Traveling this holiday season? If you’re anything like me, I feel more comfortable knowing I can still carry a few items for safety and personal protection when traversing the airports and commercial airlines. Over the years of being a gear guy and traveling for my job, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when it […]
Gear Reviews
SCARPA Margarita | Worthy of the mountains, designed for the streets
Società Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima, or SCARPA, translates to Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area. Located in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, in the Asolo / Montebelluna region of Northern Italy, SCARPA was founded in 1938. Their mission was to bring together the best shoemakers in the Asolo region to hand build […]
My PACE Lid Loadout: Water Bottle Survival Kit
PACE stands for (Primary, Alternate, Contingent and Emergency). For those of you military guys that will sound very familiar. In the Marine Corps, they constantly drilled into us being prepared and having multiple contingency plans. The theory behind the PACE lid is to have a place to keep those needed items in the event something unexpected happens and […]
Procuring water in a cold environment: Tips from a Military Survival Instructor
People worry about dying of dehydration in the desert and rarely think about dying of thirst when surrounded by frozen water. However getting water efficiently is paramount in an arctic/winter setting. As you dehydrate in the cold your blood becomes thicker and the circulation rate slows leaving you incredibly vulnerable to cold injuries such as […]
Slumberjack’s Roadhouse Tarp: Shade and Shelter for Overlanding
The Roadhouse Tarp is a simple shelter optimized for hunting, camping or off-road vehicle adventure. Easy to set up and tear down, it is lightweight and compact allowing nearly infinite configurations from almost anywhere, on or off of your rig. The Roadhouse is made of durable 68D Polyester and has a 1200mm coating. The vehicle […]
SOG Camp Axe: A Go-To Outdoor Tool
“Let the enemy come till’ he’s almost close enough to touch. Then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.” -Maj. Robert Rogers 1759 While the SOG Camp Axe wasn’t designed for warfighting, a hatchet type tool is a great addition to anyone’s loadout. I’ve been using the Camp […]
Vehicle Preparedness: (Update) Grey Man Tactical Rigid MOLLE Panel HD
Recently, I published an article on the Rigid Insert Panel – MOLLE (RIP-M) from Grey Man Tactical. This product answered all my requirements for securing gear to the seat back of my Toyota Tundra. Items I need to keep organized for quick access while Overlanding. And it performed as advertised on my recent trip to […]
Winter Clothing & Footwear Recommendations from a Military Survival Instructor
Not wearing proper clothing or layering correctly while traveling in a snow-laden environment could lead to cold injuries and death. As a survival instructor for the military, I find myself in these environments often and teach others how to effectively travel in them. In the lists below I will note the things that I typically […]
Tac-Tote STO | Pre-Staging Ammunition for Security Personnel
I recently reviewed a product from a company that is designed for quick access to ammunition for the armed professional. The Tac-Tote Magazine Carrier is a phenomenal piece of equipment for anyone working in law enforcement, security, or the military. The Tac-Tote STO is the big brother to the magazine carrier. It takes everything that […]
Zero Tolerance 0450CF Knife: A solid choice for James Bond
The slender shape of this knife is a perfect choice for a gentleman, combining sophistication, stealth, and technology. If James Bond were to carry a pocket knife, the ZT 0450CF would be a solid choice.