The Most Underrated Piece of Tactical Gear You Forgot About

[@cxsey8587]

I love your channel, it pretty much embodies the best of the best of the “new wave” of tactical channels. Kit inspired by the real world, based around small unit tactics, great format and digestible info. Keep it up!

[@uncompliant]

@@cxsey8587 that's awesome thank you for that

[@falger940]

I live in argentina and it's not the coldest part of this country, but when the winter hits, it hits hard, and I have a Taz 57 that I bough here for like 20 dollars because the guy he selled me, doesnt even know what it is. So now I have a awesome Smock for playing airsoft and going to outdoor (sorry I made a Grammar Mistake, I don't usually write in english lmao)

[@sullathehutt7720]

Le entendemos muy bien, no se preocupe! Saludos de Virginia! 🙋 El tiempo aquí es similar a unas partes de Argentina. El invierno aquí no es muy frío, pero tal vez hace nieva, hielo, et cetera. Yo tengo muchas chaquetas de muchos países, prefiero modelos Rusos porque son fabricado poca floja. Modelo "Gorka" es muy bueno, puede encontrar por barato tal vez. Me sudo mucho cuando subo las montañas Shenandoah, y cuando yo llego al punto más alto, el viento me hiela con piel mojada. 🥶😄 Chaquetas de Alemania, Italia, Austria, et cetera, son buena cualidad, pero no me gusta ejercer o jugar airsoft con ropa tan ajustada. 🥵

[@falger940]

@@sullathehutt7720 Si acá hay algunas personas que usan modelos rusos pero pocas, de paso gran parte del año acá hace calor con mucha humedad, eso hace que literalmente use casi todo el rato para jugar airsoft uso un uniforme BDU de Hot Weather que son los mejores uniformes para mí la verdad (estoy queriendo conseguir unos MTPs British para ver que tan buenos son).

[@sullathehutt7720]

@falger940 Uniformes Británico es buena idea. Hecho por tiempo caliente. Yo tengo "Soldier 95" uniforme jungla, sirve muy bien en el verano aquí. 👍 Julio, Augusto aquí, hace cien farenheit con 80-90% humido. Es miserable. Yo trabajé con Guardia Escocia en Afganistán, a ellos les gustó mucho el uniforme nueve "MTP." Rusia produce uniforme "BARS Sumrak," también sirve muy bien en tiempo caluroso y humido.

[@Evasion.Survival.Alaska]

Ive been using a smock since the very early 2000s. One can get smocks that are thinner than BDU hot weather blouses, so climate is no excuse. Even when most ppl use smocks they do not use them correctly or efficiently, and/or simply wear them as a field jacket or fashion item. I currently use one w/o fail here in Alaska as a survival smock.

[@Buggerthecavalry]

Buy them enormously oversized. British smocks are designed to be a thin, windproof, breathable, quick drying outer layer big enough to throw over your thermal layers. Wear it over your goretex if your climate is rainy, it’ll protect the shell layer from thorns and barbed wire, quieten it down and you can still get to the stuff in your pockets.

[@redddraggon]

SAS Windproof Style smocks FTW. When I was in the issue smocks were unlined, so you just layered as appropriate - over just a t- shirt in the summer and the winter you had the options of softie jackets, fleeces, Norwegian shirts etc. I’ve still got some privately purchased smocks in my collection.

[@muskett4108]

For the British there are two types of smock: Para heavy duty bomb proof, and SAS/Arctic gabardine cotton, which are windproof, fast drying, light weight, and pretty delicate. Loads of pockets to stuff kit into, though most aren't used as kit goes into load bearing waist webbing. At least the pockets are big and useful unlike flat pockets. Importantly, they are roomy, windproof but breath, and quiet. They are not waterproof. In certain conditions they are great. A well designed combat jacket can be as good and as hard wearing. Wasn't always the case.

[@Charles_Gunhaver]

I think the lack of popularity has a lot to do with climate in the US vs the climate of countries where the smock is popular. I want to use my smock more but the weather where I currently live makes it a 2, maybe 3 month a year item

[@uncompliant]

@@Charles_Gunhaver very valid

[@Evasion.Survival.Alaska]

You can get smocks that are thinner then a BDU shirt.

[@Charles_Gunhaver]

@@Evasion.Survival.Alaska drop some links!

[@jamesharding3459]

@@Evasion.Survival.Alaska Well, share your source then, because I can't find any that isn't just a weird coat.

