I did a few brief videos showing size and fit of a few Condor brand Plate Carriers for a Law Enforcement customer. She's putting together an "Active Shooter" rig, and wanted a little more information than she was getting from the manufacturer- some of those elements you only discover when handling a product. She's looking for a balance of protection and speed in putting the rig on. It will mostly ride in her trunk, unless the situation arises where she needs the added Level III protection offered by the AR500 Armor plates she purchased from Black Bag Resources a few weeks ago. In short, she needs a quick rig for one of the worst SHTF scenarios an officer might face. It's my job to help her build the rig she needs, so this was a great way to get her the info she wanted even though she's a few hours away.
I'm sharing them publicly just in case there's a nugget of info that helps someone else. Keep in mind, we're discussing these items for a specific purpose for a specific customer. Some of the issues I point out in the videos won't be issues for other people or other applications.
Grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show!

Although these products look very similar, there are some minor differences to consider when you make your purchase. Here's a quick look at some similarities between the 5.11 TDU belt and Spec-Ops Brand's Better BDU Belt: Both belts are fairly inexpensive, made from quality nylon, and feature "airport friendly" plastic hardware. Sizing is also similar between both products. Both belts feature a tri-glide type buckle for easy adjustment that doesn't require holes in the belt.
According to the tags, Spec-Ops makes the Better BDU Belt in the US, and the 5.11 TDU belt is manufactured in China. (Click on the photo to see for yourself.) The main difference I noticed is in the stiffness of the belt. The Spec-Ops Brand belt seems thicker and stiffer than the 5.11 which at first doesn't seem important. However, what I found when wearing the belt is that the stiffer Spec-Ops belt is easier to adjust because it binds in the buckle better, causing the belt to hold itself closed. The 5.11 belt also needs to be re-tightened more often throughout the day, even during casual activity.  I wouldn't expect either of these belts to be quite stiff enough to support a holster during concealed carry, but the Spec-Ops belt is far less prone to rolling, again due to the stiffer nylon used.
I've worn the Spec-Ops brand belt for years and decided to try the 5.11 belt. In my opinion, accept no substitute: get the Spec-Ops belt.

They go by many names- Space Blanket, Survival Blanket, Emergency Blanket- but thermal reflective blankets all share one common feature: a metallic side designed to reflect heat back towards the body. I have used lots of these in various designs over the years and they will all improve your heat retention. They can be used in various ways: like a traditional blanket wrapped around your body, as part of a wilderness shelter to reflect your fire's heat back toward you, to cover the windows in your home during outages to prevent heat loss, etc. Where they vary is their size, weight, and durability which in turn determines how you use and utilize them. Here's my take on a few:

Generally referred to as a "space blanket", this is the most common and inexpensive example of a thermal blanket. You can find something similar in any outdoor store or the camping section in department stores for less than 2 or 3 dollars. The one in the photo is from Coghlan's but there are several manufacturers that make them and they are all pretty similar. They weigh only a few ounces, are packaged small, will absolutely work to reflect heat, and open to about 50" by 80", all of which makes them a popular choice for camping or emergency kits. However, there are two issues with this version that have lead me to choose something else for myself. The first is that these blankets are very delicate. They tear easily and even a small tear "runs" destroying the blanket quickly. The second is that they are nearly impossible to repack. Even with two people trying to fold it, these blankets are so light and hard to control that most people end up just wadding the thing up and shoving it into a pack or pocket- which in turn ends up tearing the blanket. The result is the blanket only lasts for one or two uses. I personally consider it an expendable/consumable item and treat them with about as much care as a disposable paper plate. Obviously, the small size and light weight are the trade-off to the fragile nature of the product. I no longer use this type myself, but you can decide if it is appropriate for your needs.

Survive Outdoors Longer is part of the Adventure Medical brand and they make several great products including their "Survival Blanket." The one pictured is the 1-2 person model and it is substantially stronger and larger (60" by 96") than the "cheap" emergency blanket above. SOL uses a "vacuum-metalized polyethylene" in the construction and the result is a plastic that stretches but does not easily tear. Punctures and tears that do occur don't "run" and can be patched with duck tape. The blanket is packaged in a reusable zip seal bag that is larger than the factory packed blanket- which means even if you can't perfectly re-fold the blanket it WILL fit it back into the package. The SOL Survival Blanket is a great option for those who don't want a full sized nor a cheapo disposable thermal blanket. While it's more than twice the size of the 2 dollar thermal blanket, the SOL offering is still pretty compact and only weighs about 3.5 ounces. For my purposes, this is the minimum standard for a thermal blanket and it is well worth the few additional dollars it costs. I choose the "two person" size for my outings because it is just slightly larger than the "one person" (56" by 84").

The "All Purpose Thermal Blanket" from Coghlan's is a pretty substantial product at a reasonable price. The blanket is packaged in a mesh bag with a velcro closure that can also be used for storage. I will admit that Coghlan's can be hit or miss as far as quality with some items, but this is one of their best products. It is far more heavy duty than others on the market and can be used repeatedly to build wilderness shelters or to improve the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. It has corner grommets and a mesh reinforcement throughout the thick material. It is made of a "softer" plastic material that is almost rubbery and allows it to be folded without developing cracks. It weighs in at nearly a full pound and measures 50" by 79" when open. It packs to about 8" by 11" and almost 2" thick, so it also takes up more room in a pack. Personally, I feel it is worth the size and weight because of it's strength. It doesn't need to be replaced often because it is so durable, and this is the one I bring on my outings.

Grabber Outdoors also makes a great heavy duty "All Weather Blanket." When open, it measures 60" by 84" and weighs 12 ounces, so it is slightly larger and a bit lighter than the Coghlan's brand blanket. The Grabber blanket is also reinforced throughout, has corner grommets, and it has more of a tarp feel to it. Grabber uses a four layer process to manufacture their thermal blanket and the result is a great product that will survive for years of adventures. The only issue I've had with this model is that after 3 years it started to develop small holes where it was folded. I consider this minor and part of normal wear and tear.

Size and weight are always a big consideration when packing for an adventure, outing, operation, or emergency kit. While I prefer the costlier, bigger, and somewhat heavier thermal blankets because of their enhanced durability when compared to the inexpensive "space" blanket, ultimately you decide which thermal blanket is right for your needs.

A few years ago, I ordered a Condor Multicam Ballcap (TC-008: Tactical Cap - Multicam) to go with the rest of my Multicam gear. I wanted one of those cool "contactor" style caps with the velcro front for a patch, but I was not willing to spend major bucks. It seemed Condor would work- I knew they made some other quality products, but when the cover arrived I was disappointed. The cap was licensed Crye Multicam to be sure, but it seemed cheaply made and didn't wear well due to what I can only describe as a lack of structure. The hat just collapsed and looked sloppy when worn. A few months back, I noticed a friend's sharp looking Multicam cap and asked who the manufacturer was. I was surprised when he told me it was Condor- the same manufacturer I had been disappointed by. I decided to give it another try. Sure enough, the new cover is far better than the old one. The material feels thicker and the cap stands properly when worn. The "new formula" is much better. It's good to see that Condor is constantly working on not only releasing quality, low cost gear, but also upgrading and updating items as necessary. At Black Bag Resources, we are proud to carry the full line of Condor products.

This is quick side by side comparison of Gerber's LMF, Prodigy, and Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife. It's not a case of the same blade being mounted on three different handles as some folks have suggested.