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Rick Maze is reporting that Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the powerful and controversial chairman of the House subcommittee responsible for defense funding, died Monday.

Murtha died at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., where he had been hospitalized for an infection following gallbladder surgery.

Murtha was on the GearScout radar for his efforts to change the camouflage pattern worn by troops in Afghanistan from UCP to anything that works better. He was responsible, directly or indirectly, for bringing all kinds of defense related money and programs into his district.

We just came across this M.R. Gustafson’s handy Ribbon Checker for USMC, Navy and Coast Guard uniforms. If you aren’t sure where your new ribbon goes, check it with this page. Just check off the ribbons from the list presented, and the site presents a visual guide to help you get them in the right order. Nifty.

“MWR programs across the theater should be limited in scope and tailored for an expeditionary force,” McChrystal said in his Feb. 5th, 2010 FRAGO. “MWR should never be the distracter that changes the focus of the mission.”

It could be hard times for guys on the Red Alert and Pringles diet. More than 50 AAFES concessions would close under the order, including popular fast-food outlets like Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell, as well as jewelry stores, souvenir stores and new car sales outlets.

Read all the details what’s getting shut down and when over at Military Times.

Even though the winner was chosen randomly, we read all the responses. Boy, that was a bad idea! There were so many good stories that we wish we had a few hundred boards to give away to all of the entrants. But, we didn’t so we used the GearScout double blind, random number generation method to choose David and he’s promised to send us some pics when he gets his stoke on.

When I think of wool I think of itchy, scratchy and ugly grandma sweaters, I do not think of performance apparel. Listen up though, SmartWool isn’t your grandma’s wool sweater.

I received Smartwool’s women’s Microweight crew (in short- and long-sleeve versions) over the summer. As I sweated through sweltering long runs the shirts sat on my counter mocking me with thoughts of cooler weather. What a tease. I knew I was going to have to wait until winter to test these out as even the short-sleeved version was too hot above 60 degrees.

Heeeeeeeeello winter. (As I write this, the D.C. area is expected to get two more feet of snow, starting this afternoon.)

The first real test was a 5-hour trail run in the mountains. Projected forecast: Temps in the mid-60s, sunshine and general awesomeness. Actual weather: 39 degrees and hurricane-strength winds. Thankfully, as an afterthought, I’d thrown the long-sleeve crew in my pack.

While the crew didn’t block the wind (A wind vest is now on my must-have list) it did just about everything else. I layered the crew over a Mountain Hardwear Conditioning S/S top (review to follow) and found I was plenty warm despite the biting wind. The top wicked moisture away and kept my core warm and dry. As temperatures climbed to a balmy 40 degrees I found myself almost too hot.

The crew is extremely lightweight, and works well as a base layer or top layer. The 100% SmartWool Jersey knit only weighs about 5.68 oz. Its probably best suited at temperatures below 40, otherwise, be prepared to sizzle.

The only thing that could make this top better would be the addition of monkey thumbs for a little added warmth and snugglyness. It runs true to size, and fits close to the body. In this case snug is good, it’ll help the technical wool wick better, and won’t be too bulky when worn as a base layer.

And as a bonus, these tops don’t scream athletic wear, so feel free to throw on this toasty top for everyday use. No one will know you’re wearing outdoor gear.

Speaking of SmartWool … No one told me they made socks. And no one told me they were incredible. So now I’m telling you: They make socks … they are incredible. Buy them. Use them. Love them.

I tried my PhD Outdoor Light Minis (light cushion, 76% wool/23% Nylon/1% Elastic) during a fall 50k with multiple stream crossings.

[Note: I also have the PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Minis, which have a lower wool to nylon ratio and theoretically less cushion, but frankly, I can't tell the difference between the two.]

I tip-toed across the first stream crossing to keep my feet dry. On the second crossing I wasn’t so nimble and splashed in almost up to my knees. I was not please to be only six miles into a 31 mile race in wet socks. But surprise, surprise. Not even two miles later my socks were dry, my feet were happy and I was in love with this sock. Other runners even complimented me on my ‘smart’ (hehe) choice of footwear. Socks with a fan club? Apparently so.

I will never do a long trail run without them; they’re cushy, cozy, warm and wonderful. And did I mention blister-free runs? Try the socks. You’ll love them too.

Sara Davidson is an ultramarathoner and our resident women’s running gear destroyer.

