Author: Jack Bogart

When testing a mountaineering tent, you never expect your greatest setup trial to be at a rest stop in some Oklahoma nowhere, or your coldest temps to be in Bentonville, Ark. Nevertheless, from winter backpacking in Tarptent’s own Tahoe backyard to MTB camping in Northwest Arkansas, I’ve taken Tarptent’s new ArcDome 1 across half a country. Suffice it to say, Tarptent has built a name for itself upon long trail miles and attention to detail: smart reinforcements, multi-configurability, choosiness behind the fabric and coatings — the list goes on. The ArcDome is no exception. It’s the brand’s answer to “What…

The FBI has released photos of the would-be assassin’s kit, and it is paints a picture of someone who spent more time on video games than anything else. Aside from the obvious 2 guns, 3 knives, but only 2 hands issue, did this dude really think he was going to be dual wielding knives in hand-to-hand combat with Federal agents? Thankfully, this person was both unlucky and stupid. The Butler shooter was purely unlucky. The USSS has not been covering itself in glory of late. “Getting Lucky” is a poor strategy, and this is two incidents where things could have…

Configurable by color, retention and accessories for rescue, tactical and military mission needs CLEVELAND, Ohio – April 27, 2026 – Team Wendy®, a leading provider of head protection systems for military, law enforcement and rescue professionals, unveils RECON Tactical, a next-generation bump helmet that brings protection, fit and utility together in one configurable design for search and rescue (SAR), tactical law enforcement, military and training missions. RECON Tactical combines a streamlined profile, secure fit and broad accessory compatibility into one adaptable offering for diverse environments. Its development was guided by a dedicated research initiative aimed at better understanding how modern…

With 124 state parks, three national parks, 3,000 miles of coastline, and over 12,000 climbing routes, Washington state is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s a reason it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. And yet, for all of the outdoor experiences this Pacific Northwest gem offers, it lacks adequate funding. Recent budget cuts have forced the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to close multiple campgrounds and limit visitor services. What Happened Unlike the federal government, almost all states, including Washington, can’t run at a deficit and are constitutionally required to have a balanced budget. This means…

By Eugene Nielsen Posted in #History The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the United States’ first centralized intelligence agency, established during World War II to coordinate espionage, sabotage and psychological warfare against Axis powers. It laid the foundation for modern intelligence operations and was the direct precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The OSS was instrumental in shaping the future of American intelligence, employing a diverse range of operatives, including military personnel, academics, journalists, and even Hollywood celebrities. Origins and Formation Before the OSS, intelligence gathering in the U.S. was fragmented, with various departments. including…

PenCott-GreenZone A220 Mammoth Shirt from Arktis PenCott® camouflage patterns are at their best when they’re paired with professional kit that’s built to last – like the new A220 Mammoth Shirt from Arktis. An evolution of their iconic original Mammoth Shirt, the A220 has been refined for operators who need dependable reliability in harsh conditions. Among its standout features is a concealed hood that packs into the collar and deploys instantly when temperatures drop and wind, drizzle, or snow squalls roll in without warning. Behind the water-repellent GreenZone™ ripstop exterior, Arktis has paired a rugged fibre-pile lining that’s warm, tough, and…

At X-Pac® Tactical, we partner with brands that are pushing beyond the expected. Dillon Rifle Company is a clear example of that mindset. Built on over a decade of experience and a commitment to thoughtful design, their products reflect a focus on performance, durability, and purpose driven innovation. Our high-performance laminated fabrics are engineered to meet the demands of real-world use. Developed for strength, structure, and long-term reliability, X-Pac® materials provide the foundation for gear that must perform under pressure. Whether exposed to heat, abrasion, or heavy load, these fabrics are designed to maintain integrity and consistency over time. This…

6-Color Desert: The Classic Is Back at Helikon-Tex As we previewed during Enforce Tac, our friends at Helikon-Tex have introduced an entire lines of clothing and equipment in the classic 6-Color Desert camouflage pattern synonymous with Operation Desert Storm. Lovingly known by the troops as “Chocolate Chip” due to its distinctive rock-like shapes embedded in the pattern, it was developed during the early 1970s by the US Army using terrain in the American Southwest. Helikon-Tex has done an amazing breakdown of the history of the pattern which is available here. Helikon-Tex didn’t just make copies of old issue equipment. Instead,…

Last week we covered the new TOPS Sidekick Diver, a production model that originated as a winner in the Idaho company’s annual employee design contest. Well, it turns out that the contest had two winners, with the Snake River Rescue sharing the crown with the Sidekick. Interestingly, although it comes from a different designer – Jon Garcia – the Snake River Rescue is, like the Ana Espinoza-designed Sidekick, a dive knife. But the differences between the two pieces highlight the fact that, even in a more specialized sub-genre like this, there is plenty of room for different approaches. The Sidekick…

ADELPHI, Md. – Researchers at the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory and the Virginia Army National Guard are partnering to advance electronic warfare capabilities. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, DEVCOM Army Research Office, and the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team kicked off their collaboration at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Electronic warfare is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to gain a military advantage by disrupting, denying or degrading an adversary’s communications and electronic systems while protecting friendly forces’ use of the spectrum. “By grounding research in Soldier experience, this…