Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: SmithFly

Continuing my series chronicling examples of modular carry equipment geared to non-military endeavours.

This time it’s a company aiming its wares at the fly fishing community.

SmithFly is a company based in Troy, Ohio and founded by Ethan Smith. While none of it will come as a revelation to anyone familiar with MOLLE/PALS compatible gear, that to me is the beauty of it. Why re-invent the wheel? It’s a proven system, and there are many other manufacturers out there, and a host of attachment systems work with it. If something isn’t entirely right for your needs, someone else will quite likely have what you need, or heck, make something yourself. I’m living proof of that.

Something else I like about this company is that they are committed to having their goods manufactured in the USA, and that they care about how sustainable their manufacturing process is, and how much of an impact it has on the environment.

The Naked Switch Belt. If you have one of the dozen plus different MOLLE/PALS battle belts that are out on the market, you could use it, rather than this belt. If you don’t, this is a fairly no-frills take on the concept.

The Naked Switch Vest. While nothing new if you’re familiar with military style vests, (which seem to have faded from use largely), this is a great way to overcome the restrictions of fixed in place pockets on fly fishing vests. 

The Naked Switch Bag. 12" wide x 12" tall x 5" deep, with a zippered pocket inside, PALS on the front, back and sides, and a shoulder strap and carry handles.

One thing I really like is these flaps you can get. Featuring imagery by Louis Cahill of Gink and Gasoline, the Art Attack series can either be purchased separately or included with a Switch Bag.

5" wide x 7" tall x 2" deep, the 1X Pouch attaches with fairly standard looking MOLLE straps. The flap is held closed with magnetic closures.

Like the 1X, the 2X Pouch has an attachment grommet under each flap on the sides so you can attach retractors to hold hemostats, nippers, bear spray, etc. 9" wide x 6" tall x 2 or 3" deep. 4 pockets on the outside, 4 pockets on the inside.

Finally, the Digi Pouch. If you’ve seen my review / modification of the Simms Dry Creek Camera Bag (no longer offered), this will look familiar. Whereas I had to modify it to be MOLLE compatible, this one is ready out of the box. It also allows the user the option of mounting something on the front. Made from RF welded 18 oz vinyl. If you need to carry a large camera or other electronics in and around water, this looks to be a good substitute for that discontinued Simms pouch.

If you’re into fly fishing, or need a way to keep a camera/electronics dry and want it to be PALS compatible, check them out.

http://www.smithfly.net

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Mission Workshop

Continuing my series chronicling examples of modular carry equipment geared to non-military endeavours.

Mission Workshop is a California bag and clothing maker. Catering to a clientelle that rides fixies rather than Humvees, they have their own take on a modular system, called the Arkiv System. It’s a proprietary system, based on vertical rails. The base is a roll top pack, with three options available – the R2, the R6 and the R8, the numbers corresponding to the number of rails. On to these can be added a variety of pouches.

It’s an interesting take on the idea, but if there is a drawback it’s that Mission seems to be the only manufacturer to offer any pouches compatible with the system. With PALS/MOLLE there are easily a hundred manufacturers offering pouches that will mount to it.

They, like so many manufacturers, frustrate me to no end by not showing the back of the pouch. What is this attachment system? What does it look like? How does it work? They have a video which purports to show how it works, and really doesn’t. Adventure Journal has what seem to be the only decent photos of the system. Metal trucks slide down what appears to be a webbing covered stay that is affixed down the center.

http://missionworkshop.com/products/arkiv-system-bags/

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Switlik X-Back Air Crew Vest

Continuing my series chronicling examples of modular carry equipment geared to non-military endeavours.

In existence since 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. (although I don’t think they actually make parachutes any more), manufacture anti-g and anti-exposure suits, PFDs, inflatable rafts for military, law enforcement and the aviation industry in an 85,000 sq. ft facility in Trenton, New Jersey.

The material is a Nomex/Kevlar blend and is available in Cobalt Blue and Burnt Orange.

Also available are various pouches, including one for a HEED bottle.

Shown with various pouches attached.

It comes in at a weight of 1.08 kg (2 lbs 6 oz). Two 18g CO2 cylinders give it a buoyancy of over 35 lbs. It also has a built in locator light. Cost is $379.00.
http://switlik.com/aviation/xback/

I have a Mustang Survival manually inflatable PFD, (not certain of the exact model), that is superficially similar to this, and I’ve been very happy with it. Light and unobtrusive, yet one tug on the handle and I instantaneously have a horseshoe yoke keeping me afloat and my head up and out of the water.

But if I’m in a boat of some kind, I also want to have some other life saving gear on me, should I somehow become separated from the boat. Comms, and some other means of signalling, a way to start a fire and some other basic survival gear, some food maybe, a multi-tool, compass, etc. This thoughtful incorporation of PALS webbing allows for that very need.

If I was in the market for another PFD, even though this is geared towards air-crew, I could see it being applicable to watersports as well. The fact that it comes in orange is also appealing.

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Atlas 46

While the military may well have led the pack when it comes to modular gear, it delights me to no end when I see some of those concepts applied to other endeavours.

John Carver was the man behind Eagle Industries, who it might be said pioneered the tactical sewn goods industry. He has started another venture, Atlas 46, aimed at the construction trade. During my stint framing houses, I found what I was using underwhelming and had some ideas for making my own, incorporating some of the ideas I was seeing in military gear. I switched to other employment and the ideas never saw the light of day. Mr. Carver has taken what he learned making gold standard tactical gear and applied it to the job site. Lots of nicely thought out features. Reasonable prices too.

A selection:

AIMS Main Tool Attachment Pouch

AIMS Screw and Nail Attachment Pouch

A feature I thought was intriguing was this ability to close up or subdivide this pouch.

AIMS Drill Holster

Journeyman Apron XL

Ladder Pad