Danner put up some marketing videos of their workers making boots in their Portland, Oregon facility. It’s a commercial, for sure; but it’s great footage of bootmaking. There’s more video on Danner’s site if you get jazzed on bootmaking (or video).

Most likely the Army is just reacting to the budget by cutting a few liabilities, or maybe the combat shirt buy is being held until the Army decides on a camo pattern for the Afghan theater. We know that there’s been a lot of back and forth on the UCP-D vs. MultiCam during high level meetings here in D.C. over the last week, but no decision has been made. Regardless of this cancellation, the fact that the decision wasn’t announced by the end of January makes me think the photosimulation test wasn’t a slam-dunk for UCP-D.

Also on the contract buzz today was Natick’s notices that it’s buying soft armor packages for testing from Safariland and First Choice Armor. Looks like this is related to an aircraft or aircrew protection program.

UPDATE: I just spoke with DLA/DSCP’s spokeswoman Diana Stewart who explained the Advanced Combat Shirt is safe. In fact, they reafirm that every deployer is getting one. Steward told us the DLA/DSCP got a little ahead of themselves by putting out an open bid just as the Army decided to transition the program into its contract sustainment cycle. Part of sustainment means shifting the competitive procurement process to a mandatory procurement process.

Mandatory procurement means DSCP needs to write a new contract that ensures an uninterrupted supply of the item–likely handing over the bulk of the buy to NIB/NISH once they are approved to produce the piece. DLA/DSCP are also using the hiatus to give PEO time to pass off the latest technical data package since the Army has made a few tweaks to the shirt recently. We also have to mention that Massif, the shirt’s designer, is likely involved somewhere in this process trying to maintain some of the revenue involved in the continued procurement of what began as their product.

We’ve heard from a couple of sources that Emissive Energy Corp. just sold its INOVA line of flashlights to Nite Ize. You’ve seen the little colored INOVA pinchlights on sale for $5 in every PX/BX/NEX/Trailer/HadjiShop on the planet.

Emissive seems to be keeping the military focused InForce flashlight line, though. We’re chasing the story down and will update when we get an official response from either of the players. Emissive released the original made-in-the-U.S. InForce lights in 2008 and followed up with the 6/9v models last year.

Petzl just put out its newest carbiner, the Ange, and it’s light. It’s probably the lightest keylock ‘biner on the market. The Ange is a cross between a traditional and a wiregate setup that uses a single wire gate that latches into a keyed opening to create a fully captured gate. The drilled out keyhole means snow and dirt are pushed out of the opening, and there is no hook to catch while loading or unloading the ‘biner.

The new gate’s action is provided by a small spring in the base that promises three times the life of a traditional wire gate ‘biner. The Ange comes in small for $10.95 MSPR (28g and 23mm gate opening) and large for $11.95 MSRP (34g and 26mm gate opening).

The body has a few more features worth noting: There are bumps on the top and bottom rope bearing surfaces to keep lines running in the strongest part of the device, another raised area to keep quickdraws in place and a slightly straightened nose that makes clipping in faster.

My first choice for really cold runs would be a mitten, but Mountain Hardwear’s Momentum running glove takes a close second. The polyester top layer provides a great barrier between my freezing fingers and the wind, and a palm-side fleece layer (89% polyester, 11% elastane) makes for great breathability. Run in the rain or snow and you’re hands will stay reasonably dry.

The fingers are pliable and thin enough to allow for simple tasks, like unzipping packs and tying shoes. The smarty designers at Mountain Hardwear even added what they call the “index finger trap door,” which I never would have seen on my own. I suppose this is necessary for use with touch screen electronics, so iPhone-toting runners listen up. There is also a bunch of super-reflective hexagons printed on the glove’s back that may help you avoid getting hit by a car.

Added bonus: the super-soft fleece patch between the index finger and thumb makes for a great snot rag. Gross, but necessary; frozen fingers are somewhat tolerable, frozen snot is not.

I’ve found these gloves are best for days below 30 degrees or if it’s wet. Anything warmer, and they were too hot. Crazy enough to go out when it’s below 15 degrees? Try adding a single-use hand warmer, these gloves are just insulated enough to keep it hot for a couple hours.

Look for the Momentums in men’s and women’s versions this spring for $35 MSRP.

Sara Davidson is an ultramarathoner and our resident women’s running gear destroyer.