Raider vol8 iss12

TH E MAGAZ I N E FO R TH E ALPHA MALE

OUTDOORS - ADRENALINE - TACTICAL - ESSENTIALS - FITNESS - EXPLORE

ON PATROL WHATEVER THE WEATHER!

EVERY D AY ESSENTIALS! DON' T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT 'EM! PA GE 44

HIGHLANDER

RAPTOR GLOVES

SHOT SHOW 2016 BOOTS ON

NEW! AKU PILGRIM GTX BOOTS REVIEWED

THE GROUND IN VEGAS!

THERMAL LAYERING KEEP YOUR CORE WARM WITH A MERINO WOOL SHIRT FROM UF.PRO !

STRENGTH BY STRENGTH THE INVICTUS GAMES: HELPING

HEADCAMS

TRIED & TESTED MOUNTABLE ACTION CAMERAS UNDER OUR SPOTLIGHT!

OUR HEROES ACHEIVE THEIR GOALS

PAGE 32

FREE CENTRE-FOLD POSTER INSIDE!

PAGE 37

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THE GUNFIGHTER BELT ON TEST DROP LEG RIGS ON TEST SURVIVE THE WINTER: OUR TOP TIPS NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE APR16 RAIDER.indd 1

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 12

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CYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW, BLACK HELIKON-TEX_Level 7, Raider, next issue 2016, right page

The LEVEL 7 is lightweight winter jacket

which provides insulation and protection against frost, wind and light showers.

Climashield® Apex™ provides thermal insulation and ultimate warmth. Two chest pockets are lined with fleece to provide protection against frostbite.

The hood can be easily adjusted without removing hands from the chest pockets via two drawstrings located there.

Climashield® Apex™ insulation (grammage: 100g body; 67g hood).

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OUTDOORS - ADRENALINE - TACTICAL - FITNESS - EXPLORE

CONNOR MONAF

EDITOR Email: connor@ebcon.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1775 750005

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ART DIRECTOR Email: design@ebcon.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1775 750005

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CONTRIBUTOR Email: webb@ebcon.co.uk

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ILLUSTRATION Email: markus@ebcon.co.uk

SHARON MONAF

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Email: sharon@ebcon.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1775 750005

SUBSRCIPTIONS

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Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles in this magazine, but the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors contained in material from independent sources or authors. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustration in any form without permission from the publisher/editor is strictly prohibited. We welcome articles, photographs or artwork. Raider Magazine cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to unsolicited material. Please enclose a SAE if you wish your material to be returned. Competitions will be judged on the dates specified. No correspondence will be entered into and the judge’s decision is final. In the event of the published prize not being available due to circumstances beyond the control of the magazine, a suitable alternative of similar value will be provided.

JOIN THE DEBATE! Every month I see myself sat there deciding what to do with this months’ issue of Raider.

What to include, what stories to cover and what gear to review. Some months’ there will be something that pops up and really grabs our attention, others will be more laboured in our search for a hidden gem.

This month was definitely the latter of the two. Whilst SHOT Show offered a huge range of new kit to fuss over (See page 9 for our SHOT Show coverage), without actually being there and getting hands on with the kit means it’s difficult to get any real review onto our pages.

You’ve also got to remember that whilst items are sat at SHOT Show, many of them will be prototypes, with a view to be released in the near future. Very few items exhibited are 100%, and those that are, are often based around the firearms trade - items we simply can’t get our hands on in the UK. We did however find our ‘diamond in the rough’, but unfortunately the postal service decided to intervene and lose all of our review samples, leaving us in a real predicament this month! Thankfully next month will be full of some real cool new items from an interesting new brand, but this month was certainly what I’d call a bit of a struggle!

With that said though we’ve still got some brilliant reviews for you, revisiting some kit that has been on review with us for a while as well as some newer additions to the Raider armoury.

Once again tactical gear pulls a big amount of page space this month, with something for everyone. We’ve got the UF.PRO Merino Shirt on test this month as well as Highlander’s Raptor Glove, AKU’s Pilgrim GTX Boot, Warrior Assault Systems Gunfighter Belt and Gen. 2 Roll-up Dump Pouch. There’s also a feature on leg rigs and a whole heap of Everyday Carry items in Everyday Essentials.

Our main talking point for the month though is the Invictus Games, with Prince Harry beginning the process once again in time for the 2016 Invictus Games. We’re huge fans of the Games, so would suggest turning to page 26 to find out more!

Don’t forget you can head over to our Facebook page and join the debate with over 10,000 other fans of Raider Magazine… Come let us know what you think!

TH E MAGAZ I N E FO R TH E ALPHA MALE

OUTDOORS - ADRENALINE - TACTICAL - ESSENTIALS - FITNESS - EXPLORE

ON PATROL WHATEVER THE WEATHER!

EVERY DAY ESSENTIALS! DON' T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT 'EM! PAGE 44

HIGHLANDER

RAPTOR GLOVES

SHOT SHOW 2016 BOOTS ON

NEW! AKU PILGRIM GTX BOOTS REVIEWED

THE GROUND IN VEGAS!

THERMAL LAYERING KEEP YOUR CORE WARM WITH A MERINO WOOL SHIRT FROM UF.PRO !

STRENGTH BY STRENGTH THE INVICTUS GAMES: HELPING

HEADCAMS

TRIED & TESTED MOUNTABLE ACTION CAMERAS UNDER OUR SPOTLIGHT!

OUR HEROES ACHEIVE THEIR GOALS FREE CENTRE-FOLD POSTER INSIDE!

PAGE 32

PAGE 37

ebcon publishing ltd.

£4.25

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THE GUNFIGHTER BELT ON TEST DROP LEG RIGS ON TEST SURVIVE THE WINTER: OUR TOP TIPS NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE APR16 RAIDER.indd 1

ON THE COVER

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 12

MEET THE TEAM

PAUL MONAF

23/02/2016 15:50

STAFF SGT. STEVE CUSHMAN

Connor

READ RAIDER ONLINE VIA POCKETMAGS!

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 12

CONTENTS 06 NEWS

NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT!

09 2016 SHOT SHOW REPORT

OUR MAN IN THE STATES’ GETS BOOTS ON THE GROUND AT THIS YEARS SHOT SHOW!

12

12 SURVIVAL

THIS MONTH WE REVISIT THE SUBJECT OF CARING FOR YOUR WINTER GEAR AND HOW TO DO IT

16 UF-PRO

AFTER TAKING A QUICK LOOK AT THE UF.PRO MERINO WOOL SHIRT TWO ISSUES AGO, WE GOT A LITTLE MORE ACQUAINTED

19 DEPLOY!

WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF OUR FIRM FAVOURITES FROM DEPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS

23 HIGHLANDER

WE TAKE A LOOK AT ANOTHER PAIR OF GLOVES FROM HIGHLANDER; THE RAPTOR GLOVE!

24 DROP IT AND LEG IT!

WE SLAP OUR THIGHS AND GET COMFORTABLE WITH A RANGE OF TACTICAL LEG RIGS FOR A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS

26 INVICTUS GAMES

PRINCE HARRY BEGINS THE PROCEEDINGS WITH ANOTHER INVICTUS GAMES ON IT’S WAY!

28 FIGHTING FIT

09

THIS MONTH CONNOR LOOKS AT THE BENEFITS OF THE PALEO DIET

30 PULL-OUT POSTER!

EYE CANDY FOR YOUR WALL... YOU’RE WELCOME

32 TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN

WE REVISIT A RAIDER FAVOURITE WITH THE TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN STEALTH HOODY LT

37 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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43 AKU

THE AKU PILGRIM IS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE EXAMPLES OF FOOTWEAR. BUT WHY DO WE RATE THEM SO HIGHLY?

44 EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS

WE SHOWCASE SOME OF THE BEST EVERY DAY CARRY ITEMS OUT THERE

47 MEDIA

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE BLITZ THIS MONTH WITH AMBERLEY BOOK’S ‘AIR RAIDS - WHAT YOU MUST KNOW. WHAT YOU MUST DO!’

49 DIRECT ACTION

26

THIS MONTHS DIRECT ACTION SEES FOUR DIFFERENT STORIES BROUGHT TO YOU FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, TURN TO PAGE 49 FOR A FULL BREAKDOWN ON WHAT TO EXPECT THIS MONTH!

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DIRECT ACTION! FRONTLINE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

C H E C K

O U T

P A G E

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on the sc ene!

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RAIDER NEWS

EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE GL

NEWS MAGPUL CORE RANCH GLOVES NOW SHIPPING

Inspired by their new home in Central Texas and their love for traditional things that just work, the Magpul Core Ranch Gloves are a modern interpretation of a classic.

The Ranch Gloves feature a modern athletic fit, touchscreen enhancement, and 100% goatskin leather construction for hard-working hands to feel at home.

FEATURES ■ Constructed with soft and durable goatskin for roping, riding, or simply working around the ranch.

■ An elasticized wrist and extended gauntlet gives you an easy on and off glove.

■ Conductive thread on the index finger for touchscreen compatibility.

■ Subdued branding.

MAGPUL CORE

TECHNICAL GLOVES THE MOST LIGHTWEIGHT AND TACTILE GLOVE IN THE MAGPUL LINE UP, THE TECHNICAL GLOVES OFFER ABRASION PROTECTION WITH MAXIMUM DEXTERITY.

SSV MOLDED MAG POCKETS!

FirstSpear have been hot on our radar in the last couple of months with UK based Huey’s bringing their gear into the UK. Two new products have just been unveiled… And they certainly follow one of the latest trends in the tactical market - Kydex.

The SSV Double Rifle Mag is designed to securely hold two rifle/ primary weapon magazines. It features a tension screw for micro adjustment of tension to the wearer’s preference. The SSV is currently available in Double AR, Double MP7, and Double MP5 configurations, although FirstSpear is constantly updating the supported magazines.

The SSV Rifle + Pistol Mag Combo is designed to securely hold a rifle/primary weapon magazine and pistol magazine. It features a tension screw for micro adjustment of tension to the wearer’s preference. The SSV is currently available in single AR, Double MP7, and Double MP5 configurations, all of which also holster one of several popular pistol model magazines; FirstSpear is also constantly updating the supported magazines.

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Durable synthetic construction for a second-skin fit with terry backed thumbs and touch screen capability that provide protection for active hands with minimum impact on fine motor skills.

FEATURES ■ Lightweight, durable glove without compromising dexterity.

■ Tough synthetic suede palm and inner finger construction for wet or dry grip on all firearms.

■ Narrow, minimalistic forefinger for easy access and better control of firearms triggers.

■ Terrycloth backed thumb area to quickly remove fogging on hunting optics and glasses.

■ Ambidextrous three-finger touchscreen capability.

■ Elastic wrist closure keeps out debris.

■ 100% synthetic.

■ Subdued branding for better camouflage and concealment.

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E GLOBE - EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE LUSIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE - EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM ARO

GERMAN ARMY ANNOUNCE NEW CAMO PATTERNS

THE DUCHESS OPENS NEW PM REVEALS MEASURES HOME OF KING’S TROOPVISIT INTHE LATEST AFGHAN er Rememb your is R a i d e ra z i n e .

The German Army has announced two new camouflage patterns for limited use. m a g First, s know o let u re up to is the MultiTarnDruck which translates to Multi Camouflage Pattern. It’s a Shtransitional o u’ y t a w er w h e r e vr e ! pattern and will most likely supplant the German military’s limited use of MultiCam. you a

Interestingly, the German Government has taken steps to protect the patterns in much the same manner as the USMC protects MARPAT. Next up is SchneeTarmDruck or Snow Camo Pattern. In this photo, the new pattern can be seen atop the current pattern. These should start rolling into service once the German government provides industry with the specifications to print the patterns.

The Duchess of Cornwall opened the new Woolwich home of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in and visit unveiled a plaque to the commemorate the David changeCameron of the name of the new barracks, OnMarch his latest to Afghanistan, Prime Minister has announced a packagefrom of Napier Lines to King George VI Lines. measures to provide a significant boost to the British military campaign. Both UK troops and the The Regiment from theirwill barracks St Johns Woodfunding in February this year, having been Afghan Nationalmoved Security Forces benefitinfrom increased and state of the art equipment. stationed there for over 200 years. The new state of the art facilities house 120 horses and 150 The Prime Minister announced: soldiers and cost £16.5 million. ✪To £33.1 millionthe for visit the development of the Afghan in 2010/11; including building celebrate to the new state-of-the artNational facilities,Police the Duchess toured the forge, seven police stations addition to viewed the two aUK-funded policeof stations opened in Helmand last month. veterinary centre andinstables, and demonstration 12 horses exercising the Gun ✪ £135 million to carry double Remotely Piloted System (RPAS).

Carriages, which 13Reaper pounder guns which wereAircraft first used in the first world war. The carriages are used to fire the guns during The Queen’s birthday parade, State Visits and Remembrance Accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, the Prime Minister arrived Sunday. at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, then travelled to the Main Operating Base in Lashkar Gah for The Duchess visited the officers’ mess at the start of the visit, to board a horse-drawn open-top a briefing by Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier James Chiswell on the progress made by the carriage, known as a Sociable Carriage.

Provincial Reconstruction Team to drive social, economic and political development in the area.

During her visit the Duchess also presented Afghanistan service medals to four soldiers from the He later met soldiers who crew and maintain the newly operational Warthog armoured vehicle.

King’s Troop who have just returned from frontline duties.

Visiting the Helmand Police Training Centre on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah to present graduation Before departing the Duchess unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the King George certificates to newly qualified Afghan policemen; he revealed that the extra £33.1 million resources VI Lines and Commanding Officer Major Mark Edward presented Her Royal Highness with a specially would help build or refurbish 48 police stations, including seven to be opened before spring 2011. engraved and polished 13 pound gun shell which had been used to fire the Royal Salute to mark the These improvements to essential infrastructure, in addition to more resources for training, will start of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on 6 February 2012. help the Afghan National Police appear both more visible and more professional to the Afghan population, enabling them to carry out their role more effectively.

AFGHANS Prime Minister Cameron said: OUTGUN THE BRITISH “I know the thoughts will be of home and of loved ones; I would like personally to thank everyone IN FRIENDLY CRICKET serving A in Afghanistan for the sacrifice they are making. I say to them, itCLASH is great work you are doing

and we must continue to do all we can to help you endure.

