In 2014, New York City based 221B Tactical completely disrupted the body armour space by launching it's Maxx-Dri Vest for body armour ventilation. Since then, the company had put out 3 different updates to their flagship product. This week, they unveiled the fourth iteration of the now globally recognized innovation with the launch of The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 body armour cooling vest.
The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 features brand new materials, technology and design elements never before seen on any Maxx-Dri Vest to date. In this article we'll go over these newest updates as well as give you some behind the scenes insights into the making of Maxx-Dri.
The core of The Maxx-Dri Vest, 221B's patented 3D polymer, has been completely redesigned. This new material has bigger spacing, allowing for increased air flow and maximum ventilation. Certified testing by medical professionals found that our new Maxx-Dri material led to 23° F cooler surface temperatures compared to a control group.
The front and rear of The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 now feature 221B's patented convection spine. This spine effectively creates dual convection chambers, allowing for more rapid cooling of those wearing body armour as police officers, military soldiers or security guards.
The convection spines also now feature 221B's high-grip technology which prevents any movement of The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 beneath your body armour. This new design element makes your Maxx-Dri Vest feel like it's part of your body armour vest (either concealed or outer carrier).
The front and rear of the vest also feature brand new Acceleration Channels (patent pending). These channels, once again, utilize the science of convection to expel heat and moisture from beneath your body armor at an accelerated rate, thus cooling the wearer beneath their body armour faster than ever before.
One of the most exciting upgrades to The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 are the all new Velcro side straps. These new side straps are 25% wider, 50% thinner and offer 97% more airflow than the side straps on the previous version. They also offer increased stretch, making for a better, more comfortable fit across all sizes.
The sides of The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 have also been extended to offer increased air flow beneath the side straps and flaps of your body armour vest. This small change was found to have a dramatic increase in air flow around the sides of the body armour; a major benefit for those wearing concealed body armour and outer carrier vests.
The Maxx-Dri Vest 4.0 is the pinnacle of body armour cooling and ventilation for those who wear body armour on the job or in the field. If you're wondering how to make wearing body armour more bearable, you owe it to yourself to try The Maxx-Dri body armour cooling vest.
Click the link below to shop and learn more.
]]>If your life’s mission drives you, Gatorz are your choice.
]]>The Origin of Gatorz Eyewear
By Sam Havelock, Chief Brand Officer, Gatorz Eyewear, Former Navy SEAL
The Gatorz story begins in San Diego, California in 1989. What we now think of as the extreme sports industry was still in its infancy. Gatorz began with an intention to build billet aluminum eyewear that could withstand wind force in excess of 100 miles per hour while skydiving and motorcycle riding. The brand quickly found following among recreational free-fall parachutists who frequented the drop zones of Southern California. The snug fitting durable nature of Gatorz perfectly supported free fall jumpers and soon became a mainstay within jump circles and elite athletes across other extreme sports in Southern California. Interestingly, a number of those extreme athletes and recreational parachutists also happened to have extreme jobs as Navy SEALS and Naval Special Warfare personnel.
The earliest military adopters of Gatorz were members of SEAL Teams One, Three, Five, Seven, Special Reconnaissance Team One, Special Boat Team Twelve, and a great number of SEAL instructors teaching at the Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL school house. As years went by Sailors would move and the Gatorz brand became prolific across East Coast SEAL teams and eventually the entire Special Operations Community. Military users appreciated the signature rugged style, durability, and American made nature of Gatorz. This is exactly how Gatorz came to be widely recognized as the premium eyewear brand across all of special operations, unlike the bulky, plastic, commodity eyewear issued by the military, Gatorz frames offered the protection of metal, fit easily under a helmet, were adjustable to custom-fit the face and provided full coverage from wind, dust, and debris. By the mid-2000s, with all of the Special Operations community fully engaged in combat operations overseas, Gatorz would prove just as invaluable on the battlefield as they had in training and recreation years prior. By 2021, Gatorz were proven on the battlefield over two decades of combat and to this day remain a staple of thousands of deeply committed people who represented the archetype of our core customer group. Deeply Committed, Mission Driven People.
