5/2/08 - TAD Gear now has the companion top to their popular Force 10 Cargo Utility Cargo Trousers; the Force 10 Utility Top. Constructed of the lighter weight Crye Multicam 50/50 NYCO shirt weight twill, the TAD gear 'black label' Force 10 top has a host of practical features, like the trousers, and is made in the U.S.A.

The new Force 10 Top has a modified fit based on the current issue ACU shirt. It's slightly tapered in at the waist for a better fit. Besides Crye MultiCam, it's also available in Desert Tan and Olive Drab 100% cotton ripstop to match the ripstop Force 10 trousers. With 47 bartacks, TAD reinforced these shirts where ever they could to improve durability in the field.

Force 10 Utility top tucked in, collar up

Untucked, collar down

Collar details

Here's a rundown of the features on the Force 10's (size medium shown):

1/25/06 - TAD Gear has released the newest evolution of their popular Force 10 Cargo Utilities - the 2007 model in Crye MultiCam. Constructed of the 8.5oz MIL-PRF-MCCUU 50% Nylon 50% Cotton heavier weight twill (same as used on the Crye Precision Field pants), these TAD gear 'black label' Force 10's are laden with features and made in the U.S.A.

Force 10 pants

Pocket flap details

Here's a rundown of the features on the Force 10's (medium/short shown):

Updated 2/11/07 - Ever since Crye Precision came out with their Field Uniform a couple of years ago, there has been a demand for an alternative (due to either pricing or availability of the Crye products) MultiCam uniform. Some didn't want the extra features that the Crye Field Uniform offered, and complained that the prices was too high. What they didn't take into account is how expensive it is to have clothing made in the U.S., and in relatively small quantities when compared to a govt contract BDU manufacturer and widely used patterns. Since then, some other companies have produced MultiCam BDUs with various features (some better than others), but there's very little difference in price between them and Crye's.
SKD Tactical is one of the few companies that have stepped up to the plate to offer good quality MultiCam BDUs made in the USA, and their price is slightly lower than the others. They have three models, called 'Enhanced BDU shirts' - the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie versions. Why so many models? Well, SKD realizes that not everyone has the same needs, so they're offering different configurations to cover most bases.

The Alpha, Bravo and Charlie models of the SKD Enhanced BDU Shirts share some common features. These are:

• Front or button velcro closure options - All versions of the SKD Enhanced BDU shirts are available with standard button closure, or a velcro-only closure. The idea behind the velcro-only closure was to eliminate pressure spots that buttons might have when worn under armour. Also, a velcro closure would have better ventilation than a zipper front. There are three 4" x 1" velcro strips, and one 2" x 1" strip at the collar. While the lack of buttons does make it seem more comfortable when worn under gear, I found the velcro wasn't as easy to don because I had to line up all the strips perfectly, or else the two sides wouldn't be lined up properly. I had to observe the alignment of the hook and loop strips while donning the shirt. I tried it in the dark, and without looking, and I was never able to get it lined up properly by feel alone. It's a lot easier to put a button through a hole than line up hook and loop strips perfectly. Another concern was that the velcro wouldn't be as secure as buttons. I went through a multitude of different movements - crawling etc, in an attempt to separate the front velcro, but it stayed put. However, when donning some gear (putting a vest over my head), the gear snagged the shirt and pulled it partly open as I lowered the vest onto my body. Once the vest was on, it wasn't easy to reach under and get the velcro lined up properly again. So, personally, I prefer a standard button closure. The button closure is standard except that a 5" velcro strip has been added at the bottom of the shirt below the last button, to further secure the bottom.
• Mandarin collar with foldback velcro - The collar is 2.5" high and has a tab that closes the front or folds back for a neat appearance. It can also be worn folded down.
• Construction - The SKD shirts are made of MIL-PRF-MCCUU 50% Nylon 50% Cotton lightweight twill, same as the Crye field shirt.
• Slanted Upper arm/shoulder pockets - The shoulder pockets are the same size and design as the chest pockets - flat for less bulk. They each have a 5" x 4" loop velcro ID panel on the outside. There is a pen pocket inside the left shoulder pocket. A pen can be inserted through a slot in the flap so the pocket doesn't have to be opened.
• Velcro name tape - 6" loop velcro for name tape above each chest pocket on both sides.
• Elbow pad pockets - These provide a double-layer on the elbows and will fit pads about 7" tall and 8" wide at the top and 7" wide at the bottom. They're sized for the 5.11 elbow pads (available separately, not included), which provide padding without being too bulky. I like 'em. They have a velcro closure access at the bottom, from the outside, so you can insert or remove the pads without taking the shirt off.
• Velcro wrist/cuff tab closures

Collar details

Shoulder pocket detail

Elbow pad pockets and cuffs

The differences between the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie models are in the pocket configurations on the body:

Enhanced BDU shirt Alpha Model - The Alpha model has a four-pocket BDU configuration and is meant to be worn untucked. Button front version shown here.

