SHOT 2023 | Outdoor Research Pro
Outdoor Research displayed the new Allies clothing line; a TAA compliant layering system that mirrors their Berry Compliant manufacturing capability.
Allies Colossus Parka
The Colossus Parka and pants offer a versatile mix of insulation and wind resistance are available in ranger green, coyote and Multicam. The construction seems to be well executed and there is a high degree of attention to detail. The zippers are high quality and there is some material similar to waffle top in areas next to the skin.
The loop field on both shoulders features their new OR Pro logo, which helps in toning down the “tacticalness” of the jacket when not wearing any patches or insignia.
The jacket is made with AscentShell™ 3L, 100% nylon 70D plainweave with 100% polyester 30D knit backer. This combo seems to be a good recipe for making it a very wearable jacket both stateside and overseas.
Allies Mountain Jacket
New OR Pro MuzzleBrake
Many years ago OR launched a hot weather combat ensemble which was featured here on UrbanSurvivorBlog.
Soon, using the same MuzzleBrake nomenclature, they will be launching a new combat set with some interesting features.
Allies Microgravity Jacket
This jacket seems to be a very promising Level 4 hardshell.
MuzzleBrake Field Shirt
MuzzleBrake Softshell Jacket
This hybrid jacket features the sleeves and shoulder of a combat top but the core of a classic soft-shell jacket.
SeaTac Pants
SHOT Show 2019 | Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research is now producing insulation layers in Multicam Alpine.
SHOT Show 2018 | Outdoor Research
New Products:
Combat Shirt to be added to the hot weather line, the Muzzle Brake. One of the main feature of this line is the Gore Katana fabric with inherent insect repellent properties contained in the fibers as well as no-melt/no-drip.
Outdoor Research | New Line of Apparel
The Seattle based company has delivered technical apparel to the outdoor and mountaineering community since 1981; with this experience Outdoor Research has made the decision of entering the high-end tactical modular apparel segment of the market with the 2017 line.
The close relationship with highly experienced users within the special forces community has brought valuable feedback that was leveraged to develop products designed for high performance activities even in extreme environments. For many years Outdoor Research has designed garments with an high attention to details and materials, most of which are exceptionally innovative.
Infiltrator Jacket and Pants:
The Infiltrator jacket and pants are designed to provide the soldier with a high level of protection from the elements while allowing a high degree of flexibility and movement during performance activities with the GORE-TEX® Fabric with Stretch Technology. This innovative material is lightweight and stretches while still retaining its waterproofing properties. The jacket and pants are available in Multicam, Coyote and Mas Grey (although the one showed in the picture is an early prototype without matching zipper and logo).
Infiltrator Jacket:
- Fully adjustable advanced combat helmet compatible Halo-Hood
- YKK AquaGuard Vislon zippers
- Zip hand pockets
- Torso Flo venting
- Internal front stormflap
- Pocket placement above harness or pack/belt
- Hook and Loop cuff closures
- Elastic drawcord hem
Infiltrator Pants:
The Infiltrator pants provide shelter from the most adversed atmospheric conditions. The side zipper allows the user to rapidly deploy them over the uniform while the lightweight GORE-TEX fabric facilitates storage when not in use. The Infiltrator pants, similarly to the jacket, uses the new GORE-TEX® Fabric with Stretch Technology for better comfort and performance during high intensity activities.
Three fabric construction: GORE Military fabric (Multicam), GORE-TEX® Fabric with Stretch Technology (Coyote), SuperFabric reinforcement panels (Multicam).
- Articulated knees
- Side zips
- YKK AquaGuard zippers
- Internal loops for instep lace
Colossus Parka
The Colossus Parka is a water resistant and wind resistant insulated outer layer designed to be used in adverse climates, even during stationary activities. The down-like PrimaLoft Gold provides a high degree of insulation while keeping the overall volume and footprint of the garment suitable for tactical activities.
- Staggered insulation to prevent cold spots
- Draft tube around face and neck
- Two internal Shove-It™ pockets
- Zip chest pocket and zip hand pockets
- Internal front stormflap
- Integrated hood cordlocks
- Brushed tricot-lined collar and back of hand inside pockets
Tradecraft Jacket, Vest and Pants
The Tradecraft line is a PrimaLoft Gold standalone/mid-layer garment designed to provide insulation without the bulkiness of fleece and the weather vulnerability of down. Jacket, vest and pants are water-resistant and wind-resistant.
