Equipment Reviews and News

So you’re thinking of buying a roof tent to stick on your 4x4. They look cool, people with Landrovers use them for crossing deserts and stuff. It is the ultimate accessory for the “look I go on adventures” brigade. Roof tents appear to have had a massive boost in popularity recently. It might be just me, but I’m seeing them all over the place. I live in the Lakes and most journeys you spot a blinged up Defender with a big box on the roof. Mini even offer a very overpriced branded roof tent as an optional extra. Why? Well these are undoubtedly good. You get a proper rugged canvas tent which will obviously last a lot longer and outperform a cheaper tent. Proper adventurers like them because they lift you off the ground where you are...

The sound of thunder rolled ominously across the grey sky as people ran for cover. On the distant hilltop, the black outline of four mighty steeds with four motionless riders sat atop could be seen. People fell to their knees, arms outstretched, begging for mercy as the Apocalypse fell upon them. Or at least, that’s what must’ve happened, as it appears the MOD Procurement have got something right for once, and we all know it’s a snowy day in Hell when that happens! After many many long centuries of soldiers wearing completely and utterly inadequate footwear for the intense tasks at hand, we can stand with a tear in our eye and wave goodbye forevermore to the likes of Ammo boots, designed to slowly kill the soldier from the foot up...

Evening all, Anyone got an editable copy of the 7767 form that they could send me please? Ta

Hi all, New to this forum and still fumbling my way through it. I'm after advice on the best Poncho/ Basha to buy and where from. Any help gratefully received. Cheers.

Following on from Bad CO’s review of the Elliot Brown Holton Professional (available here), I was offered the chance to review a different watch from their extensive range. Very generously they said “just pick whichever one you want and we’ll send it out.” A quick glance through their website raised some serious levels of want. Everything on there looks the business and it was a very tough decision to choose which one I’d like to put through its paces. First world problems indeed. The Bloxworth range alone comes in 15 different colour / strap combinations. There are currently 76 different watches available on their website and that’s before you even begin with special editions and collaborations. Eventually I settled on the...

"You lie like a cheap Chinese watch." We've all heard the culturally inappropriate phrase so let's clear up a couple of points before we continue. Orient watches are not Chinese. Orient is owned by Seiko, but run by Seiko Epson, which is a separate division from the rest of the Seiko watch business. The watch in question is not a dive watch and should not be regarded as one. It is not ISO 6425 certified, for a start. (Yeah, I looked that up - it's a real thing.) Describing it as a "Splashing about watch" doesn't make for good advertising copy, however true it might be. Also - horrible phone photos - mea maxima culpa, get over it. If you're in the market, there are more than enough excellent pics for your Googling pleasure...

Hammocks. They're a bit like sex. At first you're not quite sure what's going on but eventually you'll have it figured out and you'll be able to get it up and done in a jiffy. So it was that I took to the DD Frontline Hammock to give it a damn good thrashing. Last time I used a hammock would have been in Belize on JW training and my memories of hammocks then were one of hassle, strife, discomfort, sudden drops and occasional tears. Not so with the DDFH. As I looked through the packaging and bits and bobs that had arrived, I found a typed note attached inside which gave a warning reference the mosquito net which we'll look at later and a comment that it might be worth while looking at their website for the set-up instructions. I...

Debating whether to get full gull wings or not on my short back. For anyone that has had them done: are they of any use on a short back, and do they make it possible to use a short back without webbing? If not, then I'll just go with the back protector. Any help would be much appreciated.

Hello All, I am currently studying A-Level Product Design, this involves identifying a problem and developing a product to solve it. As an aspiring officer (currently applying for the scholarship scheme) I have chosen to explore the theme of the military. I am therefore researching problems with military equipment, and it would be really helpful if you could tell me about any issues you have encountered. I have also made a questionnaire about problems in the military, and I would really appreciate it if you could fill this out to aid my research. Problems In The Military Many thanks! **@Bad CO has given permission to post this.

Just had this press release in. Obviously I'll be seeing if I can get a pair to review! HAIX, specialist manufacturer of functional safety footwear, announces its latest addition to its range of rugged and hardwearing military boots – the COMMANDER GTX. Armed forces personnel are on the move around the clock, crossing a variety of challenging terrains. That’s why HAIX® has designed the COMMANDER GTX boot to deliver exceptional functionality, without compromising on comfort. The sturdy leather boot can withstand long marches hauling a heavy pack while offering exceptional support and comfort. Military wearers expect all their gear to provide the highest standards of utility and protection, wherever the action takes them, and...