Tents and Bags

[buglerbilly]

Nemo’s Magbag laughs at wimpy tentpoles and airbeams

February 9th, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis



Instead of using their super-strong airbeams, Nemo has found something even stronger to support your shelter, an MRAP.

Their newest bivy, called the Magbag Shadow SE 1P, has a set of detachable rare earth magnets that attach to the undercarriage of suitably tall vehicles to create a 27″ high 1-person tent. If you can’t find a vehicle to shelter beneath, the Magbag works just fine as a traditional, unsupported, bivy. The new M-ATVs are low-rider low (for and MRAP, anyway) at 13.4″, and isn’t tall enough to work with the Magbag.

The Magbag is made from 40 denier “OSMO,” Nemo’s proprietary waterproof/breathable tent fabric, has two doors, one large one on the side and another on the front. The doors can be made with mesh fabric for ventilation. It’s 2.5 pounds and comes with a stuff sack, stakes, magnets and a repair kit. Dimensions are 89″ long x 27″ tall x 31″ at the head tapering to 25″ wide at the feet. It’s a mil-only item available through ADS.

[ARH v.3.0]

I'm eagerly awaiting reports of the first person crushed to death because someone forgot to check under the vehicle for someone sleeping in a tent before driving off.

[Riđđu]

I'm eagerly awaiting reports of the first person crushed to death because someone forgot to check under the vehicle for someone sleeping in a tent before driving off.

And imagine all the oil and dirt under the vehicle.

[buglerbilly]

I'm eagerly awaiting reports of the first person crushed to death because someone forgot to check under the vehicle for someone sleeping in a tent before driving off.

Pretty much my thoughts.............

[Marc 1]

Or the reports of death after some types of sand that allow a vehicle to settle slowly. Fech-fech can apparently be very unforgiving.

[buglerbilly]

Very nice bit of kit................watch the video here

http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/tag/mystery-ranch/

Mystery Ranch’s new pack: go ahead, Overload it

February 22nd, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis

Here’s one we’ve been itching to tell you about since we saw it at Shot. The Mystery Ranch Overload is the Clark Kent of backpacks. It looks pretty mild mannered just sitting there. But, unclip a few buckles and the frame opens up like a taco to reveal an adjustable area that is ideal for carrying heavy and awkward items such as mortar system parts or ammo cans. This arrangement makes the load more manageable because the weight of the “overloaded” equipment is carried centered and close to the back, instead of strapped to the outside/top/front of the pack.

Here’s the man himself to explain his creation. There are few photos below showing the rig hauling some Marine Corps mortar tubes and base plates. The bag alone weighs 4.5 lbs, holds about 4200 cubes, costs about $389 and should be in stock by early April. If you already have a NICE frame (standard or BVS), your good-to-go. Otherwise you’ll need to shell out for one.

[Caligula]

I would consider the MR 'Overload' to be , firstly , copies of an amalgam of Kifaru , Arcteryx, Lowe , Crossfire and Berghaus...........and then employing none of the benefits copied ........and all of the design faults.
I suppose , too , that it also exemplifies the notion that you need no knowledge to design and market a Military Pack...........after all , the intended recipients know even less than the designers !!
Regards......................Caligula

[buglerbilly]

Cal, you need to explain specifics to us Plebs cos I don't know WTF you re talking about apart from the fact you don't like it..................you know I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge so I'm seriously curious?

More from the Ausa 2010 Winter Symposium.............




Archangel Armor’s Internal Frame Load Bearing Armor on Display at SHOT Show

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Archangel Armor will be displaying their Internal Frame Load Bearing Armor (IFLBA) with numerous partners throughout SHOT Show. Additionally, they will conduct demonstrations and be available for questions and answers at the Source One Distributors booth. Archangel just completed a load study with the North Carolina State Ergonomics Lab and will conduct a formal release of this data after SHOT Show.

[Caligula]

BB ,
You are still listed as in Membership of FSB.
There are a number of posts there which might explain why I feel dissatisfied.
Regards...............................Caligula

[buglerbilly]

Gimme Shelter – Afghanistan GearPorn Part IX

March 22nd, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis



Soldiers used off-the shelf Nemo GoGo one man tents and Mountain Hardwear 45 degree UltraLamina bags to keep them warm as they manned exposed, mountaintop observation posts. They said the colors didn’t matter to them since the shelters were usually set up behind sandbags.