Alpha front

Alpha rear

Pocket details

Bravo front view, collar closed

Collar folded down

Arm pocket detail

Shirt tucked in

Tucked in, rear

Velcro front

• Upper chest pockets - The upper chest pockets measure 6" x 5" and are slanted inwards very slightly for access with the opposite side hand when wearing a load bearing vest with center opening. They are flat pockets - no bellows or pleats. The flap has a full-width velcro closure. The left chest pocket has an inner pen pocket sewn in.

Enhanced BDU shirt Charlie Model - The Charlie model shown here has the button-front closure. The Charlie also eliminates the bottom front pockets. Like the Bravo, the Charlie model is meant to be worn under a vest or armour, hence the side-entry pockets.

Charlie front view, untucked

Collar closed, shirt tucked

Rear

Charlie pocket details

Side entry chest pockets

Side entry chest pocket detail

• Upper chest pockets - The upper chest pockets measure 6" wide x 5.5" tall and are side-entry (from the outside). They are flat pockets - no bellows or pleats. The flap has a full-width velcro closure. The left chest pocket has an inner pen pocket sewn in, accessible from the outside. This configuration is best used with body armour or chest rigs that cover the chest and have no center opening. I tried it with a couple of different rigs and was able to access the pockets without a problem through the arm holes.

BDU pant - The SKD Enhanced Combat Pant is based on standard mil-spec BDU pants in design and sizing. The Crye field pants have a shorter than normal rise (height between the crotch and waist), which suits me fine, but some didn't like as much. The SKD BDUs have a standard rise for those who like to wear their BDUs around the waist instead of just above the hips. Standard features of SKD's MultiCam pants are:

BDU pant

Side cargos

5.11 knee pad pockets

For those looking for an alternative to the Crye Field uniform, or prefer more of a standard BDU style for the pants, the SKD Tac MultiCam uniform provides just that.

8/12/05 - Hailing from the Great White North in Oiler country is Drop Zone Tactical in Edmonton, Canada. Drop Zone manufactures and deals in all kinds of military gear and equipment, including load bearing gear, cases, bags, packs and clothing, to name a few. If you're looking for CADPAT stuff, check there first, as they're one of only a few manufacturers licensed to make items in CADPAT.
One of the clothing items DZ makes is the Recce Smock. Forgive the expression, but what can I say - it's a gorgeous garment. Combat smocks have been around a while (at least since WWII) as a lightweight, multi-functional item of clothing usually worn over the uniform that provides additional protection against the elements, camouflage, and load bearing capability. Combat smocks continue to be quite popular amongst many of the European forces (especially the British), but for some reason, aren't that common amongst U.S. forces. The old M1965 field jacket is probably the last thing that came close to a U.S. smock (or the Desert Storm Night Desert parka), but that was bulky and didn't have any ventilation.
I've always liked the British SAS windproof smocks in the lightweight gabardine material, but Drop Zone has taken the old concept of the combat smock, improved on it with modern features, and brought into the present with the Recce Smock.

The Recce Smock is sized generously - meant to be worn over other clothing as a shell. I usually wear a medium BDU top, and the small Recce smock still leaves enough room for an insulating layer underneath. DZ makes their smocks in a variety of patterns and colours (shown here in Crye MultiCam), most using cotton-synthetic blend fabrics which provide breathability and can be treated to be somewhat water repellent. It won't keep you dry in a downpour, but then it wasn't designed to be rain wear.
The smock comes down to mid-thigh at the bottom, with a paracord drawstring. A shock cord drawstring with cord locks provides adjustment around the waist. A beefy two-way #10 YKK zipper secures the front of the smock. The zipper is covered by a velcro tab-secured storm flap with a button-up rank tab at center chest. The sleeve cuffs have velcro tab adjustments. The sleeves have a double layer of material starting from just above the elbow down to the wrist, forming a pocket that opens at the top with velcro to accomodate foam padding for extra protection.

Front view, hood rolled up

Rear view, hood rolled down

Front view, hood down

The Recce smock hood is well-designed and simple to adjust. It's roomy enough to fit over a helmet, and a velcro strap adjustment is used to shorten it when used without one. The adjustment strap is sewn to the back of the hood, and goes through a looploc at the base of the neck. The height of the hood is varied by adjusting the length of the strap. The hood opening is adjusted by a shock cord drawstring, by pulling on the ends on either side through the sewn-down cord locks. Tightening the hood can be done one-handed. I didn't illustrate it here, but the brim at the front of the hood can be folded back to form a channel, which keeps rain water from dripping off the front of the hood, diverting it to the sides instead. When not in use, the hood can be rolled down, where a tab originating from the inside base of the neck goes over it and buttons down in the back, securing the hood.

