Special Operations Department (SOD Gear) Para One Pants Review

I first stumbled across SOD Gear when I was looking for a smock for winter wear.  As I reviewed here, I'm a huge fan of their clothes, so when I went looking for a set of combat pants, naturally I ended up on their site again.  While there are many manufacturers of combat pants in today's world, including Crye Precision, Tru-Spec, Propper, UF Pro, Helikon-Tek, Sabre, Applied Orange, and Molay, there were a few things I was looking for that led me to purchase the SOD Para One pants over the others. 

First, the Para One pants minimize the use of hook and loop.  While hook and loop has its place, it is noisy, gathers dirt, and tends to wear out fast.  With their new uniform announcement, big Army has moved away from hook and loop as a method of closing pockets due to soldier complaints about the closures failing (the Coast Guard actually figured it out before the Army, and deleted hook and loop pocket closures after their first uniform redesign at least 7-8 years ago).  In my years in, I've worn the BDU, ACU, ODU, and Crye Precision field and combat uniforms, and I still prefer buttons over hook and loop for most applications.  Even better than the deletion of hook and loop is the use of the Canadian or NATO pattern buttons, which attach via a strip of webbing or fabric instead of the US method of attaching with only thread.

Second, the pants are reinforced in all the right areas.  High stress areas such as the pockets, belt loops, knees, and leg hem are all reinforced with Cordura nylon.

Third, the pants are cut more form fitting.  This is both a good and bad feature, but I think it weighs more heavily toward the good.  As an American, I am used to the very baggy BDU and ACU.  While it is very comfortable for low-stress wearing, excess material can present problems as well, including snagging and bunching.  Plus, for me, the standard BDU can be constrictive when kneeling or lifting my legs high.  This would seem counter-intuitive, but that's my observation.  With the tighter fitting pant, I feel like I actually have a larger range of motion.  The tighter fit does take some getting used to, though.  For one thing, the crotch just feels different.  It was never uncomfortable, I didn't experience any pinching, but it just feels a little different.  This also changes the sizing a little bit, but mostly the pants are true to size.

Fourth, the kneepads are well executed.  The pants come equipped with soft knee pads, which fit inside a hook and loop closed, Cordura reinforced pocket.  Due to the athletic cut of the pants, I found that the knee pads stayed right where they needed to through-out the range of motion.

Overall, these are some outstanding pants.  I personally like them better than the Crye pants I had previously been issued.  Customer service was also outstanding. I corresponded via email due to the time difference, but all of my questions (especially sizing) were answered quickly and to my complete satisfaction.  Some other features of the pants include a hidden pocket inside the waistband for E&E items, and padding in the waistband so that you can wear equipment on your pants belt without the need for any additional padding.  Also, the belt loops are big enough that you can run a belt with Cobra buckle through with ease.

Rear view

Front view

The Para One pants come in 11 different colors in 50/50 NYCO or Cotton, depending on the color, and can be purchased at http://www.sodgear.com/product-detail/en/sod-combat-line-para-one-pants-12-hcs.

From today's range day

So after I got done with the "work" part of my shooting day, I broke out my Vz-24 that I've had for a year or so and shot it for the first time.  I love Mausers...

Checked it at 50 yds to make sure I was on paper, then rang steel at 100 and 200 yds

Home after a day on the range.

This is what a 196 gr Soft Point looks like after the RSO has to bang it out of your barrel with a cleaning rod...

SOD Gear Operative Field Parka Review

 Initial Review

                I’ve been looking recently for a good jacket/concealment garment to wear year round in Virginia.  The un-tactical tactical vest is a bit passé to me (not quite so much as the fanny pack, but I digress), so I tried to look other directions.  My criteria were simple:

• Wearable in a variety of weather conditions, from summer heat to winter cold.
• Suitable for service as a windbreaker, with water-resistant properties.
• Capable of concealing my firearm (Glock 19 at the time).
• Capable of carrying a load, ie, blowout kit, small survival kit, magazines, cell phones, or water.

