An Cosantóir

| 33 gear review Hatch XTAK��� Elbow Pads Retail Price ���12.00 The manufacturer says... Extremely light and flexible, yet this all-new design provides superior protection and shock absorption with the flexibility to move the way your body moves. XTAK is the lightest, strongest product of its kind ever created. Characteristics: Unique X-shaped thermal plastic urethane (TPU) shell, EVA high-density foam for superior shock absorption, Lightweight TPU and Cordura�� nylon construction, Forceful spring-back action that gives you the protection you need, Cool Max��� inner surface for wicking moisture away, Anti-skid inner surface to keep pad secured, Spandex adjustable straps with hatch rapid deployment clips and hook & loop closure for secure fit, Available colours: black, desert tan, digitized camo, olive drab and coyote tan and Sizes: One Size Fits All. Our reviewer Cpl David Greene (TACA, 1 Cn Cois) says... I was never a huge fan of elbow pads, most were too bulky for my use and the discomfort of wearing them all the time wasn���t worth the hassle of having them on. I tested the Hatch XTAK Elbow Pads on Recce and Sniper training over the last month. They were as comfortable as an elbow pad is going to get (in the end you still know it is there) and they were not too big and bulky that they became a problem. They are a newer design of the elbow pads already on issue to the DF pers. They are extremely light, flexible and the new design provides good protection and shock absorption with flexibility to move the way your body moves. There is Velcro strapping instead of the normal clips that is found on the older design, which makes it easier to customise the pads to your needs (depending on the amount of layers you are wearing). And a new rubber grip system on the inside of the pad prevents them from sliding off the elbow (which I found a setback with the older design). Overall I found the Hatch XTAK Elbow Pads a good reliable piece of kit. Fit 8 - Protection 9 - Durability 9 Shock absorption 8 - Value 10 Sponsored by Team Alpha.ie 5.11 Tactical Molle Pouches Large Drop Pouch Retail Price ���17.95 The manufacturer says... The aim of all 5.11 Pouches is to attach quickly to any web-compatible system, while keeping your accessories safe and secure. 5.11���s Large Drop Pouch attaches quickly to any molle compatible system to hold critical gear. 5.11/ VTAC Drop pouches fold up into a small and compact format, yet open up to offer plenty of practical storage space. It features an elastic draw cord that can be pulled sung or released with one hand. This Large Drop Pouch is extremely durable and can be easily removed and relocated to other molle compatible systems using our Slidestick��� molle attachment system and can be worn on a standard belt. Use 5.11���s Slidestick��� system to attach the large drop pouch to any piece of gear featuring molle webbing, be it your backpack, mission or bailout bag, you can easily position the pouch alongside all your most important gear. 5.11���s Large Drop Pouch is a great value and extremely durable nylon accessory. Our reviewer Cpl Anthony Cole (7 Inf Bn) says... I tested this piece of kit during the sniper intermediate course. The pouch is molle compatible so it can be used on the issued battle vest, however you���re restricted as to where you can place it on the vest and this becomes a setback when using it as it covers your ammo pouches when it is opened. The pouch folds away to a small enough size when it���s not in use so it doesn���t get in the way during normal admin tasks. During contact drills the pouch easily held up to four 7.62 FN magazines without loosing any. The pouch opening was ideal as it was large enough to place empty magazines into without any difficulty. Overall it was a good and useful piece of kit to have during the course. Durability 9 - Accessibility 9 - Practicality 8 Attachment/Compatibility 10 - Capacity 9 10.6 Horizontal Retail Price ���31.95 The manufacturer says... 5.11���s 10 by 6 inch horizontal pouch attaches quickly to any molle compatible system to hold critical gear. 5.11/ VTAC pouches fold up into a small and compact format, yet open up to offer practical extra storage space. This pouch is extremely durable and can be easily removed and relocated to other molle compatible systems using our Slickstick molle attachment system and can be worn on a standard belt. Use 5.11���s Slidestick��� system to attach the 10 by 6 inch horizontal pouch to any piece of gear featuring molle webbing, be it your backpack, mission or bailout bag, you can easily position the pouch alongside all your most important gear. 5.11���s 10 by 6 inch horizontal pouch is a great value and extremely durable nylon accessory. Our reviewer Cpl Anthony Cole (7 Inf Bn) says... I tested this piece of kit during the sniper intermediate course. The Pouch is Molle compatible with four attachment straps. I find it to be too big to be used with the issued battlevest. The pouch is large enough to hold several items of kit such as a rifle cleaning kit, hearing protection, battle book, gloves and secateurs. I used it attached to a Molle system belt. This made admin on the range easier as I had all necessary items close to hand without having to carry and pack a day sack each time we moved from firing point to firing point. Overall I found the pouch useful during all range days. Durability 9 - Accessibility 8 - Practicality 7 - Attachment/Compatibility 10 Capacity 10 Com p etitio n This month Team-Alpha are offering a ���100 Voucher to be used on their website www.team-alpha.ie. For a chance to win this month���s prize answer the following question: How much is a 5.11 Single Pistol Mag Pouch Black 1038 on the team-alpha website? Answers on a postcard to An Cosant��ir���s regular address or by email to subs@military.ie by the 22nd Mar 2013. Winner will be the first correct entry drawn. Last month���s winner of a ���100 voucher for Team-Alpha.ie was David Jones, Naval Base. www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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