Anyone with true operational experience knows the mantra “Cubes and Ounces.” The slickest tactical doo-hickey is all good until you have to hump it ten clicks over uneven terrain. When you’re required to carry the entirety of your worldly possessions on your person, every cubic inch and especially every ounce becomes a major consideration.
As a Team Medic, this was an especially big deal to me because I had to carry my med gear in addition to all of my tactical equipment. We used to joke about the new guys fresh from selection and training because of the amount of gear they would strap to themselves. On the civilian side, we used to call them “SWAT Turtles” because our thinking was that if they fell on their back they probably wouldn’t be able to get up unassisted. On the flip side, the senior guys were the ones who streamlined their gear to the max. Field stripped MRE’s anyone? [Read More…]
How many times have we all heard that phrase and does it truly apply today with all the developments in the tactical industry? Suffice to say that there’s always going to be some truth in that statement, but I’d like to take a look at the down and dirty of the abuse that equipment endures.
To check out the rest of my article head over here to Center Mass Group who I’ve written this contributing article for. They’re a great group of former Navy SEALs that have recently started their training company that allows the experience of being trained by the most elite combat unit in the world. They deliver insight into the training of SEALs that until now has been unavailable outside the secretive walls of their elite community.
Today we’ll be taking a look at Source Hydration Systems, which I feel to be the leading hydration bladders on the market today. I’ll also show you some killer pouch offerings by London Bridge Trading to complement them.
Until I finally found a easy “source” through Tactical Distributors to purchase Source Military products about a year ago, I discounted them due to being hard to find. Once getting my hands on them, I quickly wished I’d done the extra leg work back then to get them! [Read More…]
A Burrito Sized Backpacking Chair that weighs just over a pound? Yep, you read that right. It’s not exactly a Taco Bell Burrito I’m talking about, but more a San Diego Burrito. If you’ve ever had one than you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. I think they weight about the same too!
In the neverending quest to find a small, lightweight backpacking chair I’ve purchased quite a few different options over the years.
I’ll talk about why the ALITE Designs Monarch Chair trumps all those that I’ve come across and why it should be on your next packing list! [Read More…]
The most frequent question I get asked by people I meet on the trail or who read my blog is how do they get started with lightweight backpacking?
Usually they’ve read some articles online, seen some gear reviews in a magazine, or hiked with someone who had a much lighter pack they theirs. They’re typically already convinced of the benefits of going lighter, but just don’t know where to start. [Read More…]
You’ve no doubt heard us talk about AustriAlpin Cobra Buckles and seen them utilized on products we’ve reviewed, like the 215 Gear Ultimate Rigger’s Belt and the Jones Tactical Cobra EveryDay Belt.
While Cobra Buckles are excellent buckles, I’ve recently been introduced to a new SRB (slide release buckle) called the Raptor at TTPOA last week. I definitely consider the Raptor to have been one of the best new products at the show and I’ll tell you why. [Read More…]
A few months back we brought you a comprehensive review of the 215 Gear Ultimate Rigger’s Belt.
Today we’ll be reviewing 215 Gear’s newest release, the Enhanced Rigger’s Belt.
Made to the same rigorous standards as the Ultimate Rigger’s Belt, the Enhanced Rigger’s Belt offers a low-cost option for those that don’t require the features of the URB’s Cobra Buckle. [Read More…]
Today on ITS we’d like to introduce the Jones Tactical Cobra 1.5″ EveryDay Belt.
Jones Tactical is becoming well known for his custom gear that’s handcrafted with the utmost attention to detail, and made in the U.S.A.
We’d seen pictures of his work and heard the praise before reviewing this belt, but words can’t describe the quality that Jones Tactical brings to the industry.
The EveryDay Belt is without a doubt one of the finest belts you can mount a concealed holster on. It does a pretty good job of holding up your pants too! [Read More…]
It’s the simple things in life… Down Range Gear recently blogged about a new product in development they’ve dubbed the Belt Stabilizer.
We live for reporting on revolutionary designs like this, and are truly excited about this product.
The Down Range Gear Belt Stabilizer is something we took one look at and laughed. Laughed that no one had thought of this sooner! [Read More…]
215 Gear has just released their take on the classic riggers belt with the Ultimate Riggers Belt.
The revolutionary design of the belt is certainly game changing compared to anything we’ve seen. They have replaced the traditional riggers belt v-ring with a unique sewn loop for emergency rappelling.
Riggers belts are commonly available with or without v-rings for the simple reason that some people want the strength and durability of a riggers belt, but have no use for the added bulk and weight of a metal v-ring. [Read More…]
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