Gear Reviews

Navy SEALs and backpack nukes: US special operators once carried the fury of the atom in a sack

Thanks to decades’ worth of cultural pressure on the international stage, most nations view the use of nuclear weapons in war as a reprehensible act. Today’s nuclear nations, by and large, ascribe to a model of deterrence: Put simply, our nukes stop them from using their nukes. Although posturing can get quite a bit more complicated than that, mutually […]

Deuter XV 3 Rolltop Athletic Daypack

I’m one of those guys that are usually drawn to the heavy, overbuilt, tactical looking packs. When I got my hands on the Deuter XV3 Daypack, my view that “lightweight carry” meant “weak” completely changed. For one, this pack is one of the most comfortable packs that I have ever carried; and I have carried multiple different […]

Photo of the day: SPIE Rigging above Camp Lejeune

During my enlistment in the Marine Corps, I had the opportunity to use a lot of different gear. Towards the end of my enlistment, my unit was attached to the 24th MEU(SOC) to perform recovery of downed aircraft personnel. In layman terms, if one of our pilots went down behind enemy lines, we got the call to […]

When lives are on the line: Combat medicine and how it can be improved

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Gudex Throughout history, combat has been a brutal and destructive experience that leaves visible and invisible wounds on anyone who engages in the fighting. Although modern technology has done marvels in making warfare more “humane,” war-fighters are still facing catastrophic injuries in their muscles, bones, skin, and […]

No going back: Bogs Bedrock waterproof leather work boots and Farm-to-Feet Coronado tactical socks

Everyone loves a good pair of boots and socks. For the last week, I’ve been wearing the Bogs Bedrock 8″ Composite toe men’s waterproof leather work boots. I’ve been wearing them with Coronado tactical boot socks from Farm to Feet. Check out the video review below for a look at one of the most comfortable […]

Vertx EDC Transit Sling: Built for low profile missions

I hadn’t owned a backpack for about 15 years when I came across Vertx. That time frame probably makes me seem a lot older than I am(I’m 27), but long story short, I didn’t carry one a day past the end of 5th grade. I can’t remember thinking “I want a backpack!” at any point […]

Photo of the day: 5.11 AMP72 as an SBR backpack

Every company wants to make a splash during SHOT Show. 5.11 really knocked it out of the park this year, not only debuting some excellent looking new products, but also hosting a media event where we got to meet some of the product designers and hear their thought process on design features. One such impressive […]

ASP T60 Baton: Simple and Robust

The ASP T60 baton is the ultimate tactical duty item I have used on patrol. The ASP T60 Batonhas great durability and strength and when the baton is extended it is ideal for window breaks, jabs, and strikes. The ASP T60 can also be extended by pulling the tip with your hand, unlike the older models. The […]

Different combat pants compared

In the following video, I take a moment to discuss some of the more popular combat pants designs in use. Taken into consideration is fire retardant properties, knee design, the strength of the material, and weak points based on my experiences. There were designs that were left out for the sake of time but the following are […]

Lifesaver: Army tests new body armor in search of lightness and better protection for soldiers

An Army infantryman moves toward a mock enemy trench during a live-fire exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, February 9, 2019. (Department of Defense) The Army is edging closer to fielding its updated body protection system. The Soldier Protection System (SPS) has been in the works for years, and it promises to better protect soldiers. The best way […]