Kelty unveiled a new lightweight backpacking system at OR Summer Market. Called TrailLogic, it consists of Packs, Sleeping Bags, Tents and sleeping pads. Any of the pieces can work alone or in concert with the other items.

The PK 50 ($199.95) backpack is the hub of the Kelty TraiLogic™ collection, offering compartmentalized organization to seamlessly accommodate the rest of your equipment and speed campsite set up. A removable clothing compartment gives easy access to apparel while allowing this 50-liter pack to convert to a 35-liter pack for shorter journeys. Advanced suspension designs provide a very comfortable carry on long hauls or with heavy loads. Completely zipper-free, the PK 50 is built with roll-top closures to eliminate the possibility of broken zippers in the backcountry while a specially designed tent pocket provides easy access to your shelter.

To save space inside your pack, the Kelty TN 2 ($249.95) and TN 3 ($299.95) tents feature shorter, more compact poles and a ‘Tent Cube’ stuff sack, both of which allow effortless compatibility with the PK 50’s dedicated tent pocket. These tents also boast our Stargazing Fly™ feature, giving you a view of the night sky while allowing you to deploy the fly without ever leaving your sleeping bag. Oversized doors and vestibules provide easy access and abundant gear storage.

Highly packable, compressible, and lightweight, the 800-fill DriDown™ insulated SB 20 ($299.95) and SB 35 ($249.95) sleeping bags offer outstanding performance in any overnight situation. Hydrophobic DriDown™ combines with waterproof panels on the head and foot to give you “Head-2-Toe Dri” waterproof protection from condensation and wet weather. A full-length, 2-way zipper offers easily customized ventilation on warm nights. Both of these bags pack easily into the PK 50’s separate sleeping bag compartment with or without a stuff sack.

Three different sleep pads- the PDsi full-length($79.95), PDsi ¾ length ($69.95), and PDa air chamber pad ($69.95)- each fold up into their own ‘Pad Cube’ for convenience and space savings in any pack. The PDsi and PDsi ¾ use body mapping to shape the pad and remove excess material from key locations for a perfect blend of weight and comfort. When pack space and weight are the primary concern, the PDa is an ultralight, ultra-comfortable air chamber pad that goes unnoticed in your pack until it’s time to turn in.

Coming Spring 2014.

www.kelty.com

ShelterBox is a charitable organization that offers proper shelter and other essential items to disaster stricken areas. Each ShelterBox shelter kit comes with a rugged dome tent modeled after a typical African bush hut, which comes with built-in mosquito screens, integral groundsheets, good ventilation, and internal privacy screens; thermal blankets are also included in the kit. A wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, pans, utensils, mugs, water storage containers, and water purification equipment are a part of the kit, as is a basic tool kit with items such as a hammer, ax, saw, hoe head, rope, pliers, and wire cutters. Finally, ShelterBox also provides children’s packs containing drawing books, crayons, and pens.

www.shelterboxusa.org/

The Hammock Compatible Sleeping Bag from Grand Trunk was developed based on a concept by Herrick Kroeger, an employee of Georgia’s Blue Sky Outfitters. The Thinsulate filled sleeping bag design cocoons the hammock (and you) and incorporates channels at either end for the suspension lines. Grand Trunk claims it fits most hammocks and looking at the design I’d say that it will work with most commonly available models.

store.grandtrunkgoods.com/sleeping-bag

Featuring a special WL Gore shelter fabric, this 1-man NEMO Shield shelter is Berry Compliant, lightweight, linkable, four-season, freestanding, waterproof, breathable, flame retardant and incorporates signature management properties.

In addition to visual opacity (blackout) and near infrared (nIR) reflection characteristics, the shelter can be used in conjunction with NEMO’s Interchangeable Camo Cover™ for adaptable visual camouflage. Available in arctic white and MultiCam®, the ICC™ is lightweight, compact, and provides a highly cost effective solution for adapting the ALCS 1P SE to different areas of operation. The ICC also serves to shade the ALCS 1P SE and protect it from UV and abrasion.

