Page 153 – RECOIL OFFGRID

Review: Kitanica Mark IV Jacket

Posted on September 17, 2017 at 6:00 am.

In This Article

Kitanica's History
Kitanica Mark IV Specs & Features
Our Review of the Mark IV Jacket
Bonus Review: Kitanica RSP Pants

Chitin is a fibrous material that's the main constituent of the exoskeletons found on insects and crustaceans. If you've ever tried to smash a beetle or pierce a crab's hard shell, you'll know just how tough this chitinous armor can be. However, these exoskeletons don't slow arthropods down. They're naturally lightweight, and equipped with articulated joints that allow these organisms to remain fast and agile.

Beetle insect bug leaf exoskeleton armor chitin 1

Insect exoskeletons are made up of hard chitin. Photo: Katja Schulz – Flickr.com/treegrow

Kitanica, a California-based outdoor apparel manufacturer, drew inspiration from this naturally-occurring armor. The influence is evident in its brand name, its geometric beetle logo, and the distinctive designs of its outdoor apparel. Kitanica aims to equip its customers with gear that's as tough as an exoskeleton, but also flexible, light, and comfortable enough for everyday use.

Kitanica's History

The company was founded in 1995 by three family members: Beej Cronin, his brother Chris Cronin, and their cousin Leonard Riccio. That same year, the trio developed a jacket which would later come to be called the Kitanica Mark IV.

Kitanica Mark IV jacket Brush pants review 37

Kitanica's first-gen Mark IV was conceived in 1995.

The original Mark IV jacket featured a zippered front with four buckles, asymmetrical pouch-style pockets, articulated padding, and a tall collar. Its aggressive design certainly turned some heads, and even caught the attention of TV presenter Adam Savage, who often wore the jacket while filming Mythbusters episodes.

OFFGRID best of SHOT Show awards Kitanica Mark IV jacket 7v2

The newly-redesigned Mark IV features a sleeker exterior and elbow pad compatibility.

In 2016, 21 years after its inception, Kitanica went back to the drawing board and fully redesigned the Mark IV. The new Kitanica Mark IV shows clear inspiration from the original design, but offers a sleeker appearance, new features, and more durable materials.

Kitanica Mark IV Specs & Features

Like all Kitanica apparel, the redesigned Mark IV is made in America at the company's Oakland, CA headquarters. Its materials are also domestically-produced. We found the workmanship to be outstanding, with nary a stray thread or loose stitch anywhere on the jacket.

The Mark IV's outer shell is constructed from Ranger Green 1000-denier CORDURA nylon — if you're not familiar with the denier metric, it means that the fabric is incredibly dense. For reference, this is the same type of material that's used as the basis of many tactical backpacks and plate carriers. The nylon shell is also coated with urethane, which causes water to bead up and run off its surface.

The 4-ply lining consists of Taslan woven nylon and breathable mesh. The Mark IV remains a front-zip like the original design, but the predecessor's large buckles have been replaced with low-profile mil-spec brass snaps. There's a 3-inch by 5-inch area of MOLLE-compatible nylon webbing on the left forearm, and the zippers throughout the jacket are all name-brand YKK products.

On the back side, the Mark IV features Kitanica's signature articulated padding, which is reminiscent of the brand's exoskeleton inspiration. Dense foam inserts in these segments cushion the wearer's spine from impacts and bruises, but don't impede natural movement of the back.

Double-layer pockets on each elbow are compatible with Kitanica's articulated elbow pad inserts. Velcro cuff closures and cinch straps behind the hip area reduce loss of body heat in cold weather.

When it comes to pockets, let's just say the Kitanica Mark IV has you covered — literally. There are pockets and pouches all over the interior and exterior:

Front: deep diagonal-zip pockets on each side
Left Chest: large vertical-zip pocket
Right Chest: large vertical-zip pocket, small velcro pouch
Left Arm: vertical-zip pockets on upper and lower arm, admin pouch (holds 3 pens, flashlights/chem lights, or small tools), MOLLE-compatible expansion panel
Right Arm: vertical-zip pocket, 3″ by 4.5″ velcro patch area
Inside: vertical-zip pockets and mesh pouches on either side

The Mark IV is currently only available in this Ranger Green color, and sizes range from small to XX-large. A sizing chart is available on Kitanica's web site, and we recommend taking precise measurements before placing an order to ensure the jacket will fit you properly. (Note: This reviewer, pictured below, is 6'5″ tall. So the jacket may appear shorter in these photos than it would on an average-height individual.)