Afghan the British Army for six when they and met what for a two-day clashgrounds in the heart “This cricketers is my sixthknocked visit to Afghanistan, to Helmand Province, I see is some for of Helmand Province. The amount of ground that’s covered by the forces is up, the amount of markets cautious optimism.

A British team, across alland three branches of thethat armed serving on Operation that are open, theselected numberfrom of provincial district governors areforces in place, the number of Herrick a team from of thesecurity; Afghan there National a team improvement.” of Afghan interpreters in a schools 15, thattook are on open, the level are Army lots of(ANA) signsand of positive two-day series of 20/20 cricket matches in Camp Bastion in front of over 1,500 ANA spectators.

The British Forces Afghanistan team trained for days to prepare for the game against the avid Afghan cricketers, and the three sides sized each other up beforehand in the cricket nets at the ANA’s Camp Shorabak, next to Camp Bastion. But when the matches started the impressive Afghan teams took British Forces Afghanistan to the cleaners, with victories going to both the ANA and interpreter sides.

The British team were all out for 75 versus the ANA team’s score of 165, much to the rapture of the audience of Afghan soldiers who flooded onto the pitch to congratulate their colleagues. The Soldiers fromfared the 2nd Regiment delivering security in Afghanistan in their British team no Royal betterTank against the team of Afghan interpreters, scoringhave 169 traded for seven whileold the Viking vehicles and upgraded something even better, the mighty Warthog. interpreters managed 183 all to out.

2 RTR will use Warthog’s outstanding manoeuvrability to bring firepower and armoured support On the second day, the two Afghan sides met in a play-off, with the ANA coming out victorious in the final. wherever and whenever theyoccasion are called reflect new vehicle at their disposal, 2 RTR The matches were a huge forupon. both To sides.

Thethe ANA team played in blue-and-red uniforms soldiers in at theatre are now known presented the beginning of the as “Warthog Group” – and they are already building a reputation as one of the most mobile ground units under British command in Helmand. match on behalf of the Helmand The Warthog is a relatively light but robust tracked vehicle. It consists of 2 cabs: the front cab houses Provincial Reconstruction Team, the driver and commander and is armed with a heavy weapons turret. The rear cab is for infantry. which helps with development The new has greater armour protection and more power than its predecessor, but still projects invehicle the region.

The British retains the superb cross-country team played in ‘whites’ from the performance for which the Viking was known.

AbleCricket to operate in the most diverse and demanding environments, including moving through water, Army Association. climbing steep slopes and drainage ditches the new Warthog provides troops with high levels One of the spectators incrossing the Tactical’s new Patriot Plate Carrier istocurrently forthe pre-order.

The ofShellback protection whilst giving commanders the flexibility operate inavailable areas where terrain and local stands was ANA Corps Commander infrastructure mean amost-senior more agile vehicle needed.

PatriotMalouk, is based the same frameisdesign as the Banshee plate carrier, and is designed General theon Corporal Tristan ‘Tiny’ Cordery from Fowey in Cornwall, is a veteran of two tours of Iraq Afghan National Army soldier in (35), as a lightweight, low-profile carrier for use with Law Enforcement in High Threat active and one ofProvince.

Kosovo, and has served in Afghanistan on prior deployments. He has now returned to Helmand shooter scenarios, Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities, and Counter Afghanistan He said: as a Warthog commander with 2 RTR. “We canischoose between the Head heavy,over grenade or general purpose machine guns. gives me as the Terrorism Direct Actions. to Soldier Systems and you can findThis yourself a nice “There a very good Warthog commander to tailor my hard armament to the mission, and that’s a vital capability competition goingcode on,the a asflexibility little discount well if you search enough! in order to succeed complicated environment of Afghanistan. competition playedin inthe friendship. thisthat firepower good armour. The Warthog can take rocket-propelled grenade hits, It With is good British comes and Afghan machine are gunable fire and has better protection from IEDs. soldiers to spend quality Thisworking combination of firepower and protection is what us Tankies are looking for in a vehicle. We’re time together.” ready to go out with the RTR mentality and apply armoured tactics in support of our guys with boots on the ground.”

ROYAL TANK REGIMENT UNLEASH NEW VEHICLES

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MARCH 2011 WWW.RAIDER-MAG.COM WWW.RAIDER-MAG.COM 009 007 MAY 2012 W W W.RAIDER-MAG.COM 007

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SHOT SHOW BOOTS ON THE GROUND!

SHOT SHOW 2016 REPORT

By Trampa s.

SHOW REPORT 2016 - BOOTS ON THE GROUND AS THE CALENDAR TURNS TO ANOTHER NEW YEAR, THE FIREARM WORLD’S ATTENTION DRAWS ONCE AGAIN TO A NEON LIT OASIS IN THE NEVADA DESERT NAMED LAS VEGAS. EVER SINCE LATE JANUARY OF LAST YEAR, JANUARY 17TH23RD HAVE BEEN CIRCLED IN BRIGHT RED INK FOR 2016. WHY YOU ASK? BECAUSE BETWEEN THOSE DATES, SOMETHING WITH MORE FANFARE AND PAGEANTRY THAN CHRISTMAS HAPPENS FOR EVERY GOOD LITTLE ADULT “GUN” GUY AND GIRL IN THE INDUSTRY! FOR ONE WEEK A YEAR, THIS SPECTACULAR CITY PLAYS HOST TO THE LARGEST ANNUAL FIREARMS EVENT ON THE PLANET, SHOT SHOW 2016!

With television/movie stars, top names in professional/Olympic competition, manufacturing and training, these factors alone can be quite engulfing but when combined with the allures and temptations of Las Vegas aka “Sin City”, this event can be life changing to anyone witnessing it the first time around. For those who are a bit more experienced, the week of SHOT SHOW represents some of the most fun and hardest work you will do all year! Follow along as Raider Magazine takes you through a week in the life known as SHOT SHOW! Some of you may read the intro and wonder “Just what is the SHOT SHOW exactly?” The simple answer is SHOT SHOW is a Trade Industry-ONLY event, closed to the public, hosted by great folks with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This event is held annually at the Sands convention center adjoining the beautiful Venetian Hotel & Casino. This attendance RESTRICTED event is open ONLY to the hunting, shooting and outdoor trade along with their commercial buyers / sellers from military, Law Enforcement and tactical production backgrounds and services. The event is RESTICTED to anyone under 16 years of age and offers very limited media coverage and attendance. In order to be eligible to attend this event, everyone must submit an attendance application, have their companies or backgrounds properly vetted and approved before being allowed to even purchase

a ticket. Luckily, Raider Magazine finds its way on the guest list every year!

■ WHO, WHAT AND WHEN? To get you up to speed on just how large the SHOT SHOW event is, let’s take a look at some quick facts. ✔ SHOT SHOW week kicks off with Industry Day at the Range in Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club from 0830 HRS – 1730 HRS, Monday, January 18th. ✔ The Sands Convention Center opens 0830 HRS to 1730 HRS from Jan 19-22. ✔ 630,000 net square feet of show floor! ✔ 64,000+ attendees this year. ✔ Over 16000+ exhibitors. ✔ Vendors and products from all 50 states and over 100 countries.

■ U.S. INDUSTRY FACTS For many of our international readers, the question may arise, “Why hold SHOT SHOW in the United States of all places?” Here are some quick facts to consider to help answer exactly why the industry’s largest show in the world chose the US as the annual sight of the event as posted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

✔ $4.1 billion a year: The size of the U.S. firearms and ammunition industry. ✔ $27.8 billion: Total economic impact of hunting and shooting on the U.S. economy. ✔ 300 million: Estimate of how many firearms are in the United States. ✔ 85 million: Estimate of the number of firearms owners in the United States. ✔ 50 of 50: Number of U.S. states that allow concealed carry of a handgun. ✔ 6000: Manufacturer, distributor, retailer, range and media members of the NSSF’s trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry with a mission to promote, protect and preserve.

■ INDUSTRY DAY AT THE RANGE As the big evening approached, one of my fellow writers, Craig Reinolds and I flew into Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon to allow for plenty of time to get checked into our hotel. As this was Craig’s first trip to both Las Vegas and the SHOT SHOW, I wanted him to get the “lay of the land” before the crowds started to roll in on Tuesday so we decided head over to the Sand’s convention center via the Venetian Hotel and Casino. After a brief walk through the show’s location and dinner, we had plenty of time to rest up for the morning’s start.

0740 HRs the next morning, the motor coach arrived outside our hotel and escorted Craig and I out to Boulder City nestled in a stretch of beautiful desert between two sections of the majestic snow covered Rocky Mountains. Upon our arrival at the host sight, Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club, we were greeted with gift bags filled with industry SWAG such as bottle openers, T shirts, jackets, patches, stickers, etc. From 0830 HRs till noon, this range would only be open to the few privileged members of the media invited to enjoy the day. Afterwards, select FFL holders were allowed to join in the fun until closing time at 1630 HRS. Once through the main gate, we were officially at SHOT SHOW’s Industry Day at the Range presented by the NSSF!

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BOOTS ON THE GROUND! The best way to describe this first day is basically a shooter’s dream come true! Vendors from around the world totaling over 170 manufacturers are lined up the length of the range, side by side with their respective tents and tables displaying their products to guests as they make their way through. The best part is, this isn’t just a glorified open air gun show, this is THE SHOOTING EVENT of the year! Every vendor greets their guests as they step up, explains the products displayed, how they function, what may be new for this year and then offer to have everyone test shoot each and everything possible! As soon as the first shot of the day breaks, the event becomes a whirl wind of long range, short range, and multiple target engagements. Over 500,000 rounds of ammunition light up the desert onto assorted static paper, electronic and steel targets. Booth to booth, guests travel to shoot high powered air rifles, .22 rimfire rifles, high end competition pistols, full auto, and suppressed; even new large caliber rifles making their industry debut at this year’s show!

With as massive as Industry Day at the Range is, one of the most impressive things about it is the professionalism and care given by the Range Safety Officers. Lead by the grand master of events himself, Daniel Lord and his son and chief RSO, Shaun, this team of highly qualified RSO’s run an amazing system to keep everyone safe and happy. Having met Shaun the previous year amongst the morning rush getting to the show floor, I had the opportunity to become friends with him afterwards. Despite the hundreds of people the Lord family had to attend to, Shaun and his father treated my crew like royalty, complete with a complimentary golf cart escort at the end of the day past all the other tired and worn out gun writers in our industry back to the motor coach pick up area in true VIP fashion.

Special thanks to the Lord family and the entire RSO staff for a very special day!

■ SHOW TIME! While Craig and I were already seasoned 2016 SHOT SHOW veterans by the time Tuesday morning arrived for the official opening of the show floor at the Sands convention center, for

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SHOT SHOW 2016

most, this is the big day for their experience to begin. As the wall to wall wave of crowds rolled through the doors of the multiple show floor areas at 0830 HRS, the next few hours were spent making new contacts with each vendor’s media representatives and checking out the products we would be interested in appearing throughout the year here in the pages of Raider.

After a brief lunch, it was on to the 64th floor of the Trump Tower for a private meeting with Travis Haley and his Haley Strategic Partners team. This group of guys is made up of the top of the industry’s training profession, who use their combat experiences to build real world functional products. From the recent release of the HSP TH1RTE3N night sights for the Glock handgun platform to the release later in the week of the HSP Disruptive rifle sling offering a quick 1 point to 2 point and back again option on the move. Some things seen were officially “not seen” until their release later in the year.

At this point, I can only comment to expect great things from Haley Strategic Partners throughout 2016. The rest of the day was spent back on the show floor until closes getting a feel for the new vendors and products featured on the 3rd floor in the NSSF’s NeXt area.

Wednesday came with the same crowds at the same time funneling back through the convention center doors. The focus of the day’s events were two fold, the first being prearranged meetings throughout the day while the other focused on the Limited Access area displaying all the military, law enforcement and private military ONLY products. Throughout the 40mm launching products, suppressors and ballistic vests designs offered, one reoccurring theme I noticed offered new for this year was the wide range of video target monitoring systems launching onto the market. Ranging from thousands of dollars to the $500 - $600 range, these individual systems varied in tech just as much as price. On the high end, vendors offered heavy duty portable monitors linked to high tech video cameras with a range of 1600 meters. The more affordable and realistic systems offered a standard style video camera and compatible computer programs for the shooter supplied laptops and power supplies.

Although the show doors close each day at 1730 HRS, the full SHOT SHOW experience never ends there. Every evening is filled with charity dinners, parties, and the legendary after parties that inevitably cause companies to end up missing show employees the next day. For my business partner and me, the evening’s event was across town at a close friend’s charity fundraiser. Upon arrival at the legendry Rifle Dynamics, we were greeted by the owner, Jim Fuller. As an iconic name in the AK-47 industry, Jim uses his celebrity status to draw attention to worthy charities near and dear to the hearts and he and his friends. The night’s event was to help combat the sex slave trafficking industry in which the small, private crowd managed to raise over $10,000.00 in just a few hours and a few cold beers later. As the ONLY media representatives among all the celebrities and socialites, Craig and I were quite honored for the personal invite!

Thursday offered much of the same with venturing into the general shooting / hunting main show floor area. This is where the most impressive displays are located from the big names in the industry such as Glock, Benelli, Colt and Smith & Wesson. Some of these booths were literally larger than my house! Plush carpets, celebrity appearances, tucked away offices and tons of free SWAG fill the massive show floor as I navigated through the aisles from meeting to meeting with vendors such as YETI coolers, Vortex, Aimpoint and MagPul. Perhaps the most impressive booth encountered during the day was that of Sig Sauer Arms. Aside from the

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BOOTS ON THE GROUND! impressively clean and beautifully illuminated firearm displays of some of Sig’s signature firearms and new products for 2016, just the size of the display area alone was a sight to behold.

Anchoring the whole production for Sig Sauer was John Hollister, one of the industry’s most brilliant minds. Just meeting John on the show floor was an honor and a pleasure.

