Aftermarket Kit Manufacturers: Where to go for good gear

[chrisf]

I am not a soldier, nor was I ever a member of the CF.   But:

Everything I have heard about non-issued kit is that once you have passed your basic, you go with what works, and provided it makes sense, nobody really hassles you about it.   At one point (or maybe still?) a lot of our guys used American issue rain gear in the field because ours was lousy.

It depends on the unit, the sergeant major of the unit, why you'd NEED to use civilian kit, and the kit in question. By and large though, non-issue kit is frowned upon, except in cases where the army doesn't issue somthing to fill the role, though that would be pretty much nothing (Backpacks used as assault packs or day packs are commonly seen, though they're authorized for use anyway, camel backs are a common purchase, as are knee pads). The biggest thing about non-issue kit is that it pretty much HAS to be olive drab, cadpat, or black if you intend to wear it or use it.

As a recruit? The only non-issue thing I'd show up with would be a pair of insoles for your boots. That's *it*.

Regarding the rain gear, our current issue rain gear is pretty good in a heavy rain, in a light rain you're usually better off wearing nothing, as you'll wind up getting wetter from sweat then from the rain.

 

[chrisf]

Ahhh I see! Oh well, I just ordered a Gun sling and Goggles.

If you're in the armoured, they should have issued you goggles anyway? The SWDG goggles?

 

[Noyon]

Ahhh I see! Oh well, I just ordered a Gun sling and Goggles.

If you're in the armoured, they should have issued you goggles anyway? The SWDG goggles?

I purchased the ones with the fans in the bottem to suck out the hot air and take in the cooler air. Seems worth it to me, nothing more annoying than having a sweaty pair on goggles on your face. Im not sure if the issued set is anti fog anyways?

 

[chrisf]

I've never had them fog... they're reasonably vented, and there's no real source in them for warm/moist air...

 

[Noyon]

Jeez, really? Perhaps I got different ones or something. I always get persperation around the seams and it becomes quite itchy after taking them off.

 

[SOLDIER702]

I realize the subject includes the word "after market" but If I'm not mistaken the CF is supposed to be coming out with CADPAT kneepads and elbow pads. Knowing our government they probably spent millions researching the matter. Anyone know if/when they will issue them?
Also, I think alot of these companies would get a lot more business if they made their products in CADPAT, both TW and AR. I recently came across a dropleg holster made of CADPAT TW on ebay but I lost it and haven't seen another one. I am a big fan of aftermarket kit as well as modifying kit. When I was a reservist I managed to aquire a new rucksac which I promptly modified by putting quick release clips, carabeeners, tougher sleeping bag straps, better padding (i even made a padded waist belt for it, mmmm comfort) and a couple mag pouchs on it. it is a mean piece of kit. but now they are phasing those out for the new custom built rucks (I'd like to see the day every soldier has one of those)
So back to my point of this post, anyone know where I can get good, CADPAT tactical gear?

 

[tacsit]

Drop Zone Tactical. Check out their website and give them a call. They make a good drop leg holster which I'm sure you can get in CADPAT. Their gear is top notch and they're a Canadian company.

 

[linddd]

Any one needing Custom Cadpat Gear Contact
A&D MFG
Box 338 okotoks Alberta
T1S-1A6
licenced cadpat manufacturer

 

[KevinB]

+1 for Dave of A&D.

We got a bunch of stuff done by them for Afghanistan - they listened and built solid gear backed by a iron clad guarantee.  I have som eother of his stuff and it works perfectly.


A note on SEALS - John is a great guy and he has had geniune CADPAT items in the store and built.  However the majority of the airsoft/wannabe's will not shell out top dollar for kit.  As a result he had the hit dumbed down so it was affordable for those who were not going to use it overseas.


BHI - since it moved its manufacturing overseas has really gone downhill - lookign at their gear at SHOT over the last few years you can see a remarkable decrease in quality.

 

[Toadie]

Check out www.canadianpeacekeeper.com They make great stuff.

 

[mudgunner49]

Tacsit

The reason I question it is because I use alot of Blackhawk gear. None of it has failed.

The only company I have heard though that has constant praise is Drop Zone.

One funny story was when I was at a sniper match and talking to two guys one of which had an Eagle drag bag. I struck up a conversation about how he liked it. He went on and on about it and bad mouthing the Blackhawk one, either not noticing I was carrying one or not caring.

Later that day I heard alot of swearing, well it seems that the zipper was falling off his bag  

I have a couple of Eagle products and will say it's top notch.

Most of the bad mouthing from Americans is because Blackhawk is made off shore while Eagle is made by Americans.

It's also funny you praise Lightfighter so much, but they carry Blackhwk gear. If they were concerned as you say with top notch profetional gear, why carry Blackhawk if it's so bad?

Any company can have a bad apple slip out the door, it's the percentages that count...

Lightfighter carries Blackhawk because they are one of the few companies that can produce in quantity to supply large orders on short notice (possibly due in part to their large, low-cost workforce?).   They produce OK quality kit, that seems to do the job (most of the time) and for many people that is sufficient.   There have been QC issues and waranty issues with a number of their products, several that i have experience with personally.   I myself am a big fan of SO Tech, Eagle and Tactical Tailor as I have had nothing but superb results from these three companies.