Our Review of the Mark IV Jacket

After spotting the redesigned Mark IV at SHOT Show in January, our initial impressions of the jacket led us to select it as one of our Best Products of SHOT Show 2017. However, now that we've had some time to wear the jacket and evaluate it thoroughly, we'll share our thoughts below.

Putting on the Kitanica Mark IV for the first time, you'll immediately notice how tough it feels. It's more akin to abrasion-resistant motorcycle apparel than traditional outdoor gear — in fact, we think it'd work quite well as a motorcycle jacket, especially with the optional elbow pads. But this is a survivalist publication, so we'll focus on how it fared in the outdoors.

The 1000D CORDURA exterior does a great job of repelling dirt and moisture, and provides good insulation for cold weather. We haven't taken it into a sub-zero environment yet, so we can't speak to its lower temperature limits, but it should serve well as an outer shell in bitter cold with properly-layered undergarments or a Kitanica fleece liner. As for the upper temperature limits, we'd say it's comfortable up to the mid-60°F range during moderate activity. Anything more than that and you'll start to sweat profusely.

While the nylon construction yields excellent protection from bumps, scrapes, and the elements, it's noticeably heavier and less flexible than a traditional cold-weather jacket. That's not to say it impeded our ability to hike or move around normally in the outdoors, but you won't exactly forget that you're wearing a thick shell, either.

More than a dozen pockets and pouches make this jacket an asset for for bushcraft, survival, or even a fall or winter day at the range. It's just up to the wearer to find gear to put in each of these compartments, and to organize it in a memorable fashion. The chest pockets accommodate gloves and a beanie, while the arm pockets can be used for maps, a compass, and other navigational tools.

From a gray man perspective, this jacket clearly stands out in a crowd, and it'll even turn the heads of passersby in the backcountry. Depending on the message you're looking to send, and the apparel worn by those around you, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, the Mark IV certainly makes a bold visual statement. You might even feel like you're walking off the set of an action movie — Kitanica gear has been featured on the silver screen in The Fate of the Furious, Jumanji, and Captain America: Civil War.

Now for the elephant in the room: the Mark IV will set you back $669. Before you spit out your coffee, remember that it's an American-made jacket built from top-shelf materials with incredibly intricate construction and stitching throughout. That simply doesn't come cheap. Also, we have no doubt whatsoever that this jacket will last for many decades of use and abuse — it might even be an economical choice if you're tearing up $200 jackets every few years.

Overall, we found the Kitanica Mark IV to be a great choice for cool-weather outdoor treks. Like any apparel, there's a tradeoff between protection and weight/flexibility — this jacket favors the former. Its price may also be a deal-breaker for budget-oriented preppers. But the Mark IV certainly feels just as solid and durable as we'd hoped, looks like nothing else on the market, and is made in the USA to a high standard of quality.

Kitanica Mark IV jacket Brush pants review 35

The Mark IV stowed nicely inside the transporter tail on our Triple Aught Design FAST Pack EDC.

Pros:

Extremely tough, like a cross between motorcycle apparel, workwear, and an outdoor jacket
Versatile pocket configuration with tons of storage space
Good insulation and water-resistance for cold-weather use
Distinctive appearance makes a bold style statement

Cons:

Price may make it unattainable for many survivalists
Dense nylon shell is durable, but also heavier and less flexible than other cold-weather jackets
Distinctive appearance can also draw unwanted attention in many settings

Bonus Review: Kitanica RSP Pants

As you may have noticed from the photos above, we also requested a pair of khaki Kitanica RSP pants to test alongside the jacket. While they're not the primary focus of this review, we'll also share some feedback on our experience with these pants.

