Still catching up with my review backlog, I'm fortunate the Team Wendy EXFIL LTP HELMET continues to hold up as a solid modern full featured bump helmet. Tactical Cool guys have been using skateboard type helmets for a while now and the EXFIL is a great example of taking that idea to create a tactical version from the ground up rather than a make do compromise.
Revision Sawflys have been around for a while, but semi recently Photochromic lenses are now available to offer some more options. By default I'm still a fan of the Sawfly glasses in general as they offer great coverage in a nice lightweight, flexible package. I was even able to get this sample in a small frame size where regular size fit my head pretty good, but the small frame is just that smidgen better. None the less I'll mostly be blabbing on about the new lens. The general concept of Photochromic is that when hit by UV light the lens darkens, which in of itself is pretty darn cool. Thus the idea is to have clear lenses in the dark and dark lenses in bright light outside that is seemingly magically adjusted on the fly without having to change lenses.
Kevlar based soft-armor has been around for a while now so when it comes to deciding which one to get these days it comes down mostly to the small details in the carrier and of course price. My neighborhood isn't the greatest so I was happy to acquire SafeGuard Armor's Stealth package. Hence the name the Stealth design is meant to be a low profile/low viz carrier. Mine is level II rated so will be the lightest and most flexible they offer, however armor inserts are available up to IIIA rated with Stab and Spike level 2. Level II raw should be fine for my intended use as street thugs don't tend to roll with .44 mag or similar larger powered pistols and I'm not sticking around for a knife fight.
Revision sent a pair of these my way out of the blue to give a try so I've been giving them a beating for about 3 weeks. At first I was pretty meh about them looking at the box thinking the concept is supposed to be a stlyish design. When I ponder fashion / style based I think of designs like Oakley Romeo and Juliet series were they really push the shapes. Thus offhand the Vipertail didn't look much different than the old school Tom Cruise "Risky Business" glasses. Anyway, after actually giving them a try and seeing no one was giving much notice along with worn photo review, they really started to grow on me. Rather than flashy fashion, I think they work great for something more covert and low key. They don't scream tactical and they don't scream metro douchebag either.
I've been digging my original Sawfly specs for sometime now so I was curious how any positive changes were going to be made to this new version. When I first got them in hand, I mostly had a "whatever... these are the same damn thing" reaction, but you know the Monkey wouldn't stop there and investigated further. While actually wearing, the most noticeable and welcomed change are the leaner arms. The ends in particular being slim make these Gen2 glasses go on much easier while wearing a hat or active ear pro / comms. On a long day of training or ops, the slim arms relieve pressure and are much more comfortable that most glasses when used with ear pro / comms.
http://www.mtekweaponsystems.com
I had the pleasure to connect with MTEK semi recently and appreciate seeing their spirit as a new company. Their current emphasis is in facial armor and what they offer is an excelent advancement compared to earlier solutions. For example the mandible cover on aircrew helemets isn't for ballistic protection and full thick ballistic riot style visors tend to poorly affect weapon handling.
I first saw these back in shotshow 2007 and am recently pretty jazzed to get my hands on a set. If you ever wanted to mount something on your helmet, usually one has to do some drilling, creative gluing, or add on some velcro. With the ARC system the user has a solid platform that allows attachments to be easily put on and off, yet also can be locked down for security. In a pack you get 2 main rails, 4 longer screws with backs, 2 Picatinny rail inserts, and 2 create-a-mount inserts. The main rails are made of some heavy duty polymers so are tough, yet lightweight.
SPECS:
ACU Ballistic Elbow Pad Insert- Threat Level II - 5" x 6" - 4.5 ounces
ACU Ballistic Shoulder Pocket Insert- Threat Level II - 4" x 5.5" - 3 ounces
I had a chance to check out the knee pad inserts earlier and luckily I now also have a set of elbow and shoulder inserts to show you guys. In the same concept as the knee pads, these pads are made to fit inside ACU pockets with no sewing or mods required.
It Isn't protective, but thought this was the best category placement for now:
A solid and affordable cover here. Made of 50/50 NYCO makes the material a good compromise of lightweight and durable. The front has a button stitch for an NVG screw hole. The cover comes with this area intact, so just cut er' open when you need to screw on your NVG mount. Reinforced holes are in the back for goggle loops and of course holes for the chinstrap system. The exterior holes, typically for foliage placement, are not present likely to cut down on the cost and they are rarely used.
TacArm is a small company that is lesser known, but has some great ideas. They noticed the problem that the issued vests were generally doing the military right, but many limbs were still being severely wounded due to lack of protection. Due to this, Tacarm's current specialty is extra soft armor protection for your main combat uniform. Although they offer fully modded uniforms for maximum armor holdings, they also offer armor that will fit in your standard uniform as is. I got a hold of the knee pad inserts and have been beating up on them for a little bit.
Phokus Research Group - Sons Trauma Kit 
COUNTY COMM Stainless Steel Peanut Lighter 
5.11-TACTICAL Level 1 9" Sock 
Revision Sawfly Glasses 
Fantoni HB 01 Black Tactical Folding Knife 
Shotshow 2010 If you find this site useful, please check out our store to say thanks! We have a good selection of morale and tactical accessories.
