...in which I look incredibly cool.

...in which I look incredibly cool.
Originally uploaded by mirvana

My new WileyX sunglasses. They are awesome. I always had cheap sunglasses because I have a tendency to lose or break them, but I'm going to take care of these because they are NICE. This particular style is called "Zak" - in gloss black, with smoke lenses, and they fit me perfect, I think.

We actually got a big order in from WileyX - a bunch of different styles as samples so that we could evaluate them and see which ones we'd like to carry on DarkThreads.com. There are lots of different features, such as some come with a removable foam gasket, or interchangeable lenses, and so on. I hope to write a more extensive article about them after I take some more photos.

Eyewear is such a personal, individual matter that I think we should offer as many choices as possible. For example, DI and I both tried on different sunglasses, and some styles worked better for him, while others worked better for me. After wearing these *good* sunglasses for a while, I realize now that a good pair should feel like you aren't wearing them. You should barely notice that you have them on.

Photos: WHFO2

Review: Revision Bullet Ant Goggles

I love these! I got to test-drive them at the WHFO2 event this weekend, and they were just awesome. I often have fogging issues with other goggles and masks because I'm such a sweaty girl, and I also have a tough time finding a pair of goggles that fit me comfortably, but these goggles were so comfortable and did not fog up, and I wore them all day.

The Bullet Ant goggles have a very slim profile and pliable frame, with an adjustable strap that you can wear under or over a helmet. The lenses are milspec and can withstand a shotgun blast from 16 feet away. They also have a bracket inside for the prescription lens holder.

The basic package comes with one set of lenses in smoke or clear, and a case, for $60. We currently have them in stock. Please shoot us an email if you are interested.

Reminder: WHFO2 is this weekend

A few last minute announcements:

The rules have been finalized and published here - http://milpro.wpairsoft.com/wordpress/event-rules/

The early-bird prereg fee of $50 is over, and its now $65. You can still register online here, and that will save you some time on game day.

Eventhough we had a lot of preregs, we didn't quite get the number we needed, so we won't have the t-shirts and patches at the event (hey, that stuff takes money, so that's why prereg is important). However, please provide us with your t-shirt size and shipping address, and we will send them out after the event. You can also send email to milpro@wpairsoft.com with your name, paypal address, email, and mailing address.

Protective Gear: knee and elbow pads

Very soon after playing my first real airsoft skirmish, I realized that knee pads would be a good idea. I found myself going down on one knee a lot, in all sorts of terrain - dirt, gravel, pavement - causing a lot of wear and tear on my uniform and on my knees. So I can't remember who first recommended Alta knee pads to me, but the name brand has come up frequently since then as being "the best," and I must say that I agree. This is one of the few products that Alta Industries makes, and they do it very well.

At first glance, they don't look so different from other knee pads, but once you wear them and use them, you realize that a lot of careful attention was put into the design of these little marvels. First off, they are well constructed out of good quality materials - cordura fabric, thick foam, strong elastic straps, and Velcro(R). The most important thing on a knee pad is probably the straps, because you want the pads to stay in place without binding, and Alta knee pads do that where others fail. The knee pads we carry feature the AltalockTM buckles, which allow easy fastening and removal.

So if the knee pads are good, the elbow pads ought to be good too, right? I just got myself a pair to go with my SWAT/Space Marine loadout, and I wore them for better part of the day today, and I must say they are very comfortable. One of the issues I was concerned about was if they would impede my mobility, and I had no problem moving around in them.
So now we have Alta knee and elbow pads available in our store in four colors, including MultiCam, and for the price, we don't think you'll find a better product. Check them out here.

Blending in: MultiCam vs. X-Camo

One of the cool things about going to the SHOT Show, was getting to see all the manufacturers of our favorite products. So of course we were excited to see Crye PrecisionTM- the makers of MULTICAM(R) - at the show.

What is MultiCam?

MultiCam is the result of years of scientific research and experimentation, based on feedback from the US military in Afghanistan. Basically, it's a camo pattern that was designed to work well across a very broad range of environments, seasons, and lighting conditions. It was designed to reflect colors in the surrounding environment, so it looks more green when its in a green foliage environment, but in the desert, it looks more tan. It also takes advantage of the way humans perceive patterns, buy "blurring" the profile of the wearer against almost any background. Lastly, it was designed to balance scale and contrast, so it works at a distance or at close range. Other camo patterns that rely on large-scale or high-contrast elements stop working as the observer gets closer, because the scale wasn't designed to conceal at close range.

The MultiCam gallery page has several photos that demonstrate its effectiveness against a wide range of backgrounds. Not only is MultiCam finding many applications for use by the military and law enforcement, but it also works well as a hunting camo pattern.

Because MultiCam products tend to be of a higher quality and carry a higher price tag, we gave it its own section in the DarkThreads.com store.

So What's this X-Camo I keep hearing about?

Even as MultiCam is starting to catch on, there is a new camo on the block: X-Camo. It's a digital pattern that looks like a cross between MultiCam and MarPat (Digital Woodland). We recently did a photoshoot of DI in his X-Camo loadout, and tried it up against a variety of different backgrounds (in our own backyard).


It even looks good with MultiCam accessories:


We have the X-Camo BDU shirt and pants available in our store here. For accessories, anything tan, coyote, OD, or MultiCam would work well with X-Camo.

Events; cold weather gear

Airsoftreports attended The Zone event and posted some photos here. Looks like it was a great time. You can be sure we are working on doing similar events with Mindgame Productions in the future. Also check out Airsoftreports for photos from the SHOT Show.

WHFO2 - based on the number of pre-regs we have so far, and the number of walk-ons we expect, we will have a great turn out for this event. I'm really looking forward to it, just so I can meet in person some of the folks who've become on-line friends in the last few months. A word of advice to those who are attending:

Dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is key to keeping warm and dry.

Layer 1 - your base layer should have moisture wicking properties, like Coolmax or Under Armor. I don't recommend those cotton thermals because cotton will absorb sweat and trap it next to your body, making you feel cold.

Layer 2 - I recommend wool or fleece for insulation. Wool will keep you warm even when its wet; fleece is easy and affordable.

Layer 3 - your top layer should be weather resistent, like a raincoat or anorack.

Insulated boots, socks, and gloves are also a good idea.

I will be trying out my Tru-Spec Level I and II base layers underneath my TRU, and flight jacket, and I'll prolly wear a balaclava or fleece watch cap. So, we have flight jackets, balaclavas, caps, and gloves if you need'em.