Beez Combat Systems recently added a new blog post with additional details about the design rationale of their BALCS LVR armor carrier. The post also includes a YouTube video from a reviewer who is using the BALCS LVR in conjunction with a Haley Strategic Partners D3 Chest Rig. If I had BALCS cut armor, I would be taking a really hard look at this set up.
Check out Beez Combat Systems.
You know Vertx for their “tactical” apparel line but soon you will know them for an all new line of packs and duffles. They recently sent out a press release with some teaser images that doesn’t tell us much but it certainly entices the imagination with ideas of all new organization and attachment systems.
From Vertx:
Vertx announces the development of a new line of wearables and organizational kit. Included in the line will be various bags and packs designed for low profile operations and, concurrent with their release, the reveal of a new series of rolling duffels that will absolutely change the way you go to the range.
“Unlikely as it sounds,” says Vertx Business Development Manager Darrell Morrow, “we really have reinvented the wheel.”
Specced, patterned and prototyped by leading outdoor and tactical designer Industrial Alchemy were hinted at back during SHOT 2013. Since then they have been rigorously tested and tweaked. Most recently they were evaluated by SME Matt Jacques of Victory First Consulting, whose unique and extensive background provides unequaled insight into the many concerns and ramifications of fighting from concealment.
“Industrial Alchemy and Vertx have put some real thought and work into these bags,” Jacques advises. “There is some unexpected innovation here. New concealment elements, stowage, the incorporation of different modularity… The design of the…we can call them mounting solutions will make waves in the modular pool, It is well done. This is going to change the way people organize their gear and work on the range. There are some very different
Laughing, Morrow agrees. “We were happy with but not surprised at Matt’s reaction. It validated all our work. No one will believe what a game changer these pieces are until they put them to work. Then they’re going to need to
Jacques came to the attention of Vertx recently with the publication of an article wherein he evaluated Vertx brand pants from several perspectives (tactical, concealed carry and workaday needs). Previously hinted at on Soldier Systems back in January, the new gear will make its debut at SHOT Show 2014.
Vertx’s apparel is excellent so I have very high hopes for these new lines. Having Industrial Alchemy and Matt Jacques on board can’t hurt. Stay tuned for more details.
Check out WearVertx.com.
The Blue Force Gear Badge Holder manages to pack a ton of slick features into a traditional looking badge holder. These badge holders are hewn from BFG’s proprietary ULRAcomp Laminate – the same lightweight, bomb proof stuff that they use to craft their Helium Whisper and MOLLEminus gear. Then they add some Ten-Speed pockets on the back for stowing all sort of important stuff like tactical pens, mustache comb, your man card, and maybe some beef jerky (no vegetables allowed).
The top flap of the Badge Holder is covered with loop material (because hook material would no doubt get caught in your beard) so you can affix your patches, name tapes, blood types, and zodiac signs. No Badge Holder would be complete without a clear window that makes it easy to display your ID without removing it from the holder or to serve as an improvised occlusive dressing… just in case.
Seriously though, this is a really nice badge holder. Check it out at Blue Force Gear.
OC Tactical makes a lot of different gear but they are probably best known for their Hearing Protection Covers. They get a lot of questions regarding whether they still make them because they are never in stock on their site. The answer is yes, they do still make them… a lot of them in fact. They do a run of them every week. The demand is so high that they have trouble keeping up with just the inquiry emails.
The bad news is that, in the near term, the covers are still hard to get your hands on. The good news is that OC Tactical is exploring various ways to speed production and get these into your hands. Stay tuned for details.
Check out OC Tactical.
Worth the wait…
I have been wearing a new belt for the last 3 months. The Cobra Rigger Belt (Diamondback) from Snake Eater Tactical is one of the many Cobra belts available on the market. There is certainly no shortage of choices but this one has a combination of features that I like quite a bit.
All of Snake Eater Tactical’s Cobra Rigger Belts are made from two layers of resin treated 1 3/4″ Type 13 webbing. They add 5 rows of stitching that run the length of the belt to stiffen it. Then, depending on the pattern that you choose, they add some additional stitching that is both decorative and serves to further stiffen the belt. The result is a belt that is more than rigid enough to carry a full size handgun comfortably all day but more flexible than a belt with a stiffening insert.
The subject of this review features their Diamondback stitch pattern. It consists of 2 interlocking zig-zag stiches that form a diamond pattern, not unlike a tooling pattern that you might see on a leather belt. I think it looks great.
The belt features an AustriAlpin Cobra Buckle that is very, very durable and makes it extremely easy to don and doff. If you are a go fast type who might actually need a rigger’s belt for more than just holding up pants, the Cobra Buckle is suitable for extremely heavy loads and there is a 2” open slot in the belt next to the Cobra Buckle where you can add the carabiner of your choice.
This belt is extremely comfortable. 5 stitch pattern belts like this aren’t new. Wilderness Tactical has been using this method to stiffen their excellent riggers belts for use and it may have been used before them. This type of stiffening system works. It provides an acceptable level of rigidity while remaining more flexible than belts with plastic stiffening insert. This belt is more than rigid enough to keep a G19 or G17 comfortable when carried inside the waist band all day – even when I am on my feet and moving for most of the time.
The decorative Diamondback stitching looks great. I can’t test how much additional rigidity it adds but it really doesn’t matter since the 5 rows of stitching are more than sufficient. The Diamondback pattern’s job is to look good and it does that well. It also does a good job of reinforcing the Velcro panels which can tear off with time and use if they are only stitched around the edges.
This belt is very well made. The stitching is even and straight which is great because it is very noticeable when it isn’t straight on these long, full length stiffening stitches. There is reinforcement where there should be reinforcement and the sizing is true to measurement.
Snake Eater Tactical was easy to work with. If your belt doesn’t fit right, they will return or exchange it. I didn’t need to do that because the fit was perfect. They offer several different stitching/webbing color combinations and several different buckle colors. They also offer a version of this belt without the costly Cobra Buckle.
There are other belts on the market with Cobra Buckles but I like the combination of quality components, stitch stiffening, and good looks that this Snake Eater Tactical Cobra Rigger Belt offers.
Check out the Snake Eater Tactical Cobra Rigger Belt.