Just as with the previous day, the SHOT SHOW experience would not end at 1730 HRS when the doors closed on another great outing. I would be remising in not mentioning a group of true heroes from around the world who make up the Tactical Beard Owners Club. This club more commonly known as the TBOC consists primarily of former Law Enforcement and Military operators from around the globe within over 40 chapters in their ranks. In either their course of duty or in rebellion for having to be clean shaven during their tenure, have found a common bound through the respect and affection for wearing a beard. It pays respect to the primal warrior in each of them while being able to be among fellow shooters who fully understand where their hearts and minds may lie due to battlefield experience. Being not only patched members, but also leadership representatives from the state of Florida, Craig and I would attend the annual meeting of the TBOC for those of us in the firearms industry. As per standard SOP, it would be at 2200 HRS at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino at the end of the world famous Las Vegas Strip. Between 35 and 40 of our brother beards were able to attend with a special WORLD FLAG signing facilitated by brother, Jeff Young.

This flag is much larger than any others that bare the TBOC logo and has been tasked to make it around the world to each and every member to sign and be a part of this moment in club history.

Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, U.S. and Canada were all represented strongly. The rest of the evening’s report on the club meeting had to stay in Vegas under the term, “If you don’t know, well, you don’t need to know.”

As Friday, the fourth day of the show floor and 5th day of the SHOT SHOW experience rolled around; there were no meetings, no contact to make and no hurries or worries to be had. This

SHOT SHOW 2016

is one of my favorite times to be at the show.

There are fewer crowds as most attendees are rushing to the airport, vendors are more laid back and business for the week has pretty much be wrapped up. This day would be to stroll through areas we may have overlooked, revisit friends we had not had time to properly stop by and enjoy speaking with and to actually soak in another year of just being able to attend the show. Most of the celebrities seen throughout the week are across the street attending the Outdoor Channel’s Golden Moose Awards hosted by the Trump Hotel and Casino. Moving through the new products area once again without all the congestion allowed for being able to pay close detail to items we may have missed.

Expect to see some big changes in suppressors this year from top companies like SilencerCo and Sig. Simple everyday items like sight replacement tools and chronographs are being redesigned and made easier to use and more importantly, harder to break! Not to go into too much detail, let’s just say I left with a pair of full note pads for upcoming features.

With the doors closing at 1730 HRS Friday evening for the final time of the year, I had time to reflect on all the great people I got to meet and visit again along with tons of great guns and gear. After enjoying my time speaking to folks like Jerry and Lena Miculek, Julie Golob, Instructor Zero, Gabby Franco and Rob Latham among countless others, I was sad to see the week end but extremely glad to be heading home the next day to my own personal set of heroes, my wife and daughter. One aspect I was able to take away from SHOT SHOW this year was the chance to measure how I see the whole experience compared to a first time visitors such as my Swanson Media Group business partner, Craig Reinolds. His take on the show was very refreshing and sometimes humorous because of what he thought was interesting may have just been part of how wacky and unique Las Vegas is and not the show per say.

■ CLOSING THOUGHTS One of my favorite things to do each year during SHOT SHOW is having an excuse to run into a personal family friend of ours, Carrie Lightfoot, founder of The Well Armed Woman not-for-profit women’s organization created to help educate and empower ladies in shooting sports. With living with the state of Florida leader, Candace Swanson, my wife, as well as teaching as a residence firearms instructor for the group, I have seen more than just empowerment. I have seen lives pulled back together, mother / daughter relationships mended or bonded closer, and independence found through countless classes over a span of 3 years. Each year I attend SHOT SHOW, I am proud to see more of Carrie’s members wearing their purple shirts and walking around the show as new members of the training and firearms product industry. These ladies have managed to lead the way for women into a historically male dominated field to provide a much needed different prospective into the industry.

In wrapping up, I can’t stress enough how reading endless articles on SHOT SHOW will never compare to the actual experience of being there but I can assure you Raider Magazine will always give you the best “behind the scenes” view you can find. If you are in the industry and have the means to attend, you NEED to go!

The networking, the family-like bond between industry people and the pageantry of it all can be considered a lifetime experience only enjoyed once a year. As for all the great firearms and gear discovered arriving on the market in 2016, all I can say is to stay tuned to the pages of Raider Magazine for new reviews and special features coming soon!

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RAIDER SURVIVAL: PREPARING FOR THE WINTER - PREPAR

SURVIVAL

KIT CARE: PREPARING FOR THE WINTER AFTER ANY TRAINING SESSION OUT IN THE WOODS OR MOUNTAINS ANY GOOD TRAINEE WORTH THEIR SALT IS GOING TO PUT TIME AND EFFORT INTO CLEANING THEIR EQUIPMENT SO THAT THEY GET THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY FROM IT. THE SAME PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE PUT INTO DOING THE SAME WITH YOUR CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND OUTDOOR GEAR.

Over the past few months we’ve looked at the necessary skills to keep you alive and on the move; rucsacs, what to pack in them, boots, sleeping bags, bivis and hammocks. Your first line of defence though is always going to be your clothing and footwear so we're going to look especially closely here at how we maintain them to get the absolute maximum performance from them.

Now any waterproof garment, boot, or piece of gear as new will work very well straight off the shelf. As new there’s really nothing more you need to do than put it on and get out and train.

However, after time and dependant on usage your jacket, boots, and gear will need a bit of cleaning and maintenance.

To this end we've teamed up with Grangers to give you some relatively inexpensive solutions to cleaning and maintenance. Since 1937 Granger’s has always been at the forefront of developing the most environmentally responsible products.

Granger’s was the first company to develop water-based aftercare products and the first aftercare company to be a bluesign® system partner, a first for the outdoor industry. 90% of the Granger’s product line is bluesign®, with

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products for clothing, footwear and equipment.

The bluesign® standard is a widely-accepted, reliable and protective tool certifying the eco-friendliness of the entire textile production chain. Instead of focusing on finished product testing, the bluesign® standard analyses all input streams, from raw materials to chemical components and even resources.

Also under the same roof is the Fabsil range of products. Fabsil used to be best known for their tent and gear maintenance products, but these days they offer as wide a range of products as their Grangers stablemates. The trusted Fabsil range of cleaning and protection products are a simple and cost-effective way to keep waterproof fabrics protected and waterproof for longer, extending the life of your kit. They are ideal for use with clothing, footwear and equipment, letting you stay dry and enjoy the outdoors for longer, whatever the weather!

Fabsil cleaners keep waterproof products performing at their best and working like new, year after year. Unlike household detergents, Fabsil won’t harm your kit’s waterproof coating.

The liquid waterproofer contains a UV inhibitor

to help prolong the life of your kit and Fabsil footwear proofer waterproofs and conditions footwear, helping feet stay dry and footwear last longer.

✔ CLOTHING

When you buy a new waterproof jacket, the Durable Water Repellancy (DWR) treatment makes the water just run off the outside, but over time dirt, oil and normal household detergent will mask the DWR and the outside of the jacket will start absorbing water. The first step to restore the waterproofness of your clothing is to clean it with a specially formulated product that will not damage the DWR finish applied during the manufacturing process, therefore increasing the life of your garment.

Granger’s has an extensive range of cleaners for clothing. The Performance Cleaner, which is recommended for Gore-Tex® and all waterproof breathable clothing, also has an anti-odour treatment to keep the garment fresher for longer. The Merino Cleaner is specially formulated for Merino wool garments and the natural Cedar extract helps repel moths, thus protecting the clothing. The Down Cleaner restores the loft and protects the natural oils found in down products, such as jackets and sleeping bags. To complete the range the Universal Spray Cleaner works with all types of synthetic clothing and removes dirt without the need of a washing machine.

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EPARING FOR THE WINTER - PREPARING FOR THE WINTER

Once your clothing has been cleaned, the next step is to re-proof the garment to restore its waterproofness. Granger’s unique 2in1 Cleaner and Proofer is a very popular choice, as it only uses one wash cycle to wash and proof your garment and it is especially recommended for all waterproof breathable clothing. The XT Proofer is a handy spray-on proofer which restores waterproofness without the need of a tumble dryer and is ideal for shell garments.

✔ FOOTWEAR

Granger’s offers a complete solution to care for your waterproof footwear, which includes cleaners and proofers to prolong the life of your boots and shoes and ensure they stay waterproof for maximum protection and comfort.

Granger’s G-Max Footwear Cleaner is a powerful water-based cleaner which can be used on all kind of footwear. The Dirty Scrubber is a handy cleaner that can be used on footwear as well as all kinds of clothing and does not damage the DWR finish of the product. To keep footwear fresh, the Odour Eliminator is effective on all types of footwear and works as a simple spray-on application.

To re-proof footwear, the G-Wax, available as a beeswax, conditioner and paste, restores and provides nourishment and protection to leather footwear. The G-Max Universal Footwear Proofer is available in sponge, spray and pump spray application and maintains the breathability of waterproof footwear.

inhibitor will ensure your gear is weather proof and fresh for longer. The Tent & Gear Proofer is available as a paint-on or spray-on and will restore the fabric’s DWR for complete weather protection.

Ideal for a whole host of products, the Fabsil Universal Protector shields against water and stains and is suitable for a large range of materials including sheepskin, suede, leather and fabrics. By spraying onto the product, the Universal Protector will keep boots, jackets, trousers, backpacks, tents water resistant for much much longer.

Easy to use and suitable for almost anything you want to protect, the Fabsil Liquid Proofer is a paint-on UV and silicone-based proofer that works on all fabric types, while Fabsil Gold is designed for a high-strength treatment. Finally, the Spray Proofer is an easy to use protective spray. Suitable for all fabrics, the spray-on silicone-based proofer improves the water repellency of products, while the Fabsil Gold spray proofer is designed for a high-strength treatment.

✔ KEEP IT MAINTAINED!

I think that you’ll have to agree that there is something in the Grangers and Fabsil range that will allow you to keep literally all of your gear in 100%, tip top condition. For just a few pounds you can treat your gear to maintain superb performance all year round.

What’s the point of laying out £250 (or more!) on a waterproof and breathable jacket to only get half the performance from it if you don’t breathe a little new life into it from time to time?

There have been too many instances of friends complaining to us that their jacket is “leaking” when in fact it’s so shockingly dirty and ill maintained that it has almost no breathability left. The fact is the moisture coming away from their bodies inside their jacket just recondenses there and they get thoroughly damp that way.

Please take time during the Winter months to clean and treat your gear; trust us, if you do this you’ll be out training more, and for longer, even in the foulest of conditions!

✔ GEAR AND ACCESSORIES

A Cleaner and a Proofer is all that is needed to keep accessories such as rucksacks from leaking and prolong their life span. Granger’s Tent & Gear Cleaner is suitable for all types of fabrics and is ideal preparation before re-proofing. It's mildew

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GEAR SPOTLIGHT FUNCTIONAL FABRICS

UF.PRO MERINO SHIRT LONG SLEEVE

£54.99

AVAILABLE IN: BLACK AND RANGER GREEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUR HANDS ON A RANGE OF KIT FROM UF.PRO THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS OVER AT HUEY’S. WHILST MUCH OF THE RANGE GOT US A LITTLE OVEREXCITED, ONE PRODUCT STOOD OUT FROM THE PACK, NOT BECAUSE IT WAS A ‘GUCCI’ PIECE OF GEAR, NOR BECAUSE IT WAS WORN

BY SOME SHOOTING CELEBRITY. INSTEAD THE UF.PRO MERINO WOOL SHIRT CAUGHT OUR EYE BECAUSE IT LOOKED HUGELY FUNCTIONAL FOR THE COLD MONTHS WE HAVE UPON US.

raider recommends! ✪✪✪✪✪

UF.PRO MERINO SHIRT UNI&FORMA was founded in 1997 with the vision to make high performance garment systems for demanding professionals. Under the brand name UF PRO®, the garments are today worn by various military and law enforcement special forces, where they are appreciated for its excellent wear comfort, quality and reliability.

UF:PRO are somewhat a new name for us, having been introduced to their range by the guys at Huey’s. Volume 8 Issue 9 saw us take a broad look at a range of UF:PRO items, and whilst the whole range impressed us, one item caught our attention more than the others - the UF:PRO Merino Shirt.

The Merino Shirt is available in both long and short sleeve versions, however we’ve got the long sleeve version on test at the moment purely due

016

to the colder temperatures. Connor, the Editor had been looking for something to wear as a base layer through the winter whilst cycling, so the Merino Wool Shirt lent itself perfectly to this.

On receiving the Merino Shirt, the first thing you pick up on is the packaging quality. The shirt comes in a branded dust bag, perfect for stowage when travelling to stop the Merino Wool catching on anything in transit.

Once you remove the shirt from the cover, the quality continues to ooze from the product with the materials feeling exquisite and the cut is nearing on perfect.

The shirt is made from an intelligent blend of Merino active fibre and COCONA® polyester which help the wearer warm when it´s cold, cools him down when sweating, and dries

extremely fast when it is wet. Both, the Merino and the COCONA fibre, make sure that there is no bad odour build up, without using any antibacterial treatment.

Comfort is done through a mixture of flat seams that make sure the shirt can be comfortably worn over a long period of time, at any high level activities and even under heavy body armour and the materials used. It really is a comfortable base layer.

In terms of performance the UF PRO® Merino Shirt is a superb base layer shirt, which provides excellent thermo-physiological properties and odour resistance. It literally does everything a base layer should, and whilst I could go on to list all the things you know you need in a good base layer, you should really just go and buy one to experience it yourself.

OUR FINAL THOUGHTS

THE UF PRO® MERINO SHIRT IS A NICELY FITTING, LONG SLEEVED, BASE LAYER SHIRT WITH EXCELLENT FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES, AND WHILST IT IS A BIT ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE WITH NOT MUCH CHANGE FROM £60.00, IT IS A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO A BASE LAYER CORRECTLY.