Tradecraft Jacket:
- Zip chest pocket
- Zip hand pockets
- Internal fron stormflap
- Brushed tricot-lined collar
Tradecraft Vest:
Zip chest pocket- Zip hand pocket
- Hybrid-mapped construction
- Internal front stormflap
- Brushed-lined collar
Tradecraft Pants:
- Separating side zippers
- Zip hand pockets
- Zipper fly
- Stretch gusset in the crotch
- Articulated knees
- Elastic back waistband
Obsidian Hooded Jacket and Pants:
With the Obsidian line Outdoor Research aims at bringing to the market one of the most versatile combination of softshell jacket and pants. The use of high-tech fabrics and materials such as the SuperFabric and the Tweave fabric provides flexibility, breathability and toughness to the Obsidian. The water-resistant, wind-resistant, and abrasion-resistant properties are just the foundations of this new operator-ready garment.
Obsidian Jacket:
- Reinforced SuperFabric panes on inside of forearms
- Hybrid Stretch panels on the hood and under the arm
- Helmet compatible Halo-Hood
- Zip hand pockets
- YKK DWR treated zippers
- Integrated hood cordlocks
Obsidian Pants:
- Reinforced SuperFabric seat area
- Front slash pocket
- Glued and stitched zip thigh pocket
- Zipper back pocket
- Brushed Tricot waistband
- Hook and loop closure over button fly
Prevail Hooded Jacket
Designed to provide shelter from wind and light rain under high-performance activities in which is also required a high degree of movement and perspiration. This extremely lightweight jacket (only 5.4 oz. / 152g) is water-resistant and wind-resistant while still maintaining its breathable and quick-drying properties.
- Adjustable hood
- Zippered chest pocket
- Single-separating front zipper
- Internal thumb loops
- Low-Pro Binding cuffs and hood
- Elastic drawcord hem
Foundation Line
The foundation line is the layer closest to the body. Its purpose is to be keep the skin dry by moving the moisture away from the body while still retain heat, especially in colder environments. Outdoor Research includes 4 pieces in this line, two tops and two bottoms.
- Wool-Poly blend
- Inherently Antimicrobial
- Quick-Drying
- Moisture-Wicking
- Breathable
- Lighweight
SHOT Show 2017 | Industry Day at the Range
Savage Arms:
MSR 15 Recon:
MSR 10 Hunter:
Daniel Defense:
DDM4V7 11S
DDM4V7 LW (Light Weight)
DDM4V7 Pro
MK18
Q:
Honey Badger
The Fix
Hudson H9:
SilencerCo:
Maxim 9
New Suppressor:
Kriss USA:
Updated Vector with new upper receiver and new Defiance furniture:
Defiance (Brand of Kriss USA):
DMK 22 LR (AR carbine in 22LR)
CMC Triggers:
Glock Trigger
AR Triggers
Troy Industries:
Vortex Optics:
New Razor Sight:
Geissele and ALG:
Springfield Armory:
Saint AR15
AeroPrecision:
Barrett:
Rec7
Ruger:
American Pistol
Blackhawk! Suppressors:
Outdoor Research | Topo Waterproof Jacket
This week, at SHOT Show 2016 in Las Vegas, Outdoor Research has released a new jacket for their military/tactical line. The Topo jacket is based on Gore’s Light and Fast military fabric. The main feature of the Topo is flexibility of movement, this is possible with the application of a stretch fabric in key points of the jacket. The cut and the fit is inspired by the Axiom jacket, one of the greatest successes of Outdoor Research.
What is really interesting about the Topo is that even if the jacket stretches it still maintains waterproofness and breathability. It is articulated in order to provide flexibility and free of movements in key spots of the body. The Topo fabric, in coyote, is also designed to be worn under chest-rigs, plate carriers and backpack. In certain spots, during high-intensity activities, both breath-ability and stretch are required for comfort and maximum performance.
The Topo Jacket is available in Multicam and Coyote for a MSRP of approximately $500.
For more info please visit: military.outdoorresearch.com/
Arc’teryx Blade24 EDC Backpack Loadout
What you carry on your person everyday (or at least accessible close to you) may dictate the success or the failure of a difficult situation.
Whether it is a medical, practical or defensive scenario carrying basic or advance equipment is really important.
If you live in an urban environment and you are not always close to your vehicle it’s suggested to build an EDC kit in a backpack or a sling-bag.
In our opinion your self defense tools and equipment should be at all times on your person. We only use our backpack to store extra mags, but not our primary firearm. If the situation does not allow us to reach for our EDC backpack we sill have a concealed-carry handgun with mounted light and extra mag, a folding blade, a smartphone, a wallet, a tactical flashlight and a tourniquet. Keeping our EDC defensive tool in the same location will also provide efficiency and accuracy to the situation.