The RSPs are constructed from durable 50/50 nylon-cotton (nyco) ripstop fabric. The black pocket corners are made from wear-resistant CORDURA fabric, which is designed to stand up to abrasion from the clips of folding knives, flashlights, and other EDC gear. We found the materials to be tough and comfortable enough for longer multi-day hikes. The nylon-cotton blend provides a good middle ground of breathability and toughness.

These pants feature 8 pockets, most noticeably the low-profile cargo pockets on each thigh. The asymmetrical design offers a good variety of storage compartments, from the bug logo pocket (the perfect size for an Altoids tin) to the larger snap, velcro, and zippered pouches. It's always easy to remember where your gear is stowed, and when the pockets are empty, they don't balloon out like those on old-school cargo pants.

One point worth noting is the importance of taking waist measurements (yes, using a tape measure) before ordering these pants. Do not assume that if you normally wear pants labeled with a 36-inch waist size, you should order that size from Kitanica. Measure your waist, check the Sizing Information tab on the product page, and order accordingly.

This reviewer requested a 36-inch waist, but in retrospect, a 38-inch waist would've been preferable. The velcro cinch straps allow the wearer to downsize the waist by as much as 3 inches, so heed Kitanica's advice: “when in doubt, go with the larger size.” The pants we received still fit comfortably, but don't offer as much room for cinch strap adjustments as a larger size would have.

Also, Kitanica pants are typically only available in one standard leg length: 34 inches. Most buyers will need to get them hemmed to fit, or roll the excess. If you need a size longer than 34 inches, Kitanica sometimes offers special runs of 37-inch-leg pants.

The Kitanica RSPs retail for $149, and are available in black, khaki, and navy blue. Sizes range from 30×34 to 42×34, though availability varies based on color. Overall, our experience with the RSP pants was positive, and we're looking forward to wearing them on more adventures in the future.

Pros:

The nylon-cotton ripstop fabric provides an excellent balance of breathability and wear-resistance.
Kitanica's asymmetrical pocket design is intuitive and offers good organization.
Pockets expand to carry larger items comfortably, but remain slim and flush with the body when empty.

Cons:

Only available in 34-inch leg length, so you'll likely need to get these hemmed or roll the cuffs.
The metal zipper pull on the right cargo pocket jingles as you walk. If this bothers you, you can cut it off with tin snips and add some paracord.
Proper sizing requires careful waist measurement and cross-referencing with the sizing chart. We recommend ordering one size larger than you'd normally wear, and using the cinch straps to adjust down to your size.

Aiming at Entry-Level AR-15s for Survivalists

Posted on September 15, 2017 at 9:00 am.

Written by Patrick Vuong

In This Article

Entry Level AR-15 Advantages
Entry Level AR-15 Disadvantages
Should You Buy It?
Should You Build It?
What About Turnkey?
Bought
Built
Turnkeyed
Dry Storage
Tool Kit
Conclusion
More From Issue 22

Additional text by Steven Kuo. Photos by Firelance Media, Patrick Vuong, and Steven Kuo

Picture the worst of the worst. Another Hurricane Harvey catastrophe. Maybe a man-made crisis akin to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Or perhaps it's one of those end-of-days scenarios — say, a pandemic — in which you're forced to flee to your secret bug-out property. After seeking shelter and making sure your loved ones have plenty of food and water, you focus on the next necessity: fire … and firepower.

In many survival situations, having a firearm (and knowing how to use it) may prove the difference between seeing a new dawn and, well, death. And when it comes to guns for survivalists, the AR-15 is an excellent choice. Mike Pannone, a veteran of both U.S. Army and Marine Corps special operations units and owner of CTT Solutions, says, “The AR is hands down the best survival rifle out there. It's arguably the most forgiving modular system that's ever been created.”

Eugene Stoner's design is a jack-of-all-trades. An AR-15 can be set up in almost endless configurations to suit a variety of applications.

“The AR-15 is many guns in one,” says Kevin Estela, founder and lead survival instructor at Estela Wilderness Education. “With a single lower receiver, the survivalist can have one upper receiver set up as a carbine, another as a lightweight precision rifle, and another in a different caliber like .300 BLK, .458 SOCOM, or .50 Beowulf.”