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DEPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS

R AIDER RECOMMENDS

DEPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS! T ’ N O D T S U J E M O H E V A LE Y N A T U O H T WI OF THEM! OVER THE LAST YEAR WE’VE HAD SOME GREAT ITEMS COME THROUGH THE DOORS FOR REVIEW WITHIN OUR DEPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS FEATURE. THIS MONTH WE’LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE ITEMS AGAIN, HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE DEPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS ITEMS THAT WE’VE HAD OUR HANDS ON IN THE LAST YEAR. We won’t lie to you, this was meant to be filled with an exclusive on a brand new range of gear to hit the European shores this Spring. Unfortunately the delivery service managed to lose all of our review samples and the company in question were unable to get us a new lot out in time for this issue. As to keep Deployment Essentials up and running though, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the best gear to come through the Deployment Essentials doors - showing you what we thought were the best of the bunch over a number of different articles.

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DE P L O Y ME N T E S SE N T I A L S

JUS T DON ’ T L E AV E HOM

HELIKON

FERRO CONCEPTS

UF PRO

Lightweight and breathable upper apparel, designated to be worn underneath body armour. Flexible torso part does not wrinkle and protects the skin against irritation caused by tactical vests/rigs. Shoulder and sleeve parts are covered with camouflage and made of strengthened material to maintain proper signature and durability.

Hard, removable elbow pads provide high protection against impact and abrasion.

Need a soft cover with a little more insulation than a bush hat? Ferro Concepts Recce Beanie, born in the depths of a Canadian winter is a chunky knit, synthetic beanie hat that’s at home of the skirmish field just as much as on the high street.

It can be worn with or without a turned up fold for a different look, or simply so you can pull it down lower over your ears.

Subtle Ferro branding is provided by way of an embroidered tab sewn onto the lower hem. The Recce Beanie is available in Black, Coyote Brown, Dusk Grey and Covert Green.

The UF PRO Hunter Sweater is the perfect piece of outdoor equipment for those looking for a solution in regards to those cold, windy or wet days that are looming.

It provides superb comfort during outdoor activities in uncertain weather conditions.

As it is light and nicely packable, it perfectly qualifies as an item of clothing which can be stored in a pack as a just incase.

The UF PRO Hunter FZ Jacket is the perfect item of clothing for longer outdoor activities and can be worn under tactical equipment or simply as “stand alone” whenever it’s getting cooler.

Again, please note the UF PRO Hunter Sweater comes up small, so we would recommend either checking measurements first or simply go up a size to ensure perfect comfort and performance.

COMBAT SHIRT

Features: ■ Breathable torso.

■ Stand-up collar.

■ Bicep pockets with ID Velcro panels.

■ Forearm pockets.

■ Elbow pad compartments (hard elbow pads included).

■ Adjustable cuffs.

RECCE BEANIE

HUNTER SWEATER

£8295

£19.99

£54.00

FERRO CONCEPTS EVERYDAY CARRY BELT

This belt was designed as an everyday carry belt that is sturdy enough to mount holsters and magazine pouches on if needed.

Constructed from doubled up 1.5” milspec webbing with a layer of high-density polyethylene sandwiched in between. The main feature of the FC-EDCB is the use of a 1” USA made Raptor buckle which allows for quick don and doff yet is still capable of fitting through civilian pant belt loops.

Be aware that this belt doesn’t follow usual sizing guides. For the best fit make sure to measure your current belt from the buckle to the hole you wear your belt on. From here match this size to a Ferro Concepts Everyday Carry Belt size to ensure you get the correct fit.

raider recommends! ✪✪✪✪✪

£29.99

020

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HOME W I T HOU T T HE M! - DE P L O Y ME N T E S SE N T I A L S FIRSTSPEAR

FIRSTSPEAR

UF PRO

Continuing development of the SSV Holster Line, FirstSpear has been hard at work to bring you a deeper concealment holster with the versatility that EDC requires. Available for all standard stock pistols without light in the FS SSV Line and all standard colors this holster has some unique attributes that are sure to make it your favorite. An easy to use molded J Hook lets you attach and remove the holster without undoing your LIne 1 Belt, a back up lanyard can be installed in case the J Hook becomes disengaged from your belt (removable if not desired).

Lastly the holster body provides a complete wrap at the muzzle to facilitate protection of key body parts from a hot muzzle during repetitive training drills. jhook is canted at a 15 forward angle and accepts up to an inch and 3/4 belt.

As with all FirstSpear® products this holster will be continually innovated and improved, but the reliability, craftsmanship and confidence that it inspires will always be standard. The SSV™ Holster is 100% American Made out of US Materials. On Duty, Operations or Training the SSV™ Holster will always support you in the immediate deployment of responsive aggression! Built for the X™.

The Wind Cheater utilises a 100% NylonCordura variant called Ambush. Unlike standard cordura Ambush is brushed which allows it to breathe. Soft and quiet with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) finish, it breathes like a T-shirt, sheds wind and dries very quickly. Not a rain proof jacket, will shed some moisture thanks to the DWR coating and will dry very quickly.

Great compression, a large hood that will fit over helmets (works great with the MICH 2001) and a generous cut that does not hinder you are just a few of the Wind Cheater’s features. Standard on the WC are the low profile Velcro attachment points for FS Cell Tags and IFF, FS standard cuff tab and an extra large bicep pocket on each sleeve.

Pit zips on each arm allow for massive air flow when desired. The Wind Cheater also has a wide range of bungee/barrel lock adjustment for the hood, collar, sleeves, and tail to block out wind when desired.

The Wind Cheater is “true to fit”, so your t-shirt size is your Windcheater jacket size.

The P-40 All-Terrain pants will follow even your fastest moves, while all functional elements will remain in their most ergonomic position. An anatomic cut, as well as a breathable and hardwearing Schoeller®dynamic stretch material in the back of the pants, provide these excellent wear characteristics.

The big side pocket of the P-40 All-Terrain Pants offers a horizontal and vertical access to the main cargo area and inner compartments. The attached gear pocket can be easily secured with a quiet and plastic reinforced tab. A small gear pocket in the upper thigh area provides storage for smaller items like a knife, light, or a spare magazine.

The All-Terrain Pants can be equipped with UF PRO® Flex Knee Protectors. A unique construction of the trouser legs makes sure that your knee protector always stays in place, without any adjustments.

The P-40 All-Terrain Pants can be used for different kind of environments- from hot, arid terrains to cold mountain areas. When it gets hot, the mesh lined knee-protector pockets can be left open and thus provide additional air circulation. For cold temperatures, you can simply equip them with a detachable WINDSTOPPER® lining.

Overall the UF PRO P-40 All-Terrain Pants lend themselves well to a variety of climates and environments, making them the perfect all-round pant!

SSV 1911 IN-THE-BELT HOLSTER

WIND CHEATER

£169.99

£22.99

P-40 ALL-TERRAIN PANTS

■ Two-way access side pocket (big capacity).

■ Safety pocket.

■ Small gear pocket.

■ Back pockets.

■ Double belt loops.

■ Velcro loops on waist for attaching belt.

■ Externally accessible knee pockets.

■ Width-adjustable lower trouser leg.

■ CORDURA® enhanced knee & instep area.

■ Inner zip for a detachable Windstopper.

£69.99

£109.99

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SRP ÂŁ75.00

PLATE CARRIER

SPECIAL OPS

TACTICAL

n Shock band shoulder strapping n 3 x Magazine compartment n Velcro ID panel

BLACK

COYOTE

GREEN

V-CAM

n Front chest admin compartment n 3 x Robust webbing side panels n Velcro sizing adjustment on front n Bungee retention size adjuster on rear n Adjustable padded shoulder straps n Padded Ventex internals n Front & rear armour compartments n Velcro outlet retainer

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

Material: 600D Cordura Size: One Size, Fully Adjustable

n Lazer MOLLE webbing panels

TACTICAL

STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

20/11/2015 17:23

GEAR SPOTLIGHT GLOVELY STUFF!

l u f t s i a f teel! of s

RAPTOR GLOVES! LIGHTWEIGHT ASSAULT

LAST YEAR WE SPENT SOME TIME REVIEWING THE BRAVO GLOVES FROM HIGHLANDER AND WERE OVERALL IMPRESSED WITH HIGHLANDER’S LATEST ADDITION TO THEIR GLOVE RANGE. THIS MONTH WE’VE GOT HANDS ON WITH THE RAPTOR £19.99 GLOVES, A LIGHTWEIGHT ROBUST ASSAULT GLOVE WITH A RATHER ENTICING RRP OF £19.99.

Scottish based Highlander have long been players in the military market in our eyes, releasing a range of products that promised excellent quality at reasonable price points, and on the whole they’ve delivered on that promise. Last year we reviewed a range of Highlander products, with the Bravo Glove and Wolverine Folding Saw being favourites of the team, with the Wolverine Folding Saw mysteriously going ‘missing’ after being sent out on review - obviously too good an item to return!

Having had a little bit of a break from looking at the Highlander range, this month we’ve returned though having had their Raptor Gloves on long term test. The Raptor Glove is a lightweight assault glove made from Amara Leather, Rubber and Spandex.

On first look it’s quite clear Highlander have been doing some market research as these resemble the hugely popular M-PACT Glove from Mechanix. However with such a well made glove to compete with have Highlander maybe bitten off a little more than they can chew?

Using the M-PACT as a bar, the first thing to take into account is the pricing. Whilst the M-PACT is a solid glove it retails at £34.99. The Raptor doesn’t have such a high price tag attached to it, retailing at £19.99. Now obviously price isn’t an issue when you know you’re buying a quality product, but the question is have Highlander been able to product a comparative product for a cheaper price point?

In many ways they have.

One of our key criteria when reviewing gloves is comfort, and you can tell a lot from a pair of gloves when you slide them on for the first time.

The Raptor Glove left us in limbo if truth be told.

The overall feel of the glove was brilliant. The Amara Leather lends well to the glove, giving a comfortable feel on the palm area and the Spandex on the top of the hand gives enough ventilation to keep your hands cool. The grip of the glove is solid, and the overall fit worked well.

We did have a few gripes though. The rubber adorning the knuckle area was stiff, and in turn led to it feeling uncomfortable over the area, and like the Bravo Glove, we felt the wrist strap could do with some improvements, however it was certainly better than the Bravo glove. In all honest though we’ve never been huge fans of gloves that fasten so high on the wrist, with the U.S. Flight Glove being more our cup of tea although there are a few exceptions to this like the FDT PIG and Oakley SI Glove.

Having used the Raptor glove over a period of time, the rubber did eventually ‘break in’, and began to be a little more comfortable. For a while we did plaster our knuckles prior to donning the gloves just to stop any potential chafing. The wrist strap held up but is still in our eyes the weakest component of the glove.

Overall though for £19.99 the Raptor Glove is definitely a solid addition to anyone looking for a lightweight glove which offers a suitable amount of protection.

EXCELLENT COMFORT AND WELL SOURCED MATERIALS, THE RAPTOR GLOVE CERTAINLY WON’T FALL APART ON YOU AT ANY TIME, AND WE’RE MUCH MORE OF A FAN OF THESE THAN THE BRAVO GLOVE.

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D R O P

L E G

R I G S

F O U R

O F

O U R

F A V O U R I

DROP IT AND

LEGIT!

ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRENDS OF 2013 AND 2014 WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF VARIOUS NEW LEG RIGS TO THE MARKET, EXPANDING ON THE ALREADY FUNCTIONAL MOLLE DROP LEG PLATFORM; CREATING A RANGE OF MORE SPECIALISED VARIANTS. WITH NAMES SUCH AS HSGI AND CHRIS COSTA ATTACHED TO SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS, WE THOUGHT WE’D TAKE A LOOK AT 4 OF OUR FAVOURITE LEG RIGS TO HIT THE MARKET. £134.99

HSGI

L E G R IG V 1

The HSGI Leg Rig V1 affectionately gained the name of the ‘Costa Leg Rig’ when first launched, due to the collaboration between HSGI and Chris Costa on the project. The Costa Leg Rig was essentially the first item to open the watergates on the leg rig craze and saw to the market being completely revolutionised.

This compact leg rig is perfect for a day at the range, a training class or in the field when you want to run a low-profile set up. The combination of 2 Double Decker Tacos and an additional Pistol Taco between them gives you an endless number of applications. It is easily adjustable to your mission or training.

The Double Decker TACO® combines HSGI’s modular rifle mag pouch and a modular pistol mag pouch into one secure unit. This unique pouch can securely hold an infinite combination of mags and other accessories. The original Taco® forms the base and USGI, HK, PMAG, ARC, FAL, AK 30/ 40, LR20 and M14 magazines are all held securely and deployed easily and silently on demand.

The Taco® even works for certain radios, flash bangs and smoke grenades and provides this versatility while taking up only 3” horizontal inches on your platform.

On top, they attached a Pistol Taco®. This versatile pouch will hold almost any pistol magazine. Single stack, double stack.

It makes no difference. 1911, HK 45, M9/Beretta 92, Glock, XD mags are all held securely . The Pistol Taco® can also hold a variety of multi-tools and flashlights.

The padded leg panel attaches to your belt in two places for comfort and function. The padded mesh back and rubberized leg strap ensure performance and stability. Running, jumping or lunging will not displace this panel from where you want it.

Sometimes you simply can’t beat the originator of a craze and the HSGI Leg Rig definitely rings true to that statement, offering a platform that is reliable, stable and most of all effective.

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L E G S £59.95

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WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS S A BR E DROP L E G

For all intents and purposes the Warrior Sabre Drop Leg is a direct copy of the Costa Leg Rig from HSGI, right down to the arrangement of pouches through to the type of pouches used - heck, warrior even released a new line of pouches alongside this that are the mirror image of HSGI’s Taco pouch.

The Sabre Drop Leg is a compact leg rig that is both fully versatile and ideal for a range of different situations. It features two Warrior Single Quick Mag Pouches and three Single Quick Mag 9mm Pistol Pouches. These pouches are Tacos’, there is simply no getting around that fact. The differences are there though, albeit very subtle differences. For example the Sabre Drop Leg doesn’t make use of the moulded plastic to give the pouches shape, instead it uses a nylon to do so. The bungee cording is also a lot more slack on the Sabre Drop Leg. The pouches will hold a range of different mags, however whether that range is as broad as the HSGI offering we’re not sure.

Again, the leg platform is identical apart from a few differences. Firstly the leg strap is of lesser quality than the HSGI variant, being a lot less elasticity with the Warrior version. That’s not to say it’s of a bad quality though - and we’re sure it’ll hold just as well as the HSGI variant.

