bastard child of the Oakley S.I glove and the BlackHawk Hellstorm - and you can clearly see Warrior Assault Systems have drawn their inspiration from both gloves, especially the Hellstorm; so much so they’ve pretty much named them the same thing! The Firestorm are made from a leather/Nomex mix, with certain areas draped in leather, and the others Nomex. The hard knuckle area is created from Kevla to provide the knuckles with adequate protection. Both fingers and palms are protected with raised padding, and all key areas of the gloves are reinforced with double stitching. At just under £20.00 these offer great value for money, and whilst I’m not personally a fan of hard knuckled gloves I can certainly see why they have a use in military environments… Providing perfect protection in the correct places and above average mobility/dexterity. Definitely one to take a look at if you’re a serving member of the Armed Forces.
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TEAM WENDY
TEAM WENDY ARE A COMPANY DEVOTED TO THE DELIVERY OF HIGH-END PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. BASED IN THE UNITED STATES, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1997, NOW PROVIDING A RANGE OF EQUIPMENT TO SPECIALISTS AROUND THE WORLD.
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Team Wendy live by a simple mantra, aiming to innovate to protect. Following a steady rise in the number of cases of traumatic brain injuries, Team Wendy have committed themselves to the research, development and delivery of advanced protection solutions to aid in the prevention of these injuries.
EXFIL BALLISTIC SL
TEAM WENDY
Founded in 1997 following the tragic death of founder Dan Moore’s daughter Wendy in a skiing accident, Team Wendy initially set their focus on the creation of ski helmets to prevent the onset of traumatic brain injuries. Following their success in the industry, Team Wendy soon moved onto producing equipment for the military, law enforcement and search and rescue communities. With the aim of researching, developing, designing and in turn, delivering a plethora of cutting edge protection solutions, Wendy’s name lives on eternally, saving numerous lives in the process. Through its long-standing relationship with the U.S. Military, Team Wendy have supplied more than six-million protective helmets since 2005. With a state-of-the-art facility based in Cleaveland, Ohio, Team Wendy utilise testing, engineering and chemistry labs, as well as a 62,000 square foot manufacturing facility, housed by a diverse range of professionals all working to create a helmet system which the end-user can trust in.
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The EXFIL Ballistic SL is Team Wendy’s next generation ballistic helmet, being the fifth helmet in their hugely popular EXFIL line. Featuring a new lightweight composite shell, the new EXFIL 3.0 rail system and the SL shroud manufactured by Wilcox, the EXFIL weighs in at a minute 2.2lb, making it one of the lightest ballistic rated helmets of its design on the market. Making use of the innovative and combat-proven CAM FIT Retention System, the helmet is easy to adjust to the end-users specific head shape, allowing for maximum comfort as well as providing an even weight distribution in the process. Combining years of market research with their state-of-the-art manufacturing process, Team Wendy’s EXFIL Ballistic SL meets a ballistic rating of NIJ Level III-A, along with a fragmentation V50 of 2,400ft/s against 17-grain FSP. It also exceeds ACH blunt impact protection requirements, averaging below 70G across all locations and conditions, which is less that half of the allowable maximum requirement. All of this combines to make one of the safest ballistic rated helmets on the market. The EXFIL Ballistic SL comes in two sizes - size one, which accommodates medium-to-large head sizes and size two, accommodating X-large head sizes, and comes complete with the helmet shell, accessory rails, shroud, impact lines and retention system.
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A lightweight hybrid composite shell offers the end user a product that weighs in at a minute 2.2lb; making it 15% lighter than the original EXFIL Ballistic helmet, with the unique geometry of the helmet offering added strength.
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The boltless Cam Fit retention system utilises the Boa Fit System, allowing for optimal stability, comfort and fit, with Cam Lock sliders utilised to allow for one-handed adjustment, which is perfect once the helmet is placed on the head.
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The 3.0 Rail Accessory Mounting System is another sector in which Team Wendy have shaved on excess weight, coming in at 25% lighter than the original EXFIL rail system. The 3.0 system includes two Magpul M-LOK picatinny rails.
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The Zorbium Foam Liner makes the EXFIL Ballistic SL one of the most comfortable examples on the market, with sixteen customisable comfort pads in two different thicknesses, with the centre pad being removable to accommodate comms systems.
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Again, looking to lighten the load the modern warfighter finds himself carrying, the EXFIL Ballistic SL makes use of the new Wilcox SL Shroud, which is 35% lighter than the previous example, making NVG mounting that little bit lighter.