Soldiers set up a Nemo GoGo at a mountaintop OP.


Soldiers were warm all winter using just a Mountain Hardwear Ultralamina 45 bag inside the Nemo Gogo bivvys.


Setup of the GoGos was quick with the hybrid hand/mouth pump. And, nobody reported any punctured airbeams.


Packing up the shelter system. The bag and bivvy compressed down and didn't take up nearly as much room as a full sleep system.

[buglerbilly]

Mysterious Packs – Afghanistan GearPorn Part XII

March 28th, 2010 | GearPorn | Posted by Rob Curtis



The signature tri-zip design of the Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault Pack BVS is all over the Pech valley on the backs of 2-12 INF soldiers. I’ve seen them in just about every color which makes me think Mystery Ranch cleared the warehouse to get the large pack order to the REF for the lighten-the-load study. The battalion command tried to order more for the rest of the soldiers that didn’t get REF gear, but were turned around by higher. Seems the bags are a bit to expensive for 4 shops to justify.

The soldiers love the bag and speak highlt of the comfort and durability. They point out the bolsters that come with the BVS model work. They lock the pack around the rifle plate and prevent it from sliding or twisting. I have a feeling a lot of these bags are going to be combat-lossed at the end of the deployment.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Anthropomorphic Exoskeleton HULC



Envisioned by Robert Heinlein in “Starship Troopers”, the HULC (pronounced “Hulk”) is a completely un-tethered, hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic exoskeleton that provides users with the ability to carry loads up to 200 pounds for extended periods of time over diverse terrain. The design allows for full range of motion including deep squats, crawls and upper-body lifting.



An on-board microcomputer ensures the exoskeleton moves with the body of the wearer and is designed to cruise at 7 mph with bursts of speed up to 10 mph. The HULC uses titanium legs to support the weight instead of the wearer’s legs and is powered by lithium polymer batteries that will last for 20 km at 4 km per hour. Currently in evaluation, the HULC could one day ensure that Allied soldiers will enjoy powerful mobility without exhaustion or fatigue from an extended tab with heavy gear. For more information please visit lockheedmartin.com or call 407-356-4464.

[buglerbilly]

From Soldier Systems...........

Mystery Cinch

July 16th, 2010

We constantly attract new readers at SSD so every once in awhile we go back into the archives and resurrect an old post. The Mystery Cinch is more poignant than ever and once you look at this video you will hit yourself in the forehead with your palm and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” In fact, simplicity might be its elegance but it has garnered Mystery Ranch with a patent.







Designed to work with any pack, the Mystery Cinch routes the straps close to the center of of the chest and prevents the straps from creeping up under the arm. Additionally, pack straps don’t adjust tight like they would during normal wear so when released from the Mystery Cinch they fall right off the arm. Its single motion, quick-release design sheds the pack smoothly. Because the Mystery Cinch uses the armor’s PALS grid it offers the flexibility to accommodate a variety of armor vests, pouch configurations, and pack straps.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/s.nl/c.999464/sc.7/.f

[buglerbilly]

ZIRO 2P SE Shelter



NEMO Equipment displayed their ZIRO 2P SE low-profile floorless bug shelter at the Warrior Expo – East. The ZIRO is a very low profile shelter (27″ of heght) featuring No-See-Um bug netting and a removable fly of 30D nylon. The lightest MultiCam tent fabric available. It is erected using three 2″ diameter AirSupported Technology beams. The mesh provides a full 360 degrees of observation so the ZIRO is great for use in hides or over the top of fighting positions to keep out pests as well as the sun. With over 28 square feet of floor space there is ample room for two occupants and the two doors at each end make ingress and egress a snap.




Air Supported Technology

Pressurized air is an integral part of structures from car tires to basketballs, from spacesuits to the massive Millennium Arches building in Stockholm. AirSupported Technology® is NEMO's unique interpretation of inflatable structures for lightweight backcountry shelters. The advantages of AST™, compared to traditional tent poles, include faster and easier setup, greater strength and wind resistance, easy and reliable repair in the field, smaller pack size, and the ability to bend without breaking.