It's this adaptability that makes the AR-15 a go-to firearm for preppers and survivalists. After all, adaptation is just a synonym for survival.

With that said, we're zeroing in on entry-level AR-15s that won't cost more than a grand. After all, not every prepper can fork over two G's for a badass rifle. Most of us working-class stiffs need to maintain a financial reserve for other necessities, such as rent and weekly groceries — let alone a six-month food cache and medical supplies. So, whether you're looking to spend no more than $1,000 on your first AR-15 project or eyeing another gun that won't implode your wallet, here are a few factors to consider before expanding your SHTF arsenal.

Entry Level AR-15 Advantages

Portability: AR-15s are available in handy and lightweight configurations; Pannone explains, “They make great mountain rifles.” An AR-15's upper and lower receivers can be separated and stored in a case or backpack in a matter of seconds. While it's not as concealable as a pistol, a broken-down carbine is far more portable than, say, an over-and-under shotgun, despite advocacy for the latter by certain former vice presidents.

Modularity: The AR-15 is the LEGO of the firearms world. No other powder-burning platform offers this type of customization. A survivalist can buy a bone-stock carbine for about $600 and — depending on your wallet size — dress it up or down for all sorts of occasions. Are you a shorter dude? Slide the telescoping buttstock forward and swap out the grip for one that fits your hand. Depleted your food cache and need to hunt before winter hits? Install a magnified optic and go forth. You could swap in a 6.5 Grendel upper receiver or just use 5.56 — it wasn't designed for it but can definitely harvest larger game. If stealth is a priority because you're afraid marauders might trace you back to your bug-out location, slip on a suppressor.

Lightweight and easy to handle, the AR-15 has enough firepower to handle a number of post-SHTF functions.

Shootability: The AR platform is renowned for its ergonomics and shootability. “Rifles are inherently more accurate than pistols,” Estela says. “Your average AR shooter can become as proficient as, if not more accurate than, an above-average handgun marksman.”

Frank Proctor, founder of Way of the Gun and an 18-year Army veteran (with 11 of them in Special Forces) echoes this sentiment: “ARs are easy to shoot, and they have tons of capability. It's hard work to maintain your competency with pistols.”

Serviceability: In a survival scenario, the ability to service and repair your weapon is critical. Pannone emphasizes how easy it is to work on ARs: “You can rebarrel an AR with a punch, screwdriver, pliers, and a hammer. Once, I built an AR using a Multitasker and a hammer.” Moreover, he adds that “parts are CNC machined; you can easily interchange them, you can cannibalize them.” All this is ideal for a survival rifle.

Ubiquity: The AR-15 and its cartridge are as commonplace as skinny jeans at a hipster convention. In the event of a post-SHTF scenario, you're more likely to find, or barter for, AR parts and 5.56 NATO rounds than more exotic ammo such as, say, .260 Remington. Estela adds that, due to its ubiquity, you're also more likely to know or encounter someone with gunsmithing knowledge who could help with repairs if needed when your gun goes down.

Entry Level AR-15 Disadvantages

Maintenance: Due to its direct impingement mechanism, the AR can get pretty dirty with heavy use. Keep it lubricated and exercise a modicum of care — especially in a post-SHTF world — and you'll be fine. How many sustained firefights do you expect to be in anyway? More likely scenarios include hunting and occasional defensive use. “If an AR's not in hard use,” Pannone says, “it'll last basically forever.”

Reliability: The AR platform is not based on a terribly complex mechanical system, but there are more things that can go wrong when compared to a simpler bolt-action rifle. AR magazines are a notorious weak point, but they're cheap and plentiful. Buy lots of spares and you'll be fine.

Should You Buy It?

When it comes to obtaining a budget-friendly AR-15, there are generally two routes: buy it or build it.

Purchasing a complete AR-15 is the way to go for many a prepper who doesn't have the time, tools, or know-how to build their own. With magazines and iron sights, a stock gun comes out of the box ready to do work, requiring no assembly or modifications. And with a price tag ranging from $500 to $800, it's within reach for most financially stable survivalists.