[@Acistra]

​@@Evasion.Survival.Alaska what's the brand?

[@davidoftheforest]

I have my dad's Canadian Armed Forces smock from like 1960 and it's badass. It weighs like 12lbs but it's warm and has magazine pouches built in. Has the wire hood, too, which is a game changer

[@uncompliant]

i would like to add some cadpat stuff to the collection

[@davidoftheforest]

@uncompliant it's superior to M81 woodland

[@albertborgman859]

The Swiss Alpenflage system as the most advanced. For that weather fine. The US fatigue shirts had two to four front pockets that initially held four 20 round magazines for the AR 15 when 100 was the basic load. I've not measured to see if that would have worked for 4 20 round M-14s. Today would might add a camelback. Or grenades or rations in the field pants. This a chest harness or webbing is not ideal for sappers. ( The Falschirmjager Smock was designed to be worn over the harness. ) Shorts are still necessary for sleeves in undergrowth. The Desert Warriors are impressive for arm camouflaging tattoos. But then full of deep thorn and brush scars into the jungle.

[@Nebelung13]

I love smocks. My only gripe is that most people buy them too tight fitting. IMHO a smock's advantage is being roomy. Allowing for space for undergarments or even arness or rigs. Ence why good smock design should have in my opinion string, velcro elastic cuffs. Smock advantage is versatility and if you take the German approach, use it to print 2 camouflage patterns. Russian special forces still do this. Many current russian smock's are always oversized and sometimes double print camouflage reversible for greater flexibility.

[@iaet585]

The British surplus smocks are amazing for budget ballers, I've got one in MTP and DPM for about $40 a pop.

[@Lightemup2005]

Just for reference: New York, one of the northern US cities is basically on the same Latitude as Rome, Italy. So climate has a lot to say for most of the US.

[@alarminglyfastmovingskelet7289]

The nice thing about the smocks that the SS wore was that they were reversible for spring/fall, so with a backdrop like the one you have right now you wouldn't be sticking out as much as you are. But that was back when stuff was built to make sense, how are the poor gear companies supposed to make money without you buying two different sets of camo from them!?!?

[@DUD3_BR0]

I think the problem with smocks is that they're bulky, baggy, and hot. They're only useful in the winter.

[@CeaddaOfMercia]

That's at least not the case with British smocks. They're baggy and the material is actually somewhat thin and with no insulation, which means you get quite a lot of airflow. Your warm layers are meant to go underneath, as it's just a robust shell.

[@uncompliant]

@@CeaddaOfMercia yeah, i agree with you

[@KitCheck101]

maybe the older smocks, we never use them in the field much now, unless its cold or windy or were vehicle mounted, but tbh most lads use the Keela smock its basically just british smock but waterproof, even then though they have limited use. however not to say their useless, i just think with the uptake of modern body armour theyve become less useable. we wear them in camp as part of our barrack dress all the time though tbf. in the field now in place of it i use a much lighter windshield.

[@jamesharding3459]

They also don't work with web gear, and all the ones I've ever had the chance to test/observe glow like a fucking beacon under IR. If they were any good at all, the backpacking/hiking/climbing/etc. communities would have their own version. They don't, and that should tell you everything you need to know.

[@woodsrunnersepa]

​@jamesharding3459 you can absolutely wear it with web gear, the brits do as well as I, you wear it between the top and bottom pockets

[@mibunookami]

Smocks are great. The british mtp has a additional pockets than the regular mtp has like the arm pockets or the hand warmers that are really useful but my gripe comes with the chest/napeleon pockets that in most cases I have seen are mesh. That’s all good for ventilation but it tends to get caught in the main zipper. The Varusteleka recon smock looks great but I wished it was windproof and available in other colorations.

[@uncompliant]

i suggest leo kholer

[@mibunookami]

@ I’ve seen them. Seems legit just not sure of the arms pocket. Are the big enough?

[@Silveredge99]

That smock is awesome and looks like it can hold a LOT. Love the videos and editing style

[@jacobhesington6725]

I have a British DPM smock and it’s kind of lacking in pockets but it’s great weather protection

[@bugoutbrad8395]

You got lucky bro. An ATAC FG smock is hard to come buy now. Great video man. Cheers 🍻

[@geesusway70]

The German KSK smock is very good, so is the Arctis B211, Särmä TST L4 Recon Smock is excellent as well plus I'm a real sucker for the M05 camo, British MTP smocks are very cheap and they certainly do the job but not as premium as other options. A lot of brits opt for tailored/waterproof smocks like the Keela these days.

