Author: Jack Bogart

It’s hard to find climbing pants that do it all. The Black Diamond Sequence Pants ($99) come pretty close. There are a lot of options to sort through, and narrowing choices down by discipline is only part of the challenge. Finding a pair that fits well and moves well is another thing entirely. One of the questions I hear most at the crag is, “How do you like those pants?” This means many of us are still trying to find the perfect pair. The Black Diamond Sequence Pants do a lot of things right, and one of their main draws…

By Friedrich Seiltgen Posted in #Guns In 1896, Fritz Mann opened for business in Suhlerneundorf, Thüringen, as the Fritz Mann Feinmaschinen — Waffen — und Werkzeugfabrik. This translates to Machinery — Weapons — and Tools factory. Fritz also produced small engines, ski accessories, helmets, and auto parts. In 1918, at the end of World War I and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm, Fritz Mann ventured into the firearms trade to dominate the vest-pocket pistol market. At the time, small concealable pistols were all the rage, and the FN Model 1906 was perhaps the most popular vest-pocket pistol…

Jacksonville, Alabama – Bear OPS, the tactical division of Bear & Son Cutlery, introduces the Nekema™ II, a purpose-built everyday carry knife designed to meet the demands of concealed carry, tactical use, and hard daily wear. Made in the USA at Bear OPS’ facility in Jacksonville, Alabama, the Nekema II reflects the brand’s uncompromising approach to quality, performance, and reliability. At the core of the Nekema™ II is a 3.5-inch Sandvik® 14C28N stainless steel blade, offered with a modified drop-point profile. Known for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening, 14C28N is an ideal steel for serious EDC users.…

At SOF Week I got my first look at the Mini-GL40 from Wilcox Industries. Their RAAM GSS (Rapid Acquisition Aiming Module Grenade Sighting System) is highly successful and been adopted by the US military as well as some of our allies as an effective fire control solution for 40mm Grenade Launchers. During its development and fielding the team at Wilcox Ind had a lot of interaction with grenadiers and took what they had learned to develop the Mini-GL40. First and foremost, the Mini-GL40 is intended to be used at all times with the RAAM GSS M (Modified) and the two…

Space Force Aligns for Wartime Footing with Third Tranche of PAEs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —   In the latest milestone of the ongoing Department of War-driven Acquisition Transformation, the Space Force has designated its third tranche of mission areas that will be assigned Portfolio Acquisition Executives including: Advanced Capabilities, Electromagnetic Warfare and Cyber, and Space Combat Power. “Moving our portfolios into the PAE model completes a vital shift in our culture and operations,” said Thomas Ainsworth, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration. “By pushing accountability and authority down to the…

Rheinmetall Electronics UK is playing a key role as a member of Omnia Training, the consortium selected to deliver the Army Collective Training Service(ACTS) as part of the British Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP). Led by Raytheon UK as the prime contractor, Omnia Training brings together a range of leading industry partners to deliver a transformative collective training capability for the British Army. Raytheon is an RTX business. Rheinmetall, as the Land Collective Training Partner, supports the design and delivery of key elements of the programme. Rheinmetall’s share of the contract, worth just under €1 billion, The consortium will…

I didn’t wake up planning to swap sneakers for sandals, but after my last pair split in multiple spots, I needed something fast. Lately, my routine has been 5-mile walks every weekday, plus two to three workouts, weekend hikes, and errands in between. With no backup and no interest in skipping a single workout, I turned to the Teva Hurricane XLT3 — a sandal. They looked rugged, secure, and capable of handling my daily grind, so I figured, why not? Desperation met curiosity. As it turned out, they could handle it. The standout right away was the 5mm cushioned midsole.…

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published a practical handbook designed to aid audiences across government, industry and academia in building a shared understanding of the drone threat and the basic principles of protecting against illicit drones. The task force developed the guide, titled “Small Drones, Big Problems: A First Principles Approach to Countering-UAS,” as part of its mission to synchronize counter-unmanned aircraft systems efforts across the War Department and federal interagency partners. The handbook also establishes a common vocabulary and incorporates the latest information about UAS, including lessons learned from operations in the Middle East and on battlefields in…

For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has served as a landmark environmental protection law. By mandating conservation for species threatened with extinction, it promoted biodiversity and the health of ecosystems ahead of commercial development. On Friday, the Trump administration rescinded a key interpretation of the ESA, removing its ability to protect the habitats of endangered species. Environmentalists called the change a major blow to the conservation of 1,300+ species currently classified as endangered or threatened, from Yellowstone grizzly bears and Florida panthers to California condors and gray wolves. How the ESA Works The core of the Endangered…

Yosemite is one of the crown jewels of the national park system — so it’s no surprise it attracts millions of visitors annually. For several years, the National Park Service (NPS) used a timed-entry system to control the crowds at this popular park. In 2026, the Department of the Interior (DOI) ditched this method, sparking controversy and concerns of overcrowding. Now, as Yosemite reaches its peak summer tourist season, California legislators are calling for the return of timed entry. The state’s senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, sent an open letter to the DOI, and it has already garnered broad…