VIPER 'SCROTE' POUCH

Back in 2016, Ferro Concepts released their tactical solution to the ‘bumbag’ (to us Brits or the ‘fanny pack’ to our American cousins) – The DANGLER pouch which took the airsoft community by storm, but at £42.50 a pop and with limited availability due to popularity they were hard to come by. To combat this, multiple companies including TMC and Warrior Assault Systems created their own versions of the much loved pouches and now Viper Tactical have also joined the running with their own affordable ‘SCROTE’ pouch!

It is a tactical fanny-pack pouch Velcro attachment for plate carriers and chest rigs that has webbing straps on each side and a Velcro ID panel on the front for all of your favourite patches! As well as looking good it’s also super utilitarian - inside the pouch it has elasticated internal loop holders and a Velcro front internal pouch to keep all your bits and bobs safe during gameplay. I use mine to store my .209 primers and impact grenade accessories during games so they are easy to reach in a hurry. It has a Viper firm draw zip puller to give the user more grip whilst unzipping/zipping the pouch closed especially when wearing gloves or when your hands are wet/cold. 

Unlike the Ferro DANGLER, the SCROTE has a panel of Velcro on the back of the pouch as well which helps keep the Velcro tab tidy when the pouch is in storage and it means the pouch is a little more versatile and is able to be used as a loop belt attachment rather than a drop pouch. Whilst it is being used as a drop pouch however it does offer some protection for your lower stomach if like me you wear JPCs and other small plate carriers.

Admittedly one of my favourite things about the SCROTE pouch is the name, it’s a tongue-in-cheek nod to the pouches protective properties.

It is available in a great range of colours including: VCam, black, green, coyote and titanium so there is a colour to suit most loadouts. It is stocked at most Viper retailers in the UK and the best part? It retails for around £11! This is fantastic news for those who want the look of Gucci kit on a budget or have multiple loadouts to fill with pouches.

Overall, I think Viper have done a great job with the SCROTE pouch: it is affordable – giving more players access to that Gucci kit look, has a great look, is a useful addition to any loadout because of its utilitarian qualities and of course the added protection it offers the end user. It is a great addition to their 2018 catalogue and is really in tune with what the players want – well done Viper!

Hardwick, K. (2018). VIPER 'SCROTE' POUCH. Airsoft Action. 90 (August), 69.

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FLYYE FAST ATTACK PLATE CARRIER FROM MILITARY 1ST!

Hey everyone!

I have another review for you, as most of you will know from reading the recent posts on the blog I've teamed up with Military 1st to bring you guys a short series of affordable plate carrier set ups for both tan and green team uniforms and today we are going to look at/review the base plate carrier for the second build in the series, the Flyye Industries Fast Attack Plate Carrier in olive drab!

The Fast Attack Plate Carrier from Flyye Industries is a lightweight plate carrier that is designed to offer the operator great mobility and also a good level of load carrying capacity. Although it looks like a pretty simple PC, it has a bunch of great features - the most notable of which being that both the front and back of the plate carrier are completely covered from top to bottom with MOLLE webbing straps for attaching a whole range of MOLLE pouches, panels and packs. It also has strips of Velcro along the lower half of the front of the carrier which could be used to attach Velcro pouch panels. As you can see from the images, there is SO much carrying space on the plate carrier, which is pretty awesome.

As the name suggests, the plate carrier is all about getting the job done quickly and efficiently - along with the Velcro strips for quick pouch panel attachments, the adjustable padded shoulder straps and quick release buckles allow for quick adjustments and modifications to size. There is also 1/4" thick closed cell foam in both the shoulders and also in the upper torso parts to help alleviate load stress on the operators back and shoulders. One thing that has really impressed me with the Fast Attack Plate Carrier is just how lightweight it is! The Plate Carrier weighs in at just 850g including the soft armour plates. This would make it a great option as part of a MilSim, battlesim or a weekender game loadout. We all know the aches and pains that inevitably comes with wearing a plate carrier for extended periods of time, and having something that weighs so little as the basis of a loadout will help in minimising this.

The vest is made of durable Invista 1000D Cordura Nylon - which is much more resistant to the usual wear, tear and stresses of high movement activity such as airsoft than your standard Nylon. One of the big positives for this material is that it is also water resistant and that no water will retain on its surface - making it a good option for wet skirmish days and MilSims as the water won't pool on the surface, infiltrate the materials and get weighed down with extra weight.