The ALCS 1P SE features a hub-based pole set for ease of set-up. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, that means one set of poles, all connected at a central hub, making for a simple pitch of the tent. Additionally, it accepts a vestibule to increase storage or can incorporate a link that connects multiple tents.

Specifications:
Capacity: 1P
Minimum Weight: 7 lbs
Floor Dimensions: 94×35 in
Floor Area: 23 sq ft
Vestibule Area: 10.4 sq ft
Interior Height: 39 in
Doors: 2
Frame: Easton Reverse Combi
Packed Size: 20×8 in
Shell Fabric:
Gore-Tex® W/B Shelter Fabric
Vestibule Fabric:
40D PU Nylon

The NEMO Shield line is available for unit and agency orders from ADS Inc.

Last week I stopped by SOFEX at Ft Bragg, North Carolina. While it remains a small, annual show in the Officers Club, I was pleased to see Integral Tactical still in attendance. They have long displayed their specialized clothing and shelters at this show.

Integral Designs was purchased from former owner Evan Jones by Fellfab early this year. I realized that although Integral has been around for ages, they are not well known. Many of their designs go back 20 years or more like the MK I Mountain Tent above and the Observer Shelter seen below. Both of these shelters feature, simple, straight forward designs. Additionally, Integral Tactical offers several shelter/tarp designs manufactured from ultralightweight 30D parachute Ripstop nylon, referred to as Sil fabric.

Several of the attendees at SOFEX also expressed interest in the Wind Shirt and Pants.

They are currently in talks with TLS vendors to introduce their line to a wider audience. While Integral Tactical is based at Fellfab’s headquarters in Ontario, Canada, Fellfab has manufacturing capacity here in the US to service Berry compliance, if needed.

www.integraltactical.com

Slumberjack will be releasing their SJK Tactical Hunting Gear line during SHOT Show, which was developed using input from highly experienced hunters. The line includes packs, insulated tree stand bags, and tents, and is constructed from lightweight, durable materials using Kryptek camouflage. Below is a preview of 3 of the products that will be available under the SJK Tactical Hunting Gear brand.

Bounty 4500

The Bounty 4500 is a 74-liter pack designed for high elevation hunts and big game. It features an expandable load-carry system which allows meat to be carried close to the back for better load support. The Bounty also features a detachable day pack with organizational pockets, a built-in rifle shooting platform, and a main pack bag that can be completely removed from the frame. The military-grade, dual stay suspension system supports heavy loads over long distances on uneven terrain. A stowable, versatile weapon carry system accommodates rifles or bows and large twin side pockets carry optics, bipods, and other essentials.

Thermal Cloak

The Thermal Cloak is designed to offer protection from the elements as well as act as a personal blind. Tactical hood styling allows the wearer to maintain peripheral vision and hearing. The fabrics used are waterproof and seam taped to repel wind, rain, and snow, while 160g of synthetic insulation keeps the wearer warm. The bottom of the cloak is open to allow the wearer to feel the edges of their tree stand to ensure proper footing. The cloak can also be cinched up around the wearer’s knees for increased mobility. The arm ports are self-sealing (via magnets) that allow for the wearer to move into a firing position. The front zipper and hand warmer pocket help regulate temperature.

Sightline

The Sightline was developed specifically for overnight hunting trips – available in 1 and 2 person versions. It features a field-of-view window to maximize line-of-sight for glassing game. A rifle-specific sleeve allows the user to keep their weapon close at hand. It uses light and durable 7001 aluminum poles, and a full coverage rain fly with taped seams which repels even the hardest downpours with little effort. The Sightline comes with a dark green rainfly to help it blend into the environment.

www.slumberjack.com/

By: Richard Graves, Staff Writer

Slumberjack has sent along a gallery of photos showing off a few more items in the SJK Tactical Hunting Gear line while in use. Most of the new packs as well as the new rifle case/shooting mat are featured in the photos. None of the products were named for us, however the line will be fully revealed at the upcoming SHOT Show 2014.

www.slumberjack.com/

Basha is the British military term, adopted from the Malay for a piece of kit that is used a general purpose tarpaulin; it can form a shelter, ground cloth, hammock or, used to wrap up in if the need arises. However, it generally does not incorporate the head hole found in a poncho. Velocity Systems gives us their take on the design. In addition to button holes every 2′ around the edge to attach cordage or bungees for erection, it also incorporates a handy hood in the corner so that it can be used as a poncho in an emergency. It measures a generous 115″ x 84″.