Gatorz earned its relationship with the Special Operations and Broader Veteran and First Responder communities because these selfless people needed the type of eyewear that only a deeply committed company could deliver. They needed the best eyewear money can buy. Our Mission Driven customers demand the best because their lives and the lives of others depend on it. Whether you are engaged in a firefight, jumping out of an airplane, or battling yourself or others in competition, Gatorz is about deep commitment to your life’s Greatest Missions.
The Promise of Gatorz
What began over 30-years ago in Southern California has come to define the style of deeply committed people.
If your life’s mission drives you, Gatorz are your choice.
We do what we do because the people we serve take risks most people are unwilling to take in places most people are unwilling to go. By producing the World's Best Eyewear for Mission Driven People we are equipping people to deal with the world's toughest challenges. What they can see, is what they can act on, and what they can act on changes the world for the better.
]]>What Are Cut Resistant Gloves?
What are cut resistant gloves? We get this question a lot, so I decided to do a little write up on this for all those asking. As a manufacturer of what many regard as the best cut resistant gloves in the world, it only makes sense that we provide you with the information you need to make an educated and informed buying decision.
Cut resistant gloves have been around for decades. In fact, if you go back to the 12th century, there’s evidence of knights utilising gloves made of metal to help protect their hands against cuts from swords.
Modern day cut resistant gloves, of course, have come a long way. In fact, there have been some significant advancements in this domain in even the last 5 years. 221B Tactical has, in fact, been regarded as being one of the pioneers in the cut resistant glove space. This is due mostly to the fact that we’ve innovated gloves that couple cut resistant technology with superior full dexterity; something unattainable by many companies for the last decade.
Are cut resistant gloves cut proof?
This is one of the most common questions we get about gloves. Just like body armour, where there is a difference between “bullet resistant” and “bullet proof” there is a similar situation when it comes to cut resistant gloves.
The word “proof” denotes complete, impenetrable protection. And as you might imagine, using the word “proof” is a big deal, carries a great deal of responsibility and a ton of liability. Hence why you will almost never see the word “proof” when it comes to protective gear such as body armour and gloves.
The word “resistant” denotes protection but not 100% impenetrable protection. Thus, in certain situations when certain thresholds are reached, there can and will be penetration and/or failure. When it comes to cut resistant gloves, this threshold is clearly defined by varying levels of cut resistance.
What are the different levels of cut resistant gloves?
There are two primary standards when it comes to cut resistant gloves: EN388 and ANSI/ISEA. Each uses various testing mechanisms to determine the strength and cut resistance of various materials. I won’t bore you with the details, but it suffices to say that both testing standards are similar in nature. For more information about these test standards, visit their respective websites. However, if you’re looking for the reader’s digest version, take a look at the image below. What are cut resistant glove levels
How to choose cut resistant gloves
So, with all this information, how do you choose the best cut resistant gloves for you? Well, it all depends on what you’re doing, and the potential threats involved in what you’re doing.
If you’re a homeowner doing some odds and end around the house, you can probably get away with gloves with a Level A or B EN388 (ANSI AR1-A3) rating. However, if you’re working in an industrial field with significantly sharp objects like glass and sheet metal, you will surely want to opt for gloves with a higher level of cut protection. The same goes for first responders and those working in Police and Law Enforcement. Those in these fields often encounter subjects armed with knives and thus must have the highest level of protection on their hands.
Keep in mind that the higher the protection level, the less dexterity you may have for handling tools and small objects. 221B Tactical gloves have so many 5-star reviews because they offer full dexterity even at the highest levels of protection.
How to clean cut resistant gloves
The best way to clean cut resistant gloves is to simply hand wash them with warm, anti-bacterial soap in a sink. After rinsing them thoroughly, lay them flat to dry in an area with good air flow and direct sunlight. Machine washing and drying is not recommended for these types of gloves.
