High Ground Media, LLC

The Range Tactical Glove by Helikon-Tex is a flexible, lightweight range/duty glove, which grants the end-user a moderate tactile feel to weapon control systems, while providing added protection to fingers and palm.

The Range Tactical Glove was designed to bring a breathable elastic fabric on the top, with a synthetic leather on the palm to give the gloves themselves an improved level of durability, feel, and fit.

A microfiber lining along the spine of the thumb, from forefinger to wrist, gives the gloves a soft contact material when touching skin or other sensitive surfaces.

The finger joints have a slit design that gives the Range Tactical Glove improved flexibility and dexterity over other traditional designs that would otherwise stretch the material when the fingers are articulated. The Range Tactical Gloves differ from other tactical gloves in that it has a touch-screen compatible material at the middle-finger.

The gloves are anchored just above the wrist bone with an adjustable hook-and-loop cuff, attached to which is a paracord loop to aid in donning or to hang on a clip with other gear.

The Range Tactical Glove is available in Black/Shadow Grey (featured) or Coyote/Adaptive Green, Multicam, or Petncott. It is also available in sizes that range from Small to 2XL.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Excellent (5/5): At $33.90 the Range Tactical Gloves are at a good price point as a short-use, tactical glove that will likely give the wearer roughly six months of moderate/heavy field use given its overall materials and design. Market alternatives to the Range Tactical Glove would be the Full Dexterity Tactical Glove (FDT) ($42.95) from SKD, the Operator Contact Glove ($35.40) by First Spear, the Hard Glove ($37.90) by Direct Action, or the Duty Glove ($35) by Viktos. Some of these alternatives however, may lack some specific design aspects the Range Tactical Glove has (specifically the split finger joint). As a result, the Range Tactical Gloves are at an excellent cost in comparison to the market of current alternatives.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): The materials involved had a fair amount of flex and breathability when used, in return that material also gave the end-user a good level of comfort. The materials between the palm and thumb, where the greatest amount of stress took place, held notable double line stitching for added strength. The split finger design along the knuckles provided additional comfort during finger articulation and at no point did the materials inhibit or restrict movement. It should be noted this type of glove was/is good for temperate or moderately cold weather, but not temperatures near the freezing point as its lightweight and breathable material is not intended to serve as a winter or outdoor glove.
• Durability – Average (3/5): The materials in the Range Tactical Gloves offered maximum, full-hand protection while retaining the greatest degree of tactile sense possible. The tradeoff being that those materials will be unable to hold up over time given moderate/heavy field use. Despite 30 days of regular use, some instances of loose threading were noted inside the finger joints and reflect the continual articulation those areas go through. Consumers need to understand that there is the tradeoff in these type of gloves, and a design shared among the market alternatives noted above. The more protective and durable the glove, the less tactile sense is provided. During the 30-day evaluation period the only negative aspect to the Range Tactical Glove’s durability was some curling of the leather on the hook-and-loop tab (that is consistent with wear), but could become problematic over the glove’s expected lifespan. A recommended area of improvement for Helikon-Tex would be to consider an elastic wrist band here or perhaps double stitching along the hook-and-loop tap to minimize separation.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): The Range Tactical Gloves functioned well as intended for a pair of light/moderate shooter gloves. Positive tactile sensation was maintained to the trigger despite the thickness of the leather, and dexterity during magazine changes and function drills was not impaired. The slit finger joints gave the gloves a good level of flexibility over a number of market alternatives that use a solid approach. The only negative note would be the touchscreen pad on the middle finger, and a notable inconsistent compatibility to smart screen devices.
• Weight – Good (4/5): At 2.4 ounces (for the pair) the Range Tactical Gloves were very lightweight and gave a near “naked” feel that provided very good tactile sense to the trigger control group and magazines. The Range Tactical Gloves were lighter than either the FDT Gloves (3.04 ounces) or the Duty Glove (3.42 ounces) which alludes to the Range Tactical Glove’s lightweight materials and design. Obviously the more protective materials and features included on any glove, the more weight is added and for a lightweight field/duty glove the Range Tactical Gloves stride the line between weight and function.

 Overall Rating – Good (20/25)

Product Link: https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_usd/rk-rng-po-range-tactical-gloves.html

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

Introduced in mid-2017 as a lightweight and functional rifle sling, Snake Eater Tactical continues to produce its Simple Sling as a customizable mainstay to its overall tactical product line.

Made from a 1” wide nylon webbing, the Simple Sling uses an ITW Ladderlock buckle at the front end of the sling to allow for easy, one-handed adjustment.

The Simple Sling comes with several different mounting options to include; a QD swivel, HK snap hook, the Blue Force Gear Uloop, and a stitched webbing loop.

