by Scott Smith
Contributing Editor
This year for Father’s Day and the latest group of graduates, TheGunMag will look at products offered in Kryptek camouflage. Kryptek was one of the finalists for the Army’s new camouflage pattern. Like one of the previous patterns, Multicam, Kryptek is a pattern that serves hunters and other outdoorsman in most, if not all, environments.
Before we get into the Kryptek offerings I wanted to show you a couple of new items to protect your hearing and your smart phone. These manufacturers have started offering products in various camouflage patterns to meet the end user’s needs.
Howard Leight (900 Douglas Pike, Dept TGM, Smithfield, RI 02917; phone: 800-430-5490; online: howardleight.com) has had great success with their Impact Sport series of electronic hearing protection. This year the Impact Sport was undated with Mossy Oak Break-Up (MOBU) camouflage, one of the more popular and versatile patterns on the market, and one that will fit into most hunting habitats.
The Impact Sport operates on two AAA batteries (included) with a single rotating wheel switch. This switch is easy to operate with bulky gloves and should you forget to turn off the headset, it will shut off after four hours. The ear cups of the Impact Sport have fit comfortably with all of the long guns they were worn with; even with a large adjustable comb like the McMillan stock on my M21. The electronics in this device drop noise levels to 82dbs and allow you to hear normal conversation level sounds. If you are addicted to your MP3 player, radio, etc., the Impact Sport has an auxiliary jack. Impact Sport electronic shooting muffs are a favorite of sport shooters and armed professionals nationwide. I have used Impact Sports for several years because they work well, fold down to an easy-to-store size and can be found online for less than $60.
The other non-Kryptek item is from Otterbox (phone: 855-688-7269; online: otterbox.com), The Defender Series for smartphones. These phone cases list at $59.95 and are worth every penny. You can purchase Otterboxes direct or from any number of online and brick/mortar stores. What sets the Defender apart from other “protective” cases is that these cases actually protect your mobile device. Every Defender comes with a built in scratch-proof screen, port seals that will protect your phone should it take an accidental swim in the runoff along the curb or a puddle at the range, and in terms of normal use the case is virtually crushproof. Several of my buddies use Defenders on their mobile devices in everyday use on duty and their phones have survived raids, monsoons, sub-arctic temperatures and blizzards.
Late in 2013 Otterbox started offering the Defender in several Realtree camouflage patterns and case colors. I have been using a Realtree Xtra with orange trim for my S3. We also had one of the cases for an iPhone 4S in Realtree Pink Xtra (it should be noted this case only works with the Apple OEM charger), because this pattern has a big following with ladies. Pink Xtra allows them to show they like camo without being too overboard so as to make their less outdoorsy friends question what they do for fun. I like the belt clip that the Samsung cases come with and the iPhone cases keep the trim profile of the phone, something many protective cases don’t. All of the touch-screen functions perform perfectly, so does the camera, as do all the other controls. If you don’t want your phone to be camouflaged, there are many other color options to fit your lifestyle or that of the person you are giving one to. Kryptek (291 E. Shore Dr., Ste 150, Dept TGM, Eagle, ID 83616; phone: 855-717-9103, Ext. 22; online: Kryptek.com) tx is a digital style camouflage available in various base colors, such as Nomad (arid browns), Highlander (multipurpose green/ brown), Mandrake (green), Yeti (arctic), Raid (gray), and Typhoon (black). These patterns work well at breaking up you or your gear in a wide variety of conditions, even if the pattern you use is not “perfect” for the region you are hunting or operating in. The folks at Kryptek are serious outdoorsmen and designed these patterns to meet outdoorsmen’s and armed professionals’ needs. Kryptek not only licenses the patterns to various manufacturers but they make quality technical clothing.
For the past several months I have been wearing the Valhalla Pants ($99.99), Alaois Pants ($149.99) and the Helios ¼ Zip Top ($99.99). The Kryptek line uses technical polyester and spandex blends to give you a comfortable fit, and make the clothing durable. It is wicking and dries quickly. I found the pants to run a bit small; if you want a roomy fit, I suggest ordering up one size.