YMMV

Blake

 

[Matt_Fisher]

In response to the comments regarding Blackhawk, I must say also that alot of their equipment is sub-par.

I used a set of their triple M-16 mag pouches in Iraq:
http://www.lightfighter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=849
This thing sucked!  It was so tight that you could barely put 3 mags in it, but that wasn't the worst.  The flap was very stiff and very tight around the mags.  So much so that in order to open the mag pouch you had to wrestle the flap over the top of the mags and then it interfered with extracting mags out of the pouch.  I would not recommend this pouch at all.

http://lightfighter.net/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=7336015661&f=829100313&m=669105804
Review of how the poor construction of the para-flare pouch http://www.lightfighter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=539

http://lightfighter.net/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=7336015661&f=2756008371&m=754107424
A story on the failure of a Blackhawk 3-day assault pack
http://www.lightfighter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=694

As pointed out, Blackhawk does have not bad customer service, and a big draw is that they've got most of their gear in stock and ready to ship, unlike alot of other companies (Eagle, SO Tech, etc.) that have backlogs on gear.  However, how useful is that Lifetime Warranty when you're deployed (?) and you need your gear to work, otherwise you wouldn't have brought it if you wanted to spend a good portion of the deployment waiting for replacement kit to arrive as per warranty agreements.

I'd rather plan ahead, spend a bit more and have kit that is not going to fail me.  If your gear does take a dive, it's also a good idea to bring a small field repair kit of some replacement fastex buckles, a couple swatches of cordura for patches.  About the only thing that is likely to go bad is a broken fastex buckle here or there, or some of the stitching coming loose.

If you don't feel like assembling your own you can get a pre-made Gear-Aid Repair Kit from MEC
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=779989&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=134457&bmUID=1092685767974

This is invaluable for repairing stitching on packs and webbing: 
Speedy Stitcher Pack
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=779989&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=482605&bmUID=1092685767989

 

[gun plumber]

Could some helpful Mod maybe compile a listing of links to some of the more reliable equipment site?IE,CP gear,dropzone,seals action gear etc?
I think this would be a great resource for people to find the products that we talk about in the equipment forum.

 

[gun plumber]

Alright,I'll start,and hopefully everybody will add thier fav's

KNIVES AND MULTI_TOOLS

http://www.crkt.com/
http://www.leatherman.com/
http://www.gerberblades.com/home.php

BAGS AND OTHER STUFF

http://www.wheelersonline.com/2005Catalog/1-All-Products(1).asp
http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/spplsgt/index.htm
http://www.uscav.com/
http://www.sealsactiongear.com/
http://www.kifaru.net/
http://www.dropzonetactical.com/home.html

BOOTS

http://www.danner.com/
http://www.shoestoboot.com/matterhorn_boots.cfm

HYDRATION SYSTEMS

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/
http://www.platypushydration.com/
http://www.camelbak.com/

CANADIAN MILITARY KITSHOPS

http://kitshop.ppcli.com/

 

[Yeoman]

www.actiongear.com TONS of stuff
www.foxsox.com best damn socks out there period
www.otisgun.com one of the best cleaning kits I've seen out there
www.afmo.com has a ton of yank stuff mostly, but there's some things
www.specopsbrand.com make the best slings on the market, currently answering some q's to have an c9 sling made for me (both for the a1 and a2)
www.tetragon.ca carries some decent stuff, from missisauga
www.blackhawkindustries.com eh they make some okay stuff
www.ironwolfent.com eh there's some stuff
www.tigertactical.com alot of custom cadpat
www.optactical.com pretty decent site
www.rangerjoes.com mainly yank stuff
www.tacticaltailor.com alot of custom made stuff
www.lightfighter.com alot of stuff, but they'll run you around if you purchase stuff from them
those are the sites I check out often.
Greg

 

[KevinB]

I have had nothing but great deals with Brad Nelson owner of Lightfighter

With any kit purchase if you are goign in harms way - tell them - send them a copy of your id and given them your deployment dates.  Most of the good site will push the pogues and airsoft clowns to the rear and get the troops the gear they need.

I generally try to one stp shop with Brad as he is will to go the distance for you if he knows you need it.

General Gear

Paraclete
Tactical Tailor
SOTECH
ESSTAC
and of course EGGROLL 


Kifaru for rucks hands down

-Kevin

 

[gun plumber]

Thank you for the help so far.One other request(if it is;nt to much trouble):could you maybe trim the excess and make this topic a permanent fixture that wouldn't fade out of existence?
If trimmed and made a permanent FAQ,this could be a good resource tool in this forum.not only for explaining things better(a picture is worth a thousand words)and also for those of us who might be interested in purchasing some of the items talked about here.
Thank You.

 

[Smamit /REG646]

Hi,  First of all so as not to be under handed I make custom made rucksacks and vests etc for the IDF here in Israel
There are other good companies  such as
Kata and Merom-Dolphin  Packs and vests from Israel
Crossfire and Plata-tac from Australia
Karrimor military , Web-tex and Arkis from the UK
I hope this helps
yours Smamit /REG646