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AVAILABLE IN
MULTICAM
BLACK
RANGER GREEN
COYOTE BROWN
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about the Team Wendy range of products through the following lines of contact. AMERICA â– Contact Number: 216.738.2518 â– Contact Form: www.teamwendy.com/contact
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PPE COLLECTION
Oakley Standard Issue, more commonly known as Oakley SI, are a dedicated division of the widely renowned Oakley, Inc. Having worked continually with the United States Armed Forces in the 1980s, focusing on the development of new technologies that improve the safety, performance and comfort of the modern warfighter, Oakley Inc. saw fit to fund and launch a dedicated branch that was committed to serving the specific needs of the U.S. Military, government, Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS professionals - aiming to produce combat ready equipment for those whose lives depended on it. Since its birth, the Oakley SI range has continuously aimed to create new product ranges and experiment with new materials in a effort to stay ahead of the curve within the industry, driven by a cocktail of obsession and passion. These factors have allowed Oakley to offer an unprecedented level of optical clarity while maintaining ultimate levels of protection, as well as allowing Oakley to innovate within their field, constantly redefining the perception of performance eyewear.
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In recent months, the wellbeing of frontline essential workers has become paramount. Terms such as Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) are now commonplace. Oakley Standard Issue (OSI) has been providing protection eyewear for Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responders for well over 20 years. With numerous products on the certified lists for conventional military and Special Operations Forces, now is the time to expand this collection to offer a more diverse assortment of eyewear to those that need it most. Legacy products such as the Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame are within the collection. With an anti-fog coating, M Frame meets both high impact and high velocity impact requirements for ANSI Z87.1 and MIL SPEC. Another feature included in the M Frame is the Gasket. The Gasket is a small rubber insert that is ideal for keeping out dust or debris. Additionally, the assortment includes a variety of Photochromic lens options. Ideal for anyone transition between light environments, Photochromic changes rapidly and even adjusts to the surrounding light. These lenses are supported with a variety of sport frames to include Radar, Jawbreaker, and EV Zero. Lastly, OSI offers select frames with Prizm Low Light lenses. Prizm Lens Technology, now authorized for wear on the Special Operations Eyewear Program (SOEP), maintains a low visual light transmission while enhancing select colours. These lenses are perfect for anyone working in a health care setting where you might experience significant fluorescent lighting.
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M FRAME 3.0 PPE
The SI M Frame 3.0 PPE features a chemical resistant O-Matter® frame and Plutonite® lenses with HDO Optics for high-mass and high-velocity impact protection with the highest level of optical clarity. The lightweight frame design has a Hydrophilic Unobtainium® nosepad for a secure, no-slip grip even under wet conditions. A lightweight and soft rubberized gasket comes pre-installed and designed to fit snugly against the head to help block wind and dust. The clear lenses feature an anti-scratch coating on the front of the lens and a permanent anti-fog coating on the back surface. The Clear lens features 89% visible light transmittance, suitable for use in low light to no light conditions and UV protection of Plutonite® lens material that filters out all of UVA / UVB up to 400 nm wavelength. ■ OPTICAL GRADE LENSES: Lenses are made from Plutonite®, Oakley’s high purity optical grade polycarbonate featuring Oakley’s HDO® Optics with Polaric Ellipsoid™ Technology. ■ DISTORTION FREE: Distortion-free optics & 100% UVA/UVB up to 400nm wavelength protection. ■ CLEAR LENSES: Clear lens features 89% visible light transmittance, suitable for use in low light to no light conditions with no influence to contrast or colour. ■ ANTI-SCRATCH / ANTI-FOG: Lenses provide an optimal combination of anti-scratch coatings on the outside of the lens and anti-fog coatings on the inside. ■ O-MATTER® FRAME: Ultra lightweight impact and chemical resistant O-Matter® frame equipped with Unobtainium® increases grip and Thin Stem Technology. for over-ear protection compatibility. ■ SECURE FIT: Even under wet conditions via Hydrophilic Unobtainium® nose pad.
DET CORD PPE
The Industrial Det Cord is “fully-equipped” with its’ anti-fog coating, comms compatible ear stems, and rubberized unobtanium nosepiece. It is one piece of eyewear that is ready for any situation. To help maintain the High Definition Optics® (HDO®) of Oakley lenses, Oakley eyewear comes with a specially-woven electrostatic Microclear™ bag for cleaning and storage. Using it will preserve the superior optical quality of Oakley’s pure Plutonite® lenses. FEATURES ■ HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS: Lenses are made from Plutonite®, Oakley’s high purity optical grade polycarbonate featuring Oakley’s HDO® Optics with Polaric Ellipsoid™ Technology. ■ DISTORTION FREE: Distortion-free optics & 100% UVA/UVB up to 400nm wavelength protection. ■ CLEAR LENSES: Clear lens features 89% visible light transmittance, suitable for use in low light to no light conditions with no influence to contrast or colour. ■ ANTI-FOG COATING: Lenses feature a permanent anti-fog coatings on the inside. ■ COMFORT & PERFORMANCE: Three-point fit holds lens in precise optical alignment. ■ O MATTER® FRAME: Durability and all-day comfort of lightweight, stress-resistant O Matter® frame materia. ■ OVER-EAR COMPATIBILITY: Thin Stem technology enables compatibility with over-ear hearing protection and comms.
