 Reviews Index > CCW Clothes:
Woolrich Makes It Easy To Look Good In Tactical
Submitted by: Ernie Hernandez Carryconcealed.net Contributor
In an effort to bring our readers the very best in concealable gear
and clothing, the CarryConcealed team sent Moderators to this year’s
Shot Show. We all uncovered bits and pieces that we all liked and
thought would be valuable to the CCW community.
I know that the most important thing to anyone carrying is comfort.
Knowing that, I searched out clothing manufacturers that offered
concealable garments with added comfortable and practicality. So, in
my search I came across a company that has been outfitting outdoors
enthusiasts since 1830. In fact, this company has outfitted many of
the U.S Military personnel since the Civil War and in every war
since. What company is it that has made such an impact on the
surrounding community that its hometown is its namesake? Why no
other than Woolrich!
Woolrich made the decision to enter the “Tactical Clothing” arena
in 2005. In making this decision, the company searched out the
recommendations and in sight of the people that carry on a daily
basis; Law Enforcement, Military & Civilian Operators, and
civilians carrying concealed. Woolrich set their focus on making a
rugged, mobile, durable product that offered the utmost in comfort
and performance technology.
OK, by now you are saying to your self “Where’s the Beef?” So,
I sat down at the Woolrich booth at the show and asked their Reps to
show me the new line. I was very impressed by the whole line. This
manufacture put all the bells and whistles on the clothing line. The
innovated designs included magnetic closure points on shirts, half
zipper or half Velcro closure on shirts and jackets, and a casual
design. Very Impressive!!!!
So after returning home from the Shot Show, I was contacted by Meghan
Reilly of Woolrich, who wanted to thank me for stopping by the booth
and making contact. I spoke with Meghan and told her how impressed I
was with their new line. I expressed my desire to try the new line
and told her that I had my own test I wanted to put the clothing
through. Two days later, guess what was on my front door. Thanks
Meghan!!! WOW that was FAST!!!!
 So what did I do? I put what I got to the test. It just so happened
that I had an instructor course with T.J. Johnston. Now for those of
you that don’t know or haven’t heard of T.J. from AllSafe Defense
Systems, look him up. T.J. pushes his students to be faster and more
accurate, and teaches real gun fighting skills for the real world.
Now if T.J. pushes students to that level, just think about him
pushing a group of instructors. Let’s just say a few of the
instructors in the class had a hard time moving after the weekend.
This was my proving ground for my new Woolrich garments.
 Day 1: I took the ELITE LIGHTWEIGHT
SHORT for a spin. I loved them. These shorts were made of 100%
Cotton Ripstop and have been reactive dyed to ensure great fade
resistance. So they looked great! These shorts sport six pockets.
All the pockets have plenty of room to store your wallet, keys,
knives, mags, flashlights and any other gear you can think of. The
two front pockets were so deep that I forgot that I had extra mags in
there during my time on the fire line. Now that is comfort. Very
roomy and long enough to not feel like you’re wearing short shorts,
like some other shorts on the market.
Being that it was a cold central valley morning in California, I
paired the shorts up with the ELITE ALGERIAN FIELD JACKET. Let me
tell you, this jacket is Awesome. It is my new favorite jacket and
very stylish. Woolrich based this jacket design on the French
Foreign Legion Jacket. On the front side of the jacket there are
four bellowed pockets featuring drain holes and elastic webbing on
the inside of each pocket to secure all those little goodies we like
to carry, like extra mags. There are hook-and-loop fasteners on the
inside and outside of the pockets. The top flap of each pocket is
completely tuckable, a great feature when you are trying to stash
things quickly on the move. There are also four additional pockets
on the inside of the jacket that have Velcro closure for storing even
more gear. There are zippered chest pockets hidden nicely behind the
chest bellow pockets, nice spot for storing a backup revolver; well
at least mine fit there. On top of all that room, there is a
zippered pocket on the left upper sleeve great for your little
things. The jacket has a draw string closure and still has plenty of
room left for movement when zipped up. This jacket also has a DuPont
Teflon Fabric Protector coating on it. I wore it in the rain and the
water beaded right off and kept me dry. Did I say I love this
jacket?
Day 2: Well, it is day two and we are
moving, dropping and shooting. This is the day where the drills
become faster and you better be on your toes. So, I tossed on my
very comfortable ELITE LIGHTWEIGHT OPERATOR (LWO) PANTS. These pants
are very functional. The pants are a cotton rip-stop material, so
they move very well and aren’t too heavy with a very roomy cut.
Pockets on top of pockets WOW!! Talk about storage, these pants got
that and even more, with a total of ten pockets. I was pleased with
the rear slash pockets, not only does the back have the slash
pockets, but they also have a standard wallet size pocket right above
the slash, so your wallet stays high and tight. Just like us
military boys like things. Unlike some other pants on the market
that have their slash pocket as the only rear pockets. I hate when
you put your wallet in your slash pocket and it ends up down behind
your thigh. That is irritating. I liked the fact that the pants had
elastic on the exterior calve pocket, great for storing, extra
mags…what else! Cargo pockets came standard on this model, and
what cargo pockets they are. The cargo pockets have hook and loops
elastic on the inside of the pocket, great for securing smaller
objects. The pants have reinforced knees with removable knee pads
that could really take a beating, believe me I beat them up. While
wearing these pants I put them to the test, I slid into cover,
crawled around, and the pants took the beating. Very Nice….
I also wore the all new ELITE ZIP UP INSTRUCTOR SHIRT. Now this is a
great shirt to wear out and about or on the firing line. This shirt
has a half zipper closure behind the four middle buttons, which gives
the shirt very easy accessibility. The shirt had a roomy cut and
very covert ventilation; I didn’t even know the vents were there
till half way through the day. The two front chest pockets have
exterior hook and loop flaps. This shirt also has the Teflon coating
that makes it stain and water repellant. There is nothing worse than
spending your hard earned money on a good shirt and staining it. I
don’t even want to count how many of us have done that.
Half way through the day I decided to switch up shirts so I put on
the ELITE FOUR POCKET DISCREET SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT. This shirt has a
great pattern with a nice cut. I love feeling like I am in Hawaii
when I am on the range. The shirt had side Velcro openings, giving
easy access to gear on your belt. This made it real nice when you
are grabbing for things in the dark.
I have taken my Woolrich Elites to the range a few times in the past
week and I keep getting great comments from the other people at the
range. I like saying, that they are a new line and that Woolrich
made them. I would definitely tell anyone and everyone to check out
Woolrich and get theirs. I got mine. I have to say, this is a great
line and Woolrich went all out! So, if comfort is high on your list
and you like looking good, visit www.woolrich.com
and hit the Elite tab on the bottom of the page or call the main line
1-800-966-5372 and get directed to the tactical division.
If your going to CarryConcealed- you need to look good - Ernie.
.
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