The padded leg panel also features Warrior’s battle proven breathable 3D mesh for added comfort. The panel attaches to the operators belt in two places and the rubberised non slip leg strap helps prevent unwanted movement and stabilises the platform for a reliable performance.

Warrior have certainly been a little cheeky here, however they’ve done it within the lines of the law and are here for those who can’t afford to drop a huge amount of money on tactical kit.

SHOP AROUND

G-CODE

D 3 C A R R IE R

With one of the other big things during the rise of leg rigs being famous endorsements, Travis Haley simply couldn’t sit there with Costa making all the money, instead we saw him team up with holster experts G-Code to make something a little different from the offering from HSGI and Costa.

When originally setting up shop, G-Code and Haley sat down to put some ideas together, eventually coming up with an end goal - to create an advanced, modular ammunition carry system that is minimal in bulk, lightweight and adaptive across changing environments. After spending some time with the design team, the HSP D3 Carrier was born.

The end result saw a leg rig nothing like the current offerings on the market, instead making use of G-Code’s expertise with Kydex to form a leg rig like no other.

Each Carrier component within the system consists of an ambidextrous, tension adjustable and form fitted magazine cavity. These function as the core building elements of the system and are precision molded and finished. Using select materials; outer surfaces are laminated to enhance performance through the reduction of noise, as well as, reflective and visual signatures in both standard and IR light spectrums.

Engineered with an array of mounting points that enable integration between mounting components and carry accessories. Likewise; multiple carriers can be attached, stacked and combined in various build configurations to meet mission requirements.

We’ve had a couple of D3 Rigs come through the office and from what we’ve seen we’re impressed.

It definitely offers something different from the HSGI offering and does it well.

£54.45

BLACKHAWK

MODUL A R DROP -L E G P L AT F OR M

Whilst the Blackhawk Modular Drop-Leg Platform lacks a famous endorsement and doesn’t make use of an already in-use design, it does have the Blackhawk name attached to it - a brand that has long been known in the tactical gear world.

The previous three rigs we’ve looked at all share the same principles in the fact they are ready made platforms that require very little, if any tinkering with to make full use of. Both the HSGI and Warrior offerings are ready to go straight from the get go, and the G-Code offering is as well, but at the same time offers you some form of customisation should you want to. The Blackhawk Modular Drop-Leg Platform offers something entirely different and a little closer to the original drop leg platform - a blank slate with which you can customise to your own specifications.

Essentially the Blackhawk Modular Drop-Leg Platform is exactly that; a drop leg. Nothing more, nothing less. However what it has done is use the advance in materials available to give the platform a new breath of life, with the use of a high density polymer to give it its form.

From there you have the ability to attach a range of different pouches to the platform, with both polymer and nylon pouches being accepted by the platform.

Whilst the Blackhawk Modular Drop-Leg Platform is far from the all singing, all dancing leg rig that many ‘Gear-dos’ will be attracted to, it is certainly functional. And having the ability to completely change your leg real estate is a huge bonus in our eyes.

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INVICTUS GAMES

OVER THE YEARS PRINCE HARRY HAS BEEN A FIGURE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES. NOT ONLY IS HE A QUALIFIED APACHE CO-PILOT AND GUNNER IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS, HE’S BEEN A PROMINENT FIGURE IN MANY FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES. WITH A BACKGROUND IN BOTH THE MILITARY AND CHARITABLE WORKS, PRINCE HARRY BEGAN TO GROW THE INVICTUS GAMES IN 2014, AND THEIR SUCCESS CONTINUES...

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

In 2013, Prince Harry attended an American event by the name of the Warrior Games, a similar event which Prince Harry himself in the interview joked how the Americans had such a good idea with the event that it just had to be stolen!

The Warrior Games takes over 200 wounded service personnel and puts them up against each other in a series of sporting activities. Speaking about the games, Prince Harry said ‘I think the [Warrior] Games [in the US] had such a profound effect on every single individual that actually took part in it,’ he said.

‘Finally they get the chance to set their mind to a task. Bear in mind these are military people who have been cut down in their prime. They want to have a goal in life. To be told in a day, ‘right that’s it, no you’re not going to walk again, you’re not going to see again’. This is an opportunity for them and members of the public as well to walk in together with one goal as such.

So where does the name Invictus come from?

Before you look at the words individually though, you need to look at the logo and what it stands for. Invictus Games draws out the ‘I am’ from the two words. From a branding perspective it turns it into a clear purpose. It’s

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not what the games are endeavouring to do, but ‘why’ that’s ultimately important. Providing a platform for personal achievement. For our wounded warriors to compete, not just against each other, but against themselves.

“I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE: I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL” So ends the poem ‘Invictus’

By William Ernest Henley.

Invictus is Latin for unconquered. The games will show that those men and women injured during the military conflicts around the world will not be conquered by their injuries, instead rising, showing their strength in the face of adversity and showing ‘I AM’.

Building on the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Invictus Games represent another celebration of adaptive sport in the UK. They will use sport to help inspire recovery and rehabilitation and build a greater understanding and respect for all those who risk their lives for their country.

Personnel and veterans from Armed Forces across the world will now have the opportunity

to compete against other nations they have served alongside to demonstrate the achievements made through their rehabilitation and recovery. It is hoped that the Invictus Games will then inspire future generations to realise their full potential through sport.

THE 2016 INVICTUS GAMES

The 2016 Invictus Games buzz has begun in earnest at the first UK trials and selection event being held at Bath University this weekend.

British serving and veteran servicemen and women hoping to take part in the international games in Orlando, Florida, in May, will be competing for one of 100 places on the UK team.

HRH Prince Harry, whose dream it was to create the Invictus Games, dropped in to the meet the hopefuls on Friday 29 January, greeting competitors and asking their stories.

He addressed the troops and thanked them for making the games possible.

Sporting events including Track and Field, Powerlifting, Wheelchair Tennis, Sitting Volleyball, Rowing, Swimming, Wheelchair Rugby, Cycling, Archery and Wheelchair Basketball will see the troops, some amputees and some with unseen injuries, giving it their all.

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Selection is based on the benefits the games will give an individual as part of their recovery, combined with performance and commitment to training. Games partner charity Help for Heroes is leading work to train and develop the competitors.

The UK team will be announced on April 6th.

The Invictus Games support recovery and rehabilitation because taking part in sport helps with self-confidence and feeling psychologically empowered. These mental health benefits can be translated outside of sport and into everyday life.

More than 500 athletes from 15 countries will gather in Orlando, Florida, for the second Invictus Games, including 100 from the UK. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “I wish all those taking part in the trials the best of luck.

Having made great sacrifices while protecting their country, they are rising to a new challenge with strength and determination.

C A P T A I N

The inaugural 2014 Invictus Games saw 400 competitors from 13 nations around the world compete in nine sports in five venues during four days of intense sporting action.

A spectacular Opening Ceremony saw an

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audience of 5,000 enjoy a fly past from The Red Arrows, displays by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Queen’s Colour Squadron as well as performances from bands of the Royal Marines, Army and RAF.

“THE INVICTUS GAMES WILL PROVIDE INSPIRATION AND OPPORTUNITY AND WILL DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS.”

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FB IAGT HT TL I EN TG E CF IH T NT IHGI HS T M VO NI ST IH O WN E U LNO DO EK R A TO UT RH E S PP AOL TALE IOGL HI T H

EAT RIGHT! EAT FRESH! LAST MONTHS’ ISSUE OF RAIDER SAW US TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF YOUR DIETARY NEEDS, HIGHLIGHTING A RANGE OF DIFFERENT KNOWLEDGE TO GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR JOURNEY. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE WILL BE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE DIETS, LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THEM, THE PROS AND CONS AS WELL AS GIVING YOU SOME MEAL IDEAS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE DIETS FEATURED. Last month we established that one of the key parts of your journey to become a fitter, comes down to the consumption of a balanced diet. It’s an age old analogy but you wouldn’t put bad quality fuel in your £300,000 Ferrari, so why would you consume bad quality food on a day-to-day basis?

The joy about dieting is the huge range of pre-made diets already out there, waiting for you to simply pick up and follow. Couple that with the fact that there are also various recipes, videos and social media groups surrounding these diets you constantly have a means to creating the dishes, and you often find recipes for all levels of culinary expertise.

Each month we’ll be taking a look at a range of different diets, looking at the information surrounding them, the pros and cons of the diets as well as giving you some meal ideas should you choose to follow any of the diets featured.

✔ PALAEOLITHIC DIET

The Palaeolithic Diet, more commonly know as the Paleo Diet or ‘Caveman’ Diet is essentially based around the foods presumed to be available to Palaeolithic humans. The diet as a whole is interpreted in a lot of different ways, however broken down to it’s very basics it favours the use of ingredients that could have been killed, foraged or gathered. This involved foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, roots and various types of meat, whilst excluding foods such as salt, processed oils, dairy products, grains and sugar.

The history of the diet can be traced back to 1975 to a book wrote by Gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin, which was then further developed in 1985 by Stanley Boyd Eaten and Melvin Konner. The ‘Paleo’ diet eventually caught on, and was eventually brought into the limelight by Loren Cordain’s 2002 book ‘The Paleo Diet’.

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As a whole the diet is seen as a way of improving your overall health, and whilst the data is limited on the diet from a scientific perspective, there are still signs that the diet improves both body composition and metabolic effects as compared to your typical Western diet.

That being said though there are others that argue that our digestive system is likely to be different to that of a Palaeolithic human and due to this the diet’s core premise is undermined.

On top of that there are issues with nutritional deficiencies due to a lack of certain food types, but that’s something we’ll come to a little later.

✔ CORE PRINCIPLES

As already mentioned, the main principle of the diet is to eat food that could only be either killed, foraged or gathered during the Palaeolithic Era; a period of time distinguished by the development of primitive stone tools.

Here is a breakdown of the core food groups the diet allows you to eat, as well as some of the items you should avoid.

EAT:

✔ GRASS-PRODUCED MEATS. ✔ FISH/SEAFOOD. ✔ FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES. ✔ EGGS. ✔ NUTS AND SEEDS. ✔ HEALTHY OILS (EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE,

WALNUT, FLAXSEED, MACADAMIA, AVOCADO, COCONUT).

DON’T EAT: ✗ CEREAL GRAINS. ✗ LEGUMES (INCLUDING PEANUTS). ✗ DAIRY. ✗ REFINED SUGAR. ✗ POTATOES. ✗ PROCESSED FOODS. ✗ SALT. ✗ REFINED VEGETABLE OILS.

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✔ THE RISKS?

THE PALAEOLITHIC DIET, MORE COMMONLY KNOW AS THE PALEO DIET OR ‘CAVEMAN’ DIET IS ESSENTIALLY BASED AROUND THE FOODS PRESUMED TO BE AVAILABLE TO PALAEOLITHIC HUMANS. In the original description of the Paleo diet in the afore mentioned Loren Cordain book, he advocated eating as much like Palaeolithic people as possible, meaning your diet should be broken down as such...

■ 55% of daily calories from seafood & lean meat.

■ 15% of daily calories from fruits, vegetables,

and nuts and seeds.

■ 30% assigned by yourself to one of the various foods highlighted above.

The diet follows seven fundamental characteristics that enable optimised health, minimised risk of chronic disease and most importantly lose weight.

HIGHER PROTEIN INTAKE Protein comprises 15 % of the calories in the average western diet, which is considerably lower than the value of 55% found in the Paleo diet. Meat, seafood, and other animal products represent the staple foods of modern Paleo diets.

LOWER CARBOHYDRATE INTAKE AND LOWER GLYCEMIC INDEX Non-starchy fresh fruits and vegetables represent the main carbohydrate source and will provide for a base value of 15% of your daily calories, although many will up this to around 35%. Almost all of these foods have low glycemic indices that are slowly digested and absorbed, and won’t spike blood sugar levels.

HIGHER FIBRE INTAKE Dietary fibre is essential for good health, and despite what we’re told, whole grains aren’t the place to find it. Non-starchy vegetables contain eight times more fibre than whole grains and 31 times more than refined grains. Even fruits contain twice as much fibre as whole grains and seven times more than refined grains.

MODERATE TO HIGHER FAT INTAKE DOMINATED BY MONOUNSATURATED AND POLYUNSATURATED FATS WITH BALANCED OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6 FATS

that saturated fats have little or no adverse effects upon cardiovascular disease risk.

EAT FRESH! HIGHER POTASSIUM AND LOWER SODIUM INTAKE Unprocessed, fresh foods naturally contain 5 to 10 times more potassium than sodium, and Stone Age bodies were adapted to this ratio. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work properly.

Low potassium is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke – the same problems linked to excessive dietary sodium.

Today, the average American consumes about twice as much sodium as potassium.

There are very few risks when it comes to the Paleo diet. Overall the diet is a very safe one, with no rapid weight loss or yo-yo’ing, in fact it’s about one of the most natural diets available in the public eye.

There have however been claims of nutritional deficiencies at times though, with reduced levels of vitamin D and calcium within individuals following the diet for a long period of time. These deficiencies can lead to compromised bone health, however both problems can be solved with supplements.

✔ A DAY OF PALEO MEALS

If you’re interested in the Paleo diet, you’re going to want to get some ideas for meals. One of the great things about the Paleo diet is it’s all so easy to prepare and cook, meaning anyone can follow it.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is best accomodated for with a quick an easy omelet. Dice up some vegetables, throw the eggs in a pan and if you want a little meat in there, dice up some turkey or chicken breast too!

NET DIETARY ALKALINE LOAD THAT BALANCES DIETARY ACID After digestion, all foods present either a net acid or alkaline load to the kidneys. Acid producers are meats, fish, grains, legumes, cheese, and salt. Alkaline-yielding foods are fruits and veggies. A lifetime of excessive dietary acid may promote bone and muscle loss, high blood pressure, and increased risk for kidney stones, and may aggravate asthma and exercise-induced asthma.

HIGHER INTAKE OF, VITAMINS, MINERALS, ANTIOXIDANTS, AND PLANT PHYTOCHEMICALS

LUNCH

Lunch is an easy one with the Paleo diet and you can save yourself a load of hassle with a little prep. At the beginning of the week, make yourself up a salad with everything you like. Store the salad in a sealable container and then serve it with some form of meat or fish, a pit of olive oil and some lemon juice.

