Feral Jundi

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Cool Stuff: idIRt By Cyalume–An IR Tracking Tag That Looks Like Dirt, Sand And Concrete

Filed under: Cool Stuff,Gear Review,Law Enforcement — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 7:07 PM

Hat tip to Soldier Systems for this one. Police Mag did a story on this stuff as well. I like it, and simple little tricks like this could really give you an edge out there. Especially if you are wanting to track movements through specific areas of your AO, or track someone to see where they go.

The thing with this stuff is it is an infrared or IR tag that looks like dirt/sand/concrete. So no one is going to know they are walking through it unless they are looking for IR dirt specifically. This is great for criminal forensics as well, just because you could prove instantly that a person is the guy that walked through your target area. Or imagine sprinkling this all over a specific jungle trail’s foliage, and everything that moves through it is marked? Very cool stuff and check it out. –Matt

Cyalume website here.

 

Monday, September 5, 2011

Gear Review: Palladium Boots, By Doug

Filed under: Cool Stuff,Gear Review — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 11:33 AM

Doug recently sent me a review of Palladium boots that I thought was pretty cool. They are old school canvas boots. I remember the Israeli Combat Boots which were pretty popular for desert wear when I was in the Marines, and before that, canvas boots were made popular by the French Foreign Legion as they wore them in Indochina and Africa. Palladium was one of the original companies that made these things.

The other thing to mention is that Palladium was bought out by KSwiss. So these boots were probably reintroduced to be a cool retro boot. But looking at them, they seem just fine for what they were originally made for, and that was a cost effective, light weight, comfortable boot for wet or arid climates.

Now personally, I have never worn these boots so I cannot vouch for them. Although I know if  I were to wear these boots, I would definitely invest in a good pair of insoles. Something like Superfeet insoles which happen to be my preferred insole for all of my footwear.

The other thing to mention is that there were several companies that made canvas boots during the Indochina days. I have heard the terms ‘sneaker boots’, or ‘Bata’ boots to refer to these things. I am sure folks have all sorts of names for canvas boots, and from different periods of time. It is also interesting to me that we are seeing more modern updates of the theme of the lightweight boot with such boots as the Inov-8 Roclite 288 GTX. Although if you are looking for something that costs a little less than the Roclites, then the Palladium’s might be your thing. Thanks to Doug for the review and check them out. –Matt

Edit: 09/06/2011- Doug wanted add one more deal to his review which I think is really cool. These are modifications to the boot he made. Quote: “The one thing I should add to the Palladium boots was a modification I performed.
I cut off the heel for a neutral sole (neutral soles are much better for folks with spinal injuries). the Second modification is the key bit.  Since the shoes are made out of cotton canvas & the fact I wear them with either thin socks or no sock I was concerned with all the salt from sweat rotting out the materail.
So I took some mink oil & tooth brush and worked it in real good to the canvas and the laces of the boots.  Let them sit outside in the sun for a day.”

Palladium Boots

By Doug

This link is to a Canvas boot/shoe from Palladium.  It is a super light weight, extremely comfortable and unbelievably durable.
I’ve only been doing walks in them but so far my pair has about 350 miles on them and they are holding up great.   They are dirty as hell, but the stitching & glue holding the soles on look as good as the day they arrived.
The soles are very cheap rubber, but that is a good thing when sneaken & creepen.  One can really feel the ground before putting weight on them.  It is like a modern day moccasin which does not stretch when wet.
For a light weight inexpensive scouting boot I give them two thumbs up.
They do have a down side though.
The soles are so flexible, it is impossible to kick start a motorcycle without bruising ones foot.  They simply are not stiff enough to give that support.
Also the local Honey Locust tree thorns  3″ average length, cut through the soles like they weren’t even there.  On average I get one full foot impalement every 100 miles.  Doesn’t sound like much but when a thorn goes completely through your foot it…well it just sucks.

The Pampa in the Moss color.

FFL boots, Indochina.

Product description
Pampa Hi Canvas
$55.00
-BOTTOM One-piece molded rubber outsole.
-SOCKLINER Two-piece; hugging heel cup and thick die-cut EVA create a comfortable stepping ground.
-MATERIALS 20oz, 100% cotton canvas, dyed and stonewashed, create a vintage look and soft feel.
-BRANDING Woven label on the tongue. Uniquely applied rubber patch on medial side of both shoes.
-13 different colors
—————————————————————
History of Palladium Boots.
Palladium was founded in 1920 to make tires for the fledgling aviation industry. Tires were made by layering canvas bands underneath vulcanized rubber. Palladium’s expertise was so advanced that soon the majority of Europe’s aircraft were using Palladium tires.
After World War II, with aircraft manufacturing screeching to a halt, the demand for tires decreased dramatically. Palladium decided to open a plant in Pont De Cheruy, France, to start producing footwear that was as hard wearing as their tires. In 1947 the legendary Pampa boot was born, and the functionality, comfort and durability were so outstanding that the French Foreign Legion adopted it for their use. The Foreign Legion put the boot to the test in the harsh desert conditions of North Africa, and throughout the rugged terrain of the Atlas Mountains.
Today, the original design, classic lines and time tested utility are as relevant as they have ever been. Combining over 60 years of authenticity with modern manufacturing, premium materials and cutting edge styling, Palladium boots are ready to help you explore your street, your city, or the world.
Website for boots here.