It is available in a fair few colour/camo options - olive drab, black, coyote, and ranger green, MultiCam, ATACS FG and ATACS AU. As well as colour options it also comes in 2 sizes - medium which fits 10" x 12" plates and large which takes 11" x 14" plates. It is worth mentioning that the soft armour plates are included. I opted for the medium size and although I would normally wear a small and admittedly I did think it looked a little huge when I got it out of the packaging, it does adjust. Due to my small waist, I always fair better with plate carriers without cummerbunds in regards to fit! Fortunately this vest has nothing except the quick release buckles so it is definitely smaller than some of the other tactical vests that I have tried. The quick release buckles pull right in, enough for the plate carrier to not move around when I'm running, bending and moving around. I do however think, that for someone with a smaller frame than my own it might be a little loose around the body and move around during high energy activity. This is definitely a plate carrier suited to those who have a medium to larger frames.

As I'm using this carrier as the base for the green team uniform I chose the olive drab colour option, as there is a wider range of pouches available that will colour match perfectly.

What about price? The Flyye Fast Attack Plate Carrier in olive drab is available from the Military 1st website for £80.95. It is worth mentioning that the camo options are more expensive - retailing for £125.95 but this is understandable as camo pattern material is more expensive than block colours. Honestly, I think £81 for a plate carrier with plates but without pouches is really reasonable, especially one that is made to military specifications. It has a large carrying capacity and is lightweight enough to be used for both your regular Sunday skirmishes and longer games without being uncomfortable.

I'll be using this carrier as the base for the green tam affordable plate carrier set up which will be featured in a YouTube video on the Femme Fatale Airsoft YouTube channel and also broken down in a blog post so be sure to keep your eyes out for those, which will be uploaded/posted at the start of November!

Get yours here

Post sponsored by Military 1st
Photography by Pewpewpatriot

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FLYYE SWIFT PLATE CARRIER FROM MILITARY 1ST REVIEW!

Hey everyone!

So I’m back with another review! I’ve teamed up with Military 1^st to bring you guys a short series of affordable plate carrier set ups for both tan and green team uniforms and first on my list we are going to look/review the base carrier for my first build, the well-known Flyye Swift Plate Carrier in MultiCam.

The Flyye Swift Plate Carrier is an adjustable, lightweight and low profile plate carrier that has a similar look and functionality to the JPC plate carriers that have become really popular amongst airsofters. The plate carrier has a number of built in features including an integrated top admin pouch with a velcro closing and three elastic loops inside the pocket, the admin pouch is suitable for pistol mags, pens, chemlights and tonnes of other useful bits and bobs that you would need to carry on the field. It also has three integrated magazine pouches with loop velcro surface inside, elastic internal dividers and removable shock cords with pull tabs for retention which are suitable for both M4 and M16 magazines. At the top of the plate carrier just above the integrated mag pouches it has a loop Velcro panel for patches (so patchwhores, Flyye have you covered!).

As for its construction, it is made of genuine Crye Precision MultiCam Invista 1000D Cordura Nylon material making it extremely durable and water resistant for wet game days. Its laser-cut Hypalon shoulder straps are extremely durable and make for a closer and more comfortable fit. The stitching and general construction of the carrier is top quality. The carrier comes with two soft armour plates at the front and back included, and the plate compartments have velcro-secured flaps and pull tabs at the bottom making them easy to insert and remove. The plates are a little stiff at first due to their newness, but this is to be expected - after a few game days the plates become a little bit more malleable which means they sit better on the contours of your body.  It has rectangles of durable mesh at the inside top of the plate for ventilation and added comfort – this helps prevent the carrier getting too sweaty on game days. It has sturdy webbing throughout its construction for modular attachments. As it is a JPC style plate carrier it is super lightweight, weighing just over 1.2kg including the soft armour plates that are included, because of this I feel like it would be a really good piece of kit for a MilSim or a weekend event where you end up wearing your plate carrier for an extended period of time.

One of my favourite features of the Flyye Swift plate carrier is the cummerbund made of PALS webbing – the webbing is designed to help improve ventilation and provide extra carrying space for additional magazine pouches and radio pouches etc. I have found in the past that plate carriers with the PALS style of cummerbund have fit my body better than standard cummerbunds. It is easy to put on and adjust – simply pull the front of the vest up to reveal the Velcro fastening, which can be adjusted either at the front or via the cord on the back of the plate carrier. Due to the small size and adjustability of the carrier, I think it would be a great gear option for women and younger players. The only issue I had with its adjustability is that the shoulder straps fit really snug in their cover so it was a little bit of a mission to adjust them, especially with long nails!

