Video Demo

5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved

The 5.11 Tactical Expedition Shirt is a solid buy. Designed for the tactical professional, 5.11 has a knack for creating attractive clothing with all the bells and whistles. This shirt has them all, dual chest pockets, bartacking at key stress points, shoulder pen pockets, and an overall tough and sturdy construction. All that sounds good, but I put this piece of clothing to the test. Check out the video to see how the Expedition long sleeve shirt performed… and to find out what bartacking means.

Author – Matt Walker is a Texas Law Enforcement Officer of 10 years and serves as a SWAT Officer for his department. He is also the head defensive tactics instructor and holds various instructor certificates such as Krav Maga Force Division Instructor, FBI Defensive Tactics Instructor, Tactical Breaching Instructor and various others. Mr. Walker holds and undefeated Mixed Martial Arts record and is a practitioner of Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Olympic weightlifting.

Vehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M

In the quest to outfit my Toyota Tundra for Overland use, countless hours have been spent scouring the interwebz for specific products. Watching reviews (yes, we watch others review products as well) to figure out what works and what doesn’t. The Rigid Insert Panel MOLLE (RIP-M) from Grey Man Tactical is the result of both research and communication with the owner of Grey Man Tactical. I was searching for a well built seat-back storage solution. A place to organize items that too often end up tossed onto the back seat or floor. Items that I regularly need quick access to while traveling.

Although there are several seat back MOLLE panels available, the RIP-M from Grey Man Tactical is by far the best choice in my opinion. Other manufacturers tend to use a tactical nylon or Cordura fabric for their seat back panels. A great fabric for most applications, but not for a seat back organizer. Unless your drivers seat back is perfectly vertical, (which it is not) you will experience sag from the fabric panels once loaded with the gear you intend to carry. Here is why Grey Man Tactical is a clear choice. Instead of structureless fabric, they use 3/16″ thick High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) to manufacture their RIP-M panels. Which is a game changer in reducing sag. And the reason I selected these products for my Overland vehicle.

Grey Man Tactical RIP-M Panel Video Review:

Although the RIP-M panel from Grey Man Tactical lends well to firearms storage, my intent for the seat-back loadout differs a bit. And since the panel is precision cut MOLLE, I can add whatever pouches I want to it. My loadout is specific for Overland travel. I have a short list of items that I regularly dig for in the truck. Items like GoPro mounts and spare batteries for filming. Midland radios for communications. Flashlights, fire extinguisher, medical and recovery gear. Multi tools, knives and even cold weather gear like a hat and gloves. All organized on the back of my drivers seat and not haphazardly rolling around in the cab. Additionally, the use of quick release buckles make removal and installation a snap.

RIP-M Panel specs courtesy of greyman-tactical.com

Made for Vertical applications such as Vehicle / Truck / Patrol Car seat back mounting.
Material: High Strength Polyethylene
Panel Weight: 24.5 ounces each
DIMENSIONS
Height: 25″
Width: 15.25″
Thickness: 0.188″

Grey Man Tactical offers a wide range of Rigid MOLLE Panels, not just seat-back organizers. Panels that are specifically designed to fit inside Pelican cases. As well as some of the more popular backpacks. Allowing the user to organize the contents of their ruck as well as rapid removal of the panel and contents should the need arise. Several additional sized panels are available for unique mounting locations such as the FJ Cruiser Dash Panel. I’ve even seen them mounted to the back of a spare tire to carry recovery gear on a Jeep. Whether you’re a LEO, Military or flight crew, check out Grey Man Tactical to find which panel works best for your application.

Due to the limited leg room in the rear of the Tundra Double Cab, I can only mount this seat back panel when no-one is sitting behind me. Not liking to waste space in my truck, I intend to permanently mount a 27.25″x19″ RIP-M panel in the dead space behind the rear folding seats this winter. A covert location that would be perfect for mounting an SBR and a few magazine pouches. And a good alternate location when I have rear seat passengers and can’t use the seat back panel. Stay tuned to the Loadout Room for future Grey Man Tactical reviews.

Gerber Empower Auto Knife | Military-grade insight and materials

The Gerber Empower is one of Gerber’s newest American-made additions to the automatic knife market. It is rock solid, has S30V steel and doesn’t scream tactical. It weighs in at 4.6oz and has an overall length of 8.4” when opened (blade length is 3.25). Best part….. it’s priced at right around $100. Check it out.