CONTACT INFORMATION Oakley have a worldwide distribution chain, with offices operating in a wide range of different countries. You can find the correct contact information via their website. ■ www.oakleysi.com
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YORKSHIRE BASED ALT-BERG HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ENTITY WITHIN THE BOOT-MAKING MARKET SINCE 1989 FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF ONE OF THE REGION’S LARGEST SHOE FACTORIES IN RICHMOND. FOLLOWING OVER THIRTY YEARS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, ALT-BERG HAVE CONTINUOUSLY STRIVED FOR PERFECTION, AND IN DOING SO HAVE FORGED A STELLAR REPUTATION WITHIN A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES INCLUDING THE MILITARY, POLICE AND OUTDOORS MARKET. Amongst a range of brilliant boots lay the Base Boot, a hot weather suede boot manufactured originally for the hiking market. Following a number of requests, Alt-Berg soon made a number of small changes to push the Base Boot towards the military market, and the rest is history. Alt-Berg mention that the boot was put together after long conversations with various local soldiers, who were looking for a boot that allowed itself to be used for both barrack use, as well as lightweight exercise and rapid deployment situations. Translate this to real world terms and that essentially means that the boot is good for long periods of standing around (barrack use), and for slipping on in a hurry when you’re not going to be doing long periods of patrolling, instead engaging for short periods of time (rapid deployment).
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So, with all of that in mind, how did the boots do? Well, I like to start from the very top - how easy are the boots to put on, and how quickly can I do this. Thankfully the Base Boot start off strong. Not only are they easy to slip on and off, you can lace them up in a matter of seconds. There aren’t any fancy additions here; no self-lacing system, nor a side zip, just got a simple design that is tried and tested. The simpler the better, in our opinion, and Alt-Berg definitely kept it simple. The next most important thing is comfort. No one wants to be wearing a pair of boots that are uncomfortable, and you can tell a lot about this within the first time you slip a pair of boots on. Obviously, the notion of ‘breaking them in’ comes into play here, but if a pair of boots is uncomfortable from the get go, no amount of breaking them in is going to make them comfortable - if they hurt like hell, get rid. Thankfully the Base Boot wasn’t one of those boots, and as soon as I slipped them on, my feet felt like they were getting a nice warm hug. They supported my feet in the right places, and had ventilation in the right places - the two biggest factors for me in a pair of boots. Support is a pretty obvious one, if your boots don’t support your feet properly, they’re not going to be comfortable over long periods of time. Ventilation is one that many people don’t think of though. One of the prime suspects for blisters is a lack of ventilation. Essentially, one of the ways blisters are formed is by sweat not being taken away from your feet, allowing your feet to rub on stuff they shouldn’t. Another way blisters form is due to heat. Sweat and heat go hand in hand, and poorly ventilated boots become a breeding ground for blisters.
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Ventilation is provided via a number of 1000D Cordura sections; 4 in total, which are all positioned in areas of the shoe that benefit both breathability but also don’t impact on the overall design of the boot. Support on the other hand is something that very rarely impacts the design of a boot, so is something that can be pushed further. One of the biggest players here is the sole. The Base Boot makes use of the Vibram Masai with a micro midlayer. Vibram have long been a big player in the sole market, so you know you’re working with the best here, and the micro midlayer is put in place for shock absorption and cushioning. On top of this the boot uses a graded midsole to give good torsional stability, making sure support isn’t compromised in the quest for comfort. It’s very rare that you get a fresh pair of boots that won’t cause your feet a few issues, but you can usually tell whether these issues are support/ventilation issues or just the boots being terrible. The Base Boot didn’t really cause us any issues if truth be told, with the only real issue being a small blister on the balls of my feet - but this is a pretty common thing with me, so not exactly something to cause me to throw a fit and demand a refund. So far, so good though. One thing that many people completely forget to factor in when buying boots is weight. Most boots will weigh around the same, with at most there being a couple hundred grams difference which doesn’t seem like much. However, in the grand scheme of things, a couple hundred grams here or there add up. If you think about the market for these boots - the soldier, and the amount of kit they have to carry, if you’re able to cut out the odd ten grams here, and the odd hundred grams there, you’re going to slowly become lighter and lighter. The less weight you’re carrying, the less tired you get, meaning the longer you can fight for. The longer you can fight means the more chance you have of getting you and your buddies out of a firefight unscathed. Sorry to quote Tesco here, but in the military world, every little helps, and it helps an awful lot.
