WEAR GEAR

5.11-TACTICAL HRT Urban Boot

Details: Category: Footwear; Created: Saturday, 16 June 2007 04:46

In a time of Desert Boots, it was nice to check out this Urban style boot from 5.11 tactical. I'm still working them over, but wanted to give a thoughts so far heads up. Materials include: 100% waterproof USA leather and lined with a Sympatex® Waterproof and bloodborne pathogen- resistant membrane. The heel features non-metallic construction and Armortex®. First impressions are that it is well padded. It has a sports shoe feel all the way up to the ankle. I'm not sure what the shoelaces are made out of, but I like them a lot. They feel like usual laces, but have great non-slip qualities to them that make lacing tight easy.

5.11-TACTICAL HRT Advance Boot

Details: Category: Footwear; Created: Saturday, 16 June 2007 04:45

Based on the HRT design, this is a nice mid-height variant. The usual fancy 5.11 materials are used being lined with Coolmax® and Drilex® including a Suede and nylon upper. The end result is a good middle ground of a pretty comfy, but breathable boot. The laces and sole appear to be the same as the Urban HRT boot, but the zipper is one of the features unique to the HRT line that makes this boot the Advancer.

MAXPEDITION FR-1 Medical / GP Pouch :

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 07:20

Main: 7” x 5” x 3” with full zipper opening

Maxpedition brings us another solid addition with the FR-1 Pouch. Although made mostly as a medical pouch, It also works great as general purpose pouch with lots of bells and whistles.

ESSTAC Patch Case:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 06:03

With morale patches not going away anytime soon, Esstac has made a nice patch case for those with collections. The pouch is more of a slim design, but nicely zips up and feels rugged as all Esstac gear. The exterior front has loop velcro for ID or your favorite patch and then the inside is loop city. The interior sides are all loop, but are also sleeves in which extra patches or spare velcro can be stored. The middle has a removable 2 page pannel that is slightly smaller to make closing the pouch easier. A 3 page pannel can be made on request, but when you fill the pouch full of patches, the standard 2 pages is a good fit. One could even use the pouch for other uses by taking out the pannel and using velcro based pouches. Perhaps a nice modular toolkit pouch. Available in UCP, Multicam, Coyote, and Forest Marpat.

ESSTAC Medrat MC:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 06:02

This pouch is the result of Esstac's take on a breakout med pouch. Based on a GP shape, the pouch unzips clamshell style. The front has PALS, loop velcro for pouches, and a shockcord rig for extra tie down options. The red cord is a part of the cool quick deploy system in which one just pulls down on the cord at the bottom of the pouch which causes the zippers to unzip the pouch. Generally this works pretty well, but one does need to make sure the red cords are lined up on the sides of the pouch along the zipper. On the inside is a nice pannel full of various elastic loops to suit many needs. At the ends are extra loops using the binding tape to allow additional cord pulls if desired. The whole pannel rips out using velcro and is a good balance of usage so that it is stable, but not too difficult to rip out and get down to business.

ESSTAC Toaster Mag Pouches:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 06:01

Esstac is always good, but these Toaster mags really stand out innovation wise. At first they just look like typical double 30 round NATO pouches, but the cool thing is that the front mag slot is elastic spring loaded hence the name toaster. When sealed the mags are near level, but once the pouch is opened, the front mag springs up causing it to be much easier to grab. Then when it comes time to grab the back mag, it is easy as well since no other mag is in the way. Elastic holds the back mag in place so the pouch can still work great as a single mag pouch without any mags bouncing around or shock cord adjustment.

ESSTAC Pistol Mags:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 06:00

These are simple but well done pistol mag pouches. Made for a double stack in mind, one could also use them for 2 single stack mags. They are available both in normal flap versions and flaps with SRBs for those who want extra security. The flaps secure using a generous amount of velcro so I am a fan of the standard flap version. One thing I would change would be to add loop velcro to the inner lid so the flaps are easier fold over exposing the mags. Also I'm not sure if it was my sample batch, but the PALS compatible webbing for the malice clips are sewn way tight. I could not accomplish a weave due to lack of webbing space. That said, they still function great as is.

ESSTAC Packrat OD:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 05:59

The Packrat makes for a nice take on an admin pouch sized multipurpose pouch. Elastic on the inner front is good for pens and tools, while the back inner elastic is setup more for small notebooks. In the back is a sleeve pocket for extra documents or thin division. Personally I'd like to see another elastic strip on the inner back for more holding options. Since this pouch opens up clamshell style, it makes the pouch much more versatile than most admin pouches out there. Although PALS webbing on the front is good for quick places to put things, I'd drop the top strip and add loop velcro.

ESSTAC Murse UCP/ACU:

Details: Category: Packs/Bags; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 05:58

The murse makes for a great platform to customize your own small go bag. Although the bag is a little slim looking, PALS webbing is on the front and sides to expand as you wish. On the inside, both sides are covered with velcro to allow further pouches and dividers to be added. Velcro holsters, mag holders, pen holders etc. can be obtained through Esstac. The sides have big elastic loops to assist in separation for items like water bottles. As a bonus touch, the interior back has a D-ring and SRB for connection points. The shoulder strap is removable using two 2" SRBs. These can be a little noisy and clunky sometimes, but serve their purpose well for strength yet removable. I hope to add more pictures soon showing pouches added.

ESSTAC Hydration Pouch MC:

Details: Category: Pouches; Created: Friday, 18 May 2007 05:57

A straightforward hydration pouch with the usual great Esstac quality. Nice and thick with the double layer or cordura and uses the Lenzip zippers so they won't unzip on their own. Although this one is "naked", Esstac also offers this pouch with PALS webbing and PALS strips using cordura for the extra camo matching.