I really like the simple aesthetics of the carrier, it’s sleek, low-profile and the integrated mag pouches give it a tidy look but because of the molle on the integrated mag pouches you can add extra pouches to add usability and of course beef it up. For a lightweight loadout I paired this with my cobra shooters belt – super effective and lightweight.  

What’s the retail price? The Flyye Swift plate carrier is available from Military 1st for £137.95 for the MultiCam option and it is available in a wide variety of camouflage patterns - MultiCam, black, coyote, A-TACS FG, ranger green, AOR1 and AOR2. It is worth noting that the price is dependent on the camo, some of the camo options are a little less expensive. It is available in sizes small, and all the way up to an extra-large with room for adjustment on all sizes of the carrier so the size range is really inclusive. In regards to price I would say that the Swift Plate Carrier is in the mid-price range, it definitely isn’t the cheapest plate carrier that you can get your hands on but as it’s made of genuine Crye Precision MultiCam you do have the peace of mind that the material it’s made of is durable and the construction is good quality meaning it will last you a good while! In fact knowing airsofters, you’d probably want a new loadout before you wear one of these out.

I’ll be using this carrier as the base of an affordable to mid-priced plate carrier set up which will be featured in a YouTube video on the Femme Fatale Airsoft YouTube channel so be sure to keep your eyes out for those which will be uploaded towards the end of the month!

Photography thanks to Pewpewpatriot

Post sponsored by Military 1st

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PIG FULL DEXTERITY TACTICAL (FDT) - DELTA UTILITY GLOVE REVIEW!

Hey everyone!

So today I'm back with another review and this is one specifically for the ladies! When I was in the States I got the chance to test the PIG full dexterity tactical (FDT) Delta Utility glove which is a slip-on tactical glove, that is a hybrid of the most popular features from the past PIG models in a budget option that still gives the user a high-dexterity fit. I used these gloves for all of my airsoft games/MilSims whilst I was stateside and they fit SO well! Now I'm back in the UK I've purchased a pair for me to wear for my airsoft games back home and I thought I'd give you lovely lot the low down on them.

The gloves, although small and a seemingly ordinary pair of gloves boast a bunch of awesome features including: touchscreen compatible forefinger and thumb (perfect for those of us who are partial to a midgame selfie!), single-layer palm for tactile sensitivity, bar-tacked paracord pull loops and they even have a silicon printed grip on the palm for extra grip making them practical and usable for not only airsoft but for other outdoor activities.

Although it may be obvious, what I love the most about these gloves is how they fit! I adore how dainty and ladylike they make my hands look! The fold-over finger construction and elastic wrist for quick put on and take off sequence not only make them more comfortable for the user but it also gives them a sleeker, more sophisticated look - nothing like the purpose made airsoft gloves we usually see on the field. They aren't padded or extra thick around the knuckles so getting shot in the hands whilst wearing these does still suck, but honestly? Finger shots are quite rare and I'd rather have the dexterity than bulky protection.

They're easy to put on, quick drying after they've gotten wet and the touchscreen compatible finger and thumb is super useful! Overall, I'm super impressed with them.

The PIG FDT Delta Utility Gloves are available in black, coyote, ranger green & carbon grey and are also available in sizes ranging from a small to an extra extra large the size range is super inclusive. In the states I did wear an XS but I couldn't find them online on my return so I opted for the S - there is a difference in size but not by a huge amount. Although the exchange rate in the states makes them cheaper to buy out there, shipping is a killer! They are available from Tactical Kit for £30.95 here!

Photography thanks to Pewpewpatriot

Patrons: Oskar Engstrom & James Smith

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PROPPER M81 BDU SET REVIEW FROM MILITARY 1ST!

Hey everyone!

So we’re back once again with another review sponsored by Military 1^st and today we’re looking at a couple more items from the Propper range – specifically the Propper BDU Polycotton Coat in M81 (US Woodland) and the Propper BDU Trousers in M81 too! I know you guys love our loadout posts and as Propper are known for their high quality and affordable BDUs this should make for an interesting post!