Moving on to the Base Boot, it comes in at 652g at a size 9. Obviously that figure will change with sizing. To put that in perspective, the new iPad weighs in at 613g, and the new iPad is crazy light. So you’re essentially walking around with two iPads for boots – which I’ll definitely take over two concrete blocks for boots, for example. Now, so far we’ve done nothing but praise the Base Boot, and well that’s down to it being a bloody good boot. But it does have a few negatives. The biggest downside being a lack of waterproofing. Suede isn’t known for it’s natural waterproof properties, and this has been followed up with a Cambrelle lining. This lining is both highly breathable and rapid drying, but it isn’t waterproof. However, we can’t really say this is a major downside as it’s quite clear the boots are designed to be breathable and lightweight, and having those two properties as well as being waterproof, well… good luck. Apart from that, there’s not an awful lot else we can complain about regarding the Base Boot. They’re comfortable, they’re breathable, they support your feet well and they’re made from a range of premium materials… And all for roughly £170. Not a bad deal if you ask me, especially after having had them on test for a good half a year or so.
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COVERT BOOT
BLACK / BROWN / TITANIUM / SRP: £49.95
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SF RYDER 9-TI2
SureFire is a story of what can be accomplished with light. The tale begins in 1969 when an engineer with a Ph.D. from Cal Tech decided the future lay in lasers. Dr. John Matthews founded the Newport Corporation to harness the power of the laser for industrial applications. Soon after, John’s inventive mind turned toward his hobby and passion, shooting, and in 1979, John’s concepts became reality as he designed and patented a laser sight. The original laser sight was large and unwieldy by today’s standards. Further refinement of the technology would have required the board of the Newport Corporation to approve substantial investments. Due to this being unlikely, John, accompanied by a number of staff members who shared his vision, bought the company, renaming it ‘Laser Products’ in the process. This change allowed John to focus his efforts entirely on laser products, which over the years led to the launch of the SureFire WeaponLight. Laser Products went on to establish itself as the leading manufacturer of rugged, powerful and compact illumination tools for tactical applications - with a plethora of different products available for purchase. Eventually, after the booming success of the SureFire WeaponLight, the company rebranded under the name ‘SureFire LLC.’. With the name becoming so synonymous with excellence in hand-held illumination, a change seemed inevitable, and the company have continued to create products for the military and shooting worlds since.
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The successor to SureFire’s popular SF RYDER 9-Ti, the SF RYDER 9-Ti2 features a new, thicker fluted titanium outer tube that substantially increases the SF RYDER 9-Ti2’s rigidity and improves overall performance by ensuring suppressor-to-barrel concentricity, further minimizing POI shift. Inside, SureFire’s heat-treated, U.S. mill-certified stainless-steel baffles feature a new interface, and the SF RYDER 9-Ti2’s proprietary booster assembly is revised for even more precise alignment. These changes result in increased accuracy and rock-solid reliability. The booster’s anti-friction coating also reduces carbon build-up for consistent high performance, round after round. Weighing a mere 10.7 ounces, the SF RYDER 9-Ti2 is one of the lightest suppressors in its class, and it advances SureFire’s proven formula for an ultra-quiet, low-profile 9mm suppressor. Its patented design reduces sound by 28 dB at the shooter’s ear when compared to an unsuppressed weapon, helping to preserve hearing and reduce environmental noise at the range or in the field. Cleaning and maintaining the SF RYDER 9-Ti2 is a snap. Its baffles are indexed and numbered for easy assembly every time. You simply can’t put it together wrong, and every SF RYDER suppressor even includes a tool for easy takedown and assembly. A numerical indexing system on the rear of the suppressor also assures repeatable mounting every time, ensuring zero retention. SureFire’s precision single-point cut threads provide quick, secure attachment to ½ x 28 or M13.5 x 1 LH threaded barrels (depending on the model). Featuring an abrasion-resistant, high-temperature Cerakote finish and available in two colors, the SF RYDER 9-Ti2 is proudly made in the U.S.A.