REMARKABLE STRENGTH



When properly inflated, NEMO's airbeams can be considerably stronger than traditional aluminum tent poles. In testing, the larger Morpho airbeam withstood more than twice the downward force compared to a standard tent pole. One of the great advantages of airbeams is that even if you bend them all the way to the ground, they simply spring back into shape. Optimal air pressure for a NEMO airbeam is between 7 and 9 psi. NEMO pumps are designed to quickly deliver exactly the right amount of pressure.

EASY SETUP



In every AST™ tent, airbeams make tent setup fast and simple. Since airbeams are already connected to the tent, no extra assembly is required after the tent corners are staked. Simply attach the Quick-Disconnect valves and begin inflating the airbeam. NEMO AST™ also allows you to inflate the tent from inside during bad weather. After staking out your tent, get inside, and take your time pumping up the airbeam while staying dry.

SMALL PACK SIZE

AST™ tents can be packed into smaller and more irregularly shaped spaces than poled tents since there are no rigid elements. Leave your stuff sack at home, and stuff your AST™ tent in the empty nooks and crannies of your pack. The flexible pack size also means that more efficient packing can be possible in kayak and canoe hulls, bike panniers, or motorcycle saddle bags.

TEMPERATURE RANGE

NEMO AirSupported Technology® is capable of withstanding a wide range of conditions including a dramatic changes in temperature. At its recommended inflation pressure of 7 psi, a swing from freezing point (32 F) all the way to the most searing heat (120 F) only increases the airbeam pressure to 8.2 psi−not even close to the 20 psi minimum burst pressure of the airbeams. Starting in intense heat (120F) and dropping to the freezing point (32F) decreases the pressure to 5.9 psi−still more than enough pressure for a strong and stable shelter. The tents can withstand reasonable winds and weather with as little as 3 psi of pressure. More reasonable temperature fluctuations such as from 90F to 50F produce less than 1 psi of pressure change.

REPLACEABLE BLADDER

The shape and puncture resistance of an airbeam is provided by the outer sailcloth shell, but the polyurethane bladder inside holds the air. The airbeams should never be damaged during ordinary use, however accidents do happen. In the event of a puncture, the spare bladder can be easily repaired or replaced. Simply tie the new bladder to the damaged bladder and pull the damaged bladder out of the airbeam. The damaged bladder can then be patched with the included patch kit and kept as a spare.

[buglerbilly]

Evolution Armor’s SF 3-Day Pack

by christian on July 20, 2010



Kit Up! had a lot of help gearing up for our embed back in May, and one of our good friends for many years — and one of the world’s top hard armor innovators — provided us with some of the loadout that helped make our trip safe and mobile.

Allan Bain, the president of Evolution Armor Systems, Inc., is known in the industry as the inventor of scaled body armor– what eventually became known as “Dragonskin.” He continues to evolve the design into lighter, more durable armor systems for a variety of applications.

He may be doing this for the SWAT market in the USA and elsewhere BUT I'd be astounded if he's ever allowed anywhere near a US Forces order after the bitch-fight over his original product a year or two ago.......

But Allan also had an idea for a backpack design that met the needs of troops in places like Afghanistan well before the Army or Marine Corps put their engines in gear to outfit Joes and Grunts with a pack that spanned the capability gap of the MOLLE-Ruck or the ILBE and the assault pack.

Allan donated one of his SF 3-Day Field Packsto Kit Up! for our trip to The Stan. I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical of the design, since I come from a mountaineering background and hold panel constructed access in low regard (I prefer top-loading). But I dug the MultiCam scheme and figured I’d go light on “Bag #2″ and give Bain’s pack a whirl.

Boy was I glad…

The SF 3 worked awesome. It held enough gear and duds to last for five days at a combat outpost — which roughly equates to three days for a Joe or Grunt since they’ll be hauling ammo and food. The heavy duty zippers that open the single main compartment held up to over packing abuse and the outer pockets contorted into funky shapes without so much as a squeal from the stitching. For tactical folks, the pack sports openings in the top for radios and hydration tubes and a slip in inner panel for a hard armor plate or soft panel.

The entire pack is stiched with MOLLE webbing, so you can customize with random pockets and pouches to your heart’s content. It has a heavy-duty waist belt and sternum strap so even the heaviest loads can be hefted and allows for tons of adjustment so you can schlep it over body armor (which I did many times).