Whole grains are not a good substitute for grass produced or free ranging meats, fruits, and veggies, as they contain no vitamin C, vitamin A, or vitamin B12. Many of the minerals and some of the B vitamins whole grains do contain are not well absorbed by the body.

DINNER

Dinner is the hardest one to prepare as many people are used to a huge amount of carbohydrated with their dinners something the Paleo diet doesn’t allow.

One idea is to replace pasta for spaghetti squah. This way you can serve up a ton of various pasta dishes whilst still sticking to the diet guidelines.

It is not the total amount of fat in your diet that raises your blood cholesterol levels and increases your risk for heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, but rather the type of fat. Cut the trans fats and the Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats in your diet and increase the healthful monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats that were the mainstays of Stone Age diets. Recent large population studies known as meta analyses show

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ON OUR RADAR

THE WAS GUNFIGHTER BELT

GUNFIGHTER BELT

£79.96 LAST MONTH WE LOOKED AT A RANGE OF TROUSER BELTS FROM THE EXPERTS OVER AT INTELLIGENT ARMOUR, AND AGREED THAT SHOULD YOU NEED A RIGGERS BELT, THEN THEY’RE LIKELY YOUR BEST BET IN THE UK. THIS MONTH WE’VE GOT SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THE WARRIOR ASSAULT SYSTEMS GUNFIGHTER BELT. DIFFERENT, WHY? BECAUSE IT’S SOLE PURPOSE IS THE STOWAGE OF DIRECT ACTION GEAR.

The Warrior Assault Systems Gunfighter Belt is not just another sleeve system with a belt that runs through it like many others - these can be bulky and difficult to adjust when loaded with kit. The Gunfighter system is far more segmented and intelligently built. In fact, it could be argued that it’s pretty modular beyond just the MOLLE system (It accepts “paddle” style pouches and holsters with ease!).

The core of the belt consists of an inner panel that is slightly stiffened and covered in velcro loop.

Instead of being a sleeve that slots onto a belt, the Gunfighter system actually comes equipped with two loose belt ends. These sections can be velcro’ed in-place to form the fastening system.

They can also be easily adjusted for a perfect fit.

This belt core can then be fitted with segmented velcro pieces that wrap around and fasten into place. These are of course where the MOLLE compatibility comes in, which segments coming in

4, 2 and 1 column widths to cover the entire core length. These sections are totally independent and can be removed and refitted as required but can also be left out entirely. This means that, provided your pouches are only MOLLE strapped onto one segment at a time, they can be added, removed and reordered with ease.

If they are left out altogether, this creates ample room for traditional belt loop or even paddle style holsters and accessories to be strapped under the belt ends that form part of the sandwich that makes up the Gunfighter system.

The belt really is a good one, giving you a balance of comfort and ruggedness as well as a strong platform to carry all of your most important gear should you have to dump your plate carrier at any point for any reason. Most of all, it is affordable, and at just shy of £80.00 you’ll struggle to find a product as strong in the belt category for the same price.

FEATURES ■ Genuine Mil-Spec Materials ■ Modular, Segmented Design ■ Low Profile, Low Weight Construction ■ Versatile and Adaptable SIZING HIP SIZE M: 35”–57” L: 42”–64” XL: 48”–70”

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MOLLE LOOPS M: 18 x2 loops L: 22 x2 loops XL: 26 x2 loops

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LATEST ISSUE OUT NOW!

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HEADCAMS OUR PICK OF THE PACK - WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

THE ALL-SEEING ELECTRIC EYE!

HEADCAMS

HEADCAM CONTENTS

COMPARATIVE REPORT VIDEO RECORDING TECHNOLOGY HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE DAYS OF LARGE CAM-CORDERS. LONG GONE ARE THE CHUNKY EXAMPLES OF YESTERYEAR, INSTEAD WE NOW HAVE MORE WAYS TO RECORD VIDEO THAN WE COULD SHAKE A STICK AT. FROM DSLR CAMERA TO SMARTPHONES, THERE IS SIMPLY A WAY FOR MOST PEOPLE TO KNOW CAPTURE VIDEO RECORDINGS WITH EASE… Firstly, we’re not here to talk to you about fancy digital cameras with video functions or a range of smartphones. No, this month we will be taking a look at the world of head-cams. So firstly, what exactly is a head-cam? Well it’s as simple as it sounds. Head-cams originally started out as being simply a type of video camera that you are able to mount to a variety of different helmets, but as time has gone on companies have released bolt-ons to allow you to mount them to a number of other devices.

With the point of the head-cam being that you; the user, are able to simply strap this head-cam on, and get some brilliant video recording of your high octane sports or hobbies that you wouldn’t have been able to do in another way. Head-cams have been greatly applauded by many in the outdoors industry, giving both seasoned veterans and mere enthusiasts the ability to record their chosen sport. We’ve seen head-cam footage from a wide range of sports in the past, with everything from boxing to snowboarding being captured on these miniature recording devices.

Another instance that we’ve seen head-cams used as well is on the battlefield. Now we’re not talking about Battlefield 4 here, we’re talking about real locations embroiled in some form of war. We’ve seen everything from huge firefights to some hugely satisfying mini-gun action.

GO-PRO HERO4 SILVER

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SINCE LAUNCH GOPRO HAVE BEEN HUGELY IMPRESSIVE WITH THEIR RELEASES, AND THE NEWEST RANGE OF PRODUCTS DROPPED FROM GOPRO ARE NO EXCEPTION TO THIS. THE GOPRO HERO 4 RANGE HAS TWO BIG PLAYERS IN IT - THE 4 SILVER, AND THE 4 BLACK; BOTH OF WHICH WE WILL BE REVIEWING IN THIS ARTICLE. WHICH ONE WILL YOU GO FOR?

SONY ACTION CAM HD-AS

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SONY HAVE LONG BEEN A PLAYER IN THE VIDEO RECORDING MARKET. HELL, I THINK THE FIRST CAM-CORDER THAT CAME INTO THE HOUSE WAS A SONY DEVICE, AND THIS WAS A GOOD 20 YEARS BACK NOW! EVER SINCE SONY ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO BE RELEASING A PRODUCT INTO THE ALREADY OVERSATURATED HEAD-CAM MARKET, THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS, AS WELL AS A LOT OF HOPES FOR SONY.

DRIFT HD ACTION CAM

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DRIFT ARE BY NO MEANS A NEWCOMER TO THE HEAD-CAM MARKET, IN FACT THEY’VE NOW RELEASED MULTIPLE ITERATIONS OF THEIR CAMERA. THE LATEST IN THE LINE; THE DRIFT HD, CONTINUES TO UTILISE THEIR ICONIC DESIGN AND SHAPE, AND NOW INCLUDES SOME REAL NIFTY LITTLE FEATURES THAT WILL NO DOUBT MAKE YOU QUESTION YOUR PREVIOUS BRAND ALLEGIANCES.

GO-PRO HERO4 BLACK

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GOPRO SET OUT TO MAKE THE BEST CAMERA ON THE MARKET WITH THE HERO 4 BLACK, AND IF TRUTH BE TOLD THEY PRETTY MUCH NAILED IT. WITH 4K RESOLUTION, 1080P RECORDING AT 120FPS (FRAMES PER SECOND) AND A RANGE OF OTHER FEATURES, ALL IN THE TRIED AND TESTED GOPRO BODY, WELL YOU CAN’T REALLY GO WRONG CAN YOU!

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GOPRO

HERO 4 SILVER

PRICE: IRO £250

Since launch GoPro have been hugely impressive with their releases, and the newest range of products dropped from GoPro are no exception to this. The GoPro HERO 4 range has two big players in it - the 4 Silver, and the 4 Black; both of which we will be reviewing in this article, however we’ll start with the Silver rendition first.

GoPro have always released head-cams with above average video quality, and for years they’ve simply gotten better at what they do. GoPro tend to have this film quality that you just know it’s been recorded on a GoPro, with it’s barrel distortion and colour rendition. But how does the 4 Silver hold up to previous renditions?

Firstly the lens quality here has somewhat been improved. What we have now is even sharper footage than before, with less distortion and fuzziness around the edges; which is definitely a good thing. On top of this the processing seems slightly different, giving us much smoother imagery through sharp areas.

Overall though, whilst the video seems to be a lot smoother, we’re not sure that smoothness holds up against the asking price of the Silver 4, so what else does it bring to the table?

Well, GoPro have go about adding a ton of features that finally puts the control of your filming back into your hands. Now this won’t guarantee better quality film, but if you have a basic understanding of photography and the camera in use, then you’ll definitely see some improvement here.

ProTune has seen some work done to it as well. ProTune, a piece of software that comes with GoPro devices simply used to flatten the colour profile of your film, however now it unlocks a whole heap of settings including ISO limit and sharpness that will help you further improve your film; if you know what you’re doing with it that is!

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IN TERMS OF DURABILITY, THE SILVER 4 USES THE SAME TRIED AND TESTED BODY SHAPE AS PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF THE HEAD-CAMS. A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING YOU ASK… WELL SEEING AS GOPRO HAVE FORGED AN EMPIRE BASED AROUND THAT ONE DESIGN, WE’LL GO WITH IT BEING A GOOD THING. WE’VE LITERALLY MANAGED TO DROP, SMASH, GO HEADFIRST INTO THINGS AND PLAY CATCH WITH THE SILVER 4 AND IT’S NOT ONCE STOPPED RECORDING, NOR HAS IT RANDOMLY TURNED ITSELF OFF. There was however something that made the reliability of the camera a little iffy, but i’ll get to that a little later.

In terms of how easy the Silver 4 was to use, well it doesn’t really get much easier than this! With the new GoPro range, the mass appeal of the Silver 4 is the fact it now has a small LED screen built into the back for ease of use. Not only does this screen make navigating the device very easy, it also allows you for the first time on a GoPro device to see what you’re actually going to shoot.

Being a touchscreen, we did have a few teething issues with it, sometimes having to press the screen more than once to get it to work, and this is where that issue of reliability comes into play. Whilst being the Silver 4’s silver lining, it is also a slight hinderance at times.

As mentioned the first issue we had was how finicky the screen could be at times. Having to press things more than once to get it to register, shutting itself down, sometimes not shutting itself down… It was just a little inconsistent. Now the pressing things more than once isn’t exactly a new thing with touch screens, so this we can allow, however the not turning off? That could be annoying, especially as these cameras already have such a small battery life!

In terms of accessories, the GoPro range will have you well stocked. A quick Amazon search will show you the scope of accessories available for the GoPro; far too many to list. Just know that if you buy a GoPro, chances are there’ll be an accessory out there for you!

All in all, the GoPro HERO Silver 4 is a very, very good head-cam. The LED screen is a nice touch albeit a little unreliable at times and the improved image quality goes along way. We’re definitely a fan though!

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SONY

ACTION CAM HD-AS

PRICE: IRO £250-300

Sony have long been a player in the video recording market. Hell, I think the first cam-corder that came into the house was a Sony device, and this was a good 20 years back now! Ever since Sony announced they were going to be releasing a product into the already oversaturated head-cam market, there were a lot of concerns, as well as a lot of hopes for Sony.

After a few failed attempts, Sony came up with the AS100V, and it became a fan favourite very, very quickly.

Starting at the very top again, the image quality of the AS100V isn’t bad, especially considering its about the oldest head-cam on show in this article. It wasn’t an amazing image quality, but nor was it terrible, simply put it does the job! One thing the AS100V does have that nearly all other head-cams do not have is a stabilisation setting. Whilst this was at first quite a ‘woohoo’ moment, it was soon deflated due to the way in which the stabilisation works… Simply put, it will just end up with you having less width to your shot. This doesn’t mean that the stabilisation is useless though, it just means you need to get used to using it correctly!

The main falling point of the AS100V though was it’s underwater capabilities. Having a spherical lens front, the AS100V was unable to focus, which as you can imagine is a big no-no. This spherical lens however does lend itself well to snow sports, with the snow unable to stick to the lens!

IN TERMS OF DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY, THE AS100V IS ABOUT THE BEST THERE IS. IT’S A NO NONSENSE HEAD-CAM, SO NO FINICKY LED TOUCHSCREEN, AND IT’S PRACTICALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE. WE NEVER ONCE DROPPED FRAMES WHILST RECORDING, IT DIDN’T ONCE TURN ITSELF OFF AND IT GAVE US AN ACCURATE BATTERY POWER READING THROUGHOUT. I GUESS ALL THOSE YEARS IN THE VIDEO RECORDING MARKET HAVE PAID OFF, AY SONY? The AS100V is also very easy to get your head around minus a few features. The button size and layout is very accessible. Two buttons are located on the side of the camera which allow for manoeuvring through the menu, and the buttons are very tactile.

However the menu is abbreviated using three or four letter descriptions, which can be a little confusing if you don’t have the manual to hand.

The best feature we found though was the use of a smartphone app to allow you to change all the settings, preview the framing and playback your clips. Whilst the Wi-Fi does burn through extra battery life it is definitely a nice little feature to have.

So, we’ve established that Sony have made a very capable head-cam in the AS100V, however it all starts to fall apart in regards to accessories. Due to the shape of the AS100V, the head-cam’s only mounting point is on the bottom of the camera which made mounting it an absolute pain. It also has no tilt function which was very crippling.

All of these things combine mean that the AS100V can only be mounted directly on top of the helmet or onto handlebars or suction mounts. A shame really as Sony were definitely onto a winner here.

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DRIFT

HD ACTION CAM

PRICE: IRO £250

Drift are by no means a newcomer to the head-cam market, in fact they’ve now released multiple iterations of their camera. The latest in the line; the Drift HD, continues to utilise their iconic design and shape, and now includes some real nifty little features that will no doubt make you question your previous brand allegiances.

