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.