First off let’s talk about the Propper BDU coat – it is a classic, military BDU inspired uniform shirt with a bunch of features that make it a great option for airsofters and other outdoor enthusiasts! From the 4 large buttoned cargo pockets, reinforced elbow patches, the flap covered button up front to its tough shrink and wrinkle resistant polycotton ripstop fabric mean it is a classic style BDU that is made to last. I opted for the M81/US Woodland camo so I can incorporate this into one of my OPFOR loadouts at MilSims I’ll be attending this summer but it is available in a range of colours to suit: dark grey, khaki, A-TACS AU, A-TACS FG, dark navy, black and grey. The shirt is available in sizes XS-L so it covers a good range of sizes especially for those ladysofters out there.

When I pulled the coat from its packaging, the first thing I was drawn to was the material – the material is really smooth and feels of a good quality. The fused button flaps not only give the coat a smart look but also make it feel/look a lot more expensive than it is and the felled seams throughout the coat enhance durability of the garment and ensure its longevity for the user. The first thing I did (as you will have seen from the unboxing video) was throw the coat on to check the fit. Classically styled BDUs have always been an issue for me due to my small size but I was surprisingly very happy with the cut and fit of the coat. Luckily the cuffs on the arms have a button closure so you can adjust the fit of the arms however I am a massive fan of rolling my sleeves up during games – despite how often I get shot in those areas, and this gives me the look I prefer. The coat offered plenty of movement in the shoulders and arms without making me look like a sack of potatoes – a definite win!

The pockets are large and spacious so can hold a lot of items without too much of an issue, I feel like they would be especially good for keeping copies of maps and small notepads during MilSims for easy access (obviously don’t leave your intel in them because that’s the first place the enemy team will look!)

Lastly we have the Propper Uniform BDU trousers and these are again a classic style BDU trouser that is made from fade, shrink and wrinkle resistant material and it has an abundance of pockets for storage and tie cords on the hem to allow for adjustment. Another cool feature that I noticed whilst putting them on was the adjusters on the waist band. These particular BDU trousers are also available in a large selection of camo options to suit – black, grey, dark grey, Sheriff’s brown, khaki, olive green, A-TACS AU, A-TACS FG, dark navy and of course M81 (it is worth noting that Propper also do a cheaper version of these trousers that come in a different selection of colours, which Military 1^st do stock – I’ve linked those here) They are also available in XS-Reg to XL-Reg.

As with the coat the trousers are made from the same fabric – polycotton ripstop so they are durable especially for war gaming activities such as airsoft. They have a button up fly so are secure and practical, one thing I do prefer in a trouser however is a zip up fly as I have long nails and zips are much easier to do up. So we know they’re a practical option but how do the trousers fit? As they are a classic BDU shape they are a little baggy for my own personal tastes – the waist fits well and doesn’t necessarily need a belt, although I do prefer wearing one for aesthetics. The legs are roomy from the thighs to shins, to offer the user movement and the cuff of the trouser ends at my ankle which is a great length. I would probably get these altered for a more tailored look before I wear them for a skirmish.

The coat retails at £44.00 and the trousers also retail at £44.00 so together the whole outfit retails at £88, so for a whole BDU set that is durable and long lasting is a great, affordable price, although they maybe a little more expensive than the bog standard army surplus trousers out there but you are paying for the quality of a well-known and well-made branded set.

Overall, I love the coat out of the packaging – it feels great, is practical and fits perfectly with no adjustments – it has a tailored look which I am a huge fan of. The trousers however, as they are made of the same material they are super practical for airsoft and are durable but they are a little baggy for my own tastes so I would probably have them altered to fit better and achieve a more tailored look. The classic BDU cut however is perfect for men and women who like their trousers to be a little baggier. One thing the trousers do offer is a lot of movement. They are an affordable set of camo clothing in a wide variety of camo options to suit every player and can be used for a multitude of different activities from airsoft to paintball to bushcraft and a whole range of outdoor activities. Nice one Military 1^st!

Photography thanks to Silent Kitty Photography

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PROPPER RANGE BAG FROM MILITARY 1ST REVIEW!

Hey everyone!

So those of you who watched my latest YouTube video that I released last week will know I’ve teamed up once more with the awesome Military 1^st to bring you some more gear reviews! The first piece of kit on our list is the Range Bag in Olive Drab by Propper!

The Propper Range Bag is a hard wearing, roomy and utilitarian kit bag that comes in a couple of colour options – classic black and olive drab. I opted for the olive drab option as I’ve really developed a liking for the colour and I have accumulated a lot of green kit in the last 6 months or so! One thing I love about the OD colourway is the orange trim featured on the inside of the bag.