At first glance the Valhalla and Alaois may look the same, but they are not, save for the pattern, Highlander, and the 1¾” belt loops. Both pants have thigh pockets; Alaois’ has top and front zipper closures, while Valhalla has slash cargo pockets with a small zipper pocket. On the Alaois the rear pockets are simple slash pockets, while the Valhalla’s have zipper closures. There are additional zipper close calf pockets on the Alaois and adjustable laminated knee pad pockets as well as hook and loop waist adjustments. Because they are lightweight, the Valhalla pants were comfortable on the hottest days last summer, while the Alaois was comfortable in temperatures down to the midtwenties. Kryptek pants give the wearer plenty of crotch room, thanks to the gusset cut. These pants are built for and by shooters/outdoorsmen and built for the long haul.
To break the morning chill on the range I found the Helios to be an excellent shirt. It fits well, has plenty of shoulder room for action shooters, hunters and for those in harm’s way. Unlike many man-made fiber shirts, the Helios does not pill and show snags. This shirt has been used as a base layer and as a primary shirt. It has served well in both capacities. Thanks to the roomy cut, this shirt also serves well as a lightweight outer shirt.
If you wish to have a more traditional pair of pants in various Kryptek patterns, Vertx (4545 Malsbary Rd., Dept TGM, Cincinnati OH 45242; phone: 513-793-5400; online: vertx.com) offers the Men’s Kryptek Pants. These pants are a traditional 50/50 polyester cotton blend pant with low-profile cargo pockets with built-in cell phone pockets, slash rear pockets, and modified slash front pockets to better accommodate a clip knife. The front right pocket has a hidden zipper pocket to secure items such as your credentials. Vertx also ensures the wearer’s comfort with a gusseted crotch and roomy cut in the thighs. Vertx offers the Kryptek Pants in Highlander, Mandrake, Nomad and Typhoon. These pants are $109.95, compared to other tactical pants, this may seem pricey but it’s not. Vertx’s parent company is Fechheimer; they have been making uniforms since 1842, their quality and commitment to the end user cannot be beat.
If you want packs in Kryptek, I suggest Grey Ghost Gear (6848 N. Government Way #185, Dept TGM, Dalton Gardens, ID 83815; Phone: 877-244-2811; Online: greyghostgear.com). GGG is one of the newer tactical gear companies and has become a success because they are customer and performance driven. Unlike other companies, GGG’s bread and butter packs are lightweight “three-day” style hydration compatible packs that are built for short term hikes and hunts, not moving your home on your back.
We looked at two of these packs: the Lightweight Assault Pack and the Stealth Operator Pack. Both packs have hook and loop closed pouches in the rear of the packs for a hydration bladder and will carry one of the many 100-ounce bladders on the market. The shoulder straps on each pack are curved to fit comfortably. The zippers and lightweight rip stop nylon are heavy duty to keep your gear in the pack, not on the ground. Both of these packs are ideal as carryon packs when flying, they will hold a tablet, a coat, change of clothes, toiletries and snacks, all in a handy grab and go size.
The Lightweight Assault pack comes with a sternum strap to keep your load from shifting. You will find two bungee type pockets in the corners of the main pocket (17”h X 9.5”w X 5.5”d) to secure items such as food, magazines or beverage containers. To secure additional pouches there are three rows of MOLLE on the exterior of the front pocket (14”h X 8”w X 2.5”d) and on each side of the main pack. This pocket has pass-through zippers on either side for ease of access with either hand. The interior of this pocket has the fuzzy half of hook-n-loop material to secure items such as magazine pouches, light holders, etc. With a $109.90 price tag this pack is competitively priced. However, you will be hard pressed to find packs that have the little details like double stitching on the MOLLE loops, external rear ID panel, rolled and tape-sealed seams at stress points, and for those in the military and law enforcement, the ability to attach this pack to exterior body armor carriers.
