DEFCON 5 Combat Uniform

When I was a lad we never had all that fancy hi-tech clothing and camo patterns we have today. In the main we either wore army green and British DPM or US Woodland camouflage and it worked. Truth is military-style clothing is built for purpose and one that suits hunters and shooters alike, in that it’s tough and practical. With this in mind let’s turn to a new brand distributed by Viking Arms - DEFCON 5. This is an Italian company who offer a wide range of clothing and gear which includes their Army Uniform. I also have one of their Shooter’s rifle bags on test and it’s proving very good indeed; more on that next month!

The design and cut is based on the US Army and Special Forces jacket and pants ACU (advanced combat uniform). It’s made of un-lined rip-stop polycotton cloth using a 35% polyester and 65% cotton blend. The term rip-stop means that the weave incorporates a nylon mesh that if the material is cut or torn will not run (rip); always useful!

SIMPLES

The build goes for what I would describe as a Shirt/Jacket as it can be worn tucked in or out and there are no lower pockets. Stowage consists of two, angled-in, 6.5 x 5.75” breast pockets with two more on the arms at 7.25 x 5.5” all show a flap/Velcro closures with Velcro outers for patches and strips of material for name tags. Cuffs also use this material for adjustments. The front buttons up and has a neck strap (Velcro). Practical is the fact that the elbows have integral slots that rubber protectors can be slid in, which when you are crawling forward is a real benefit.

Trousers are the BDU (battle dress utility) style with eight pockets – two integral at the side/front, two large 9 x 8” bellows/cargo-types with Velcro flap and cord tensioner on the thighs and two flapped at the rear with button closure. The fly and waste is all-buttons and there are deep belt loops and draw cord waist adjusters.

There are also draw cords at the ankles and two small, probably shell dressing pockets (Velcro/flap) on the calves. Like the jacket the knees have slots for the insertion of rubber protective pads, which are a ‘god send’ for both crawling and also kneeling for example when you might be gutting a deer.

 

LIGHT YET TOUGH

The build is light so more temperate weather clothing; well certainly the jacket, but it’s, comfortable and easy to move in and above all tough. The knee and elbow pads are not included.

DEFCON 5 offers a number of colour options – Black, MARPAT (US Marine pattern), Multi-Cam and Multiland with a tan base with black, green and cream digital-type overlays. Though not included Viking also supplied DEFCON 5 Velcro belt in black, which is always useful.

PRICE: Army Combat Uniform £80 Velcro belt £5
CONTACT: DEFCON 5 Viking Arms Ltd, 01423 780810

FOR: Tough and practical hunting/ shooting clothing Choice of camo patterns Well priced
AGAINST: Velcro on pockets is noisy
VERDICT: Good summer/ spring-weight clothing Knee/elbow pad fixtures are excellent