Let’s talk about the features before diving in any further! The range bag is focused around a large padded main compartment that has two removable dividers perfect for organisation and is lined with a fleece like material that enables the user to customise the bag further by adding their own Velcro panels. To compliment the main compartment the bag also features a large zipped front pocket that has 6 pistol mag pouches and a zipped net pocket that’s perfect to keep any tools or spare parts – the front pocket also features molle webbing and a Velcro panel on the front for any additional pouches and of course your favourite patches. One the other side of the bag is another large zipped pocket which holds a zipped net pocket, the removable fold out mat and removable hook and loop organiser panel. The bag also has a few other cool features like side panels of molle, robust grab handles and a reinforced shoulder strap to make carrying those essentials easier.

On getting the bag out of the box I was really pleasantly surprised with not only the size of the bag itself but the feel of the material, admittedly when I read ‘100% polyester’ my face grimaced a tad, but it feels high quality, sturdy and durable. I set about filling it with as much kit as I could ready for my weekend skirmish – from face pro, speedloaders, BBs, gun maintenance kits! Everything fit (except the obvious like PC, helmet, battle belt)

I threw the bag on my shoulder, and whilst it was heavy (thanks to the bags of BBs I’d loaded into it) it wasn’t uncomfortable. The reinforced strap distributed the weight nicely. Everything was easy to access even whilst wearing gloves (I later found out that the zippers were glove friendly zippers) So from an airsoft perspective this bag suits down to a tee. This got me thinking, what else could it be used for? Apart from firearms range time, I think it would be a pretty good kit bag for those interested in bush craft as it has plenty of pockets, everything is in good reach and it isn’t too bulky even when fully loaded.

This being said, the bag isn’t just great for airsofters or outdoor enthusiasts either! My father walked into my office a few days after the bags skirmish debut and noticed the Propper range bag sitting on one of our work tables waiting for its review – now he isn’t an outdoor enthusiast by any standard, his outdoor activities extend to football and that’s about it! Even he picked up the bag, which is unusual anyway, and said how nice it was and how perfect it would be for a going away bag which I hadn’t even considered! I think is because it is a really discreet piece of kit – because it’s available in the block colours rather than camouflage patterns, meaning it can be take on public transport without looking out of place.

So taking this into account, I then started playing about with some of the kit in my office and I also found that it is really handy for my job as a writer/photographer. It has a compartment that is big enough to store my laptop and plenty of pocket space to store my hard drives, memory cards, chargers etc. The main compartment dividers are great for keeping my camera equipment safe and divided. It has plenty of space so I can load it up and still be comfortable because of the reinforced shoulder straps. Although I’m reviewing this piece of kit from an airsoft perspective, as a freelance blogger and journalist for Airsoft Action I often find that I need to l lug so much camera and film equipment to the site from my car, taking it all in separate designated bags is inconvenient and frankly just annoying. This gives me a perfect carry system for not only my Airsoft kit but helps me get my job done.

What is it like for price? So it retails at £80.00 from the Military 1^st website and I feel really confident in saying this is well worth the investment, especially for serious enthusiasts who need an effective carry system for their kit and essentials to and from games but also for other activities. I’ll definitely be road testing this as a travel bag for my upcoming trip to Paris, France for a weekend of airsoft.

Overall, this is probably my favourite piece of kit that Military 1^st has sent the blog for review and I really mean that! It’s a hard wearing, durable range bag with ample amounts of space that can be utilised for a variety of different uses from firearms range time, airsoft enthusiasts, travelling and journalists/photographers.  My favourite aspect about it is that it is so usable as it isn’t just limited to Airsoft uses and it is super spacious.

Photography thanks to Silent Kitty Photography.
Post sponsored by Military 1st.

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HALEY STRATEGIC D3CR-X REVIEW!

As far as Gucci kit goes Haley Strategic is a name that is up there, and the D3CR Chest Rig is revered in the community as one of the best chest rigs on the market and a must have for MilSim enthusiasts, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? My friends over at Land Warrior Airsoft in Dalkeith, Scotland sent over the newest generation of Haley chest rigs, the D3CR-X for review and here are my thoughts.

