Gear

5.11 V.XI Sigurd Shirt — A Year of Real‑World Use, and Why It Works for More Than Just Operators

Here at SOFREP we get a good amount of gear for testing and review. By and large, most is pretty good. If gear is well-made, built to serve a purpose, and functional, someone is going to use and enjoy it, and I often pass along good gear to people who will use it more than […]

5.11 V.XI XTU MC Pants — Versatility You Can Work, Play, and Live In

Many years back, I was introduced to 5.11 apparel. It was good, rugged, and well-suited for my profession at the time, Law Enforcement. Today’s 5.11 apparel is light-years beyond what I wore then. Today, 5.11 has dedicated people gathering real insight into what professionals in the field need. Thanks to those people, the 5.11 V.XI […]

SOG Survivor’s Edge Fixed Knife — Field-Tested Review

When you’re deep in the backcountry or elbow‑deep in a survival task, you don’t need a fantasy blade — you need a tool that does the basics exceptionally well. The SOG Survivor’s Edge Fixed is exactly that: a compact, purpose-built survival knife that favors control, slicing efficiency, and practical utility over flash. First Impressions The […]

Battery Power Stations: So Good, You Can Toss Your Gas Generator

Swap in fresh 40V packs, keep the house quiet and the lights on, and let the Honda sit tight while the Ryobi does the real work.

My First Published Book! – “Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series”

After five decades of faithful service and countless rounds downrange, the Beretta 92 still proves that true legends don’t fade—they just keep firing.

Black Buffalo Is The Future Of Dip, Honoring The Past

Tradition isn’t getting tossed—it’s getting reloaded, as Black Buffalo hands dippers the same gritty ritual without the leaf, built by Americans who know the watch, the barracks, and the weight of a round can in a back pocket.

Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag

If you’re the kind of rider who doesn’t ask for directions and thinks a “weekend trip” involves crossing a state line or two, Viking Motorcycle Bags should be on your shortlist. These guys don’t mess around with dainty saddlebags or fashion-first gear. They build storage solutions for riders who treat weather forecasts like a suggestion […]

What Would Alvin York Carry Today? – Modern Marksman Loadout

In the closing weeks of World War I, a former conscientious objector from the hills of Tennessee changed history in a French forest. Armed with nothing but a bolt-action rifle, a .45 Colt, and conviction forged by faith, Sergeant Alvin C. York killed 25 enemy fighters, and captured 132 more, all in one firefight. With […]

Why Every American Should Own a Plate Carrier (And Plates)

Preparedness isn’t paranoia, it’s patriotism. The Modern Militiaman: Why Your Loadout Starts With a Rifle, and Armor From Lexington Green, to the rooftops of Koreatown, Americans have always answered chaos not with helplessness, but with resolve. Back then, they called them minutemen. Today, we call it being squared away. In 2025, the symbol of that […]

These 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas

If you’ve ever dragged a blood-soaked game bag a mile through mesquite and mud, you already know—real hunters need horsepower. Get yourself an ATV.