However, a stock carbine typically comes without two vital components: a sling and a weapon-mounted light. A sling for a long-gun is the equivalent of a holster for a handgun. It's a necessity — whether you have to bug out over steep terrain or go hands-free to carry your child. Having a weapon-mounted light on a survivalist's gun is absolutely essential as well.

“You gotta have a light,” Proctor stresses, “You need to see what you're shooting at.” This could make the difference between shooting a bad guy and shooting your coat hanger or, heaven forbid, a loved one.

To demonstrate how to overcome these drawbacks, our editor Patrick Vuong set out to prep a stock carbine for a total cost of $1,000 — or less.

The foundation for his budget AR project was the Aero Precision AC-15. This complete rifle has all the features you'd come to expect from a cost-efficient rifle that still maintains Mil-spec quality and is manufactured in the USA. It features a 16-inch 4150 chromoly vanadium barrel, carbine-length gas system, and a Magpul MBUS Rear Sight paired with the standard A2 flash hider. While it has an MSRP of $699, we've seen it online for $500.

We chose a $43 Vickers ONE Sling from Blue Force Gear because it's a lightweight model with a minimalist two-point design. This presented our first problem in the buy-versus-build debate: the AC-15 didn't have a sling attachment point in the front. While it came with a sling swivel installed on the buttstock, there was no corresponding mounting point on the fore-end. Enter Blue Force Gear's Universal Wire Loop for $25. Made of flexible nylon-coated stainless steel wire, this little device lets you attach a sling through eyelets, loops, slots, or any other opening on almost any long-gun.

Next up, we found our lighting solution in the Streamlight PolyTac. Unlike comparable models that cost two to four times as much, this reliable light puts out 275 lumens for a max of 65 hours and a range of 213 yards for just $69.

Now, the next complication: how to attach the light? Most entry-level carbines have just one Picatinny rail on the upper receiver. We could replace the standard M4-style handguard with a free-floating rail (to attach a light and other goodies), but we wanted to see what our options were, and how much we could save. So, we installed the TMC 1-Inch Light Mount-N-Slot at the 11 o'clock position. It attaches to the top vent holes on any standard M4/M16-style handguard using the included hardware and tools. It retails for $60, but we've seen some online vendors sell it for $50. This setup might feel a little cramped, but it works just fine.

With our project clocking in at $897 (or $657 in street prices), we were well under our $1,000 max. Success.

With the extra wiggle room, we added two additional parts that would greatly enhance the AC-15: a Bushnell TRS-25 HiRise red-dot optic and a JARD ARJ trigger kit. We recalculated. Our project would cost $1,045 based on paying retail but only $810 with street prices. That left $190 for ammo.

With some judicious online shopping and a few easy installations, we gave our stock AC-15 a mild face-lift that exponentially increased its functionality and performance. On the bench, the AC-15 pleasantly surprised us with 1.1 to 1.4 MOA 5-shot groups with Freedom 55-grain and an impressive 1 MOA best group with Gorilla 69-grain Sierra Match Kings. (An MOA is an angular unit of measurement that equates to roughly 1 inch at 100 yards.) With a carbine-length gas system on a 16-inch barrel, it's jumpy and rough (for an AR) but reliably ate everything we fed it.

Should You Build It?

While our head editor chose to buy an AR, contributing editor Steven Kuo sought superior results by building his own. By investing some sweat equity, you can configure your rifle exactly to your desired specs with the specific components you want — no need to swap out parts you didn't ask for in the first place. If you're patient, you can slowly collect all the parts you need by taking advantage of promotions and sales to keep your costs down.

But we offer a note of caution as well — if you're building your own survival rifle, be sure that you're willing to stake your life on your handiwork. Proctor suggests that “if someone knows what they're doing, DIY is a good way to go.” But he notes that of the rifle malfunctions he observes in his classes, many are the result of students who made mistakes in assembling their own weapons. The more experience and practice you have at it, the better.

Plan your build carefully and channel your most OCD self when putting it together. Then run your gun hard and make sure it's up to the task.

