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Tag "Clothing"

VERTX Smock
Here’s an exclusive first look at the VERTX Smock. As a soft shell, this smock is the modern American embodiment of the WWII era British combat smock. In sentimental terms, think of the combat smock as the European equivalent of our M65 field jacket and you get an idea of the garment’s appeal.

It’s an distinctive piece that adds modern styling and function to a vintage design. I think this will be the first in a resurgent wave of combat smocks marketed in the States.

Features:
Vertx gave the smock a full cut so it can be worn over a chest rig or a plate carrier. It’s going to be a bit of a stretch to wear over full-on body armor, though.  It’s designed for layering and wear in a broad spectrum of environments. That’s why it’s only insulation is in the fleece lined hood and handwarmer pockets. Lined pit zips keep debris out and prevent you from sticking your arm through an open pitzip when donning the smock. There’s adjusters at the waist and hem to keep out drafts, reenforced elbows, a removable hood, and big Canadian style buttons on the hand warmer pocket flaps and the hood attachment are functional but impart an old school look.

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040111gs_saragearmarch082My CEP compression socks may make me look like I’m 28 going on 82, but I’ll wear them with pride.

My training partner bought a pair last fall and we mocked and ridiculed him until winter rolled around and he could hide them under his tights. We are mean. And Bob, consider this my apology: You were right, but you still look mighty nerdy.

Compression socks have been gaining popularity among endurance athletes for the last few years but have recently become so commonplace that I was able to find a good selection at the runner store down the street. CEP makes a full sock and a sleeve version, in black or white, and in men’s and women’s sizes. Sizing is simple: measure the circumference of your calf at the widest point and find your size on their chart. I am 5’6″ and, as expected, a size medium. Mind the directions if you buy the compression sleeves, as there is a front and a back. If you can manage to put the full-foot version on backward then you probably have more pressing things to worry about.

CEP asserts that these socks will increase your blood circulation and oxygen levels as well as metabolize lactic acid quicker; all things that will help you run fast and recover quicker. Does it work? I sure felt a difference.

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Wraith
Riding in the back of a truck before the sun rises or riding on the floor of an open-doored helicopter can be a cold experience. Guys going through the cold to get to a warm objective usually just suck it up with a uniform and body armor for the movement rather than have to deal with stowing a jacket. The Wraith top and bottom are a featherweight 40 denier winbreaking, waterproof-ish, breathable force field that is cut to run over armor and a chest rig. There’s no seam tape, but the fabric has a polyurethane backer to resist a squall, but it’s not “waterproof”. Drop the zipper for access to a mag in a hurry and use the partial side zips for venting and to get the pants off in a flash. Ball the jacket and pants up into the size of 1/2 a BDU pocket. $149 for the jacket, $119 for the pants.

Also new at the Arc’teryx booth were the leather Tactician AR gloves ($129), Kneecaps ($65) in crocodile and coyote in addition to the crocodile, and black, and the riggers belt ($129) in black, crocodile, coyote and Multicam.

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Finally, boxer shorts made with operator input! First Lite was conceived in 2007 by Kenton Carruth and Scott Robinson and these two are busy making performance base layers based on their extensive involvement within winter sports and outdoor industries and contacts within various military commands. Scott is the former Director of Marketing at Smith Optics.


First Lite’s latest creation is a pair of boxer shorts that are constructed from Merino wool for superior comfort and breathability. Merino wool is perfect for controlling odor and regulating temperature on even the warmest days – your friends will appreciate the controlled odor part best! The length was extended further down toward the knee based on input from military units to help prevent them from rolling up Each pair retails for around $50 and come in three camo patterns and black.
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Arc’teryx continues to push performance clothing in a new direction. Have a look at their latest offerings, posted mere seconds ago on their website. Go ahead and click over and witness what happens when you let a bunch of designers off the chain. The line might not appeal to everyone, but it certainly shows that performance clothing can find its way into the professional realm in ways that make you stand out or blend.

Arc’teryx Veilance

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84--SHIRT, ADVANCED COMBAT--CANCELLED - Federal Business Opportunities_ Opportunities
Some news from the contract offices today: DLA canceled its solicitation for 168k (max) Advanced Combat Shirts.

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.

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I spoke with Otte Gear president Todd Fairbain days before SHOT, and he let us in on three new jackets that are moving into production.  Being a confirmed jacket whore, and already owning some of their gear, I was more than a little interested.

Otte Gear Soft Shell

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