The Velocity Systems Basha is in stock in White and MultiCam as well as Kryptek Yeti and Mandrake with the camouflage showing in both sides.

www.VelSyst.com

Pick your poison. Available with Polartec Alpha or PrimaLoft Fusion insulation, the Cilo Gear Woobie is berry compliant and weighs in at less than a pound-and-a-half.

Check the industrial users section at www.cilogear.com next week.

Selk’Bag has been around for several years now but many have considered it a gimmick, more suitable for car camping (or slumber parties) than serious outdoor pursuits. But now they’ve introduced the new Patagon, a serious upgrade to the ergonomic sleep system that resembles an expedition suit rather than a sleeping bag. Rated for use to 35 Deg F, with extreme use to 9 Deg F, this is no small feat considering the extremities are separate from the torso. The bag is insulated with their proprietary KreKran which is named after the Chilean Ona Indian words Kre for Sun and Kran for Sun-Man. Temp ratings by independent lab.

Below, you can see the mesh lined, zippered vent found either side, mid-thigh. You will also notice that the booties can be removed via zipper so that the wearer’s boots are exposed for movement.

The Patagon features a magnetized quick release hand closure system with integrated hand straps that let you secure the mittens out of the way.

The two-side, zippered bib opening is baffled and goes all the way to the waist on the right side (while worn).

Available in Forest Black, the Patagon incorporates an adjustable hood and offered in sizes Med – XLge.

www.selkbag.com

Great news for NEMO Shield. It’s a great product line and the folks at Millbrook Tactical are awesome.

Millbrook Tactical Inc. is excited to announce that we are now the exclusive dealer of Nemo Shield® products in Canada. We are very proud to add Nemo Shield® products to our top tier tactical gear lines.

NEMO began adapting its shelter technology for elite U.S. Special Operations Forces and launched its Shield™ product line. In the years since, many elite Warfighters have depended on NEMO tents, shelters, sleeping gear, weapons bags and other products, to take full advantage of what limited comfort and protection can be found on the battlefield. NEMO is intensely proud to serve the American and Canadian Warfighter as well as Law Enforcement, and aims to design, engineer, and manufacture the best equipment solutions possible.

The Nemo Shield® brand can be found online at millbrookcanada.ca

www.extremeoutfitters.us

Aescent is a company that currently has a project up on Kickstarter: ‘The World’s Most Comfortable Tent’. The ‘World’s Most Comfortable Tent’ is a 4-man domed tent with an integrated 6-inch inflatable base attached via zipper access. The inflatable base is designed using an intertwining system of tubes, which limits the ability of air to be unevenly displaced, unlike traditional air mattresses built using a bladder-like construction. The tent is also designed so that it can be used without the mattress, for such times when weight conservation is a must. The tent is still in the prototype phase, and the finalized design is planned to include the addition of internal storage pockets and high-grade aluminum tent poles.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/1976028877/aesent-the-worlds-most-comfortable-tent

Slumberjack revealed their SJK Tactical Hunting Gear line during SHOT 2014. The line includes packs, insulated tree stand bags, and tents, all made from durable, lightweight materials in Kryptek camouflage.