[@uncompliant]

yep, all good. Arctis stuff looks really good

[@geesusway70]

@@uncompliant yeah if I bought a smock for use outside of work I’d definitely buy the Arctis in Pencott Greenzone. Feature packed smock with a very impressive pattern.

[@koozie83]

One problem with smocks is that they dont allow you to get to anything stored on your waistline easily

[@uncompliant]

yeah you either pick this or belt setup

[@woodsrunnersepa]

You wear belt kit between the pockets

[@koozie83]

@ What do you mean? The smock is an outer garment. So either you wear a belt kit over it, which means you cant get to the smock’s pockets, or you wear a belt kit under it, which means you have to lift the smock out of the way to get to your belt. You pretty much have to choose either a smock or a belt kit.

[@woodsrunnersepa]

@koozie83 you wear belt kit outside on between the pockets, you hike it up higher, a battle belt/gun belt can still be worn if your smock has slits in the sides like a upside-down v

[@koozie83]

@ you do you I guess 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tabbithacampfield4116]

I have an older British pattern 68 paratrooper smock I love it lots of pockets and a beaver tail

[@woodsrunnersepa]

For the love of god everyone sayinf you cant use xyz with smocks just needs more time with them, you just wear belt kit between the pockets or if wearing a gun belt you look for a model with a split on the sides, look at a police officers patrol jacket from nyc for reference.

[@collin_dempsey]

great video! what's the first smock you had on?

[@Timssauro]

What model is that first one you are wearing?

[@teddy2guns404]

I got the desert night.Camo smock from the gulf War part 1 right now.Wearing it playing cod 6

[@chikidoodle2269]

Smocks and field shirts are Goated

[@whatsgoingon71]

I had a surplus dpm smock once. Some asshole stole it from my tent one night on a metal festival. 🙄

[@user-vc8lv5fv7i]

What about the Taz 57 jacket, that has a load bearing capability and cheap.

[@uncompliant]

@@user-vc8lv5fv7i yeah why not, the hope of the video was just to shed some light to the general concept. The fun is trying and discovering things

[@Evasion.Survival.Alaska]

Those are very kit specific meaning each pockets was designed for a specific bit of kit. If you try to use it with random items they turn into a soup sandwich. Youll need to lay it to the shears and sewing machine to get it to act right with random cargo.

[@julianbarnes3963]

What smock is that?

[@huyhoangviet5966]

Do ya have any recommendations for m65 style schmocks?

[@let_freedom_ping]

Bro just made this video to flex his unicorn ATACS smock on us

[@uncompliant]

@@let_freedom_ping hahah perhaps, I wish I was big enough to write this off my taxes

[@Charles_Gunhaver]

Who makes this smock by the way? May have missed it in the vid

[@uncompliant]

Leo Kohler

[@popnmeg]

Shit loads of pockets for your shit bang on 👊

[@seanduncan33]

They’re probably not as popular in the US because of the m65 field jacket. I love my m65 and I waxed it and also made a wool liner for it instead of the puffy liner they normally have.

[@AM-kl8gj]

You are wearing them wrong! You are supposed to get those tightening things on the bottom real tight and then roll the bottom part a little bit inwards, looks much sharper Anyways, British CS95 Smocks are the best for their price IMO. Absolutely amazing jackets and I got mine for like 30€.

[@uncompliant]

@@AM-kl8gj now that you mentioned it tracks to how I saw British troops wearing them, probably makes sense for cold wind, but non applicable here

[@AM-kl8gj]

​@@uncompliantIt's less about convenience and more about just looking sharp, militaries around the world tend to like that their soldiers look sharp, thus they instruct wearing the smock like that. I was serving as a conscript in the Finnish Defence Forces and it's genuinely crazy just how many guidelines there are to wearing that thing

[@SqaudMATE]

What was that smock in ATACS?

[@uncompliant]

leo kholer

[@00Mchenry]

I would love to know where he got this smock. I love ATACS!

[@jamesharding3459]

Smocks: Great vibe, terrible to actually use. They're hot, baggy, don't work with web gear, the pockets are terribly laid out (seriously, why do you give a shit about the pockets if you can't get at them?), suck to wear with a ruck (unless you love chafing), and glow like a fucking beacon under IR.

[@redddraggon]

Never had those issues personally, but I was in when plate carrier type LBE was an SF type thing, I only had PLCE webbing and chest rigs.