My only critique is the use of the 1,000 denier Cordura material for the buckle straps and these weird zipper pouches running down each side. The Cordura material was difficult to cinch (as opposed to nylon webbing) and the pouches were useless when the pack was jammed with gear. I’m sure some operator out there somewhere has a specific use for those side pockets, but I could never use them, and zippers = weight in my book.

But I must say, the SF 3-Day Field Pack will be the go-to load carrier for any Kit Up adventures that require gear haulage and it got tons of kudos from the Joes we covered in the zone.

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/2010/07/evolution-armors-sf-3-day-pack.html#more-1350#ixzz0uH574B29

[buglerbilly]

Review: Camelbak Linchpin- is it worth $25/pocket?

July 22nd, 2010 | Review | Posted by Rob Curtis


A Soldier checks his crypto after stashing his radio in the overflow pocket of a Camelbak Linchpin before a patrol in Afghanistan's Pech Valley, March, 2010.

We reported Camelbak’s announcement of the Linchpin back at the 2010 SHOT Show and since it’s making its way to retailers later month, it’s time for a review. Let’s get the ugly out of the way first: $190 (est. street price) is a lot of flow for a small pack.

But we think this pack is worth it.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack, holding an Ops-Core Ballistic FAST helmet in the overflow pocket.

The Linchpin is a raid and patrol pack that stands out for its versatility. It’s the first time an adjustable suspension system has made its way into such a small pack. At first, we were left scratching our heads when we saw the Mystery Ranch-designed Futura harness on the 1,800-cubic inch pack. It seemed overkill on a pack barely bigger than a large purse or a kid’s book bag. Really, it’s rare to find that kind of harness on a pack smaller than 3,000 cubic inches.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- shaped straps are a feature of the Mystery Ranch Futura Harness

Then we realized: This is a real patrol pack. It’s not meant to carry snivel gear and candy bars. It’s meant to carry mags, mortar rounds, MREs, radio, batteries and extra water. That’s the kind of dense load that turns a standard assault pack into a shopping bag with straps. You can figure six loaded M4 mags weigh 6 pounds. Add another 6 pounds for 100 ounces of water, then throw in an 8-pound ASIP radio, two radio batteries at 2 pounds each and a 2-pound MRE, and you’re already up to 26 pounds. That’s well into the range where recreational backpacks come equipped with framed suspension systems to stabilize their loads.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- Admin pocket

The Futura harness, with its sliding frame sheet system, creates a sort of limited suspension system that gives the pack more structure than most packs of this size. This lets you carry more weight with more control than a pack that just has shoulder straps with a stiffening panel. Another benefit of the Futura harness is the ability to adjust the pack’s fit to account for body armor as well as different torso heights. It’s disappointing that Camelbak didn’t include a waist belt with the pack to further stabilize the load the Linchpin is capable of carrying. However, there are lash points on the pack that suggest they may add a belt later or offer it as an accessory. Frankly, the pack is pretty geeked-out already; and the addition of a nice waistbelt might push this thing up into the $220 range.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- NVG stowed neatly up top


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- NVG stowed neatly up top.

The rest of the pack falls in line with Camelbak’s HAWG pack with a few exceptions. The pack has plenty of pockets to keep gear organized. On the pack body, there’s the main cargo pouch that’s about 1,000 cubic centimeters with antenna ports, outboard pockets that accept three M4 mags per side, a small utility optics pocket, and the discrete hydration reservoir pocket out back with over-and-under arm hydration ports. When not hauling water, the pocket does double duty as a laptop sleeve. Out front there’s a decent-sized admin pouch with a flat map pocket.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- Looks smaller than it is. That's a 15" Macbook Pro in there.

The bags fabric is in line with their 500d push away from heavier 1000d fabrics. The weight savings isn’t as dramatic in pack this small, but it does help to offset some of the weight gained by the Futura harness system.

In between the two sections is an open-topped overflow pocket for a helmet, rain gear or anything else you want to get at quickly. I saw guys load an ASIP radio in the overflow area and secure it with the compression straps. They were putting the radio inside the bag, but without an internal harness the radio controls disappeared into the depth of the bag. When the bag was stuffed with filler to raise the radio, the antenna ports were too small to get the base of the ASIP antenna through. When resorted to moving it to the overflow pocket up front, they realized it made the radio controls instantly available while still keeping the radio secure.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- antenna ports are a bit too small for an ASIP antenna base to fit through.