The new Haley Strategic Disruptive Environments Chest Rig X has been designed to improve comfort and storage capabilities for the operator whilst still working perfectly with the existing range of comprehensive D3CR accessories. The new design means the Chest Rig has 4 rifle magazine pouches that accept both AR type magazines as well as AK 7.62 x39mm and 5.45 x 39 magazines! The new 2 Multi-Mission pouches are also a very much welcomed additions - they are super useful, for tactical snacks, radios, small med kits etc. The 4 pistol mag pouches are a versatile pouches that accept 1911, Glock, Sig, M&P, XD and other standard double or single stack pistol mags, as well as many other useful bits and bobs including handheld torches, multi-tools, and (the most useful for my own gameplay) 40mm grenades, and for me that means my trusty TRMR impact grenade and a few Enola Gaye smoke grenades/flashbangs! The rig features an all new X harness for ultimate adjustability and a full Velcro front panel that allows the rig to be outfitted with accessories, as well as assist in the full contact connection with plate carriers. One of my favourite aspects about the chest rig is the full panel of Velcro because it allows me to easily swap the front panel from my Warrior Assault Systems Recon Plate Carrier out, for the D3CR-X panel really easily - just upclip the straps, rip off the panel, attach the panel and do up the clips and the jobs a good ‘un! This is particularly useful when I am switching between playing Skirmish and MilSim Ops as the gameplay is so different a different loadout is needed.

Just like the D3CR-X’s predecessor, the rig is designed and even optimized to be super low profile and to go to work in confined spaces including vehicles. When used on its own, the rig is low profile enough to be worn fully loaded and not make marks on a normal/loose fit jacket or hoodie. When it is used on a body armour platform with a quick release system, the rig can be attached or stowed in seconds. This ultimately gives the end user the versatility to transition from low visibility to high visibility or vice versa in seconds. One of the main notable differences is that this new rig purposefully doesn’t have a dedicated radio or medical pouch and this means that regardless of the posture of the operator, all the mission essentials such as comms and med kits can remain on the end user.

Let’s chat about the quality. The D3CR-X is made from genuine MultiCam so it is tough and durable. The construction of the rig is phenomenal, as would be expected from any Haley Strategic product. The retention bungee cord grab tabs are reinforced with a rubber for longevity and for extra grip when wearing gloves and pulling the tabs over magazines which is a nice touch. Each of the magazine pouches has a drainage hole at the bottom of the pouch to ensure water can drain from the pouches on those wet game days/ops – a feature I have not seen on imitations of the Haley rigs. The X harness straps are strong and have molle systems on the front (for the D3 weapon sling) which means even though you’re wearing a chest rig you don’t have to sacrifice the security of having a rifle sling.

I have used the D3CR-X both on its own during HTIS Operation Blue Fox 2 and as the front panel on my WAS Recon PC. I do favour using the rig as a mounted panel on my plate carrier. The rig when worn on its own as a standalone piece is very lightweight and easy to wear for prolonged periods of time – this was my rig of choice for STAG duties and patrolling (when I knew I would be on my feet for a substantial period of time but I wouldn’t be engaging in too much contact but had the essentials on me just in case sh*t did hit the fan!). The X harness means the rig works really well with most backpacks - I paired mine with a Nuprol PMC Hydration backpack to give me extra space for carrying smokes and my hydration bladder. As the rig is easy to mount it was plug and play – I didn’t even have to unload it. Like I said previously, just rip off the Velcro back and slap it on the PC. The ease of this transition is perfect. My only gripe with using the rig as a mounted piece is that is does overhang the sides of my PC a tad – it doesn’t affect the use of it and it isn’t noticeable when worn but it’s just something that gets to the perfectionist in me! Haha. Used with my PC it gives me more opportunities to carry mags, smokes and the mission pouches give me a little extra something without adding too much weight or bulk.

What about price I hear you ask? Gucci kit comes with a Gucci price tag. The D3CR-X retails for £179.99 from Land Warrior so it is pricey, but if you’re an Airsofter who wants a high quality chest rig that will last you – this is the perfect option and you won’t need to buy another (unless you wanted it in another colour of course!) The D3CR-X is available in MultiCam, Coyote, Black, Ranger Green, MultiCam Black and Disruptive Grey so no matter what your loadout is there is a colour way to suit.

Overall, I think the D3CR-X is a fantastic piece and it has become a staple in my MilSim loadouts, it is pretty pricey so I would say it is a purchase you need to be sure of, however the quality means you won’t have to buy another chest rig for a long time so for me, that’s a win!