Buy the boots here.
—————————————————————
Same As They Ever Were (Almost)
On October 29, 2009
Words like “history” and “authenticity” get thrown around a lot in fashion. But here’s that rare find that actually has ’em both in spades: The Palladium boot—equally adored by photographers, urban explorers, and the French Foreign Legion for more than 70 years—whose recent relaunch has us psyched.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Gear Review: James Williams Talks About The Knives He Designed For CRKT

Filed under: Cool Stuff,Gear Review,Weapons — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 2:03 PM

Friday, January 7, 2011

Funny Stuff: Tactical Corsets

Filed under: Funny Stuff,Gear Review — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 6:37 AM

This is hilarious. These folks are selling tactical corsets outfitted with MOLLE. So basically they took an already uncomfortable garment, and made it even more uncomfortable by hanging pouches and junk off of it–all for the sake of fashion. lol –Matt

 

Introducing the new hotness

Tactical Corsets are high-fashion high-function clothes for empowered women.

For too long, women have had to compromise practicality for beauty. Men got pants with cargo pockets and built-in knee pads, women got clothes whose only built-in feature was cuteness. But why should men get all the high-speed low-drag tactical toys?

Tactical gear is no longer an all boys club. Tactical Corsets bring female operators MILSPEC features like MOLLE modular pouch attachment webbing and self-adjustable quick-release buckles in a load-bearing carrier designed to support the female form. And we’re just getting started.

Tactical Corsets are now available for custom order. More details on styles, sizing, materials and more is coming soon.

——————————————————————

About Us

If I were to say to you that we will make corsets, some of the most sophisticated garments ever devised, and make them tactical, custom-fitted to the exacting measurements of every beautiful body from the petite to the voluptuous, incorporating MILSPEC construction techniques never before applied to fashion, rendering laces and purses obsolete with the advent of quick-releasable buckles and PALS webbing enabling an infinite variety of attachable modular accessory pouches, sewing to exacting quality standards of both beauty and toughness, shipping these custom creations for not just a few customers but to clothe the thousands of ladies and gentlemen clamoring to be corset clad, and do all this now so that our customers can be so equipped and readied to survive the onset of any and all multi-eschatonic apocalypsii in order to live long enough to obtain Moravec Transfer immortality and explore outer space forever, and make pink ones, then we must be bold.

Tactical Corsets website here.

Facebook For Tactical Corsets here.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Cool Stuff: Operation Outpost

    Now this is cool.  This company was founded by two contractors operating in Afghanistan and what they have set up is a way for folks who are deployed to hook each other up with needed equipment and items out in the field. A war zone Craigslist of a sorts. It kind of reminds me of the guns and ammo exchange clubs you would see on the forums.

    On those sites, guys would have stuff they wanted to get rid of, and they would either sell it or trade for something else with some other contractor. Although with this site, I don’t think they plan on doing any weapons related stuff, and it seems to be all just equipment and other necessities of field living.

    I really like the option of being able to donate as well.  There are people out there who care about the troops and contractors, and want to contribute some way to the war effort.  This site is a great way to connect these supporters to the guys out in the field, and fill some specific needs of field living. Be sure to read all the details below and go to their website to see how to join. –Matt

  

OPERATION OUTPOST

ABOUT

Operation Outpost was created by two people who, while deployed to Afghanistan, recognized a need for forward deployed individuals to be able to buy, sell, trade, and receive donated items that increased their standard of living in remote areas.  The purpose of this site is to provide these individuals the opportunity to contact each other in an effort to obtain items that they require to make it day to day.

Additionally, Operation Outpost is proud to offer the “Donation” option to our members.  We have heard time and time again of people back home that want to donate various items but have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or where to send it.  The donations option will allow the member to list items they wish someone would donate to them personally or to their unit.  Individuals from around the world can view this page and chose what donation they would like to send.  Patriots can also list items they would like to donate, this way forward deployed members can view all donations listed, and if interested, can contact the donor and provide the necessary information for the donation to be shipped.

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