The rear of the sling comes with the standard plastic hardware to allow the material to be passed through any 1” sling mount or allow for additional mounting hardware to be added (not included).

The front end of the sling end in a “Z fold” that has reinforced stitching to ensure adjustments never exceed the hardware, and that there is always a minimum of five inches of tail to grab a hold of. The rear end is free-running, and allows the user to apply it to either through webbing slots or tri-glide buckles to form a loop for the buttstock or QD attachment.

Specifications:

• Minimum Length: 6”
• Maximum Length: 65”

The Simple Sling comes in seven unique colors to include; Multicam (featured), A-TACS, Wolf Grey and more.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Excellent (5/5): The listed cost for the Simple Sling runs between $29 and $42 based on hardware. This price reflects the balance between the nylon material of the sling, and the included minimalist hardware. The Simple Sling’s design is comparable to other mainstream slings currently offered by a number of vendors to include; the Operators Two Point Sling ($35.99) by First Spear, the Vickers Tactical Sling ($49.95) by Blue Force Gear, or the MS3 Gen2 ($47.45) by Magpul. Thus, at its base price the Simple Sling is perhaps one of the most inexpensive and affordable on the market while the inclusion of extras still keeps the cost modestly priced.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): Very lightweight and of average thickness for modern nylons, the Simple Sling added little weight to the overall rifle, even when wet. The solution-dyed mil-spec 17337 nylon weave pattern helped ensure durability, and still yielded good flexibility through the ladderlock hardware without binding or drag. As a minimalist sling there was no padding, yet the material was soft enough not to excessively chafe exposed skin.
• Durability – Excellent (5/5): From a durability aspect the Simple Sling comprised of just that—a simple sling made from lightweight and flexible 17337 nylon. This type of nylon has been used for years in MOLLE webbing and has breaking strength of 1,200 pounds at 1” wide. Numerous adjustments to the overall length and position did not yield any frayed edges nor friction markings (typically associated to the hardware heating up to the point to physically melt the outermost layer). The heat-shrink tubing attached to the ladderlock buckle did not split nor stretch, and did a good job at adding a purchase point on which to grab for adjusting the overall sling.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, it’s hard to get overly complicated on a minimalist sling design. And the Simple Sling took its adjustment design from the older Vickers Sling by Blue Force Gear and employed that simplicity with more modern materials and hardware. This allows the Simple Sling to deployment in mere seconds. Attaching/adjusting the provided front end connection point was easy, and the rear folded material allowed it to be directly mounted to a stock or have preferred hardware added (not included).
• Weight – Excellent (5/5): At just 53 grams (1.86 ounces) the overall weight of the Simple Sling was extremely light thanks to its principle 17337 nylon. There was no excess material or padding, and that kept the weight to a minimum. In comparison the Operators Two Point Sling (113 grams), the Vickers Tactical Sling (117 grams), or the MS3 Gen2 (225 grams) were all still well above the weight of the Simple Sling due to the thickness of the nylon and associated metal hardware. The Simple Sling’s light weight put it as one of the lightest minimalist slings on the market.

Overall Rating – Very Good (23/25)

Product Link: https://www.snakeeatertactical.com/product/the-simple-sling/

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

Introduced in 2018, the Strife (Mid) Boot by Viktos balances the rugged demands of life at work, in the field, or on range, with the urban comfort to a tactically inspired lifestyle.

The upper half of the Strife (Mid) Boot is made from leather and nylon segments stitched together using double-line nylon thread.

The hardware includes unique metal hook lace brackets with a pass-through eyelet that allows the wearer to choose which style fits their needs best. The laces are Dupont nylon with plastic tips.

Sidewalls on the Strife (Mid) Boot are also made to Viktos’ patented Parariggers™ sidewall that gives the boot structure along its sides, while mitigating potential fold-over or failure of the material.

The interior lining includes a breathable/waterproof lining to help ensure your feet remain dry but breathe adequately. A 6” throat on the boot provides the ideal height to support the ankle in light/moderate environments.

The Strife (Mid) features the same sole as other Strife/Johnny Combat series footwear, drawing on its combat-focused outsole that gives the wearer a solid grip in a variety of environments. The lug design gives the sole a self-cleaning flex that helps ensure debris or rocks do not remain lodged.

The reinforced toe box to the boot is rounded rather than tapered to accommodate the natural splay of toes as the foot rolls under the body’s natural weight.

