Real mil-spec cites a document number. "Military grade" cites nothing. That's the whole test, and it takes maybe five seconds on any product page. Military grade is a phrase somebody in marketing made up to sell things on the open market. There is no standard behind it. Mil-spec is a different animal, because there's an actual written document, a testing process, and a contract, and gear has to earn its way through all of it. Here's how that works. What does mil-spec actually mean? Mil-spec is s …

How Long Do Military MREs Really Last? Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs) are incredibly popular disaster preparedness foods because they don’t require any cooking, are shelf stable, and are cheaper than traditional emergency meals. Before you rush out and buy a huge case of MREs, though, it’s important that you understand MRE shelf life, how to determine MRE expiration date, and know whether it’s safe to eat old MREs. Find deals on bulk MREs here MRE Shelf Life Meals, Ready to Eat (M …

When it comes to sleep systems for outdoor use, you’ve got three main options for staying warm: sleeping bags, wool blankets, and poncho liners (aka woobie). The choice is partly a matter of personal preference. However, when it comes to certain important traits—such as warmth per weight, fire resistance, and durability—there are clear winners. Let’s break it down to see when a sleeping bag vs. wool blanket vs. woobie is best. Warmth Winner: Sleeping bag When it comes to …

The ACU MOLLE II Rucksack is your versatile backpack that can be used for hiking, camping, and anything outdoors. Made of heavy duty nylon and water resistant fabric, the ACU MOLLE II Rucksack is durable and built to last. The pack has an adjustable shoulder and waist strap for a comfortable and tight fit on your body. All of this is secured by an external frame that holds up to just about anything! This ACU rucksack with frame has a main compartment that consists of two large internal pockets …

Tarp Shelter Ideas and Uses: The Most Versatile Military and Civilian Piece of Gear Military tarps are versatile pieces of equipment that can be used in a variety of ways. Some military units use tarps as a form of shelter, while others use them to conceal movement or equipment. Tarps can also be used as stretchers, rafts, and many other things. They are an important piece of gear for any soldier. You can do many things with a military tarpaulin. It goes far beyond just the simple purpose you're …

Keep your gear dry with SealLine military issue stuff sacks. The Military must be ready for any environment. We like the military dry bag versions because they have wide openings making them easy to pack, include air purge valves and the dry bags are made to be very durable to use a both pack liners and or for any gear that is needed Dry bags are designed to protect your things and keep them organized while you're on the go. Made from military spec durable 210-denier nylon with roll down t …

We find that Military hydration packs are designated and have features that are not found in commercial water bladders and take more abuse for real field use. Not to mention they are all made in the U.S.A! Some of the military hydration design upgrades are durable denier nylon, replaceable hoses and bite valves, insulated drinking tubes, sleeker compact design and some have plenty of storage use. When military packs are designed, they are made to be versatile being able to wear them as its …

Poncho Liner: History and Uses A poncho liner, also known as a woobie, is a rectangular piece of cloth that is used as a type of blanket. It is typically made of ripstop or quilted nylon or other sturdy materials and originally comes in a woodland camo pattern but now has other variations. Poncho liners are used by the military, survivalist, and shooters, because of the gears' versatility, especially in the outdoors. Just go and ask any veteran or active what one of their favorite pieces of fiel …

How to choose a medium 3 day military rucksack and what are the differences? A 3 day rucksack is a light backpack that could hold all your essential items for up to three days (hence the term). It's different from normal backpacks because it weighs very little (depending upon the make and material). These packs are made to carry just what you need in gear, water, food, clothes, small shelter, and other essentials and no more. You will also hear the term medium rucksack in addition to 3 day rucks …