We recently got a hold of a product in the upcoming line, the SJK Tactical Thermal Cloak. The Thermal Cloak is designed to offer protection from the elements as well as act as a personal blind. Tactical hood styling allows the wearer to maintain peripheral vision and hearing. The fabrics used are waterproof and seam taped to repel wind, rain, and snow, while 160g of synthetic insulation keeps the wearer warm. The bottom of the cloak is open to allow the wearer to feel the edges of their tree stand to ensure proper footing. The cloak can also be cinched up around the wearer’s knees for increased mobility. The arm ports are self-sealing (via magnets) that allow for the wearer to move into a firing position. The front zipper and hand warmer pocket help regulate temperature.

The 160g of insulation cloak keeps the wearer warm, and the fleece around the collar area is a nice touch that adds a bit more comfort to the cloak.

The arm ports are spacious, and secure using magnets. This is a nice feature for when trying to stay quiet, although the position of the magnets does leave a bit of open spacing for cold to get in. There are also front-side handwarming pockets to help regulate temperature.

The hood features a rear elastic retention band for adjustment. This is a nice feature as it allows the user to tailor the hood to the size they require, so as to maintain peripheral vision and for comfort.

The bottom of the cloak features split sides that secure with magnets like the arm ports. They quickly and quietly separate when mobile, and snap back together when stationary. There are also cinches with loops to raise the bottom of the cloak to knee level if additional mobility is required.

The Thermal Cloak utilizes a front side zipper. This is also supported by magnets like the arm ports, so that the user can quietly secure the front opening without manipulating the zipper, and/or maintain ventilation when wearing the cloak.

The Thermal Cloak also comes with its own stuff sack.

Functionality wise, the Thermal Cloak fulfills its purpose well. It keeps its wearer warm, and is designed to operate as quietly as possible, as expected from a product meant for use when hunting.

Expect to see the SJK Tactical Hunting Gear line available later this year.

www.slumberjack.com

NEMO is running a special on the Cosmo Air + Pillowtop 1P. Get both pieces for 60% off the regular price. Quantities are limited, however more will be back in stock in late June at the same sale price.

www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Cosmo+Air+and+Pillowtop+1P

For those of you unfamiliar with Armageddon Gear, it’s a small business run by SGM Tom Fuller (USA, Ret). A longtime member of the Ranger community, Tom retired as the Sergeant Major of the Army Marksmanship Unit. As you can imagine, he is a precision rifle shooter and has come up with some very cool products related to that endeavor.

But the thing that caught my eye is his Personal Use Sleep System Pad (you figure it out). Designed initially for troops in Alaska, it utilizes a radiant heat barrier that helps mitigates radiant heat loss. In fact, when placed in between a Soldier’s bivy sack and sleeping bag, they’ve measured an 80 Deg F internal temp after one hour in a -28 Deg F ambient air environment. That’s impressive.

To do this, Tom went out and looked for the right insulation for the job. He’s a pretty smart guy and he did two other things with this pad that aren’t offered on other models. First, he integrated a side release buckle strap system that integrates directly with the exterior of the rucksack. The 1000D Cordura exterior combined with closed cell insulation construction of the pad means it won’t get a hole while attached to the pack. Additionally, he incorporated a strip of non-skid material on the pad so you won’t slide off in the middle of the night.

Berry Compliant, the PUSS Pad is available in a variety of colors.

www.armageddongear.com

The Prototype Catamount 2 is a 4-season shelter for 2 occupants.

The Catamount utilizes an exoskeleton design with the the frame consisting of three separate poles. The inner tent and fly can be connected via clips and used together or separately.

Designed for cold weather use, it’s Currently in testing with a National Guard unit. These will be available Summer 2014.

www.litefighter.com

This is an announcement from NEMO Equipment regarding the recent fielding of their Targa SE as part of the US Navy SEAL PEPSE kit and the feedback they’ve received during its use.

Late last year, it was announced that NEMO’s Targa SE tactical mobility sleep system would join the brand’s Coda 1.5P SE AirSupported shelter as part of the SEAL’s PEPSE Kit. With product delivered and fielded in January, NEMO followed up with Naval Special Warfare’s R&D Manager of Cold Weather and Mountain Survivability Systems, John Barklow, to see how the bags are performing.