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■ LIGHTWEIGHT & LOW-PROFILE, THE SF RYDER9-TI2 HAS AN INDUSTRY LOW DIAMETER OF 1-1/4” AND WEIGHS A MERE 10.7 OZ, ONE OF THE LIGHTEST SUPPRESSORS IN ITS CLASS ■ THE SF RYDER9-TI2 IS EXTREMELY QUIET, PROVIDING AN ASTONISHING 28 DB* SOUND REDUCTION ■ NEW BAFFLE INTERFACE, UPDATED BOOSTER AND THICKER FLUTED TITANIUM OUTER TUBE INCREASE RIGIDITY FOR GREATER ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can get in touch with Surefire through the following lines of contact. AMERICA ■ Toll Free: 800-828-8809
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BASED IN EAGLEVILLE, PA, USA, STREAMLIGHT, INC. HAS MORE THAN 45 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MAKING TOUGH, DURABLE, LONG-LASTING FLASHLIGHTS DESIGNED TO SERVE THE SPECIALIZED NEEDS OF PROFESSIONALS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE. SINCE 1973, THE COMPANY HAS DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED AND MARKETED HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLASHLIGHTS, AND TODAY OFFERS A BROAD ARRAY OF LIGHTS, LANTERNS, WEAPON LIGHT/LASER SIGHTING DEVICES, AND SCENE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY, FIREFIGHTING, INDUSTRIAL, AUTOMOTIVE, AND OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS.
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MORE THAN 45 YEARS AGO, NASA WAS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING A SOLAR SIMULATOR FOR THE SPACE PROGRAM TO SIMULATE SUNLIGHT OUTSIDE THE FILTERING OF THE ATMOSPHERE. A GROUP OF ENGINEERS SET UP A LABORATORY IN FAIRFIELD, NJ, AND DESIGNED A PRODUCT THAT GENERATED 25 MILLION CANDLEPOWER OF LIGHT. THE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED DURING THIS RESEARCH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY USED TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A HANDHELD UNIT THAT PRODUCED ONE MILLION CANDLEPOWER AND THAT WAS SOLD TO THE MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MARKET SECTORS.
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Upon completion of the NASA project and perfection of the miniaturized one million candlepower design, a private investor from the Philadelphia area moved the company to King of Prussia, PA and, in 1973, created the company that today is known as Streamlight, Inc. The research and development begun in New Jersey was greatly expanded, and in 1977, the company moved its headquarters and production facilities to Norristown, PA. Steady growth and a continually expanding product line led the company to move once more, in November 2001, to its current headquarters in Eagleville, PA, USA. In 2008, an additional 75,000 square feet of space was added in response to growing demand for Streamlight products, bringing the company’s total plant size to 165,000 square feet. An additional 75,000 square feet were added to the building in 2018. An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, today Streamlight designs, manufactures and markets high-performance lighting, weapon light/laser sighting devices and scene lighting solutions for professional law enforcement, military, firefighting, industrial, automotive and outdoor applications. With over 150 U.S. patents, and over 100 U.S. and Foreign Trademarks, the company is a pioneer in the development of rechargeable lights and helped to revolutionize LED lighting.
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RM1 & RM2 1 TLR STREAMLIGHT Lightweight & compact, the TLRTM RM 1 and TLRTM RM 2 Weapon-Mounted Tactical Lights features the latest in shock-proof LED technology for high lumen operation. The TLRTM RM 1 provides 1.5 hours of runtime from a single CR123 lithium battery delivers 500 lumens output. The TLRTM RM 2 provides 1.5 hours of runtime with two CR123 lithium batteries featuring 1000 lumens output. Both models delivers a powerful beam with extensive range, good peripheral coverage and a selectable strobe mode. Ergonomically friendly multi-function tactical tail switch. Remote switch input option (remote switch included with purchase). Securely attach/detach from any long gun with a MIL Standard 1913 Rail. The new rail mount systems include an ergonomically friendly, multi-function tail switch, along with a remote switch input option. The remote switch is designed to exit the weapon at a 90-degree angle, improving wire routing while preserving rail space. The TLR RM 1 and TLR RM 2 are designed to quickly and securely attach to any long gun with a MIL Standard 1913 Rail, without the need for hands in front of the muzzle. The lights offer highly accurate sight repeatability when remounting. Each light includes a key kit to securely fit the light onto a broad array of weapons.
THE LIGHTS EACH FEATURE THE LATEST IN POWER LED TECHNOLOGY, AND INCLUDE A CUSTOM TIR OPTIC THAT PRODUCES A CONCENTRATED BEAM WITH OPTIMUM PERIPHERAL ILLUMINATION. THE TLR RM 1 OFFERS 500 LUMENS, 5,000 CANDELA AND A BEAM DISTANCE OF 140 METERS; THE TLR RM 2 PROVIDES 1,000 LUMENS AND 10,000 CANDELA WITH A 200-METER BEAM DISTANCE. THE LIGHTS ALSO INCLUDE A SELECTABLE STROBE FEATURE.