The hydration system will get a little upgrade from the specs first announced in January. The stated 100-ounce reservoir will be replaced by baffled, low-profile 102-ounce bladders that slosh less and carry closer to the back.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- Side pouches are sized to hold three M4 rifle mags

Lastly, by the time you read this, Camelbak will have a new lifetime warranty in place for all of its products except gloves. In the Linchpin’s case, the warranty will be good for the life of the pack. Expect a formal announcement from the company in the fall after their new products have hit stores.

Available in late July MSRP $215.

More info at Camelbak.

http://www.camelbak.com/government-military/hydration-packs/linchpin


Camelbak Linchpin backpack

[buglerbilly]

A few more shots.............


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- Velcro field for name tape


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- bottom hydration tube ports and below that are attachment ports for some kind of waist belt. Also, notice the back panel mesh was pilling from wear on body armor.


Camelbak Linchpin backpack- snug up those load lifters to get that load secure.

[buglerbilly]

Coyote Z-Lite Sleeping Pad

July 23rd, 2010



Cascade Designs has taken their popular lightweight Z-Lite folding mat and changed the color from Orange to Coyote. A simple mod but it means the world to troops who want to put the Z-lite’s egg carton-style cushioning to work in the field. It folds out to a roomy 20” wide x 72” long yet weighs in at only 15 ounces! And, unlike air mattresses, you don’t have to worry about leaks.

Previously in limited production the mat was evaluated by the Marine Corps. However, Cascade Designs put them into full production based on its adoption by an element of the US military. CPGear is the first company we have seen to offer this product.

Price USD$ 39.50

http://www.cpgear.com/StoreBox/sleeping_bags/6046.htm

[buglerbilly]

Granite Tactical Gear Rock Block Solid Compression Sacks

July 26th, 2010 | Review | Posted by Rob Curtis


Granite Tactical Gear Rock Block Solid Compression Sack

Granite Gear jumped into the military market a few years back and has slowly been filling its tactical catalog with completely new equipment alongside militarized versions of commercial staples. The Block Rock Solid compression stuff sack brings the MultiCam and coyote versions of the Block Solid to the Berry Amendment clientele.

The squared-off sides of the Block Solid mean less wasted space in your bags, especially when used in pairs. To get the idea, think about packing tennis balls vs. building blocks. Available in five sizes, we used a medium to compress a bulky 20-degree sleeping bag to the size of a Nerf football. In fact, the ¾-inch compression straps and arched lids made such easy work of the downsizing that we managed to shove a warming layer, booties and rain gear in there with the sleeping bag. The wide straps made it easy to pull all the air out of the bag, and the stitching never complained with a pop or bulge of the 210-denier fabric sides.


GG chose to use the pricey double sided MultiCam webbing. And Crye chose to make sure you know it by branding the hell out of that webbing!

The sack’s compression straps can be used as lashing points if you need to carry gear on the outside of a pack. We found the sacks shed rain for many hours, but the fabric will wet-out eventually, picking up some water weight, but the interior stays bone dry if you orient the long seam against your pack.


Here's the Rock Block Solid packed with a 20 degree sleeping bag, Gore-tex jacket and an Arc'teryx Atom jacket. I could have compressed the load more, but I kept it a little loose so I could strap it to the bottom of my pack.

Granite Gear went the extra mile with these stuff sacks, and it shows in the use of impeccable stitching, double-sided multicam straps and branded hardware. Just remember: Quality isn’t cheap. On top of that, the Minnesota-based company sources and sews all its military products in the US. But, we’ve got beat-up, 15-year-old Granite Gear stuff sacks that refuse to die. So, if you hang on to your gear, the Block Rock Solids are worth the price. Available now, size medium $40 coyote, $50 MultiCam.


Here's the drawcord. Granite Gear has gone to a thinner, lighter cord since producing this early version.


Granite Tactical Gear Rock Block Solid Compression Sack before compression. That flat cord has been replaced by 2-3mm cord in the production version.


Check out that stitching. TIGHT! And, no unfinished edges.


Granite Tactical Gear Rock Block Solid Compression Sack in the Korengal outpost. Mk19 round shown for scale.

http://www.granitetaticalgear.com/

[buglerbilly]

http://www.nemoequipment.com/

EMFX Pouches from NEMO Equipment

July 30th, 2010 At the recent Warrior Expo – East NEMO Equipment had quite a few new wares on display. In addition to the ZIRO 2P SE Shelter, they also displayed the EMFX pouch. Sure, it looks like a mild mannered pouch made from 210D Ripstiop Nylon with a tough Hypalon belt loop. But don’t judge this pouch by its looks.

