For those who didn’t get a taste of the OTW bag at SHOT Show, this fighting-on-the-move shoulder bag is now on the shelves. Well, at least the virtual shelves of Kifaru.
The “go bag” was created for mounted operations outside the wire. Made from 1,000 d Cordura with HDPE sheets for support, it features a “doctor bag” style with a flat bottom that accommodates most surfaces. There are all sorts of ways to keep your gear organized with exterior PALS to interior loops, pockets and a Velcro-backed panel for holsters and magazine pouches.
For $198, the OTW bag easily opens with a non-zipper top that can be operated with just one hand. While a perfect place for ammo, grenades or med supplies, this back can carry almost anything imaginable. It would even make a stellar travel bag.
The OTW Bag is available in coyote brown, olive drab, black foliage, Multi-Cam and ACU.
While newer styles of digital camouflage have a pixelated element, this takes it to the extreme. Want to actually wear camo like this on the battlefield? Better ask for a higher resolution.
Sometimes a LOL just doesn’t cut it. That’s when the ROFLcopter attacks.
What is a ROFLcopter?
It’s rolling on the floor laughing (ROFL), military style. Someone at MilitaryGear.com headquarters recently discovered this ridiculous video (above) of a ROFLcopter attack.
While it might be something as old as the Interwebs, we still love a good ROFLcopter every so often. It’s a tactical LOL, indeed.
To like, or not to like. That is the question. At least on Facebook.
We cruised through endless pages of riffraff to bring you 11 fan pages that possess a sense of community and will certainly add to your Facebook experience.
Did we leave out your favorite page? Please scold us in the comments section, and we’ll be sure to post it.
Military.com – Founded in 1999, Military.com serves as one of the major hubs for the armed services community. Ten million members strong, the website also boasts healthy support on the ‘Book with 22,000 followers. It’s wall is filled to the brim with relevant news stories and tweets.
eMail Our Military (eMOM) – In the digital age, it’s easy to reach out to our soldiers. eMOM is a charitable organization that does just that—reaching out to troops via email, letters, cards and care packages. It’s difficult not to “like” such a positive and friendly organization.
Military Working Dogs – Lapdogs need not apply. Military dogs are some of the hardest working pups in the pack. They’re dogs are barking figuratively and literally. Fans: 22,109 Latest praise: “Much respect and praise to those canines that have comforted and placed a smile on our military men and woman during times of darkness. God bless you all!”
Military Spouse Magazine – Are you married? Are you in the military? Is your spouse in the military? If you answered “yes” to two out of those three questions, you should be following Military Spouse Magazine. Fans: 11, 672. The monthly magazine uses its Facebook page to foster discussions on important topics as well as find sources for its stories.
American Military – With 21,000 followers and growing, this page is dedicated to the men and women who serve our country throughout the world. Latest post: “What y’all up to today?”
US Military – It’s no surprise that the U.S. Military has more than 25,000 followers. However, whoever runs this Facebook page doesn’t make frequent posts, and the wall is filled with self-promotional links for dog tag key chains and conspiracy theorists rants.
National Military Family Association – Founded in 1969, the National Military Family Association makes it a mission to help every military family of those serving, retired, wounded or fallen. Pull up its Facebook page to find insightful commentary, contests and hard-hitting news stories.
Military Teen – Being an acne-prone, angst-ridden teen is tough enough. Top that off with having a parent in the military, and you’re almost guaranteed the need for a place like this.
West Point – If you haven’t heard of West Point, then you obviously don’t know your U.S. Military academies. Located in West Point, N.Y., the military academy is world renowned for its prestigious alumni that includes several United States Presidents. That’s probably why it has 11,000fans.
MilitaryAvenue.com – What do a combination of military and Internet vets do? Create a military website, of course. But not just any old boring site. Oh no. MilitaryAvenue.com points you to more than 5,000 businesses across the country that offer a military discount. Sweet! Fans: 2,407.
Military Health – Medical educators, researchers and healthcare providers come together for the Military Health System, a support group for service members and family. On its Facebook page, there’s a stream of vital health information going out to more than 2,500 followers.
It only makes sense that one of the most talked about summer blockbusters features one of the most beloved mil-spec gear brands—Maxpedition.
Sit through a viewing of the star-studded thriller Inception, and pay close attention to what Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) sports in the zero-gravity hotel. Pay even closer attention, and you’ll notice it’s a black Maxpedition Kodiak Gearslinger.
Inception has been called “trippy” and “logic-resistant,” while the Kodiak Gearslinger has been described as “easy to access” and “unlike other packs.”
For $151.99, the pack features a single shoulder strap, a hydration compartment for CCW accessories, built-in theft deterrent devices and PALS modular webbing. It’s made out of Dupont Teflon-coated, 1000-Denier water- and abrasion-resistant ballistic fabric.
Inception's Arthur (Josepth Gordon-Levitt) with a Maxpedition Kodiak Gearslinger
It also makes Joseph Gordon-Levitt seem just that more badass. Actually, Maxpedition should win an Oscar for its two-thumbs-up performance.
Many military veterans know the nuances of camo like the back of their hands. To newcomers? It’s blurry, muddled acronym city.
For those with heads swirling, here’s a pint-sized breakdown of the different camo patterns used today along with corresponding acronyms.
Universal Camouflage Pattern – Known as UCP or Army Combat Uniform PATtern (ACUPAT), this is the U.S. Army’s current camo pattern. This adaptation of U.S. Marine Corps MARPAT does not contain the color black in its pattern.