THE IMAGE QUALITY PROVIDED BY THE DRIFT HD IS ACTUALLY VERY GOOD FOR SUCH AN INEXPENSIVE HEAD-CAM. IT PROVIDES A COLOURFUL AND CONTRASTY IMAGE STRAIGHT OUT WITHOUT ANY EDITING. IT PROVIDES SHARP IMAGERY THAT WILL PLEASE MOST AND QUITE FRANKLY IT DOES THE JOB INTENDED. WE DID HOWEVER FIND THAT THROUGH THE AREAS OF HIGH CONTRAST, THE CAMERA PRODUCES SOME VERY CHUNKY EDGES, WHICH IS A BIG NO-NO FOR IMAGE QUALITY. ADDITIONALLY THE CONTRASTY IMAGES DON’T LEAVE MUCH ROOM FOR POST PRODUCTION EDITING. OVERALL SOME GOOD POINTS AND SOME NOT SO GOOD POINTS WHEN IT COMES TO IMAGE QUALITY. In terms of reliability, the Drift HD has a few teething problems.

Firstly there were a few battery issues that gave us inconsistent results. The Drift HD turned itself off a couple of times, and the battery reading was far from accurate. It also walks the very thin, scary line between water-resistant and water-proof, and the grey area between the two can lead to some pretty catastrophic problems. Best bet? Don’t take it near water… Just to be on the safe side!

The Drift HD does redeem itself though in the ease of use category. The Drift HD is just a very simple head-cam to get your head around. The buttons are easy to use, and they provide good positive feedback to let you know you’ve actually pressed them, letting off a little click feeling after use. The large LCD colour screen on the side of the camera is also a brilliant feature, allowing you to not only look through menu’s with ease, but also allowing you to see exactly what you’re framing.

This LCD colour screen comes into its own when you take into account the Drift HD’s mounting options. The Drift HD is unique in the fact that it is constructed mainly for mounting onto the side of a helmet, which produces a great PoV for sporting activities. However the folks at Drift realise this isn’t to everyones liking, so they’ve also allowed the Drift HD to be mounted flat via a tripod. The one small problem with the design of the camera is it’s bulkiness. And as we found the Drift HD isn’t exactly waterproof, the waterproof case sold separately by Drift makes it even bulkier.

So what does this all mean? Well the Drift HD isn’t a bad head-cam, it just has a few shortcomings. The lack of full waterproofing was a huge area of debate within the office. Some saying it’s not really the end of the world, and others blasting it completely. We’re of the opinion that if you really want to waterproof it, buy the case. The reliability issues were the biggest problem for us, as they make us think other things could go wrong in the future.

However it does have some good points. The side LCD screen is a very nice feature, along with its ease of use. It also has a very nice weight to it and the video quality isn’t all that bad. If we had to choose a use for the Drift HD, i’d say it makes a very good beginners camera, or a backup camera for those of you who take more than one head-cam out with you just in case!

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GOPRO

HERO 4 BLACK

PRICE: IRO £350

Whilst we mentioned earlier that the head-cam market is highly saturated with various different brand names, the harsh reality is that a lot of them just aren’t very good. Whilst there are some other brands out there that produce some brilliant head-cams, we just couldn’t leave the Hero 4 Black out, as quite frankly its an absolute monster in regards to head-cams.

GoPro set out to make the best camera on the market with the Hero 4 Black, and if truth be told they pretty much nailed it. With 4K resolution, 1080p recording at 120FPS (Frames Per Second) and a range of other features, all in the tried and tested GoPro body, well you can’t really go wrong can you!

Now when it comes to all of these fancy recording resolutions such as 4K and 1080p, not all of them are created equal. Whilst 4K may leave you with stunning results via one camera, another camera may not provide the same image quality. Confusing right?

That said, the image quality on the GoPro Hero 4 Black is amazing; both in 4K and 1080p. However resolution isn’t the be all end all. Other things play a huge part in the overall end product, including processing, lens quality and functionality.

However the Hero 4 Black does all of these extremely well as well.

When it comes to actually recording though, I’d suggest just throwing the 4K idea out of the window for now. Actually viewing video in 4K requires either a 4K TV or PC Monitor, both of which are hugely expensive as things stand. So I’d suggest just waiting for these things to become more accessible till you start recording in such a way. I’d also say ignore the 4K because the 1080p on the Black is so damned good that having a 4K recording and then downsizing it to 1080p would just be a waste of time.

The image quality here is just simply the best we’ve ever seen on a head-cam. This however is mostly down to the brilliant processing and lens featured on the Hero 4 Black.

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IN TERMS OF RELIABILITY THE GOPRO HERO 4 BLACK HAS BEEN FLAWLESS. NOT A SINGLE ISSUE WITH IT WHATSOEVER. WE’VE DROPPED IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND NOT ONCE HAS IT FAILED ON US. BATTERY LENGTH IS STILL A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE, BUT THE BATTERY LIFE READOUT IS PRETTY MUCH SPOT ON. TAKE INTO NOTE THOUGH THAT THE BATTERY DESIGN HERE IS DIFFERENT TO OTHER GOPRO MODELS, SO YOUR OLD ONES JUST SIMPLY WON’T CUT IT HERE. Ease of use shines here, and it would be by far the easiest head-cam on the market to use if it wasn’t for its little brother and its fancy LCD screen. GoPro have made a ton of handy little improvements here though which make a difference. For example the front LCD screen no longer relies entirely on pictograms that must be deciphered.

They’ve also redesigned the little switch on the side that used to toggle the Wi-Fi on and off. With it’s small battery life this is a huge plus to us as we’ll no longer have to continuously check that we’re not wasting battery life with the Wi-Fi turned on.

Accessories are exactly the same as the GoPro Hero 4 Silver. Just head over to Amazon and take a look for yourself, there is literally something for everyone! I guess that’s the advantage of being the market leader!

GoPro set out with one task in mind when designing the Hero 4 Black - to make the best head-cam on the market, and they have definitely succeeded. Whilst it may be a bit pricey, you simply can’t underestimate just how good the GoPro Hero 4 Black is, and if you’re someone who spends a lot of time using a head-cam, i’d strongly suggest you go and invest in this and future-proof yourself for the coming years!

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ON OUR RADAR MUD-PLUGGING MONSTERS!

AKU PILGRIM GTX BOOTS WHEN THE AKU SEAL BOOT FIRST HIT THE MARKET, THERE WAS A MASSIVE BUZZ AROUND THE BRAND. THE SEAL BOOT WAS A BRILLIANT EXAMPLE OF A HOT-WEATHER, HIGH SPEED BOOT THAT WERE BOTH COMFORTABLE AND RUGGED. WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE SEAL BOOT, IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE VARIOUS MILITARY UNITS WERE BANGING ON AKUS DOOR DEMANDING VARIOUS NEW VERSIONS OF THE BOOT. THE PILGRIM GTX WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF ONE OF THOSE DEMANDS. Over the time AKU have been around they have managed to launch a variety of different versions of the boot, with various different Special Forces units adopting them for service use; there was even an MOD Brown variant made for UKSF. Developed with Special Forces personnel the Pilgrim is an evolution of the AKU Seal boots, this time designed to bring the unprecedented quality to the temperate hills of Europe.

The Seal was a hot-weather, high speed boots made for rapid assaults in the desert. However the Pilgrim is of a different breed. The Pilgrim is a mud-plugging monster made to take on the worst

conditions and come out on top of the pile. It has been built from the bottom up with the European conditions it’s sole playground, and it has done so well. Sure it’s an expensive boot but you are buying into a boot that will probably outlast your desire to try and punish it.

Essentially, the Pilgrim GTX is a true multi-purpose waterproof boot with outstanding support, stability and impact absorption. When you are carrying heavy loads or undertaking more arduous duties this is THE boot to use.

A full Gore-Tex liner and gusseted tonged keeps the Pilgrim watertight for along durations and the

slight heel provides ideal traction on ascents and descents even in mud, rain and snow. Should you manage to wear the sole down, don’t worry, the pilgrim features a standard Vibram unit that can be replaced if required.

Comfort will always be a huge factor for us when it comes to boots, and the AKU Pilgrim GTX offer that in abundance. The AKU is light, breathable and well supported in all the right areas - a dream come true for most.

We were all lucky enough to receive a pair of AKU Pilgrims’ on launch and have punished ours through various hikes, dog walks and other outdoor activities and not a single pair has shown a sign of wear if truth be told. Sure some have slight scuffs in places, but for a boot that has been on test for well over 5 years now you can’t help but admire the quality.

Whilst they might not be the most stylish of boots, and they certainly won’t win any awards for their looks, those that know footwear will respect your decision. And I think that is about the best praise you can heap on footwear - those in the know, will know why you’ve bought them.

£135

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E V E R Y D A Y

E S S E N T I A L S

J U S T

D O N

ESSENTIALS! EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS IS OUR TAKE ON WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. BE IT A KNIFE, WALLET, BELT OR MUG, NO EVERYDAY ITEM IS OVERLOOKED BY OUR TEST TEAM WITH MANY OF THE ITEMS ON SHOW BEING PERSONAL FAVOURITES STRAIGHT FROM THE DEPTHS OF RAIDER HQ.

MININCH TOOL PEN MINI

Kickstarter has funded some of the most interesting products to date, with a range of innovative products that often may not have found their way to market without a platform such as Kickstarter to get them up and running.

For those of you who are unaware as to what Kickstarter is, it is essentially a platform that allows individuals to pitch their ideas to the masses in a bid to gain funding for their projects.

The Tool Pen Mini is definitely one of those items. Created by a company called Mininch, the Tool Pen Mini was launched off of the back of the success of the original Tool Pen, a pen shaped screwdriver with a range of different screw heads stored within the pen itself which you can change in and out at your leisure.

MOPHIE JUICE PACK AIR

In a world often dictated by technology, having a surefire way to get some life back into your smartphone can make all the difference. The protective, yet light-weight Mophie Juice Pack Air delivers more than 100% extra battery with the flip of a switch. Made for iPhone 6, this is the ideal everyday case to keep you charged through the day and well into the night.

Smart battery technology offers a safe, quick charge that provides more than 100% extra battery for the days that don’t end when you leave the office. Durable outer-band, raised bezel edge and rubberized support pads inside of full-case protection guard your phone from drops and hard falls.

$89

MAXPEDITION E.D.C. POCKET ORGANISER

Maxpedition have been long time favourites of Raider and have created a great range of products over the years. We have always been huge fans of their storage options, with some of their bags being massive favourites amongst the staff, and the E.D.C. Pocket Organiser may as well just waltz right in and take it’s place amongst those favourite Maxpedition items, namely because it’s a solid item!

Essentially the E.D.C. Pocket Organiser is a handy everyday carry pouch that is perfect for the organisation of all those small bits and pieces you often lose to be stored in.

With plenty of real estate the Maxpedition E.D.C. Pocket Organiser should have enough room for all of your essentials, leaving you with empty pockets and more storage space on your person should you need it!

£20 £69

Ever seen the pencils you can buy with various different heads, the ones that you can cycle the pencil attachments by pulling one out the bottom and pushing it into the top? Well it’s essentially that, but for screwdrivers!

The Tool Pen Mini comes in two different variants - the Premium and Aplus. Both pens are identical in design, the only difference is the amount of screw heads each comes with; the Premium coming with 19 and the Aplus with 22.

We’re very much a fan of the design, and can see it being a brilliant EDC item that can simply be slung in a bag and brought out quickly when it’s needed!

044

The Mophie Air Enables pass-through charge & sync while connected to a computer, essentially meaning that your iPhone 6 recharges first, and then the juice pack case recharges itself after this. You’ve also got an integrated standby switch which allows you to choose when to charge or save some juice for when you need it most. The LED power indicator displays the juice pack battery levels and charge status, giving you the ability to see how much charge you have left - Know before you go.

Every mophie battery product is tested at three different stages of production to ensure an unmatched capacity, efficiency and build quality along with reliable, long-lasting performance. Smart charging circuitry always provides your device with the perfect amount of power for a safe, quick charge. Industryleading battery life enables our products to hold their charge for an extended period of time, making them more reliable than other battery cases in the market.

Main compartment: 15.2 x 2.5 x 20.3cm.

Full clamshell opening main compartment with dual zips.

Inside left: Slip pocket, Key ring, Elastic organiser with 9 divisions.

Inside right: Slip pocket, Tie-down loop, Elastic organiser with 6 divisions.

Front exterior: 2” x 3” loop field for patches, Mesh slip pocket with hook-and-loop closure.

Back exterior: Oversized handle, Attachment webbing (MOLLE compatible).

Attach using two 3” TacTie™ Attachment Straps.

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O N ’ T

L E A V E

H O M E

W I T H O U T

FREEWATER /SKD TACTICAL MULTICAM - SCAMP FLIP-FLOPS!

$39

Sure you can get Multicam on your combat boots and sneakers, but we all know that our favorite footwear is straight up flip-flops! SKD have teamed up with the philanthropic folks at Freewaters and now you can rock Genuine Multicam on the most comfortable flip-flops you’ll ever own - the Freewater Scamp!

What drew Raider to this sandal initially was the fact that it had its Ultracomfortable footbed pattern licensed from Therm-a-Rest (TM). If you’re like us, you owe much of your back health to the good folks at Therm-a-Rest, whether it be from fighting in the field, or backpacking. Think the cushiony-yet-ventilating design akin to a Z Lite (TM) sleeping pad, but specifically for your feet!

While all Freewaters sandals are imported, the SKD Exclusive Multicam Scamp is made with Genuine, Made in USA, IR Compliant Multicam. You can get cheap flips flops anywhere, but in order to treat yourself right to some real comfort that is at home both at the Beach or around the FOB, you need to step into the Freewaters Multicam Scamp SON!

SLUGHAUS BULLET LIGHT

Flashlights are always an interesting one when it comes to the realms of EDC, with a huge range of arguments for and against the two. Oftentimes we hear rumbles regarding flashlight size and weight, with people complaining about the fact they simply don’t have the room on their person to warrant using a flashlight in their EDC lifestyle, arguing that their phone is an ample enough light source should there be a need for one.

Well the Slughaus Bullet Light counters that argument, so now you really have no choice but to pick one up! Another Kickstarter product, the Slughaus Bullet Light is tiny, 9mm tiny to be precise. Styled on the 9mm round that is so popular in the States, the Bullet Light is nothing more than a keyring light, however it’s a keyring light with attitude.

