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Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing...?

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 2:06 pm
by TattooedGun
Basically I'm a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy, but it's not always practical, especially when on the range which leaves me very few options in terms of my wardrobe. Anyways, I'm planning on heading out to Czech-Republic with Froggy later in the year and doing this dynamic assault rifle course. Thing is, I haven't got the foggiest what to go out and get in order to be well prepared in terms of clothing.

I know I'd like some decent combats, not DPM, Flat Black/ Flat Tan would be best. Something comfortable, practical and hard wearing. Any ideas?
Likewise for a shirt/top, and again for a decent coat that can be shot in and keep me dry.
Also any suggestions on waterproofs that don't take up too much space and easy to deploy and wrap back up.

Anybody think of anything else that might be useful? Maybe some tactical gloves to keep me hands warm, yet be nimble enough to deal with any stoppages or anything.

I've never done anything like this aside from shooting machine-guns and assault rifles down a range in Arizona, but it's not quite the same thing.

Any help would be sorely appreciated. :)

Cheers

TattooedGun :)

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 2:53 pm
by saddler
Arktis kit can be found online easy enough

For non-UK made, look at 5.11 or Alpha Industries/Crye Precision & similar

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 pm
by TattooedGun
Thanks Saddler.

Anyone with any "real world" experience with any of this kit, and/or anyone know reputable but cheap dealers?

I looked at the Arktis and they have a great set of trousers (C310), but they're kinda hard to come by in this country, and £110 a pair RRP from what I can tell... eek!

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 6:25 pm
by kennyc
not "combat or tactical2 but have a look at the "snickers" range of work wear, lots of fitting choice and pockets for integral knee pads in the trousers, extremley tough wearing as well

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 6:30 pm
by DL.
If you want to look like an "operator" try http://arcteryx.com/Home.aspx?language=EN

I don't personally, and like this gear - http://www.engelbert-strauss.co.uk/

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 6:42 pm
by tackb
Don't forget to shave your head and grow a beard !

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 6:47 pm
by saddler
TattooedGun wrote:Thanks Saddler.

Anyone with any "real world" experience with any of this kit, and/or anyone know reputable but cheap dealers?

I looked at the Arktis and they have a great set of trousers (C310), but they're kinda hard to come by in this country, and £110 a pair RRP from what I can tell... eek!
er, RIGHT... They're MADE in this country!!

Try the retail arm of Arktis - Country Covers - or look on the Arktis Ebay pages.
Not rocket science, even for a Dudley-ite

Want some "real world" tested kit - do as the others from your neck of the woods seem to have done - Hagley Rd Asian Emporiums Inc., purveyors of fine dish dashes & burka's to Messr's Al Queda & the I Sis brothers.
You'll blend in right nice hanging around Dudley bus station so attired...

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:27 pm
by Charlie Muggins
If you're into jeans I've been browsing biker jeans lately. They often come in abrasion-resistant mixed fibres, with water resistant treatments and built-in kneepads. Best of all, they don't scream "I'm a middle-aged accounts manager with an AR15 and mild coyote tan fixation" ;) .

I used to work outdoors. Not sedentary work either. The best 'kit' is that in which you don't mind getting wet, muddy and torn. PMA is the most useful thing -- that, two decent jumpers and a Thermos.

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:23 am
by User702
I'll jump in with a suggestion of 5.11 or Blackhawk. Both do civi-type clothing that can be used in the environment that you're going to be going to in colours that won't cry out that you should be arrested when returning to the country.

Re: Any ex-service/LEA members offer some advice on clothing

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:42 am
by saddler
User702 wrote:I'll jump in with a suggestion of 5.11 or Blackhawk. Both do civi-type clothing that can be used in the environment that you're going to be going to in colours that won't cry out that you should be arrested when returning to the country.
My personal experience of Blackhawk is why I named 5.11

Have some Blackhawk shoes that fell to bits within a couple of months & a jacket that has zippers that came to pieces within a similar time frame
AVOID that brand - Chinese made sh!te