Author – Tim M.

Off the ground with the Napier Outdoors Sportz Truck Tent 57 Series

I have been on many camping trips where sleeping on the ground was less than ideal due to terrain or weather conditions like heavy rain. When I came across the Napier Outdoors Sportz Truck Tent, I knew I had to check it out. Particularly now that I have young kids that want to go camping, I wanted to test the benefits of taking a clean, dry, and level campsite anywhere I want. Napier Outdoors offers a selection of Truck Tents that can be fitted for any size truck bed (full, mid, compact, crew, etc). For this review, I had my tent fitted for a Chevy Colorado Z-71 (Sportz Truck Tent 57 Series).

The Sportz Truck Tent is the only one on the market that features a full-floor design to aid with keeping the inside of your tent warm and dry. It comes in one color option – blue and grey. While dimensions vary depending on truck size, this tent is designed to sleep two adults. It weighs between 23-26 pounds depending on the dimensions of your tent and comes in a durable carrying bag that is expandable. The middle of the tent reaches a height of 5.7’ – 5.8’ and provides plenty of overhead space to move around. At six feet tall I couldn’t fully stand up, but my wife and kids were able to comfortably stand to get dressed and move around. Since the tent is several feet off the ground, I would recommend bringing a step ladder — or utilizing a cooler — for easier access to the tent. It isn’t required but is definitely helpful so you aren’t crawling in on your knees.

Setup was a breeze. I did a test set-up to make sure I had the hang of it before getting to the campsite with my family. Start to finish it took me about 20 minutes to have it fully set up on my first (demo) try — shown in the time-lapse video below.

The tent features three windows to allow for excellent ventilation, and one door that fits perfectly at the edge of the lowered tailgate. Each opening also features a storm flap (vent) with multiple zipper configurations to adapt to various temperature, wind, and sun conditions. My favorite feature is the rear access panel that allows access to the truck cab through the window. While camping it is nice to be able to reach items in the crew cab to save room inside the tent. While overall ventilation is excellent and the cab access is very convenient, if you feel the urge to run your AC through the tent it is dangerous to run your truck while being inside due to carbon monoxide. Do not do it. The included gear loft, gear pocket, and lantern holder are also great features that help to maximize storage space inside. Everything is functional and very well-made.

The tent comes with six shock-corded fiberglass tent poles for easy setup and take down, and two shock-corded fiberglass and four steel awning poles. Unlike other tents I have owned, these poles are going to be difficult to break due to the quality. They also come in a thick, padded bag to protect them when in transit. Tent material for the wall, roof, and rainfly is polyester taffeta. Window material is polyester mesh. And the floor is made from tough polyester oxford. The tent has a 1200mm PU waterproof coating, and the heavy duty rainfly fully covers the tent very well unlike many other vendor products that leave much of the tent exposed. An unintended feature that I personally appreciate is that the tent does not have the overwhelming “new” smell that most have.

It is designed to specifically be a three-season tent – spring, summer, fall – although if you did use it in cold weather it would still have the advantage of being off the ground. The Sportz tent line has an MSRP of $269.99 and comes with a 1-year warranty. The 57 Series is not as expensive as other tents on the market but still offers many of the same benefits in terms of features and quality. Napier also offers other truck tent lines as well as SUV and minivan compatible tents. I would recommend Napier Outdoors to anyone looking to expand their camping location options while also boosting comfort levels by getting off the ground.

Advertised features include:

• Exclusive fully enclosed floor; keeping you clean and dry from the elements

• Spacious interior with over 5.7’ of headroom

• Full rainfly and built-in storm flaps (windows and door) provide ultimate weather protection and privacy

• Large 4’x4’ awning provides shade and a protected spot for bulky gear

• Rear access panel allows you to access the truck’s interior

• Color-coded pole and sleeve assembly makes setup a breeze

• 3 large windows and 2 ceiling vents offer optimal ventilation

• Keep organized with an internal gear loft, gear pocket and a built-in lantern holder

• Expandable carrying bag for easy storage

Loadout Room readers can use promo code “loadoutroom25” to save 25% on purchases at the Napier Outdoors online store.

*All photos and video courtesy of the author

Crash course in Close Quarters Battle: Doors and Thresholds

Previously, we discussed how various room angles and room dimensions shape the choice of room-clearing tactics you use. But in every scenario, it was assumed you would be entering a room that has its doors open.