For this DIY project, we had a target budget of $1,000 at street prices. That's tough to achieve and, as always, involves making some trade-offs. Generally speaking for this build, we focused on creating a solid foundation that could continue to be upgraded over time. For instance, the basic furniture can easily be replaced as funds allow.

Building your own AR allows you to select that just-right-mix of parts and features that'll best serve your needs.

We started with a receiver set from Anderson Manufacturing that was very economically priced. Because we're detail-oriented gun nerds, we stripped it down and threw it on a Bridgeport mill with a digital readout to check that everything was in spec. First, the bad news: The castle nut on the complete lower receiver wasn't staked and easily spun off the receiver extension. However, that was simple to remedy. The good news: All dimensions and holes were completely within spec.

As a general purpose survival rifle, our goal was to build a handy, light, reliable, unfussy, jack-of-all-trades. Going with an 18-inch barrel with rifle-length gas system meant that we'd enjoy good muzzle velocity and have a forgiving and soft-shooting gun. Pannone notes that “20-inch barrels are very forgiving, and while 18-inchers lose some gas pressure, if the gas port is cut right, it doesn't matter.” We tested our Faxon Gunner-profile 18-inch barrel with light loads, and it ran like a top. Furthermore, it was very controllable with a soft recoil impulse using standard components — no need and no desire for adjustable gas blocks, lightweight bolt carrier groups, and custom buffers in a survival rifle. We paired it with AIM Surplus's black nitrided Mil-spec bolt carrier group, a cinch to maintain.

The Faxon barrel liked 55-grain ammo, turning in 1.2 to 1.5 MOA 5-shot groups. Our 69-grain match ammo didn't fare quite as well, with groups ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 MOA.

An extra long Nordic Components handguard perfectly sheathes the 18-inch barrel and provides a lot of real estate for accessories and the shooter's support hand. The economical and bright Streamlight TLR-1 HL perches comfortably at 12 o'clock on the rail, easily actuated by either hand.

Strike Industries offers a line of nicely designed AR parts at hard-to-beat prices, which we used to finish off the upper receiver and cap off the barrel with a muzzle brake. Then we took a Dremel and sandpaper — can't have a home gunsmithing project without breaking out the Dremel — to the stock A2 pistol grip to remove the annoying finger bump and save money on furniture. The Way of the Gun's Proctor Sling is low priced and extremely versatile, with smooth adjustment and built-in loops that can be easily attached to any weapon without any additional hardware. Note that it's a minimalist sling, so it doesn't have any padding that might ease your load on long treks.

With the limited remaining budget, a Bushnell TRS-25 HiRise completed the project. The optic was chosen for the DIY project independently of the AC-15 build, a testament to its popularity as a capable budget red-dot.

You might notice we haven't discussed the trigger (and that the photos show a stock trigger). Many on the editorial staff are trigger snobs, including yours truly, and high-end triggers are expensive. So the original intention was to leave the trigger for a future upgrade after securing additional funds. However, upon a recalculation of street prices after our photo shoot, we found enough leftover to splurge on the moderately priced ALG Defense ACT. It's like the ultimate Mil-spec trigger, with a clean, consistent break (ours at just over 5 pounds) and minimal overtravel. It gets the job done, is dead-nuts reliable, and was a great addition.

All told, we tallied up a street price of $1,008 and an MSRP of $1,288; sorry we're $8 over — skip that venti latte for a couple of days and you'll be fine. The total build as shown weighs in at a half ounce under 7 pounds. Given additional budget, we'd consider easily installed upgrades such as new furniture, a better trigger, and a low-power variable optic (budget aside, a trade-off in capability versus weight).

What About Turnkey?

In times past, AR consumers only had two options to get the rifle they wanted. The first was to purchase a stock carbine and upgrade it a la carte. This often leaves the buyer with extra parts that they won't use and can't get rid of. Adding or swapping out parts on an existing base gun can also lead to a lot of redundant purchasing.