Specifications:

• Full-grain leather
• 600D nylon

The Viktos Strife (Mid) Boot comes in a Gunstock (featured) or Nightfall color and is available in sizes 7 through 15. Viktos states maintaining the Strife requires “…treating all leather products with a cream or water based wax treatment. Please note that leather treatments may alter the leather’s original appearance, however, it will not affect the performance properties of the leather”.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Average (3/5): At an MSRP of $140, the Strife (Mid) Boot has an affordable blend of materials and design that excels in urban or moderate field environments. There is an equal blend of leather and nylon that will help ensure the product’s longevity. Generally, the cost of boots in this category can run the gambit and are radically affected by; materials, source manufacturing, colors/dyes, and branding. Bearing in mind the Strife (Mid) is designed to be an urban/suburban/EDC boot – other market alternatives would include but not limited to; XA Forces (Mid) boots ($169.95) by Salomon, the Moab 2 boot ($139.99) by Merrill, or the Raide 2 (Mid) boots ($109.95) by Bates. As such the Strife (Mid) is in the moderate (or average) range of price, and duly affordable by the consumer in comparison to other quality manufactures for the materials used.
• Comfort – Good (4/5): Sizing for the Strife (Mid) ran true-to-fit (meaning a size 11 will fit as a US-sized 11 shoe – not based on the actual physical length of the foot). It took about a week for the leather to break in but when it did the Strife was very comfortable. The heel was very well supported, and the boot held strength from the heel, up the Achilles line, and across to the laces. Thus, it was apparent the boot was designed to give support when needed. The sole held a shock-resistant steyr foam lining on the outer edging that helped support and pad the foot bed. The toe box did indeed feel wider and accommodated the natural splay of toes when under heavy load (with a test case using a 70lb sand bag with stressor drills). Traditional boots often have a tapered toe box that harken back to ancient times when boots needed points to aid in mounting horse stirrups. Even today that design can pinch your toes or jam them when under load. The Strike (Mid) was very comfortable and over the course of a 30-day evaluation cycle fit comfortably. One suggestion for Viktos to improve the Strike’s comfort rating would be to add (even a minimal layer) of padding to the tongue of the boot. The tongue was not stitched/attached up to the top of the throat and given the thin material it easily folded over to create minor pressure points if laced tightly. Any added padding would not only improve comfort but mitigate the pressure on the front of the foot.
• Durability – Good (4/5): Over the course of testing; worn as EDC and range boots, the Strike (Mid) held a good level of durability given its tested environment (which included pavement, grass, loose rock, water and mud). The intent for the Strike (Mid) by design is as an urban/suburban/EDC boot, and as such the materials were intended to excel in those settings. The leather exterior took a good amount of rough edges and abrasion, with only light/moderate scarring to the material itself—none of which penetrated the inner layers of the leather. The nylon and interior lining aided in breathability and flexibility to maneuver various terrain. The double line stitching and very thick bartack provided a very good level of durability to prevent any separation of the materials. The only one negative aspect noted in evaluation was some minor edge separation between the steyr foam and leather due to use of the heel to grab at barriers as well as a few frayed threads. The lack of a polymer toe and heel cap would detract from taking the Strife (Mid) into more rugged field terrain, but for the city or suburbs it will do very well.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Perhaps the biggest functional improvement of the Strife (Mid) Boot was its toe box, with its rounded design rather than tapered. A clear benefit to this was as the foot rolled on the ball, toes have a natural tendency to roll and splay open. The rounded toe box accommodated this and thus made the boot more comfortable under load. The leather sections were all in high stress points of the boot for added strength and stitching ensured the boot held up under use. The tread was similar to other Strife/Johnny Combat boots by Viktos with its self-cleaning lug design that did keep small rocks and debris from building up. It was noted mud did cake up in the serrated toe and trusstic of the sole, likely because of the arch design, but was easily knocked out. At no point did moisture penetrate the interior in light/moderate rain. The only negative aspect noted from a functional point was the plastic tips on the laces started to wear/split, and it would be recommended to Viktos to consider using the same metal tips they use in their combat line of boots.
• Weight – Average (3/5): Each individual boot weighed in at 1.6 pounds (or 3.2 pounds for the pair) which is reasonable considering the use of leather and thick lug design, but the weight became exacerbated when mud became caked into the bottom serrations. In comparison to the market alternatives noted above; the XA Forces (Mid) boots (1.02 pounds per boot) by Salomon, the Moab 2 boot (1.15 pounds per boot) by Merrill, or the Raide 2 (Mid) boots (1.2 pounds per boot) by Bates show the diversity in footwear weight. However, in the market alternatives they have differing lug design and some underlying materials, thus the variance in weight. As a whole, the features of the Strife (Mid) Boot—although heavier—helped ensure it not only lasted in the daily life of a tactical mindset, but on the range as well.

Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)

Product Link: https://www.viktos.com/products/strife-mid

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.