I've mentioned how much I value pit zips, and the Recce Smock includes them of course. They're essential for ventilation and greatly increase the range of temperatures that a garment can be worn in. The Recce Smock's pit zips open up from the waist to past the armpits. The pit zip pulls are a bit small if you're wearing gloves, but it's a simple matter to tie on short 550 cord pulls if desired. If additional ventilation is needed, a 6" front opening access zipper is located beside the main zipper, behind the storm flap. It also allows some access to chest pockets on garments worn under the smock.

Hood details

Pit zips - they make all the difference

Front opening access

Elbow pad pockets

The large, bellows cargo pockets on each side of the chest are covered by flaps, with tape-style Canadian military buttons. A plastic D-ring is located at the top inside of each pocket, for dummy cording items inside. Behind each of the chest cargo pockets is an additional pocket with vertical zipper closure, accessed from the middle of the chest. Inside each pocket is a pen pocket, angled for easier access. A 6"x1" velcro strip for name tape is sewn above the right chest pocket.
The lower cargo pockets even roomier, and share the same flap closure and taped military buttons as the chest pockets. Dummy cord D-rings are also found in the lower cargo pockets. Hidden behind each lower pocket is a handwarmer pocket with zipper closure on the side. Paying close attention to details, each pocket zipper has plastic pull toggles for use with gloves, and water drainage holes sewn at the bottoms.
Arm pockets have become more common with the increase in usage of load bearing vests, body armour, chest rigs etc that limit access to the pockets on the body. Instead of the small dressing pocket found on the sleeve of the old SAS smocks, the Recce Smock has pockets large enough to be useful on each arm with a vertical zipper opening. A 6"x2" rectangle of velcro is sewn to the outside of each arm pocket for putting patches or IR tabs.

Cargo and side-access chest pockets

Lower cargo and handwarmer pockets

Arm pockets

To better illustrate the internal features of the smock, I wore it inside out, as shown below. There are two large map pockets on each side of the chest with horizontal zip openings. These are accessed most easily by partially unzipping the top of the smock - it's a bit awkward to use the front ventilation opening. You can also see the waist shock cord and cord locks in the photos below. Following the ancestry of the poacher's pockets at the rear of the SAS smocks, DZ placed 3 deep, divided pockets in the rear, each with its own velcro closure. In general, they're used to store soft items.

Inside out - front

Inside out - back

With chest rig

Obviously, when you wear a rig over any garment, it will limit access to most of the torso or chest pockets, less so with a suspender/harness style LBE. I found that I was still able to access the lower cargo pockets while wearing a chest rig over the smock. If the smock is worn over a pistol belt with thigh holster or subload, they'll be covered up - same as with any full length parka. I've suggested adding zippers on the side seams to allow a 6" split, offering greater mobility and less interference with equipment and access to trouser pockets, but that has yet to be tested. If no access to the trouser pockets and you don't mind limiting access to the lower cargo pockets, the belt kit can simply be worn over the smock so that access to a holster or thigh rig isn't affected. At the time of this writing, it's been too hot to wear any kind of long sleeves during the day, so I'll have to wait a few months to get the smock dirty. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the smock isn't as hot or stuffy as I thought it would be, due to the breathable nature of the material and the ventilation provided by the pit zips. Kudos to Drop Zone Tactical for making a classic combat garment even better.

9/10/05 - Went on a hike with the wife today, starting out at an elevation of 6000', going up to 10,000' and back down again. Even though this is the end of summer, it's always windy up at the summit, and it was quite chilly today. I packed along the Recce Smock instead of a civvie windbreaker/jacket as it's been too hot to wear it anywhere else and I was just itching to use it. I put it on before we got to the top when the wind started blowing hard. Worked wonderfully, and was comfortable to wear with the Kifaru Express I had. The pit zips really do help broaden the useful temperature range of this garment. Plus I think it looks dead sexy.

Chilly and windy at the top

Year-round snow patch

With Kifaru Express

10/03 -The RAID BDU's from www.specwargear.com is the latest (as of 10/03) verison of their modified shirts and pants. Check out their RAID BDU page for more pics and details on the features. They're built on Propper BDUs and I got the ones in 100% rip-stop cotton. I specified some changes to the BDUs pictured on their site, and a discussion of the main features is below:

RAID SHIRT