The Loadout Room
Professional Gear Reviews
I like to think I live by the code ‘You only Stop Learning When Your Dead.” That means a lot of things, and one of those things is learning to improvise and adapt. You do this during situations, with people, and of course with gear. I mention all this because one of the reasons I […]
When TOPS Knives President Leo Espinoza was tasked with designing the ultimate chopping knife, El Chete sprung from his mind practically fully formed. “Leo knew as soon as he drew this thing up that people were going to love it,” TOPS Knives’ Craig Powell tells us. “As soon as they look at it, people just know that it’s going […]
Recently we talked about how to survive a violent attack. Often in these scenarios there will be people who have sustained significant injuries, left untreated these injuries could lead to death. As a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, our leaders made us practice treating casualties. Although I was an infantryman, I was expected to […]
Finding the right bag to carry all of your essentials in addition to CCW gear can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Vanquest has been doing just that with great success. I previously reviewed the Möbius 2.0 VPacker from Vanquest and have used it quite often. The Skitch 12 is more of a traditional messenger bag. […]
Often straddling the line between collectible and user, each Chaparral model has roughly the same overall design: a 2.8 inch, sliver-thin leaf shaped blade made from high-performance CTS-XHP steel, a 50/50 finger choil, a deep carry wire clip, a crisply-machined backlock, and a slender profile. Spyderco uses this gentlemanly EDC folder as a blank canvas to test […]
Clint ‘Lint’ Bunting is taking ultralight backpacking to the next level. I’ve always been one myself to minimize what I carry on my back in order to maximize the experience. After watching what Lint carries on all his extended length through hikes, it really makes you think about what you carry. Is it really that […]
I’ve tried most of the more elaborate table top sharpening systems, but always find myself going back to a good ole simple sharpening stone. For a while I have been using the credit card sharpening stone by Dia-Sharp. I’ve owned the Lansky Sharpening puck for a while too, but I rarely took it out of […]
With its curved, talon-like blade and pinky ring, the Steel Tiger Karambit takes on the intimidating form of a classic karambit, but Cold Steel’s interpretation of the ancient Indonesian blade gives it a modern tactical update. Designed by Cold Steel President Lynn Thompson in collaboration with the late custom knife maker Steven Likarich, the Tiger Karambit is one […]
Headlamps have always been a necessary part of gear in my opinion for the great outdoors. From my deployments to places like Afghanistan, Djibouti and the UAE I’ve always carried an kept a headlamp on me. I like the ability to have free hands, and a lot of times it is a complete and total […]
The Wild Hedgehog Tactical EDC Pocket Trauma Kit is our latest first aid and safety product we have had a chance to review here at the site. The pint sized kit is produced by Wild Hedgehog Tactical, a company whose other products we have been fortunate enough to test before. Readers may remember the Wild […]
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