S.O.D. (Special Operation Department) is an Italian manufacturer of military clothing that collaborates with and produces clothing and equipment that is used by Italian and allied military units in a variety of theatres. Shown here are some of the offerings from their Combat Line of clothing in their new colour, HCS (Hybrid Coyote Sage).
SKD Tactical’s new Gen 2 Enhanced BDU pants are a follow-on to their Enhanced BDUs released two years ago. While the Gen 1 Enhanced BDU pants were based on the standard mil-spec BDU pant in style and sizing, the Gen 2’s still retain the classic BDU cut and fit but with the addition of quite a few new features and changes.
Unfortunately, due to slight manufacturing irregularities from pant to pant, SKD has decided to offer them at a deep discount, rather than full retail.
This is the CBDU (Contractor BDU) from EMDOM USA. It’s a limited-run custom modified BDU shirt and pant that was originally designed as an enhanced BDU for private military contractors, or anyone else that can make use of its practical features.
This project actually started in December 2006, when Ken from EMDOM asked me if I had any ideas for modified BDUs. ‘Custom/enhanced’ BDUs have become more commonplace now; back then all you had were BDUs that you took to the tailor to modify. Most of the BDUs were geared towards the military; less so for the civilian or PMC. Since PMCs can’t wear camouflage, and some civvies dislike wearing camo to tactical classes etc, there were some modifications that I had in mind that I thought would be practical, and that I could make use of on the range while running around. So, while these BDUs can be worn by anyone who can use its features, we always referred to them as the ‘Contractor BDUs’, so the name stuck. The main goal was to provide practicality, additional elbow and knee protection, comfort and load bearing capability over the standard BDU without a noticeable increase in weight.
Tru-Spec has released the second generation of their Combat Shirt, which I featured in the above writeup, and to my pleasant surprise, has greatly improved upon their first version.
The Viper Hood from Tactical Concealment, Mfg, Co. is a light weight ghillie hood designed for snipers, assaulters or operators wishing to break up the outline of the upper body only, instead of a full-body ghillie suit. The Viper Hood is compatible with most combat gear loadouts; vests, LBE, backpacks etc.
Ghillie Zen Customs offers garnishment services for customers who don’t want to, or don’t have the time or knowledge/experience to garnish their own ghille suit base.
The Tru-Spec Combat Shirt available from USCAV is Tru Spec’s ‘Combat Shirt’ – style garment which was pioneered by Crye Precision’s Combat Shirt. This style of garment, with its BDU-fabric sleeves combined with a lighter-weight moisture wicking torso sans pockets, is a logical design for use under gear or body armour, and emerged in the Army’s new Combat Shirt made by Massif and the USMC’s FROG2 Combat Shirt (produced by Crye).
TAD Gear now has the companion top to their popular Force 10 Cargo Utility Cargo Trousers; the Force 10 Utility Top. Constructed of the lighter weight Crye Multicam 50/50 NYCO shirt weight twill, the TAD gear ‘black label’ Force 10 top has a host of practical features, like the trousers, and is made in the U.S.A.