MultiCam – Originally beat out by UCP in 2004 for the Army Combat Uniform, now MultiCam is slowly being phased back in to replace UCP. It can be seen already on American Special Operation units as well as some police officers. The pattern itself is an amalgamation of browns, tanks, greens and light pink.
Airman Battle Uniform – First seen in 2003, ABUs are set to completely infiltrate and take over the Battle Dress Uniform in 2011. The color of the ABU is very similar to ACUs.
Navy Working Uniform – The NWU is based on MARPAT though its color pattern uses mostly blues and grays and is worn by the U.S. Navy.
MARPAT – This camo type also goes by “digital pattern” and stands for Marine Pattern. Patented by the U.S. Marine Corps, the popular pixilated pattern is available to civilians only as an ersatz version called Digital Woodland Camo or Digital Desert Camo.
Tactical Assault Camouflage – TACAM was employed by the National Anti-Terrorism Technology Development and Training Center in 2004. Using fractal patterns, or rough, fragmented geometric patterns, the camouflage is supposed to blend in ideally with urban and suburban regions.
US Woodland – As the most widely recognized “camo” out there, woodland has been the default pattern for U.S. soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors since 1981. It’s also used by 46 other countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Venezuela.
As for the new camo patterns in the works? We’ll save that for another time. For now, check out ITS Tactical, who recently did some camo comparing of their own.
Reading online reviews is akin to being led across the street wearing a blindfold. You instill a great deal of trust in a publication or a single critic.
They could give a product a five-star, standout review. Yet when your order comes in the mail, you find out it works better as a doorstop. And you already have one of those.
Before spending hard-earned cash, it’s only natural to seek out these second opinions. However, some opinions are more reputable than others. Why? The respected critics harbor a vast knowledge about products within their industries and easily become trusted sources.
So, where do you turn? Here’s a list of six best of the best.
What he scopes: Knots, knots and more knots. His Knot of the Week feature ensures that no rope remains unknotted and no knot remains unearthed. Other reviews include more survival-type items.
Why we like him: His uber-polished site launched in early 2009, quickly beoming the destination for the tactical community. He even has his own iPhone app!
What he scopes: A healthy diet of tactical gear, watches, weapon accessories, Maxpedition gear, military clothing and an assortment of other doodads.
Why we like him: This eight-year Marine Corps reserve veteran now works in armed security and is an outdoor enthusiast. So, he has gear experience on and off the clock.
What he scopes: From boonies to coffee makers to tactical checkbook covers, random is the name of the game. If it’s tactical in the least bit, it’s getting reviewed.
Why we like him: Variety. With a new post about once a week, there’s a steady stream of new content and insights.
What he scopes: About six times a month, he posts in-depth reviews of military footwear, apparel and gear.
Why we like him: Since he’s never had military or law enforcement experience, he gives a civilian perspective on military gear he likes. There’s rarely (if ever) a negative review. There’s also an awesome number of product photos on this site.
The military gear industry has always had a love-hate relationship with Velcro. We love the easy access it provides; we hate the tip-off-the-bad-guys tearing noise it creates.
And now there’s another quality to add to the “hate” list.
Soldiers in Afghanistan say that sand is affecting the stickiness of the fasteners, making it difficult to keep cargo pockets closed. Last month USA Today reported that the Army will be replacing Velcro with buttons on its uniforms. While on the old-school side, the troops have decided buttons are more reliable in desert conditions.
While most know Velcro as, well, Velcro, its non-generic name is hook-and-loop or hook-and-pile fastener. Invented in 1941, hook-and-loop closures didn’t appear on army combat uniforms until 2004.
“This is the latest proof that dust and debris are the biggest enemy for the U.S. military,” Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute and a consultant to defense contractors, told USA Today. “Taliban attacks come and go, but dust is constant in Afghanistan. Dust will impede the function of anything.”
Additional disadvantages of Velcro include its loss of effectiveness over time, its tendency to collect hair and dust (and sand, of course), and its ability to attach itself to other clothing items.
However, if you’re stuck with Velcro there is one way to distract your enemies …
Do you love Velcro or do you hate it? Does it serve a useful purpose on military gear?
Ghillie suits take woodland camo a step further. One of the most intense forms of camouflage, the suit does more than mask your location.
In fact, some suits can mimic the surroundings. How so? With enough extra foliage tacked on, a swift breeze will have your accessories swaying right along with the trees and bushes.
Developed by a Scottish gameskeeper in the 19th century, ghillie suits today are typically handmade or built from six separate pieces including a poncho, BDUs or even a pilot’s flight suit. While they generally retail for $115 to $300, you can always save a little bit and try making one on your own.
Making your own suit can range in cost between $60 to $70, according to YouTube user PureMumbles. “I believe making a ghillie suit should be easy and actually quite fun,” he says in his how-to video posted above.
Put down a regular t-shirt, and frame the netting around it.
Cut off sleeve areas so you can put it on like a normal shirt.
Cut jute in foot-and-a-half long strands.
String the jute onto the net. Fold each jute strand in half in order to get a loop at the very end.
Stick jute into the little holes on the net, and pull it out about an inch or two.
Take the other half and stick it through the loop. Eventually all you have to do is pull, and it will form a little knot.
Keep on repeating this until the entire net is covered.
Paint the suit (if necessary) to match your surroundings.
Have you made a ghillie suit before? Any other sort of camo? Share your DIY tips below.
It only makes sense that one of the most talked about summer blockbusters features one of the most beloved mil-spec gear brands—Maxpedition.
While most know Velcro as, well, Velcro, its non-generic name is hook-and-loop or hook-and-pile fastener. Invented in 1941, hook-and-loop closures didn’t appear on 