Soldier 2017

[DeV]

IMHO the IPDPM is fine, maybe a bit dark but otherwise fine. The workmanship can be questionable, I'm not aware of issues with the quality of the material.

It issue for me is the design and suitability for intended purpose

[BorderBandit]

It's not the pattern itself I've wondered about it's just before I joined the forum I remember reading through the soldier 2010 thread one day and the gist of it seemed to be that everything was moved away from being operation friendly to being suited more for parade and stuff, I agree with what Apod said about standardising the first aid carriage by giving them the same pockets (ubac style I'm guessing??)

[BorderBandit]

Our current DPM pattern is well suited to the Irish and european environments.No need to change it just to buy into the multicam craze.
Besides as the saying goes "If everyone is special,no one is".
The design IS in need of an update as it has been in service 18 years now without only a few "tweaks" along the way.
The incoming modified DPM items should take care of that.
My ideal would be from a mostly practical standpoint.
Standardise the sleeve pockets on all our field dress items to make carriage of Trauma kit SOP no matter what your outer layer is.
Waterproofs that actually are.
Standardise velcro on the sleeves for all patches to reduce tailoring.
Modular and scalable body armour.
Brown combat boots that can be worn at home and overseas.(better cam and cooler in the heat)
other than that wadi the proposed changes to the shirt and trouser pockets as they make no sense.

Brown brown like the BA's boots or like tan brown like the ones our lads get given for arid deployments?

[apod]

Look at the pictures posted of the new style smock and the UBACS. They both have angled sleeve pockets.
The smock has omitted the blanking plates and velcro on the pockets which is a mistake .
Now compare that to the shirt,which will now only have a semi useful pen pocket on the left sleeve and nothing else.All to keep the office boys and females happy.
The new waterproofs have a sleeve pocket on each sleeve but they are not the same design as the UBAC/smock and are of limited use.

[BorderBandit]

That makes no sense? It's like it's designed by several committees for several different purposes?? surely the lack of commonality means we actually end up spending more than saving?

[apod]

Brown brown like the BA's boots or like tan brown like the ones our lads get given for arid deployments?

MoD brown. Already on issue with our lads in Mali.
Desert tan boots no longer on issue.

[BorderBandit]

So will this be the withdrawal of the black boots now?

[apod]

So will this be the withdrawal of the black boots now?

That's what is being mooted.
Brown boots on trial at the moment.No word yet on if they will just be for field use or Bks wear also.

[apod]

Got my hands on the new FR UBACS the other day.
The sleeve material is ripstop and feels waaaaaay heavier than the current items sleeves.Also anecdotally both this items and the new t-shirts are supposedly warmer than the current DPM ones.

On another note the boot trials are due to finish soon with a view to equipping next summers rotations to UNIFIL and UNDOF to start.

[DeV]

Warmer than the DPM driflos etc?

[apod]

Supposedly, but yet more comfortable and breathable. Funny one I know.
I will wait out until I get new kit next year before giving my own opinion.
I am still interested to see if we are going brown across the board RE Boots. Gonna make my Black Lowas obsolete overnight if we do.

[Buck]

Supposedly, but yet more comfortable and breathable. Funny one I know.
I will wait out until I get new kit next year before giving my own opinion.
I am still interested to see if we are going brown across the board RE Boots. Gonna make my Black Lowas obsolete overnight if we do.

A pair of lowas is never a bad thing to have knocking around!

[apod]

Only if you are allowed wear them!

[Buck]

Civvy street! Hiking, camping, walking, etc.

[apod]

So.2018 here we are.I wonder how long it's gonna be before we see people wearing the new style kit?

[na grohmití]

In barracks, or in civvy street?
It still surprises me the number of builders who think that DPM trousers make for good workwear.

[Hobo hunter]

Heard rumours of plate carriers being looked at?

[apod]

Heard rumours of plate carriers being looked at?

Their is a Body armour review board sitting.Plate carriers are just one of the ideas being looked at.

[Bam Bam]

Knowing the DF the option selected will be plastic bags filled with spoons sellotaped to a toilet seat.

[HavocIRL]

knowing the df the option selected will be plastic bags filled with spoons sellotaped to a toilet seat.

opsec!!!!

[holdfast]

I am looking for new boots as my meindls are over 10 years need replacing. But which color to buy ? are the brown been issued

[UniSol]

I am looking for new boots as my meindls are over 10 years need replacing. But which color to buy ? are the brown been issued

I bought a pair of these last year and am very pleased with them. Half the weight of the Meindls

https://www.greatoutdoors.ie/shop/sa...tx-forces-boot

[holdfast]

Good boots alright, couple of guys at the barracks have them. But unsure about the black color if we change.

[apod]

I am looking for new boots as my meindls are over 10 years need replacing. But which color to buy ? are the brown been issued

Hold out buying anything for the moment if I were you. No point buying black if they go obsolete overnight and the resale market collapses.

DFCC are being quiet at the moment so I will update once I know more.

[holdfast]

I will hold out, might get an update as I will be talking to one of the logs officers heading overseas soon.