Photography thanks to Silent Kitty Photography

Hardwick, K. (2017). Haley D3CR-X. Airsoft Action. 76 (July), 32-33.

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FIRST TACTICAL MEN'S TACTIX BDU PANTS OD GREEN FROM MILITARY 1ST REVIEW!

Hey everyone,

 So I've teamed up once again with the awesome team from Military 1st to bring you another gear review! In this review we’ll be looking at the First Tactical Men’s Tactix BDU pants!

The Men’s Tactix BDU pants are a lightweight, durable and utilitarian pair of tactical trousers that are designed/manufactured by First Tactical for EMT, First Responders, Forces personnel, Cadets and other activities that take place in rough and tough environments, which makes these perfect for Airsofters and outdoor enthusiasts alike. They come in a limited run of colours – black, olive drab and navy and as I’ve really been feeling green load outs lately I opted for the olive drab colourway.

Let’s discuss the features; the BDU pants have a modern design but with the classic fitted BDU styling that is popular amongst professionals in those fields. They are made from a tough 7 Oz 2-way mechanical stretch double Ripstop fabric – which means they are both durable but have a lot of stretch to them making them a great choice for tough activities that involve a lot of movement including Airsoft. When I pulled the trousers from their packaging my first impressions were very good – they had a good weight to them and the fabric felt high quality. The material is extremely durable, ultra-lightweight and because each pair is treated with the DuPoint Teflon Shield+, they repel water, oil and stains, ideal for those woodland players out there. I also noticed that on the vital seams, there is triple-needle stitching to ensure they don’t fail.

The pants feature a classic zip fly with a press stud and button fastening – no annoying buttons to faff around with! It also features seven wide belt loops (3 rivet reinforced) for those tactical belts, it has a concealed unique sliding Comfort Flex Action Waist system with a one-piece elastic construction for flexibility, a reinforced double seat design and running gusset for ease of movement and added comfort.

All the fastenings on the product are high quality and made by household name brands such as genuine YKK zippers and heavy duty Prym snaps.

The First Tactical Men's Tactix BDU Pants are laden with pockets to keep essentials in, including two roomy front hand pockets with inner loops, two back pockets with hook-and-loop secured laminated non-roll flaps and two expandable side cargo pockets with elasticated entrances, laminated non-roll flaps with a hook-and-loop closure, internal sleeves and hanging loops. The laminated non-roll flaps won’t falter over the products lifetime ensuring you always get a clean, professional look no matter what activity you put them through. The pants also feature external knee pad pockets for optional low profile kneepads, which I like to use during CQB games.

How do they fit? I opted for the 28/32 which is the smallest size the pants are available in (they go up to a 40/34) The pants are comfortable around the waistband and what I really like is that the waistband expands to accommodate your movement without an obvious elastic waistband. They fit the legs well but are loose in areas of high mobility such as the knees and around the thighs. Regarding the length, I usually wear a 30” leg being a small 5”4 in height but when wearing my Airsoft boots the length isn’t an issue – they sit nicely around the ankles with boots on. The leg cuffs also feature an elastic cord and a cord lock to help you adjust this and keep them in place. For the ladies out there, I would suggest checking the sizing chart on the Military 1^st website to ensure you get the right waist size.

For those reading who are in lines of work that require PPE to be worn at work such as First Responders, these pants accept the Lion Suit Undergarments. They also feature and internal hanging loop and ID panel for easy identification.

So, the burning question - how much do they retail for? The First Tactical Mens Tactix BDU pants retail at £69.95, whilst they are a little more pricey than a pair of bog standard pair of BDU pants, they are built with tough activities in mind meaning they have the longevity. At the moment Military 1^st have an 11% discount on combat uniforms until tomorrow (22^nd June 2017) when you use the code ‘UNIFORM17’ so get in quick if you want to take advantage of the savings!

Overall, I really like the First Tactical Men’s Tactix BDU pants – they’re tough, comfortable and offer the user a lot of movement. The material is a really high quality and the construction is fantastic, especially in regards to the triple-needle stitching around the really important garment seams (fashion student in me making an appearance there!) Despite being a men’s cut they fit me well in the right places and give me ample amount of movement when playing.  These would be really cool as an element of a civvie inspired loadout or Police loadout in the other colourways! These BDU pants get a thumbs up from Femme Fatale Airsoft!

Photography by Silent Kitty Photography.
Post sponsored by Military 1st.

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