I trust this article provided you with some useful information about cut resistant gloves and aides in your purchasing decision. Your hands are your livelihood. Protect them at all costs. Even if you’re doing something that may seem trivial, accidents happen. Always have a solid pair of cut resistant gloves on your hands and work with an enhances sense of security and peace.
]]>One of the scariest things which can happen to us while on the job is getting stuck by a needle. Whether it's during a pat down, search of suspect, bag or vehicle, getting stuck by a needle is a primary concern of nearly every police officer on patrol.
But in today's world, the threat of getting stuck by a needle is not reserved for those in law enforcement. Prison guards, those who work in rehabilitation facilities/Centres and even hospital janitorial staff are concerned with the threat of a potential needle stick during the course of their duties.
In years past, the threat of getting stuck by a dirty needle while on the job had been something most didn't even think about. Needle stick injuries were few and far between. But today, with the proliferation of IV drug use, police officers and civilian workers alike are being exposed to needles on a daily basis.
"These gloves have saved my hands twice since purchasing them. One of the best investments of my police career" - Officer Brandon R.
So how does one protect their hands against needle pricks in this day and age? Over the years many companies have tried their hand (pun intended) at designing gloves that offer protection against needle sticks. Unfortunately, due to limitations in materials and poor design, these gloves were almost unbearable to wear. They were bulky, stiff and offered nearly zero dexterity to manipulate and feel small items.
Recognizing this concern, 221B Tactical Founder and CEO Suresh Madhavan (13-year law enforcement veteran) decided to do something about it. Utilizing his background in design and the sciences, as well as the connections his business partners had in the textile world, Madhavan was able to develop a needle resistant glove like nothing the world had ever seen before.
"The needle resistant gloves which were on the market while I was an officer were just downright awful" said Madhavan. "They were so uncomfortable nobody, myself included, wanted to wear them. And therein lied the problem. By utilizing new, state-of-the-art materials and design elements, I was able to create the best pair of needle resistant gloves for police officers and civilians alike, which were as comfortable as they are beautiful"
221B Tactical launched their first needle resistant Hero Gloves in 2017... And instantly they became a global hit with Police Officers, EMTs, and Opioid Clinics around the world!
221B updated their materials and design and launched the Hero Gloves 2.0 and 2.0 SL (Super Light). The new Hero Gloves 2.0 and 2.0 SL are 10% lighter than their predecessor, feature a softer, more supple leather for improved dexterity and offer full leather construction (versus the original version which were a blend of leather and polyester).
If your health and safety is important to you, there's no reason you should not have the proper safety gear to protect yourself. With the comfort and protection these gloves offer at such an affordable price, there's literally no reason anyone should be exposing themselves to the risk of getting stuck by a dirty needle while at work. To learn more about these gloves, click the link below...
THESE GLOVES COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
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One of the biggest concerns for police officers and first responders while on the job is protecting their hands. Sadly most all black search gloves on the market today do not offer adequate protection (like being cut resistant or needle stick resistant). Add to that the fact that many glove manufacturers are now using the cheapest materials possible to save on production costs. The end result of this is gloves that fall apart, sometimes within weeks of purchase.
Another major issue with search gloves for police officers on patrol is dexterity. There are many gloves out there today that tout cut protection and needle protection. However, while wearing said gloves, officers cannot feel small objects, have little to no dexterity and most important (for many officers) is that they do not allow you to use the touch screen of your smart phone.
Suresh Madhavan, a 13 year law enforcement veteran, noticed this issue in the marketplace and decided something had to be done about it. This is what lead him to design the now world-renowned Guardian Gloves.
The Guardian Gloves are one of many in a line of safety and protective gloves developed by Madhavan himself to help police officers, first responders and military soldiers be safer while on the job. By utilizing proprietary materials sourced from around the world, Madhavan was able to design search gloves that don't just offer superior protection against cuts, slashes, abrasions, bodily fluids and needles, but also offer unmatched dexterity to feel small items during a search and even fire a weapon.
