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OK, here is the 1st phase of my Test and Evaluation of Bulldog's Mirage system. Bulldog was gracious enough to send me the Combat Pant, Garrison Top and Combat Top for a review. This will be the 1st of three published phases,the initial phase, where I am basically getting acquainted with the material. After this I will do a 3 month and 6 month review to complete the evaluation to test long term durability, comfort and the systems concealment effectiveness in various environments. So expect more to come on this in the coming months as I put the system through it's paces.
Out of the box I am very impressed with the quality of Bulldogs craftsmanship. There are no loose stitching and everything is highly reinforced in the knee, cuff, shoulder, elbow, groin and seat areas. A lot of attention to detail went into this design, with pockets galore... a place for everything and everything in it's place.
So to start, a quick visual of what the Combat Pant and Shirt looks worn:
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The Combat Pant:
The pant features Ankle, Thigh, Rear and Cargo pockets. These pockets have smaller pockets within to keep smaller items separate and the Thigh pockets feature internal IR stroke pockets sewn in. Starting with Cuffs of the pant, there is a drawstring to pull the pant tight and has a what appears to be 1000d with a rubber/silicon coating for abrasion resistance. Bulldog calls this "Super Material" and they will no longer be offered on their apparel due to the noise and heat drawbacks.
This "super material" looks like it definitely would prolong the life of the ripstop material and it is found at the Cuffs, Knee pads, Elbow Pads and Shoulders of the Garrison and Combat Shirts respectively.
Back to the pants. Mine featured the Optional MOLLE located near the small of the back and I believe it could turn out to be a neat feature for those times when you are wanting to go lite. However, on mine, the MOLLE strips are very tight and are just a tad offset, which I believe will prove very hard to use. Hopefully will test this weekend and report back my findings.
One neat feature that alot of us can appreciate it the reinforcement on both front pockets with 1000d. How many pairs of pants have you rubbed through by carrying a folding knife with a clip? With these I believe you shouldn't have any concerns in that department.All of the pant pockets also feature a really neat mesh drainage area. Pant features removable knee pads similar to the Army's ACU's. The belt loops is another nice attention to detail and needs and are wide enough to accept duty and rigger size belts.
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Close up of the "Super Material" found on the Knee Pad.
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Close up of the Front Pocket showing the Reinforcement, which will be great to slide your favorite folder in.
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Here's the Optional MOLLE attachments for the rear of the Pants. Notice how it is offset and I have found a few loops that may prove too tight for most MOLLE straps...more on this later.
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I pulled some of the Mesh out in order to show how effective it should be at draining the pockets.
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Extra Stitching in the seat area is a welcomed addition. I own over a dozen sets of military camouflage and I haven't seen any that have this.
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Pant Cuff showing a close up of the "super material" and draw string.
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Here we have the Combat Top:
Ah... pure comfort. This is a very nice Combat Top and I look forward to testing it some this summer under my plate carrier. The Combat top features reinforcement at the removable Elbow Pads and the entire shoulder area with the "Super Material."
Features two large pockets on both sleeves that are larger than the standard ACU pocket, also includes 2 smaller forearm pockets designed for range cards. Near these pockets you have the Pen/Glowstick pockets similar to those found on the ACU style. Mandarin Style collar with a zipper and the shirt is made from a non-melt, non-drip, wicking anti-micron material.
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Close up the removable Elbow Pads.
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Forearm pocket opened. Notice both shirt cuffs have drawstrings as well.
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The "Super Material" found on the Shoulder area running up to the Mandarin Collar.
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The Garrison Top.
The Garrison top top features reinforcement at the Elbow Pads and the entire shoulder area with the "Super Material, same as the Combat Top"
Features two large pockets on both sleeves that are larger than the standard ACU pocket, also includes 2 smaller forearm pockets designed for range cards and two slanted Large chest pockets. Rounding out the pockets are the pockets you have for the Pen/Glowstick pockets similar to those found on the ACU style. Also like the ACU, it has the zippered front with velcro, and dual velcro name tag areas.
One thing different on mine than what they advertise is that my Elbow Pads are NOT removable, nor is there any padding.
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Close up of the Collar.
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Velcro on the Chest pocket.
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Close up of the Elbow area featuring the "Super Material."
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All for now, but I will be editing this and updating it as I go along. A special thanks to one of our members who put me in contact with Bulldog, not sure he wants his name known, but you know who you are! I appreciate it |
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