The real power is inside. Using a conductive textile the EMFX pouch blocks all electromagnetic signals from reaching your cell phone. This means your phone won’t be tracked or attacked by adversaries. In addition to cell phones and other personal electronics, the EMFX pouch will also keep prying signals from interrogating your passport with RF chip.

Measuring 4″ by 5.5″ it features a roll top to keep the duct and other debris out.

[buglerbilly]

What All of the Well Dressed PJs are Wearing

August 3rd, 2010



Pro Med Kits developed this CSAR ruck specifically for the Air Force PJs. For those of you who don’t know, CSAR stands for Combat Search and Rescue and that what the PJ’s life is all about, rescuing isolated personnel from certain capture at the hands of our adversaries. Since their mission is so demanding, they use very specialized equipment. Based on the popular Medium ALICE pack, the CSAR ruck is intended for down the hoist operations. It accepts MOLLE pouches and can be fitted to an ALICE frame which, as you can see leaves ample room for Hurst tools or litters. Additionally, it comes with a removable jump harness.

Berry compliant, the CSAR Ruck is available in Coyote and MultiCam. To order, visit www.promedkits.com.

[buglerbilly]

Go airborne with the CamelBak Big Jump

August 5th, 2010 | Product Preview | Posted by Rob Curtis



The new Camelbak Big Jump is a 4200 cubic inch jump certified ruck that features a fully integrated, wraparound jump harness. Some neat tricks are the snap-together zipper pulls, the internal radio harness, shoulder straps that stow in the backpanel, topside external load straps, and a reenforced handle for lowering line use. It’s made from 1000d Cordura fabric and will come in coyote tan and UCP. Camelbak is putting the final tweaks in place and is working out the pricing. We’ll let you know when they let us know.

[buglerbilly]

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

August 5th, 2010


We recently learned about Hyperlite Mountain Gear which manufacturers ultra lightweight shelters made from Cuben fiber, a non-woven material used as sail cloth. They offer packs as well as one and two-man shelters and tarps including their flagship ECHO I Ultralight Shelter System. Consisting of a Cuben fiber tarp, a detachable mesh tent insert for insect and ground water protection, and a detachable vestibule for wind and storm protection, the ECHO I weighs a scant 1.36 lbs (21.8 oz) with guy lines. Don’t let the photo with the white color turn you off. Cuben fiber can be dyed virtually any color. In fact, Hyperlite Mountain Gear has a digital camo version.


Great for solo adventuring, distance hiking, lightweight backpacking, climbing, camping, cycling, kayaking or canoeing, the Echo I is a 1.24 lb (19.8 oz) one-man tent system.

This ultralight shelter consists of three modular components: a durable Cuben fiber tarp, a detachable mesh tent insert for 100% insect and ground water protection, and a detachable vestibule for wind and storm protection. Using all components together, the Echo I works like a traditional one-man tent at approximately half the weight.

The Echo I Tarp, the system’s main component, is constructed with a cantenary cut sealed ridgeline, double reinforced tie-outs and the necessary hardware for component attachment. The Echo I Insert is constructed with a mesh ceiling, cuben fiber side panels, a full-length zipped front entry, and an extra-strength cuben fiber bathtub floor. The vestibule, called the Echo I Beak, is made from Cuben fiber and provides full protection against high winds and driving rain. With hiking poles, tent poles or a sturdy stick, the Echo I components can be pitched together or individually, providing the user with ultimate versatility. Set-up time is three to five minutes depending on ground conditions.

1.24 lbs (19.8 oz)
1.36 lbs (21.8 oz) with guy lines

RRP: USD$490.00

www.hyperlitemountaingear.com

[buglerbilly]

Kifaru Releases OTW Bag

August 10th, 2010

During SHOT Show we wrote about the new Outside The Wire Bag from Kifaru Tactical. It is an excellent flat bottomed design with ample room to see the contents when open. Additionally, the OTW Bag features PALS webbing on the exterior and loop as well as elastic on the inside to accommodate the user’s needs. You can see all of the bag’s salient characteristics in this graphic provided by Kifaru. Available now in Black, Coyote, Foliage, OD, MultiCam and UCP. Camo patterns are the same price as monotones until 10 November.

http://www.kifaru.net/otw.html




shown on a 5ft. 9 in. man ( long torso)

Price: $198.00, any color!