Designing a glove of this calibre was no easy task. However, with the right materials and over a decade of experience on the streets searching people and vehicles, Madhavan was able to bring to life the gloves that he and his co-workers had always wished for while they were conducting searches on patrol.
With an athletic fit similar to football wide receivers gloves or baseball batters gloves, knuckle protection and touch screen technology to use your smart phone and in-car computers screens, the 221B Tactical line of safety and protection gloves and gear remain unmatched in the tactical gear market today. That is why they are trusted by police agencies and military units around the world.
If you're looking for the best police gloves or black search gloves for the job or for every day civilian use, you might want to take a serious look at these incredibly well built and well-designed search gloves.
Click the link to learn more about these black police search gloves!
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Ask most any police officer or operator what the most important feature is for them in a pair of gloves and the response is unanimous...DEXTERITY!
Why?
Because no matter how cool they look or what kind of protection they offer, if you can't DO what you normally do (like feel small objects and fire your weapon) without gloves on, it almost defeats the purpose of wearing gloves in the first place. And that's precisely why New York City based 221B Tactical developed their newest gloves for police officers and first responders; The Sentinel Gloves.
The all-leather Sentinel Gloves feature 360 degree, level 5 cut protection thanks to 221B's exclusive HPX lining. This flexible lining inside the glove provides the protection needed against sharp blades and edged weapons while still providing superior dexterity for the wearer.
This comes as no surprise considering the company's Founder and CEO is himself a law enforcement veteran who spent 13 years in a patrol car and on the streets conducting countless searches, pat-downs and arrests.
The form-fitting design, proprietary to 221B, gives these gloves a custom fit and feel unlike any other glove featuring this level of protection. The result: Gloves that protect your hands without sacrificing dexterity or your safety. Add in the smart-phone friendly touch-screen finger tips and you have yourself a pair of gloves like nothing you've ever seen before.
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What's one of the worst parts of the job? Well ask any cop and they'll tell ya; having to wear that damn body armour. Yes, it's heavy. Yeah, it doesn't breathe. And yup, it's highly uncomfortable. But we all know the day you go without it is the day you are most likely to get that "shots fired" or "armed robbery" call.
That's why after over a decade on the job as a full time police officer, Suresh Madhavan decided something had to be done. Using his background in bio-chemistry and his contacts in the textile industry, he began development and testing of a product that would create separation between his body armour and his base layer undershirt so heat and sweat (perspiration) could escape and cool, ambient air could enter to cool and dry the wearer.
Fast forward 12 months, following extensive testing, evaluation, trial and error and The Maxx-Dri Vest for body armour ventilation was born. Within the first 30 days of offering the product to fellow police officers they sold out of their entire initial inventory. A write-up and interview with Madhavan by the popular law enforcement website PoliceOne.com ignited sales even more, leading the company, now called 221B Tactical, to sell out once again.
The success of The Maxx-Dri Vest, Maxx-Dri Vest 2.0, Maxx-Dri Vest 3.0 and Maxx-Dri Vest 3.0 SL is based on the company's proprietary fabric. This fabric, developed by Madhavan and his partners specifically for the Maxx-Dri cooling vest, does not compress, does not hold moisture, is anti-bacterial, machine washable, ultra-light (vest weighs only a few ounces) and ultra-durable (each vest comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects).
When designing the Maxx-Dri Vest for body armour ventilation, Madhavan ensured that the vest provided full 360° ventilation so law enforcement police officers, first responders and soldiers would experience cooling and airflow around their entire body. This makes sense considering you don't just get hot and sweaty in one area; you get hot and sweaty everywhere your body armour covers. Madhavan said this was evident every time he and his co-workers took their body armour off. There was literally a dark, wet spot on their shirts which matched up exactly to where their body armour rested; front, back, shoulders and sides. That's why the Maxx-Dri Vest specifically provides full separation and ventilation beneath your entire body armour.
