Page 41 - Airsoft Action Issue 126 June 2021

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FIRST THINGS FIRST
Let’s start with some background details.
My name is Bill (...no, the other one!) and I
am a member of the Red Cell testing team. I run
Expendabellies airsoft team in the South East of the
UK. Being a member of the Airsoft Action team has
been amazing so far and the future is very bright,
both for the magazine and our great sport/hobby.
Running the team with 60 plus members is almost like
having a full-time job, but then deciding to open my
own site in the South East (a future long-range testing
ground for Red Cell too!) has added even more work
to an already full workload and a real full-time job -
but we all do our bit as we love airsoft so much.
I’m not the most active of players - diabetic,
arthritic and very overweight - so my choice of camo
is limited, for the average “plus size” player and near
impossible for a player my size. So, step forward a
good friend of mine, fellow team-member Boycie,
from JTAC Customs, who managed to import some
very Gucci 5.11 GE07 Fast Tac TDU Rapid Shirt and
Stryke TDU trousers in their Terrain pattern. I know
this is not any standard DPM or MultiCam but their
Terrain pattern is a great, almost snake-skin style,
mixture of MTP and DPM tonally, so during the
summer months it helps break down this slightly
larger outline. Import duties and postage paid, JTAC
had the parcel delivered within a couple of weeks and
like a young child at Christmas I could not wait to rip
open the packaging!
Packaged separately the top comes supplied
with epaulette holders and badge hanger included
separately if you need them. It is made of 100%
polyester with ripstop material for the arms and
body, with anti odour and wicking properties in the
main body. As with all USA clothing, the sizes do
come up a little larger than needed so bear that
in mind if you buy some. The top is light-weight
and the Terrain camo uses (and I quote) “fractal
and chaotic mathematical principles in its design as
well as micro and macro disruption to give you the
tactical advantage at any distance”. I will say it’s very
different and will make you stand out from other
camo users, whilst blending into a nice dry summer
terrain. The extremities are water resistant as well,
which is an added bonus. There is space on the both
the arms for your patches, with convenient pockets
behind the Velcro and the neck has a convenient
zip and Velcro combination, allowing either a snug
around the neck fit, or a slightly more open vented
neckline. The arms are full length and can easily
be folded up if you want to have your lower arms
exposed (my preferred look). For a big boy like me
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it’s probably the closest I will ever get to a proper
“UBACS” top.
The trousers are in the same Terrain pattern and
for one with a belly its always difficult finding that
comfortable fit. The Fast Tac trousers are one of 5.11’s
earliest creations and have been updated with some
stretch technology to allow them to fit and move
more mechanically and ergonomically. The material
has a Teflon finish to improve water resistance and
increase durability. They have added double layering
to the knees and stretch panels on the hips and back
of the knees help fit nearly all sizes. For pockets you
are spoilt for choice with hip, knee and cargo pockets
all included and ergonomically designed for easy
access yet secure as well. The knee pockets will also
accommodate the proprietary 5.11 kneepads, which
will probably be ordered by me very soon. The bottom
of the legs has some handy ties to bunch up the
bottoms. So, all in all you get everything you need and
would expect.
Enough of the tech and data, the real question is
how do they feel and perform?
After reading all the usual marketing hype on the
website, I was wondering are they really worth the
cost? Currently on their website the top retails at
US$59.99 and the trousers US$54.99 and the retail
price has dropped recently, which makes them a
worthwhile investment. However, you must take into
account shipping, import duty and VAT.
LAYING DOWN THE GAUNTLET
Comfortable and with plenty of adjustment and little
movement restriction, on the field they stand up
against all the others out there. Mixed with my tac
battle belt and chest rig I have found that it has given
no restriction in my limited movement whilst looking
“Gucci AF”! Its lightweight and feels like another level
compared to the cheap woodland and generic camo
I have had to purchase through various auction sites
from Asian suppliers, which bleed in the wash, are
heavy and just don’t quite fit right.
Cooling in the warmer sun we have had this
weekend, so far no issues and it looks like as long as
5.11 don’t stop production, my next purchase of kit
will be the Night camo version to expand my loadout
options.
The gauntlet has been laid down! Thousands of my
bacon sarnie brethren out there want to buy proper-
looking camo and manufacturers are SIMPLY not
seeing the bigger picture - see what I did there!
In the meantime, to the 5.11 team… Please, please
make buying the bigger sizes easier in the UK and
Europe rather than being USA only! AA
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