Most civilian jackets that I researched seemed sole-purpose, designed solely for warmth or keeping the wearer dry.  Pockets seemed to be ancillary, designed to warm hands or hold keys.   I’ve always been a fan of smocks, probably for nostalgic reasons, but as I researched their history and intent, I realized that they have uses in civilian life as well as their original military purposes (covered here).

                This is actually the third smock I’ve owned.  I previously had a SORD USA smock, which I sold due to some disappointments with quality and the country of origin.  I currently own a DropZone Tactical in Multicam, which I utilize as part of my cold weather layering system at work.  I had considered a DropZone smock for my civilian wear as well, but was not a huge fan of the twill they use for their non-camouflage colors, believing it too heavy for year-round wear.  After much research, I found the Italian company SOD Gear, the only manufacturer I could find that advertises non-camouflage jackets in the same 50/50 NYCO ripstop that they make their camouflage patterns in.  Knowing that smocks typically fit a little larger, I communicated with them through their Facebook account.  Despite a little bit of a language barrier, they were very glad to talk me through selecting a jacket.  I ordered online, and received the jacket within a week via DHL.

                My initial impression is that this is a very well-made jacket, with enough pockets to fulfill my every need.  There are 14 external pockets and two internal pockets.  By location, the jacket has:

·         Two zipper pockets on the upper arms,

·         Two zipper pockets on the lower arms,

·         Two button pockets on the chest, with

·         Two zipper pockets behind the button chest pockets,

·         Two button pockets on the lower front,

·         Two button pockets on the sides,

·         One large button pocket on the lower back, with additional zipper access, and

·         Two internal zipper pockets on the upper chest.

The hood has two drawstring adjustments, and the waist and hem have drawstrings as well.  The cuffs are   Buttons are NATO style, with fabric strips securing them to the jacket.  Fabric is 50/50 NYCO, with a tight enough weave to block the wind and provide light water resistance.  The jacket is cut roomy, allowing for another layer for warmth underneath (I’ve fit both the Army’s new Gen III Layer III and a Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man jacket underneath).

Velcro adjusted, and the front is zipper closed with a button wind fly.

I’ve carried a lot of stuff in it (probably too much at times).  I’ve carried blow-out kit (my full size one, not the one from the EDC pics), my S&W 442, survival kit, keys, phone, and wallet.  Oh, and I concealed my Glock underneath.  Overall, I’m very pleased with the jacket, and as the weather gets colder, I’ll probably go back to wearing it daily.  It makes a great windbreaker during the fall, and with the Mountain Hardwear underneath, it’ll keep even a biting wind in the 40 degree range off your core.

-Woody

Chest pocket showing taped button and fold over pocket

Rear pocket showing top and left side access

Chest pocket showing zipper pocket behind button pocket

Arm pocket with hook and loop patch

Lower sleeve pocket

Elbow reinforcement and pad pocket

Mesh underarm vent

5k Heroes Run in Hyde's Pathfinder BDU Pants

So as my follow up to my earlier post, I ran my 5k today in my new Pathfinders.  I have to say, they are nice and roomy.  They feel like there is a little less spare fabric in the crotch, but it doesn't negatively affect the fit at all.  If anything, it's a positive, because I feel they are a little less baggy.  I carried a 16 oz water bottle in one of the rear pockets while going back for some teammates, and found that it easily fit into the pocket, and rode pretty snug against me, keeping it from flopping and banging on my leg.  Also had my iPhone in a pocket throughout the 5k, and had no issues with flopping or the iPhone escaping.  No pressure points were noted in the waist (just a worry I had with the waist adjustment string).  The fabric felt very similar to issued BDUs (expected, as it is 50/50 NYCO), and performed similarly with sweat absorption and drying.  Overall, no negatives to report, still very satisfied with my Pathfinders.  I will definitely be getting another pair when they start production.