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The TLR RM 1 includes one (1) 3 volt CR123A lithium battery, measures 3.2 inches in length and weighs 2.74 ounces. The TLR RM 2 includes two (2) 3-volt CR123A lithium batteries, is 4.55 inches long and weighs 4.55 ounces. Both models are 1.18 inches wide and 1.27 inches high. Both feature 1.5 hours of continuous run time and three hours on strobe. The new lights are made from 6000 series machined aircraft aluminum with a Type II Mil-Spec anodized finish. The switch housing is made from impact- and chemical-resistant, high-impact engineered polymer. The lens is constructed from high temperature, shock mounted, AR coated, and impact-resistant Borofloat® glass. Both lights are IPX7 rated for waterproof operation to 1 meter for 30 minutes and have been extensively live fire tested.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can enquire about the Steamlight range of products through the following lines of contact. UNITED STATES ■ Contact Numbers: 1-800-523-7488 and 1-610-631-0600
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ULTIMA JACKET BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / SRP: £89.95
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U.S. AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER SKYBORG SKYBORG IS AN AUTONOMY-FOCUSED CAPABILITY THAT WILL ENABLE THE AIR FORCE TO OPERATE AND SUSTAIN LOW-COST, TEAMED AIRCRAFT THAT CAN THWART ADVERSARIES WITH QUICK, DECISIVE ACTIONS IN CONTESTED ENVIRONMENTS. THE PROGRAM WILL ENABLE AIRBORNE COMBAT MASS BY BUILDING A TRANSFERABLE AUTONOMY FOUNDATION FOR A FAMILY OF LAYERED, UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES.
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U.S. AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER SKYBORG This foundation will deliver unmatched combat capability per dollar by lowering the barriers to entry for industry and allowing continuous hardware and software innovation in acquisition, fielding and sustainment of critical mission systems. During this effort, AFRL will prototype a suite of autonomy and unmanned system technologies equipped with capabilities that can support a range of Air Force missions. The aim of the Skyborg Vanguard program is to integrate autonomous attritable unmanned air vehicle technology with open missions systems to enable manned-unmanned teaming. This will provide a game-changing capability to the warfighter. The attritable UAV line of effort awarded by this contract will provide the foundation on which the Air Force can build an airborne autonomous “best of breed” system that adapts, orients and decides at machine speed for a wide variety of increasingly complex mission sets. “Because autonomous systems can support missions that are too strenuous or dangerous for manned crews, Skyborg can increase capability significantly and be a force multiplier for the Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Dale White, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft program executive officer, who, along with Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Air Force Research Laboratory commander, serves as the leadership for the Skyborg program. “We have the opportunity to transform our warfighting
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capabilities and change the way we fight and the way we employ air power.” To fast track this game-changing capability, the U.S. Air Force designated Skyborg as one of three Vanguard programs in 2019. These priority initiatives integrate several technology components across multiple domains to create complex, multidisciplinary solutions. Marked by an enterprise-wide commitment, Vanguards deliver advanced capabilities that transform future operations with cutting-edge technologies. As autonomy technology matures, Skyborg will bring cutting-edge capabilities to the fight at a faster pace and lower cost. Military pilots receive key information about their surroundings when teamed aircraft with integrated autonomy detect potential air and ground threats, determine threat proximity, analyze imminent danger, and identify suitable options for striking or evading enemy aircraft. Embedded within the teamed aircraft, complex algorithms and cutting-edge sensors enable the autonomy to make decisions based on established rules of engagement set by manned teammates. Field tests will ensure the algorithms’ accuracy and verify that the system continuously operates within the constraints established during mission planning. Air Force policy stipulates that people are always responsible for lethal decision-making. Accordingly, Skyborg will not replace human pilots. Instead, it will provide them with key data to support rapid, informed decisions. In this manner, Skyborg will provide manned teammates with greater situational awareness and survivability during combat missions.
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HOW IS THE AIR FORCE ADVANCING THIS TECHNOLOGY? To advance this initiative, the team is leveraging years of AFRL research into complex autonomy, open architectures, low-cost aircraft technology and manned-unmanned teaming. In previous efforts, AFRL created low-cost airframes, established a common architectures for aircraft capabilities and developed enhanced human interaction and control of autonomous machines. With small, fast-moving UAV flight experiments underway, AFRL is collaborating across the Department of Defense to increase warfighter trust in autonomous systems. AFRL has designed a programmatic approach to
utilize proven technology while guiding the maturation of early technology for future inclusion into systems. The Skyborg team is also partnering with numerous Air Force organizations, engaging program executive officers and operational commands early in the development process to build a path for acquisition, fielding and sustainment. To accelerate delivery, AFRL is leveraging new business practices and the latest digital engineering techniques to grow the industrial base and allow rapid, streamlined prototypes of future hardware and software components. AFRL is also engaged with other service components and DoD agencies to foster the insertion of superior technologies.