We like to divide by priority and importance our daily-carry equipment into different levels.
Level 1: the EDC items carried on your belt and pant’s pockets.
Level 2: items in your bag directly accessible from the outside.
Level 3: items organized in pouches and dividers inside the bag.
About the backpack:
One of the key features that we really like of the Blade’s design is its side-access. This allows us to open and extract the content without dropping the bag or revealing what’s inside. Arc’teryx has padded this bag like a tank, it is comfortable, light and extremely protective towards electronics or fragile items.
The Blade has many pockets, some visible and some hidden. On the top, next to the handle, there are two pockets: one specifically designed for eye wear and one for GP items. On the side there are three pockets: the admin pocket (with stitched organizers for admin tools), the main compartment and the laptop (or even ballistic plates) compartment. All the internal parts of the bag are made of hi-viz nylon for better efficiency. The hidden pocket is located on the lower back close to the body, and it is intended for documents, extra cash, copy of conceal carry permit or passport.
Even on the road this backpack is really handy, in case of an accident (especially at night) you can grab it, exit the vehicle and move towards a safe location without keeping any valuables in the car. In the admin pocket we have placed two S&S Precision V-Lites and a Manta strobe to mark our presence to other drivers or the authorities until we have access to roadside flares.
This backpack is efficient and feature-rich without screaming “tactical”. We like the adaptability of PALs webbing and we like Camo but in most urban environments it just stands out too much. The clean design of the Blade 24 allows to be “undetected” or just not to stand out too much.
Bag, Pouches and Cases:
Arc’teryx Blade 24
Maxpedition Fatty Organizer
Maxpedition Mini Organizer
Salewa Med Pouch (With personal kit)
6×6 Pals Multicam Pouch
Thule 13″ Laptop Case
Items directly accessible:
Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket
Outdoor Research Halberd Sensor Tactical Gloves
Princeton Tec Remix MPLS Headlamp in Multicam
AKG Headphones
Boker VAT tool
Princeton Tec Switch light
S&S Precision V-lite Green
S&S Precision V-lite Blue
S&S Precision Manta Strobe
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Space Pen
Oakley SI Ballistic DetCord in Cerakote
Surefire E2D Defender Ultra
Pick Lock Kit with Tecnora and Kevlar Strings
Vapur 0.7 Water bottle
Items stored in pouches:
Pelican 1010 Case
Samsung 250gb T1 SDD
Storacell 123 Battery holder
Gerber MP1 Multiplier
550 Paracord
Gerber Shard Multitool
Surefire EP-1 C Ear Pro
Bic Lighter
Steiner T824 Compact Binoculars
Altoids Tin with basic Survival kit
Inforce 6vx backup Flashlight
Rite in the Rain notepad
Cyalume 6″ green
Samsung 13000mAh Battery Bank
Sharpie
Chargers for electronics
Med Kit:
1 x QuikClot Combat Gauze
2 x Gauze Pad (4″x 4″)
1 x Elastic Bandage
1 x Tourniquet
3 x Pharmaderm Antibiotic wipes
3 x BurnFree Gel
10 x Normal Band Aids
8 x Special Shape Band Aids
3 x 3M Steri-Strips
1 x Aluderm Gauze Pad (8″x 8″)
2 x Aluderm Gauze Pad (4″x 4″)
1 x 3M Micropore Tape
1 x Surgical Tape
2 x Sterilized Gloves Nitrile
2 x Ketoprofen
10 x Ioperamide
2 x Paracetamole
2 x Amoxilline (antibiotics)
4 x Aspirin
4 x Iburofen
1 x Fine-Point Metal Tweezers
1 x Space Blaket
Inside Altoids Tin:
3 x 3M Steristrips
2 x Bandaids
2 x Iboprufen
4 x Antihistamine
4 x Water tabs
1 x 3M Ear Pro Backup
1 x Pencil w/ 1ft of tape and 20 ft of floss
4 x Stormproof matches
1 x Exotac firestarter
1 x Clip Compass
2 x BurnFree gel
1 x Alchool wipes
Outdoor Research | Helium II
The Outdoor Research Helium II is a light-weight waterproof jacket ideal for many outdoor applications. This product was originally designed for climbers and runners to be worn for a short period of time during a storm. The main concept behind this product is to always carry it with you.
Due to the extremely light-weight we have kept the jacket stored in our EDC backpack every single day for the whole season. With an astonishing weight of 180 grams you literally forget about it. The jacket is so compact that can fit even in a small cargo pocket. If you actually compress it with a vacuum machine it reaches the size of an energy bar.