T H E M !

raider recommends! ✪✪✪✪✪

CARTERET FLAMELESS USB LIGHTER

Let’s be honest here, having a lighter is useful regardless of whether you’re a smoker or not, however this Flameless USB Travel Lighter from Carteret completely destroys that notion.

Now when we think of the reason for a lighter being useful should you be a nonsmoker, we think fire. Fire is one of the biggest contributors to surviving the wild, and having a lighter certainly makes the fire-making process easier. However for that to happen you need a flame - something this lighter doesn’t have.

BIGIDESIGN ‘TPT’ (TITANIUM POCKET TOOL)

EDC Multitools are frustrating to say the least.

All too often they either try to do way too much or simply not enough to justify carrying one. It goes from the all-in-one pile of metal that promises everything but doesn’t actually have a usable feature, or an all-in-nothing pile of metal that is useful to throw at people and open the occasional bottle.

BIGiDESIGN have obviously sat there and realised this because their latest Kickstarter project addresses exactly that - a good EDC Multitool that keeps in simple, but not too simple. The Titanium Pocket Tool (TPT), shows plenty of promise. It balances size, functionality, and aesthetics often sacrificed for an exhausting list of features.

$35

$9 With the ability to throw out 15 lumens for 12-16 hours, you’ve got a flashlight that is just about bright enough to be used for quick tasks, and has a long enough run time to be used as a solid backup should you already have a solid EDC flashlight.

All in all, for $9.00 are you really going to complain? It’s worth it if anything just to use as a cool keyring!

$19 However it does make lighting your cigarettes super easy, as the elements simply can’t stop it from lighting things! This gas-less, flameless lighter can ignite anything you need without that whole pesky elemental process. It juices up with a super convenient slide-out USB charger to give you up to 50 uses at a time, and Because it’s flight-approved, you can travel anywhere around the earth, no matter how windy it gets, because it’s both windproof and eco friendly.

The TPT’s small enough for keychain or coin pocket carry, yet big enough to give you a solid grip on it. Each tool packs in 15 wrench sizes, a bottle opener, a hex bit driver, and a flathead screwdriver/pry bar—all while maintaining excellent ergonomics. A hidden magnet in its central slot holds two types of inserts in place.

You can configure the TPT with a double-sided, finger-safe box opener/camping fork or a standard utility blade.

Best of all, the TPT’s grade 5 titanium construction allows it to stay small, rigid, and durable enough for daily use while carrying as slim as just a pair of house keys.

We’re beginning to become a huge fan of Kickstarter!

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GEAR SH CK THE

FOR ALL YOUR WEEKEND WARRIOR NEEDS

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£31.95

R E P I V W E N TACTICAL S P O L A I C SP E !

G I R T S E CH W E S H IP W O R L D W ID E

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M E D I A

A I R R A I D S - W H A T Y O U M U S T D O !

THE REALITY OF THE BLITZ

AIR RAIDS WHAT YOU MUST DO! DURING WORLD WAR II THE INHABITANTS OF BRITAIN’S TOWNS AND CITIES OFTEN RELIED ON GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN AIR RAID. THESE AIR RAIDS WOULD CARVE OUT A LEGACY THAT TO THIS DAY IS ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT HISTORICAL SUBJECTS REGARDING BRITAIN’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THROUGH THIS BOOK, AMBERLEY AIM TO BRING TO LIFE THE REALIT Y OF THE BLITZ.

During the Second World War, the Blitz became to be known as one of the biggest talking points in Britain’s recent history and the different stories, depictions and resources out there make it one of the easiest World War II subject to learn about as well as one of the most interesting.

During the period of time around the Blitz, the British Government, through the Ministry of Home Security, issued a number of publications advising the civilian population on what they needed to know and what they had to do should their homes be caught in an air raid. This information was then circulated across the country and should you ask anyone who lived through the period they’ll

certainly remember them.

The latest book from Amberley - ‘Air Raids What You Must Do’ reproduces all of the practical information relayed in these publications, enlightening the reader on a range of subjects including air-raid shelters, protection against high-explosive bombs, incendiary devices and the ever present risk of a gas attack.

“Do your part in preparing to meet this and any other form of air attack. Act carefully, calmly, and promptly on the instructions that are given to you.”

Air Raids - What You Must Do also goes on to explain the role of the Civil Defence services and

vividly brings to life the practicalities of living in constant fear of an air raid. It provides the modern reader with an evocative insight into life on the home front in some of the darkest days England had seen.

Littered with a range of informative text, pictures and diagrams, ‘Air Raids - What You Must Do!’ is an excellent resource and is both highly detailed and enjoyable to read. If you are someone who is looking to find more information regarding the Blitz, or a military enthusiast, ‘Air Raids - What You Must Do!’ will be the perfect book for you.

ABOUT THE EDITOR John Christopher has written and edited a number of military history titles for Amberley, including How to Survive an Atomic Attack, Organisation Todt, Luftwaffe in Colour and War Machines.

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V O L U M E 1 1 I S S U E 1 1 A I R S O F T

IT AN M4!

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

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ACTION! ■ PAGES: 50-51 ROYAL NAVY HUNT MINES IN US-UK JOINT EXERCISE.

■ PAGES: 52-53 PRINCESS ROYAL FORMALLY OPENS A NEW UNIT.

■ PAGE: 54 TAKING AIM! 4 RIFLES GIVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT!

■ PAGE: 55 LIGHT DRAGOONS BACK TO WORK AFTER UK FLOODS.

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THE ROYAL NAVY HUNT MINES IN US-UK EXERCISE TWO ROYAL NAVY MINEHUNTERS AND A SPECIALIST DIVING TEAM HAVE TAKEN PART IN A WEEK-LONG EXERCISE WITH THEIR AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS IN THE GULF – LOCATING AND DESTROYING A VARIETY OF DUMMY MINES.

HMS Bangor and HMS Chiddingfold are based in Bahrain for six months while the divers of Fleet Diving Unit 3 were flown out from Portsmouth to take part as specialists in searching jetties, ships and harbours.

Royal Navy ships joined with Royal Fleet Auxilary ship Cardigan Bay – used as the command ship for British mine and dive forces in the Middle East – and the American minesweeper USS Gladiator.

All three minehunters taking part in the ‘squad exercise’ brought something different: HMS Chiddingfold is designed to hunt and destroy mines in shallow waters; HMS Bangor has a sonar which can be lowered to locate devices in deep sea; and the USS Gladiator carries out sweeping – either detonating mines at a safe distance or cutting their anchor cables, bringing them to the surface so they can be destroyed.

HMS Bangor and Chiddingfold’s teams put their Seafox submersible into the water to locate, identify and destroy practice mines which had been dropped into the Gulf ahead of the exercise, while the Americans launched torpedo-like unmanned underwater vehicles to scan swaths of the seabed.

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“Modern technology is advancing at pace and these exercises are a good opportunity to test new technologies out in warm waters,” said HMS Chiddingfold’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Steve White.

Although the waters of the Gulf are around 20˚C at this time of year – the Anglo-American force found itself facing high winds and worsening seas as the exercise progressed, putting extra pressure on them to detect, neutralise and recover the mines before being dispersed by the weather.

“Although it was a challenging and tiring week, exercises like this remind us how effectively we can all work to our own strengths to achieve the maximum overall effect,” said Diver Ross Mcclung of HMS Chiddingfold. “There is certainly a lot we can learn from each other when we conduct these exercises and they are a good way to practise for the real thing.”

Directing the exercise from Cardigan Bay, Commander Jools Howe – who is also in charge of the UK’s entire minehunting presence east of Suez – said the week of combined training yet again underlined the importance of the Royal and US Navies working together in the region.

“This type of exercise displays just how effective the UK and US partnership is in the operational theatre,” he said. “It is great to be in command of such a diverse force. This reinforces our relationship with the US Navy, ensuring our ability to work with each other and demonstrating the use of new technologies to find and dispose of mines in a quicker and safer way.”

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PRINCESS ROYAL TO FORMALLY OPEN A NEW UNIT LEEDS’ FIRST ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE UNIT HMS CERES HAS BEEN FORMALLY COMMISSIONED BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL.

Princess Anne was the guest of honour at the ceremony as the headquarters was formally dedicated before attending the official reception.

Ceres has existed in various forms as a naval establishment in Yorkshire over the past 70 years and, until last year, was a satellite unit of HMS Calliope on Tyneside. Now it’s a reserve headquarters in its own right, and is home to 80 reservists from Yorkshire.

Around £600,000 has been spent refurbishing the existing building occupied by the sailors at Carlton Barracks, on the northern edge of Leeds city centre. A new two-storey wing and accommodation block has been added, providing Ceres with new training and classroom facilities and 12 permanent bed spaces.

The Princess Royal dedicated those facilities in front of civic dignitaries, government officials, The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth and, most importantly, the ship’s company of HMS Ceres.

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“I’m honoured to take part in the ceremony – it’s an historic moment which we’ll remember for years to come,” said 18-year-old Able Seaman Gaby Blackburn from Huddersfield and a member of the 24-strong Royal Guard. She has recently completed her basic training alongside regular navy recruits at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall and is a customer service assistant in her regular civilan job.

“It’s something that not many people get to do, and I’m proud to have my dad, someone very close to me, watch me do it.”

Leading Seaman Rob Kendrick, 38, from Halifax, added: “I felt very proud to be in the Royal Guard and I’m very proud of the unit and the people in it. They always go above and beyond what is required.”

After the ceremony the Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr David Noakes, was presented with the original ship’s bell from HMS Ceres, a C-Class Cruiser that saw action in both World Wars and played a crucial role in the D-Day landings. The bell had been on display at HMS Raleigh and will now take pride of place in HMS Ceres.

Minister for Reserves Julian Brazier said: “Our Naval Reservists are an integral part of the UK Armed Forces, and have served on operations right around the world, from counter piracy operations in the Indian Ocean to service in Iraq and Afghanistan, to assisting in disaster relief in the Philippines. Today’s commissioning of HMS Ceres is an important milestone in the history of the unit, and our investment in the facilities in Leeds will see them go from strength to strength.”

Reservists from HMS Ceres have deployed with the Royal Navy to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf, on anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, and have supported the security effort at the London Olympics and Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Its personnel hold recruitment evenings at Carlton Barracks from 8pm on the last Thursday of every month.

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4 RIFLES GIVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT! ALDERSHOT BASED UNIT 4 RIFLES‚ OPERATIONAL SHOOTING COMPETITION (OSC) IN PIRBRIGHT DREW TO AN END ON FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY.

The competition formed a key element of the selection and training of the Regimental shooting team for 2016. Several individual and team prizes were issued but the overall best Company was awarded to Support Company (Sp Coy) 4 RIFLES who tallied a total of 39,918 points throughout the week.

Corporal Phillips from 4 RIFLES, part of Sp Coy team and winner of the Baker Rifles Best Shot prize said, “This week has been great, I won a few tankards from various shoots and I won the Baker Rifle and Best Shot, - I am really happy with that. Shooting is one of the key skills we learn in the British Army and it has been great to show our competitive sides.

The week long competition which began on Monday 1st February tested both Individual and Team marksmanship shooting skills in preparation for the Brigade, Divisional and Army OSCs. There has been a series of individual shoots and also team shoots which involved the teams working together in groups of 4 and 8, a March and Shoot involving a 1.5m run followed by a shoot and falling plates which brought the competition to an end. Each team was captained by either an Officer or Senior Non Commissioned Officer (SNCO) and had to include two Light Support Weapon gunners.

Although predominately a 4 RIFLES competition, serving personnel from both their sister Regular and Reservist Battalions 1, 3, 5 and 6 RIFLES were also invited to join in.

Major Andy Boardman, 4 RIFLES and organiser of the OSC said, “This week has been very competitive, there has been rivalry at every level, inter-platoon, inter-company and inter-battalion, it’s been good to have representatives from other Battalions and in particular so many men for 6 RIFLES, it’s not easy for them to get here when they have other jobs to attend to but it’s been great having them here and they have all fired really well. Shooting is a basic core skill, something we perhaps don’t have time to do enough, and having a week dedicated to shooting has been brilliant.

As the competition drew to an end, Brigadier (Brig) Phil Kimber, Commander 11 Infantry Brigade was present to award the individuals and the teams with their prizes. Brig Kimber said, ‚ÄúIt’s such an honour for me to be here today, although I am not your Brigade Commander, I do command the area. Shooting is a basic core skill; we are so busy as an army now and rarely get the opportunity to spend the time practicing the skill. The standard of shooting I have seen today has been very high and it has been a very close competition, well done to all of you.

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LIGHT DRAGOONS BACK TO WORK! THE BRITISH ARMY’S FLOOD RELIEF SOLDIERS ATTEND GUNNERY CAMP. TROOPS FROM THE LIGHT DRAGOONS ARE BACK IN WORK AFTER HELPING THE COUNTRY COPE WITH CHRISTMAS FLOODING.

The soldiers worked all hours of the day during December last year to help homeowners and businesses across Yorkshire.

More than 600 personnel from 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, The Light Dragoons and The Royal Lancers were deployed throughout Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Around 200 of those troops are now being trained as gunners - working into the night to practice their shooting at Warcop Training Area in Cumbria. The night-firing exercise made for a breathtaking sight with the blast of flares over the hillside, the glow of tracers across the range and flash of muzzle blasts.

Until recently the Light Dragoons were equipped with light tanks and as a result of the reorganisation of the Army, known as Army 2020, have received new Jackal and Cougar vehicles to conduct their new light armoured role.

Many of the soldiers, based at the Gaza Barracks in Catterick, were on holiday when the flooding hit.

They were called back into work and helped out with the flood relief in Halifax, Leeds, York and the towns of Shelby, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

The troops worked all hours of the day “warning and informing” homeowners and businesses whose properties were threatened by the rising water.

They also helped put in flood defences, under the instruction of the Environment Agency, laying sandbags in key areas.

Most of the soldiers who are going through the three-week camp are drivers, being trained as gunners. The course will train them in both infantryman skills – firing small arms – and mounted shooting from the back of vehicles. The soldiers fired general purpose machine guns, heavy machine guns and grenade machine guns from the back of Jackal armoured vehicles.

The troops have been provided with more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition which they will go through over the course of the training package.

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