Cast Gear Combat T-Shirt

More cool kit from Cast Gear, and I got this shirt for review from my friends over at Airsplat (click HERE to check it out).  Today, we are looking at the Cast Gear Combat T-Shirt.  It comes in a variety of different colors (woodland, urban, and C-Cam - all digital style), and it runs from size Small to Double Extra Large).  Here's a look at it.

As you can tell, it's got a base color on the torso, camo on the sleeves, and then black on the wrists and neck.  It's made of 100% cotton so it will definitely be comfortable.

First cool feature - pockets on the left sleeve, and it can hold whatever you want - a memo pad, a battery - even an iPhone.  Wait - what's that?  You'd like to put a memo pad in there but then you wonder where you'd put your pens?  Ah - no need to worry my friend - just scroll down...

And BAM!  There you have it - a spot to hold pens on the sleeves.  Well-played, Cast...well-played indeed.

Here's a look at the back and as you can probably tell, the idea behind the shirt is two-fold: eliminate the BDU blouse AND yet keep the camouflage.  And this does just that.  Put a plate carrier or a vest on and you keep your arms camouflaged but without all the weight of a full BDU blouse (and yes - they are called 'blouses').

Comfortable - yes indeed.  Dry-wick - nope.  But it's also pretty light-weight so while making it from some sort of 'sweat-wicking' material would have been nice, it's still a quality shirt, and to me - the overall features make it a win.  Check out all the different styles of these shirts HERE over at Airsplat.

 

Keep on firin',

Carp

NcSTAR Tactical Molle Backpack from Airsoft Atlanta

Today on the CQB Radio blog, we are looking at this - the NcSTAR Tactical MOLLE Backpack. You can find it over at Airsoft Atlanta HERE for only $24.99.  As you can tell, I got mine in OD Green, but it also comes in Black, Tan, and ACU.  And, as noted below, this is from their VISM line of gear.

 

Let's start with some of the specs:
- Main Pocket = 18x12x6
- Side Pockets = 5x5x1.5
- Front Top Pocket = 8x4.5x2
- Front Bottom Pocket = 9.5x9.5x3
- MOLLE webbing = EVERYWHERE!

If you are looking for a low-cost but very versatile pack, this one should be checked-out for sure.  Here you can see the two side pockets - one up top, one down below, and you've also go a solidly-constructed handle in the middle, so it's easy to grab the bag no matter what angle it's jammed into your car or in a closet.

Another shot of the handle on the side of the bag.

As you can see from pretty much all of the photos, this thing has MOLLE webbing all over, so if you've got a few other MOLLE pouches, you can certain strap them onto this bad boy.  Basically, other than my AEG, this thing can hold everything I need to take to a day-long airsoft op.  Here's a list of some items you can pack in here:
- BDU
- Boots
- Socks
- Goggles
- BBs
- Mags
- Tac vest
- Gloves
- Knee pads
- Belt
- Pouches
- Goggle spray
- Dead rag

Basically, it'll fit it all, and you can just keep your AEG and sidearm in a gun bag.

Looking at it here, you can see the the set-up for pockets is as follows: two on the left side, two on the right side, one main compartment, and then two more compartments (one up, one down) on the front side facing you.

Up top - you guessed it - another handle to grab the bag.  And below the handle you can see a little window where you can put your info so we all know whose bag it is.  (Side-note: the photo colors change a little depending on how close I got the camera to the bag.  The bag is all the same color - OD Green).

One the sides, you can see that compression straps are also included.  You can certainly add more gear/pouches on these straps, but they are intended to compress the bag down to make it as stream-lined as possible.  Two on the left, and two on the right = total of four compression straps.

Let's talk about your carrying straps.  You get adjustable shoulder straps with D-rings included to attach whatever items you might want easily accessible.  You can also see there is a sternum strap included so that will give you more stability and control of the pack as you hike/move/crawl with it.

Down below, you have a waist strap that is fully adjustable.

Here's a view of the bag from the side.  You can see the compression straps in use here, as well as the handle up top.

The main compartment is, well, huge.  For a backpack of this size, I was pretty shocked at how large this main section. was.  And a plus - the zippers go all the way around and all the way down so you can fold the front down like so.

Inside the main compartment...another compartment.  This is about half the size of the panel, and can hold whatever your little heart desires.

Peeking finger = opening to run your hose for a hydration bladder.

Missing hand = storage for hydration bladder or other items inside the main compartment.

Overall, for $25, I'd call this a steal.  A smaller bag from some of the big name companies out there will run you over $100 EASY, so think that you could get one of these, use it, have it wear out, get ANOTHER ONE, use it, have it wear out, get ANOTHER ONE, use it, have it wear out, and then get ANOTHER ONE, and use it and you'd be even for what you spend on the super-high-end tactical bags.  BUT WAIT...
NcSTAR has one of the best warranty's in the U.S.  Check out the specifics HERE, but basically they told our friend Thumpy that if it breaks, no matter what, they will fix it.  Nice eh?

Find this pack and many others over at Airsoft Atlanta - CLICK HERE!

Keep on firin',
Carp

Condor Rigger's Belt

Today we are talking rigger's belts.  Before we get into the specs on this one (from Condor and available at Evike HERE for $25), let's talk about rigger's belts in general.  Rigger's belts are a high-duty, heavy-use belt that a variety of tactical manufacturers make.  These are not just a belt made out of webbing - these things are beastly.  The webbing used is durable and usually thicker that rock climbing webbing, and the buckles are usually highly durable as well.  The harness is forged steel and has an 8,000 pound tensile strength.

Rigger's belts are all about carrying and bearing weight.  You can put a ton of gear (holster, pistol, mags, pouches, etc.) on a rigger's belt and, if it's well made, it will hold and and not sag under the weight.

Let's talk a look at this one from Condor. You can get it over at Evike in Tan, Black, Foliage, and OD.  The sizes run from Small to Extra Large.  This one is tan and (as you'll see) is Medium/Large.  I actually had to send the Large back because it was too big for me (I'm was a 38 when I got the Large and it was way too big).

Here's a look at the belt straight on.

A look at the belt from the top.

And the size is located on outside of the belt under the Condor logo.

Putting on the belt - well, it's not rocket science.  You run the belt through your belt loops on your pants and then back between the moving metal slide on the front.  It's got velcro on it and a lot of it, so if you do it right, this thing will stay ON.

A look at the hardware - all metal.

Take a look at the stitching on the back.  This thing is made to be USED.

Here's what it looks like on.  The smaller piece of webbing on the right of this photo is for you to make any final, minor adjustments.  Also, note that it'll take some time to 'break in'.  If the belt seems very stiff, that's good - that means it's made well and it should be (for the first few times using) a little hard to get on and set up.

You can loop the velcro back UNDER your pants belt look, but the velcro grabs so much that I find that a serious pain.  If I was using this to bear some serious weight, I would do so, but in general I don't find it necessary.

So who is this for?   First off, it's a good investment for $25.  You can wear this day-in and day-out and it'll hold up for a long time.  So I'd say if you just want a hearty belt that'll last - this is a good option.  Secondly, in relation to airsoft, if you prefer to go high-speed/low-drag, this might be something to pick up.  Let's say you don't want to run a vest or chest rig.  No problem.  Toss a few mag pouches on here, maybe a dump pouch, and a small utility pouch, and you're good to go.  Can you do that on a lower-cost belt?  Well, you CAN, but you can also walk to Boston from Maine, but I think driving makes more sense.  This belt will hold up and it won't sag, thereby keeping your gear in place and your pants...well...on.

Thanks to Evike for their sponsorship of this review.

- Carp