We have already seen some very small and lightweight jackets on the market. What makes the Helium II unique is not just the weight but the waterproofness of the fabric. We have use this jacket in many unpleasant weather conditions and it has always kept us dry. To reach this kind of excellence Outdoor Research has utilized a 30D ripstop fabric with a Pertex Shield+ 2.5L coating. At first we were quite skeptical about the longevity of the waterproof shell due to the way the fabric compresses when the jacket is stored, but even after some pretty rough use it hasn’t showed any sign of weakness.
For example if you compress some other waterproof shells on the market like Gore-Tex the layers of the PU film could break, making the fabric permeable. Gore-Tex works with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane with a hydrophobic PU film; in some cases if the fabric is folded too much there could be a loss of waterproofness.
One of the greatest features of this garment is its breathability. Keep in mind that this product was not actually designed for prolonged use, this is why OR focused more on the weight than on the features. This is a jacket to always have in a backpack or just keep stored in a bag. Even if it does not have armpit zippers (like the bigger brother Helium HD) it still offers enough breathability to get the job done.
If you plan to wear this jacket for a longer period of time please take a look at the Outdoor Research Helium HD, it features a more complete type of hoodie and pockets, for a slightly larger size and weight.
Outdoor Research has done a great job designing the hood. It features a bungee cord that runs from the forehead to the back of the head, and if pulled tight it really secures the hood and the visor, offering a very smooth and “noise-free” motion. The visor is made of a much stiffer material allowing a very comfortable wear during storms. This feature really comes handy when shooting (both handguns and rifles) under bad weather.
We have chosen the black/hydro version of this jacket because it does not scream “tactical” while still offering some decent concealability. The blue OR logo and zipper don’t really stand out too much but are keen to make the user appear as a civilian. On the range this jacket is fantastic, due to the lightweight it can always be packed in a range-bag, and as soon as it starts raining you have backup. The elastic on the wrist allows to keep a clean motion during weapon manipulation, without risking of getting the garment in the way.
The choice between Helium II and Helium HD is only driven by the application of the user. Both offer lightweight, waterproofness and breathability. So because we like to carry this shell 24/7 in our backpacks we decided to go with the more lightweight/small version rather than the feature-richer one.
For more details about the Helium II please visit the Outdoor Research website: OutdoorResearch.com
BCM | 300 Blackout
Bravo Company Manufacturing has released a full line of 300 Blackout carbines and upper receivers. With this latest addition, BCM has officially entered the 300 blk segment of the firearm industry. The many similarities in the components of the weapon platform between .223 (or 5.56) and 300 Blackout allow an easy and cost effective caliber conversion.
In the past few years we have seen many other companies entering the 300 Blk market; we are very glad to see one of the best firearms manufacturer following the same steps. BCM will be offering the 300 Blackout upper receiver in 16″ RECCE, 12.5″ CQB and 10″ Pistol lengths.
Approved by SAAMI on 17 January, 2011, Supersonic 300 AAC Blackout 110-125 grain 300 Blackout ammunition was designed to produce a similar ballistic effect on target of a 7.62 x 39 mm round but out of a 9″ barreled AR platform carbine. At 300 meters, 300 Blackout has 16.7% more energy than a 7.62 x 39mm round. A supersonic round fired from a 9″ barreled AR pattern 300 Blackout carbine will match or exceed the energy at the muzzle of a 14.5″ 5.56 M4 carbine.
BCM 300 Blackout carbines use the exact same components, down to the magazines, as the rest of our carbine fleet with the exception of the barrels. This also means an end user can utilize both their existing magazines and AR accessories to fine tune the feel of their carbine, same as any other M4 or Recce rifle.
The 300 Blackout line of BCM carbines are built on our 1:7 Twist 11595E Certified Steel barrels. The bore on each BCM Enhanced Barrel is honed to perfect the rifled finish prior to chrome lining both bore and chamber. With a continuous taper profile designed to optimize balance, performance and weight; each BCM barrel is fluted toward the rear near chamber, increasing strength and speeding heat dissipation. Barrel harmonics and accuracy have been further improved by removing the sharp handguard cap shoulder commonly associated with AR platform barrels. Reliable, mil-spec quality, BCM Enhanced Barrels will deliver a repeated positive effect on target, every time you press the trigger.
For more information about the 300 Blackout caliber, its conversion and its performance (also at distance) please take a look at what Travis Haley from Haley Strategic Partners has to say after one year of test and evaluation with this platform.