WHY IS SKYBORG IMPORTANT TO THE AIR FORCE? Autonomous systems can significantly increase capability and be a force multiplier for the U.S. Air Force. By emphasizing future flexibility, openness, modularity and expandability, Skyborg represents an innovative way for the U.S. to prepare for potential engagements with near peer adversaries at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. Skyborg is one of three Vanguard programs identified as part of the Air Force Science and Technology 2030 initiative. These high priority capability development efforts come with an enterprise commitment to deliver game-changing capabilities to transform Air Force operations for the future force.
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Founded in 1999 with the intent of developing a simple device to aid in the manipulation of rifle magazines while reloading under stress, Magpul have since gone on to be a brand admired and used by operators around the world, dominating a number of different sectors within the firearms industry.
Over the last twenty years, Magpul have expanded their product range ten-fold. While many people will know Magpul as the brand that revolutionised reload times, creating a product that is now as much of a household name as the firearms industry could muster, their range includes a wide selection of products that focus on three main design points - innovation, simplicity, and efficiency. Magpul believe that the key to success is found not by overcomplicating design, but rather by keeping things simple, intuitive, and affordable, using a range of methods to dictate design without sacrificing quality or performance. By incorporating ergonomic considerations, a proper user interface, and subtle visual and tactile features, the product itself should actually instruct the user about its operation and function. Although every Magpul product comes with clear, concise installation and usage instructions, Magpul aim to design products so self-explanatory that instructions become unnecessary, allowing operators around the world to focus on the job at hand, and not the tool they are using to complete it.
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DAKA TAKEOUT
The DAKA Takeout is a durable, weather resistant, 3.5-liter kit bag that’s perfect for most indoor and outdoor activities. It’s a great option whether you’re heading to the range, storing things on your boat, traveling and in need a dopp kit, or organizing and transporting your tools. What you use it for is limited only by your imagination. Easily access any equipment through the full-length water repellent zipper and, for larger items, release the two quick release buckles for a taller and wider opening. Both buckles also double as handles for easy transportation. In the event you want to securely hang the Takeout, simply release one of the quick release buckles, loop it around the object you want to secure it to, and re-attach the buckle. Like all Magpul’s DAKA products, the Takeout is made from polymer-infused textiles that are RF welded on every seam. It also incorporates their famous water-resistant YKK AquaGuard® zipper to ensure security. The construction methods and materials used in the DAKA line mean that Magpul’s storage solutions are at home in a variety of hard-use outdoor applications, yet they’re stylish enough to be front and centre in the end-user’s vehicle or office.
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CONTACT INFORMATION Magpul has an extensive dealer network, with their products available world-wide. Contact information is available on their website, under ‘featured dealers’.
www.magpul.com
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WITH THE NEED FOR A HIGH QUALITY MULTI-TOOL WHILE ON OPERATIONAL DUTY BECOMING MORE AND MORE APPARENT, GERBER HAVE SHIFTED UP A GEAR WITH A NEW RANGE OF CUTTING EDGE EXAMPLES THAT COMBINE A RANGE OF NEW INNOVATIONS WITH THE LEVEL OF QUALITY THAT HAS DEFINED GERBER’S PRODUCT RANGE SINCE THE COMPANIES INCEPTION.
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Renowned as a master in the production of knives and tools, Gerber is an American brand based in Portland, Oregon, that takes into account the unique needs of specific activities, creating products to solve the problems presented to their users on a daily basis.
GERBER SUSPENSION
The Gerber Suspension is somewhat a classic within the realms of multi-tools. Various Gerber multi-tools being built using the same chassis, such as the Truss (See issue 1 for our thoughts on this), however sometimes the original is simply the best offering, and in our opinion this rings true in regard to the Gerber Suspension. Founded in 1939, Gerber has reliably served their customer base for eighty years, providing products that revolve around three key points quality, reliability and innovation. Working out of their base in Portland, Oregon, Gerber have created a global supply chain that has seen their profile grow since the companies inception. Carried extensively by hunters, soldiers and tradesmen, decades of innovation and dedication to their cause has cemented Gerber as one of the biggest companies within the marketplace, with millions around the world relying on the quality of their products.
The Gerber Suspension comes loaded with a number of tools – 11 to be precise, including spring loaded needle-nose pliers, ‘V-Cut’ wire cutters and three screwdrivers; a phillips and two flat screwdrivers. Furthermore, the Suspension makes use of Gerber’s Saf.T.Plus locking system, which makes sure the tools remain in place once in use, protecting your fingers from any potential injuries. Furthermore, the Gerber Suspension comes included with a high quality nylon sheath to protect it when not in use.
With a wide range of products ranging from knives to machetes, multi-tools to shovels, they have consistently been able to pinpoint the specific needs of their end users and deliver products that have become engrained within their various sectors. You need only look at their track record to see how revered their products are. Gerber are in fact so confident that each item is backed by a lifetime warranty, almost challenging their users to find fault in their products.