Targa SE was developed with testing and feedback from NSW. Designed specifically for cold weather, Targa SE allows the operator to live and work out of the bag, wearing his load bearing gear as required during tactical cold weather operations. The bag, rated to 40 degrees on its own, is designed to keep the operator warm to near zero temperatures when worn in conjunction with the issued layering system. A jacket style center zip allows easy access to essential chest gear; a drawstring closure at the foot allows the lower leg portion to be lifted and cinched for movement; the waist drawstring can be cinched to configure the bag like a parka; and a stowable, insulated hood, wind collar, and redundant center snaps ensure versatility and warmth.

Recent reports from Kodiak state that the bags have been performing well and when integrated with issued clothing and supporting gear, have been successfully used in temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Targa SE is the most functional and efficient sleeping bag that has ever been fielded to SOF. The design process consisted of building the sleeping bag around an operator wearing standardized issued gear and the limitations inherent with that gear, such as limited range of motion and oversized torsos,” said John Barklow.

The Berry Compliant Targa SE is currently offered in Coyote color, MultiCam and Kryptek Yeti, filled with PrimaLoft synthetic insulation. For sales inquiries, please contact Cam Brensinger at cam@nemoequipment.com.

www.nemoequipment.com

The Bison Bag is a combination sleeping bag and hammock currently up for funding on Kickstarter. The Bison Bag is made from 170T polyester with a pu coating. Rated for 55 degrees, the filling is polyester microfiber 220gsm.

A #5 double head zipper allows the user to close up the bag while they’re inside. The final product will come with nylon cord and carabiners for mounting. Weighs 2.5 lbs and stows into a bag measuring 16″ x 8″ x 8″. If funding is successful, will initially be available in Forest Green.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/lanceistough/the-worlds-first-sleeping-bag-hammock-bison-bag

With over 80 years of combined hunting experience, Outback Outdoors contributes extensively to the SJK Hunting design process.

BOULDER, COLO. - SJK Hunting (formerly Slumberjack), manufacturers of outdoor gear since 1957, is partnering with Outback Outdoors to test, evaluate, and provide feedback for a brand new line of hunting gear, launching for fall 2014. With decades of experience and hundreds of successful hunts, Outback Outdoors brings a priceless amount of knowledge to the SJK Hunting product design and development process.

Providing real world testing and feedback, Outback Outdoors helps SJK Hunting hone designs and vet features to create the most cutting edge hunting gear available. A collective of highly skilled and experienced hunters who spend much of the year creating video of their hunts for a regular segment on the Sportsman Channel, Outback Outdoors is an ideal partner for this collaboration.

“We’ve been making outdoor gear for over 50 years so when we set out to create a line of dedicated hunting gear, we already knew what works well for backpacking and camping,” said Russell Rowel, Vice President of SJK Hunting. “Since hunters have very specific gear needs, we wanted to get as much input as possible from highly experienced backcountry hunters. That’s why we partnered with Outback Outdoors. They have the knowledge, experience, and passion to help us create some of the most functional hunting gear on the market.”

Outback Outdoors is a team of three experienced hunters and outdoorsmen, including Trevon Stoltzfus, Adam Wells, and Dave Beronio. Blending a passion for the hunt with a desire to bring a fresh perspective to the world of hunting videos, this team of hunting industry professionals spends hundreds of days each season hunting, filming, and now working with SJK Hunting’s new line of hunting gear.

SJK Hunting’s new for 2014 line incorporates proven hunting features and functionality into every product. Lightweight materials, durable construction, cutting edge Kryptek camouflage, and an extensive amount of input from the highly experienced team at Outback Outdoors combine to create some of the most cutting edge backpacks, treestand bags, and accessories available.

SJK Hunting launched their first ever line of hunting specific backpacks, treestand bags, and accessories at the annual SHOT Trade Show in Salt Lake City on January 14, 2014. Retail availability is scheduled for summer 2014.

www.slumberjack.com/tacticalhuntinggear