When I took the Stealth Operator out of its bag the first thing I noticed about it was the mesh back panel. This panel allows for better air flow to keep the wearer more comfortable. Behind this panel is a hook-n-loop closure hydration bladder area, large enough to accept a 100-ounce bladder. The next thing I noticed was the single zipper front pocket which has a zipper pocket to secure items like ID/credentials. There is a slash pocket for phones, and pen sleeves. I found the front pocket large enough to handle an average-sized tablet, giving you access to your device when traveling.
Inside the front of the main pocket there are two secure magazine carriers that are large enough to accommodate an M1A magazine, below that is a mesh zipper pocket for other times. The main pocket is 17.75″h x 10″wW x 5″d, giving you 887.5 cubic inches of cargo space. You can comfortably carry the Stealth Operator by the contoured shoulder straps or the carry handle at the top of the pack. Grey Ghost Gear builds the Stealth Operator, and all their other gear, to survive the field, range, and on-duty no matter where that is. These packs would work well for the shooter, hunter, outdoorsman or college student.
If you want your carry gear to match your Kryptek clothing and packs, consider Joint Force Enterprises (4131 Lenox Ave #3, Dept TGM, Jacksonville, FL 32254; phone: 904-993-3574). JFE uses the latest in hydrographic dipping technology to transfer high tech decals in various camouflage patterns, including those from Kryptek, to firearms, holsters, knives; pretty much anything you can dip they can camo. JFE dipped gear for this article in Kryptek Highlander, Mandrake and Typhoon over neon pink to show off the print. JFE has dipped several products for me over the last several years and the quality is second to none and their work holds up to the abuse I heap on the gear. About the only things I have found that a hydrographic dip won’t hold up to is pavement and knife blades. Like any other finish it will wear on high spots, but that adds character to the piece. My Kryptek gear from JFE has been used heavily for shooting US Practical Shooting Association matches and it still looks great. To get your gear to match your Kryptek and other camouflage patterns, talk with Cliff at Joint Force Enterprises and tell him TheGunMag sent you.
Other than my carry gear the one piece of equipment that gets used the most is my SUV, a Kia Borrego. To keep the interior in good shape I have seat covers in Kryptek Highlander (many other patterns are available) from Kings Arsenal (1110 Highway 80 E, Dept TGM, Abilene, TX 79601; phone: 325-669-5064; online: kingsarsenal.com). These covers are a near custom fit; the covers come in three pieces: headrest, seat and upright cover. This design allows the covers to fit like the original manufacturer fitted them; the back of my seat covers could have been right out of the Kia factory, that’s how tight they fit.
Other than being available in Kryptek, what sets Kings Arsenal seat covers apart from others is they can be had with MOLLE straps on the back of the seat. MOLLE allows you to store your gear in the six pouches that ship with the MOLLE version seat covers and you can add other MOLLE compatible pouches to further organize your vehicle.
For those of us who seem to live in their vehicles, how the seat covers wear is important. Coverking, the manufacturer of King’s Arsenal’s covers, uses 500D Cordura material. It has been my experience this material wears like iron and when washed looks like new; all the while it is water resistant. These seat covers are not cheap, at $309 for the MOLLE version ($50 less non-MOLLE), but they will surpass several sets of the $20 covers you can find at a big box store. Like gear for your firearms, I suggest getting the best gear to protect your vehicle that you can; King’s Arsenal’s Tactical Seat Covers are my choice to keep my Kia clean.
Kryptek camouflage is a versatile pattern for all parts of the country. Otterbox will protect your phone or other mobile device, while Howard Leight’s Impact Sport will save your hearing. Hopefully these ideas will help dads, grads, moms and families with some gift ideas for themselves or others for the summer and fall hunting/shooting seasons. Shoot straight, shoot safe and have fun.