Alternatively, you can “roll your own” as Steven did, and build the entire rig yourself. While this will get you exactly the specs you want, it takes hours upon hours of research to 1) figure out exactly what parts you want and 2) find them in stock at the right price. Franken-gun builds are often tedious and time consuming, with the physical construction of the rifle being the easiest part.

But manufacturers are beginning to put their fingers on the pulse of the market, and several are coming up with prepackaged solutions that include, out of the box, some of the more common aftermarket accessories.

SIG SAUER's M400 Elite is one such example of an “upgraded entry-level” offering. It comes with features not typically found on entry-level AR-15s: a red-dot sight, a free-floating handguard with low-profile M-LOK accessory mounting points, an enhanced factory trigger, more ergonomic grip and buttstock, and a 16-inch nitride barrel equipped with SIG's Micro-light Gas Block. If you were to assemble similar options on a stock gun, the total price could be closer to $1,800. SIG offers the M400 Elite for $1,359, or $1,200 without SIG's ROMEO5 sight.

We had the opportunity to test this rifle at the SIG Academy in New Hampshire and can attest to the quality of the parts installed.

The M400 Elite was comfortable to handle during a daylong rifle course, thanks to SIG's proprietary furniture and sleek handguard. Though the Enhanced SIG Trigger didn't wow us, it had no over-travel and the reset was short. Targets were quickly acquired with the ROMEO5's 2 MOA red-dot. And though we obviously didn't have five years to test its claim of a 40,000-hour battery life, the sight's motion-activated illumination is handy for power conservation, especially in long-term survival situations where you won't find a bounty of CR2032 batteries lying around.

Is it as elite as its name implies? No. But did we enjoy it? Quite a bit. If we had an extra $200 to $400 in our budget, we would seriously consider the M400 Elite as a convenient out-of-the-box alternative.

Bought

Aero Precision AC-15
Caliber	5.56 NATO
Barrel Length	16 inches
Overall Length	32 inches (collapsed) 35.25 inches (extended)
Weight (Unloaded)	7.48 pounds
Category	Product Name	MSRP	Street Price
Firearm	Aero Precision AC-15 www.aeroprecisionusa.com	$699	$500
Sling	Blue Force Gear Vickers ONE Sling www.blueforcegear.com	43	43
Sling Mount	Blue Force Gear Universal Wire Loop www.blueforcegear.com	25	25
Light	Streamlight PolyTac www.streamlight.com	69	38
Light Mount	Impact Weapons Components TMC 1-Inch Light Mount-N-Slot www.impactweaponscomponents.com	60	50
Optic	Bushnell TRS-25 HiRise www.bushnell.com	120	88
Trigger	Jard Inc. ARJ www.jardinc.com	65	65
		$1,082	$810

Built

Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Project
Caliber	5.56 NATO
Barrel Length	18 inches
Overall Length	34.25 inches (collapsed) 37.5 inches (extended)
Weight (Unloaded)	7 pounds
Category	Product Name	MSRP	Street Price
Lower	Anderson AM-15 complete lower www.andersonmanufacturing.com	$164	$160
Upper	Anderson AM-15 stripped upper www.andersonmanufacturing.com	52	40
Barrel	Faxon 18-inch Gunner, 5.56 NATO, Rifle-Length, 4150 QPQ www.faxonfirearms.com	185	142
Gas Block	Faxon gas block www.faxonfirearms.com	36	36
Gas Tube	Faxon rifle-length gas tube www.faxonfirearms.com	17	17
Handguard	Nordic Components NC-1 Free Float Handguard, XL Length www.nordiccomp.com	95	95
Handguard	Nordic Components Picatinny rail XL www.nordiccomp.com	46	46
Muzzle Device	Strike Checkmate Comp www.strikeindustries.com	40	35
BCG	AIM Surplus AR/M16 Nitride 9310 MPI Bolt Carrier Group www.aimsurplus.com	90	90
Ejection Door	Strike Industries AR Enhanced Ultimate Dust Cover www.strikeindustries.com	16	13
Charging Handles	Strike Industries AR Charging Handle with Extended Latch www.strikeindustries.com	36	32
Forward Assist	Strike Industries AR Forward Assist www.strikeindustries.com	16	15
Trigger	ALG Defense ACT www.geissele.com	69	65
Optic	Bushnell TRS-25 HiRise www.bushnell.com	158	84
Light	Streamlight TLR-1 HL www.streamlight.com	239	110
Sling	Way of the Gun Proctor Sling	29	29
		1,288	1,008