The chassis itself is robust, with the Suspension making use of a stainless steel construction, with the handle later anodised in aluminium. Furthermore, the tools are finished in Titanium Nitride which improves the substrate surface properties. In regards to weight, the Suspension comes in at a measly 272.1g, or 9.6oz, making it an insanely light multi-tool, which has become growingly important within todays market.
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The Gerber Suspension is a classic multi-tool, with a number of later Gerber products built around the design of the Suspension. This is in part due to the chassis, which is manufactured from a single piece of steel to allow for additional strength.
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The Gerber Suspension comes armed with a plethora of tools to ensure the end-user has everything at their disposal. In total, this includes 11 different tools, including a range of screwdrivers, wire cutters, pliers and blades.
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Gerber have done everything to ensure that the Suspension doesn’t burden the end-user in any way, shape or form. One example of this is the weight, coming in at a measly 272g (or 9.6oz in the imperial system).
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To ensure tool stability, the Gerber Suspension makes use of Gerber’s proprietary Saf.T.Plus locking system. This ensures that the tools remain in place once put into use, making it perfect for high-stress situations in which the end-user cannot afford to injure themselves.
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The Gerber Suspension comes complete with a low-profile sheath which can be mounted either vertically or horizontally. On top of this, the sheath is MOLLE compatible, making it perfect for those who need to access their multi-tool in combat operations.
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CONTACT INFORMATION You can inquire about the Gerber range of products through the following lines of contact. Or you can find an extensive list of their dealers via their website: gerbergear.com AMERICA ■ Contact Number: 800-950-6161
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For over 160 years, BCB International have accumulated a unique base of knowledge and expertise, specialising in the development of life-saving and protective equipment for those operating in challenging environments, often hundreds and thousands of miles away from home soil.
Officially founded in 1914 as a medical company, BCB take their name from Browns Cough Bottle, a cough medicine developed in the 1850s for use in the Crimean war. Thanks to a chance meeting with British Defence Officials in 1950, BCB created the world’s first life raft survival kit, and have continued to design and manufacture a range of equipment that assists the end user with the mission at hand. Following a development protocol dubbed ‘CANEI’ (Continuous and Never Ending Innovation), BCB International have created a range of products that have gained many prestigious awards, including the Queens Award for Export. With a plethora of niche products available such as shark repellant, ballistic protective underwear and many more, BCB International have cemented themselves as a market leader within various different industries. With contracts with various Armed Forces contingents around the world, BCB’s product range is a range in which you can place your trust, and their insight and understanding of the environments operators find themselves in is crucial to the delivery of world-class products.
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RATION HEATING KIT
The BCB Ration Heating Kit is the result of a significant investment, with the British based manufacturer looking to design a heating kit capable of delivering the needs of both military and humanitarian missions. Designed to make use of BCB’s proprietary eco-friendly FireDragon, the BCB Ration Heating Kit utilises 7g fuel capsules which are manufactured in an aluminium container, allowing them to double up as a cooker by simply peeling the lid off and lighting the eco-friendly fuel. The fuel is capable of heating 300ml of water from 10-degrees centigrade to 55-degrees centigrade in a matter of minutes – under five to be precise. The capsules are supplied with a folding stove, which when coupled with the FireDragon containers, gives the user a perfectly working stove. The stove itself is equipped with adjustable cup support wings and can withstand multiple folds and unfolds, making it perfect for multiple uses.
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FIREDRAGON FUEL
With a large reliance on hexamine fuel cells for cooking whilst in the field, BCB International looked to address the issues surrounding hexamine, specifically the dangers it presents to the health of soldiers. Highlighting the issues with hexamine, which include the emission of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxide and hydrogen cyanide when burnt, BCB begun work on a biofuel that eliminated any potential risk to soldiers. Working with Cardiff University, BCB created FireDragon; a new all-weather solid flammable biofuel, made from ethanol sourced from the United Kingdom. BCB’s FireDragon is superior to hexamine cooking solutions is every way imaginable. With a boil time of 5 minutes and a burning period of 15 minutes, it is one of the most efficient heat sources for cooking on the market. It is completely odourless, making it the perfect product for cooking while on operational duty and it also has the ability to burn while wet which allows the modern warfighter to replenish his nutrient stores regardless of the climate he or she is operating in. On top of the above, FireDragon is easy to light, lightweight, environmentally friendly, easy to store, safe to be packed with food and can also be used as hand sanitiser. All in all the Fire Dragon Fuel does nothing but impress, with BCB International showcasing once more that innovation is at the forefront of their designs.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information, you can inquire about BCB International’s range of products via the following points of contact. ENGLAND ■ Contact Number: +44 (0) 2920 433700 ■ Contact Form: info@bcbin.com
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