First time across the line

Second time across the finish line

Also wanted to credit the other gear manufacturers I utilized today:

Shellback Tactical Cobra Riggers Belt
Rocky S2V Boots
London Bridge Trading Coyote Tan Slick Plate Carrier
Team Wendy ESAPI Non-ballistic Training Plates
Domari Nolo Low Profile Fitted Cover
The Patch Panel Patches

Viper Headwear Snake Eater review

Following in the theme of PenCott, Domari Nolo is selling Viper Headwear "Snake Eater" fitted ballcaps in Greenzone and Badlands.  I personally love Viper ballcaps.  They're Made in USA and worth every penny.  Plus, you can customize the hook and loop on their standard line (not on the Domari Nolo version, which is a special run and only available through them.)  I tried hard to convince my last unit to issue Multicam Snake Eaters with no luck.

The flag and nametape were produced by The Patch Panel, and are laser cut from webbing and backed with IR material.  They have quite a few different designs.

Back with laser cut nametag

Front with laser cut American flag

Domari Nolo

The Patch Panel

Hyde Definition Pathfinder BDU review

I've been following Hyde Definition's PenCott family for probably a year now, and from all the reviews I've seen, it's a very impressive pattern family.  The unfortunate part is that if you want to get your hands on a uniform in PenCott, you're pretty much stuck with ordering from someone overseas.  Now, there are some very good manufacturers overseas (I'm kind of partial to SOD Gear and DropZone Tactical), but I'm always looking for something Made in the USA.  Imagine my excitement when Hyde Definition announced they were making a limited run of their Pathfinder BDUs right here in the US (Massachusetts to be precise).  I can't lie, I jumped on that one.  Rachel at Hyde Definition was incredibly helpful, and my Greenzone BDUs arrived on Tuesday.

Initial impressions:

The bad: my Pathfinder shirt had no hook and loop on the sleeve pockets, despite what the advertised design said.  I assume they will be fixing this on production runs.  As it is, I will probably pick up some color matched hook and loop from OC Tactical and have a local tailor sew it on.  I was also hoping that they would have taped buttons vice the standard US BDU style.  I shouldn't have been surprised that it had standard buttons, but still a bit disappointed.  It's a weird personal preference.

The good:  far outnumbers the bad.  First off, pockets.  They didn't play around with the pockets on these BDUs.  They advertise that the rear pants pockets can be used as dump pouches.  Believe me, they can.  If you use these pockets for your wallet, not only will you be wasting a ton of space, but you'll never find your wallet again.  The thigh pockets are large and will easily hold a blowout kit, MRE, or other larger items.  Instead of going with the tilted pockets that other uniform makers have used, they simply put a zipper on the front of each thigh pocket so that you can access them while sitting. The pants also have calf pockets ala the ACU.  The bicep pockets on the shirt are large and close with zippers.  Each pocket also has a pen pouch behind the pocket.  Chest pockets are angled outward slightly and close with hook and loop.  They seem easily accessible, but I almost never put anything in my chest pockets anyway, so it's a bit of a moot point for me.  Other features - the belt loops are large enough to run a Cobra Rigger's Belt through without dis-assembly, which was not possible with BDUs, ACUs, or the Crye I was issued once upon a time (the picture shows a Shellback Tactical belt being threaded through).  Very few things are more annoying than having a belt with a buckle that you have to remove to put on.  The waist adjusts with a drawstring like the ACU, and the pant legs have have shock cord instead of the grosgrain ribbon from the BDU.  For the shirt, the collar can be worn up or down, but doesn't have hook and loop or zipper to close it, a feature I happen to like, since every time I ever tried to close my collar with one of those methods, I always felt like I was being choked.  The uniform itself zips up like an ACU, and the sleeve cuffs adjust with hook and loop.

Overall, after pulling it out of the wrapping, I'm pretty thrilled with the possibilities.  I'll give it a wear test on Sunday during the Heroes Run 5k and report back.  Just from my initial impressions though, as soon as I can save up, I'd love to get another set, probably in Badlands.

If you are interested, the manufacturer's site is http://www.hydedefinition.com/bdu.html

Belt Loops

Thigh pocket with button flap and zipper

Calf Pocket

Shock cord blousing band

Detail of front/rear slash pockets and belt loops

Bicep pocket

Chest pockets and zipper

***UPDATE*** I was informed by Lawrence from Hyde Definition last night that the lack of hook and loop was due to this batch being a pre-production run.  The actual production Pathfinders will have color matched hook and loop. - Woody