In part 3 of this series, Eli focuses on the tactics of room clearing when the doors are closed. Learn the best ways to approach this situation—Eli’s in-depth breakdown is sure to help you deal with the close-quarters combat scenarios you might encounter.

Overland Essential: Atlas 46 Yorktown Tool Roll

One of the essential items I’ve found while traveling Overland is a good set of tools. If you plan to take to the hills for an extended period of time and put your rig to the test, things can break. And they do. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere without the means to patch up your vehicle is no fun. Quite possibly dangerous. I always carry a comprehensive first aid kit for my family, why not one for your vehicle? Carrying the right tools and keeping them organized and accessible is much easier with the Yorktown Tool Roll from Atlas 46.

Atlas 46 History:

44 years ago, the founder of Atlas 46 was producing nylon gear for motorcycle racing, assorted bags, motocross pants, etc. In 1977, the company shifted focus to tactical goods for the military and law enforcement. And for the next 40 years, owner John Carver oversaw the operations of the world leader in individual equipment for the military, homeland security and law enforcement. Currently, in their next evolution, Atlas 46 is pioneering the personal workwear category with the same high-quality nylon goods that got them where they are today.

Video Review:

Recently I asked Tony, an old Ranger buddy, what tools he packed and how he carried them. As a driving instructor at Overland Experts, he recommended Atlas 46 for their high-quality tool bags. Taking his advice, I looked into the companies products. I was in search of something capable of keeping the tools I carry both organized and well protected. More specifically, I was looking for a tool roll in addition to a gear bag for my recovery equipment. The Yorktown Tool Roll looked adequate to organize and haul the hand tools I’ve selected. I recall as a kid living in Germany, the fancy European and British cars that came with their own toolkit. Neatly wrapped up in a cloth or leather tool roll and stored in the boot. That’s what I was looking for.

The Yorktown Tool Roll is just a modern version of that old concept. Made from heavy duty 1000D Cordura Nylon, this tool roll is built like a tank. With four large zippered pouches on the front side, you’ll have more than enough room for sockets, screwdrivers and ratchets. 480 cubic inches each to be exact. Flipping the Yorktown Tool Roll over exposes two additional storage options. Under one velcro flaps is an eleven slot organizer with graduated lengths. Perfect for a set of open-end wrenches. The opposing side offers seven multi-width slots for wrenches, pliers and other hand tools. The roll quickly cinches together and is secured by a large quick release buckle. Two heavy-duty handles make transporting the tool roll a snap. And a longer strap allows hanging of the tool roll from just about anywhere.

Yorktown Tool Roll Features and Benefits (courtesy of atlas46.com)

Condensed Quick Roll for Throw N Stow
4 large front pockets. (16″ x 2 1/2″ x 3″ = 480 total cubic inches)
11 wrench slot organizer
7 multipurpose tool slots
Patriot made 1000D Cordura
YKK USA made zippers
2 carrying handles secured by precision tack.
Smallest Wrench Slot: 5.5″ x 1.375″
Largest Wrench Slot: 8.875″ x 2.375″
Hand crafted in the USA
Lifetime Guarantee
MSRP: $110

Another fantastic item from Atlas 46 is the Gear Carry Bag. Offered in three different sizes, I opted for the Largest one. Measuring 14″w x 6″d x 8″h, this bag is just what I needed to organize my recovery gear. With enough room for jumper cables, shackles, tow strap, soft shackle, gloves and a few additional items, the Gear Carry Bag is always readily accessible in my truck. Made from the same 1000D Cordura Nylon, the Gear bag is made in the US and covered by the Atlas 46 lifetime guarantee. Both the Tool Roll and Gear Bag recently made the trip from Michigan to Overland Expo East in North Carolina.

Features and Benefits

Double layer 1000D Cordura® construction to last a lifetime
Multiple sizes to fit user needs
Optional Hi-Viz Interior
Dual satchel style carry handles
Dual slider zipper opening
Pull tabs to assist with closing of pouch
Hand crafted in the USA
Lifetime Guarantee
MSRP $39

I’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg here. Atlas 46 has a laundry list of tool belts, work gear, aprons and bags. And all made with pride right here in the good ole’ US of A. Take a few minutes and check out the Atlas 46 website and support these American workers making high-quality products for the working professional.