Madhavan, who is no longer a police officer, now holds the role of CEO at the company which he founded with his partners Brad and Shawn, both of whom bring over 65 years of experience in the textile and apparel industry. Combined with Madhavan's 13 years of experience on the job as a police officer, the trio has now created a global corporation with their flagship product, The Maxx-Dri Vest, available in over 100 retail locations world wide.
Does the Maxx-Dri vest work? Well, 221B Tactical is on the U.S. Government GSA schedule and provides Maxx-Dri Vests for body armour ventilation and comfort to all branches of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, Coast Guard). The Maxx-Dri Vest is the only product of its kind to have this great honor while also being NIJ certified lab tested (9.9% reduction in back face deformation), NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) Recommended and have over 12,000 FIVE STAR ratings.
Molle Shop Australia is an authorised re-seller in Australia.To learn more about The Maxx-Dri Vest for body armour ventilation, cooling and comfort visit www.molleshop.com.au
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Nylon is mostly made from a polyamide fibre, which is derived from a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. Nylon is a synthetic fabric which comes from the by-products petroleum, coal and agricultural products.
The raw inputs are formed into strands and then woven into the fabric. Nylon is know for its low absorbency rate which makes it ideal for athletic clothing, backpacks and swimwear.
It is lighter, more flexible and more comfortable to the touch. Because nylon is a flexible textile it appears in a range of applications. In terms of bags, it is water resistant to a degree but not completely waterproof.
To make a waterproof bag, nylon is coated with other materials such as PVC and TPU.
]]>The quality of nylon ranges from 400D to 1680D. At 1680D, nylon is extremely strong, tear resistant and long lasting.
In general nylon is a stronger material compared to polyester.
At the same denier count eg 600D nylon versus 600D polyester, nylon is generally 1.4 times stronger.
For this reason, nylon is usually more expensive than polyester.
Nylon with the days of cotton past, nylon has become the go-to material for backpacks.
Checkout www.molleshop.com.au
]]>D (denier) - Denier is a metric used to describe what is essentially thickness or density. It was originally intended to measure varying sizes of strands of silk and is the mass in grams of 9,000 meters of the yarn, so it’s not technically correct to call it density, which is mass per unit volume.
When you see a backpack that is 450D nylon or 900D polyester, that means that 9,000 meters of that fabric weighs 450 grams and 900 grams respectively.
The higher the denier, the stronger the fabric (in general, but only intra-material). This does not translate directly across different fabrics, as each fabric is also inherently different in strength. For example 450D nylon is actually stronger than 600D polyester.
Adventure backpacks used for hiking and camping can commonly be found in the range of 450-600D nylon.
]]>Stitches are measured per inch and require a better balance. Typically, backpacks have 6010 stitches per inch. Less than 6 and the backpack starts to lack reliable strength.
Conversely, going above 10 can cause the strength to degrade as the structural integrity is lost by interrupting the threads. This is important for load bearing areas, such as where the shoulder straps are connected to the body of the backpack.
If buying a backpack, always check the stitching around the straps to make sure they are in perfect condition. Check out our backpacks, tablet bags and patrol bags.
]]>Polyester oxford fabric has come to be significantly popular in the world as a result of the multi-purpose use of this material. Basket sort of weaving gives excellent longevity as well as breathable residential properties.
It is an extremely sturdy material which has excellent flexibility, abrasion as well as chemical agents with resistant characteristics (water repellent, breathable, wind resistant, durable, soft, light weight, anti UV and flame retardant).
Polyester oxford fabric with polyurethane covering assures high water-proof characteristics of textile as well as prevents accumulation of dust between fibres. T
he density of oxford is determined by the string thickness which is stated in D (denier), the higher the D number the thicker thread remains in oxford, therefore the appearance of this textile is more evident. Check out all the tactical gear at www.molleshop.com.au
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