After November 10, add 10% for specialty colors

[buglerbilly]

Army Now Issuing Medium Ruck for Afghan Ops

by christian on August 11, 2010



You’ll remember Kit Up! broke the news in May about the Army’s selection of the Medium Ruck — a middle-road backpack that allows troopers to carry enough gear for a couple nights at a remote firebase or COP.

The Army selected an external frame design along the lines of the current MOLLE Ruck, with a 3,000 cube+ capacity.

“It’s going to the capability for Soldiers to carry equipment between that 24 and 72 hours,” said Lt. Col. Mike Sloane, a top PEO Soldier official. “The intent is to have everything they need but not too much, because when you’re climbing up and down the mountains of Afghanistan, every ounce counts.”

“We’re trying to right-size the Soldier for a specific mission and tailor his equipment to do that.”

The Medium Ruck is now being issued to Soldiers kitting up for deployment to Afghanistan in their new (now it’s called OEF Camouflage Pattern) MultiCam. And the airborne center is in the process to get the same pack certified for airborne ops.

For right now the Army is issuing this in OCP for troops heading to Afghanistan, but it will become part of the service’s inventory of issued equipment and will be available in UCP (or whatever else the Army settles on for its camo evaluation), Sloane told Kit Up!

Read more: http://kitup.military.com/#ixzz0wJhjkrfb

[buglerbilly]

Digi-Camo pic of the Hyperlite tent............

[buglerbilly]

E&E Bags

August 19th, 2010



Call them what you will, E&E bags, bug out bags, or satchels, they are a long way from the salvaged Claymore bag you used back in the 80s. In fact, the modern E&E Bag was first developed for Diamondback Tactical by the founder of Mayflower Research & Consulting in 2003 based on his military experience. Over the past few years, the original design has been copied and modified by a slew of manufacturers, even morphing into the Courier Bag requirement for USSOCOM. The item is far from static and even Mayflower has improved on that first design.



The latest bag to hit the market is the Terrorist Interdiction Bag (TIB) from One Source Tactical’s Technical Services Division. It is the first bag of its kind designed to accommodate AK magazines. As you can see in the photo below, the retention tabs have been specially designed to secure the AK30 magazine from US PALM. Naturally, it will also carry other similar sized including M4 magazines.

Available in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam.

MSRP: $69.99
OneSource Price: $54.99
You Save: $15.00 (21 %)

http://www.onesourcetactical.com/terroristinterdictionbagtib.aspx

[buglerbilly]

GTG Chief Flatbed gets the nod from the Air Force

September 1st, 2010 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis


Granite Tactical Gear Chief Flatbed, PHOTO: Courtesy Granite Tactical Gear

The Air Force must have had a good meeting with Granite Gear at Outdoor Retailer last month becuase they just dropped an RFQ for 20 Chief Flatbeds (or equivalent). The Flatbed uses the C.H.I.E.F. frame (or “Cheif”, if you’re running without speel check enabled) as found on SOCOMs current patrol pack and hangs a giant beaver-tail on it to carry awkwardly shaped loads. Think humping a set of Jaws of Life and you’ve got it. It’s also set up to carry a Watershed Amphibious Cargo Carrier to make a sweet over-the-beach bag.

We had our own meeting with GTG and they told us they’re already looking at a few improvements for Flatbed v2. One change they plan is making the beaver-tail flap removable. This will let you strap gear directly to the back using the straps and PALS webbing on the back panel and run without the interference of the flap; handy if you’re carrying something long. They are also looking at adding a PALS field on the inside of the flap to accommodate their modular pockets. The CHIEF Flatbed is $500 in tan, $590 in MultiCam. More info at Granite Tactical Gear or their distributor Outdoor Tactical.

http://granitegear.com/store/aboutusgtg.html

http://www.outdoortactical.com/Granite_Tactical_Gear.html


Granite Tactical Gear Chief Flatbed, shown holding a Watershed ACC (Amphibious Cargo Carrier) fully submersible dry bag.PHOTO: Courtesy Granite Tactical Gear