Turnkeyed

SIG SAUER M400 Elite
Caliber	5.56 NATO
Barrel Length	16 inches
Overall Length	32 inches (collapsed) 35.2 inches (extended)
Weight (Unloaded)	7.3 pounds
Category	Product Name	MSRP
Firearm	SIG SAUER M400 Elite www.sigsauer.com	$1,200
Firearm and Optic	SIG SAUER M400 Elite with ROMEO5 red-dot sight www.sigsauer.com	$1,359

Dry Storage

Having a gun is just one part of the survival equation. The other is ammunition — and lots of it.

Cabela's makes it convenient to order the ammo and store it for the long haul with the Herter's Select-Grade Bulk Rifle Ammunition with Dry-Storage Box combo. Select from almost two dozen calibers — from .223 to .338 — each with a set quantity. For example, you can get either 200 or 500 rounds of 55-grain .223. The Herter's ammo comes with a Cabela's Dry-Storage Box, a heavy-duty waterproof container that's designed for easy stacking and long-term storage. Prices range from $80 to $380.
www.cabelas.com

Tool Kit

You don't have to be a gunsmith to repair your rifle, but you do need the right tools. Sorry, but duct tape and a four-piece Craftsman screwdriver set won't cut it. Fortunately, the AR-15/M16 Critical Tools Kit from Brownells contains the most essential items needed to fix, tinker, or tune up your carbine. This includes an armorer's wrench (needed to install and remove a barrel), a lower receiver vise block (to hold the receiver to a vise without damaging it), and a heavy-duty clamshell upper receiver action block (which fits AR-15s with either a carry handle or a flattop rail), among other key tools — all of which are made in the USA. The kit retails for $110.
www.brownells.com

Conclusion

An AR-15 is like a Jeep: classic, dependable, and versatile. You can modify it into a beast or get a SHTF-worthy blaster right off the shelf. Few guns give a survivalist that kind of freedom. But keep in mind obtaining a rifle is just the start.

“Owning an AR isn't enough to call yourself a ‘survivalist,'” Estela says. “There are far too many people who spend more time choosing accessories than training marksmanship, malfunction drills, and transitions between weapons. Unfamiliarity and lack of firearm proficiency are a recipe for failure, not survival. Also, if your survival plan is to fight with your rifle, incorporate dynamic movement and red-line training into your readiness plan to get into fighting shape.”

So, like in most aspects of survivalism, the AR-15's potential is limited by its owner. Whether you're hunting for food after your cache runs out, patrolling your doomsday property, fighting off desperate raiders, or just in need of a reliable means of home defense when society is still civil, a carbine is a reliable foundation to build on. How you do that — whether paying with cash or sweat equity — is entirely up to you. Just be sure to do it before the next disaster strikes.

More From Issue 22

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Curated Offers: 3 Plasma Lighters That Are Worth Checking Out

Posted on September 14, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

Written by Offgrid Staff

Man discovered fire a long time ago, and since that time, we've definitely made some improvements. As it turns out, we don't actually need a spark from flint and steel to create fire anymore. Instead, we can create flames through the use of plasma beams. And the best part: they're rechargeable. So if you're in the market for a new lighter, here are a few plasma ones that can replace your disposables.

Saberlight Rechargeable Plasma Lighter

Imagine Humphrey Bogart lighting a cigarette in 2017—he would definitely be using a Saberlight Rechargeable Plasma Lighter. Whether outside, passing through the TSA check line, or in a private eye's office, this plasma lighter has got you covered. Its clean, butane-free light, paired with its classic flip-design and wind-resistance, make this the ultimate, go-to style.

Buy Now: Class it up for $15.95, 84% off the list price. Or pick up a two pack for $29.99.

Plazmatic VEO Flameless USB Lighter

The Plazmatic VEO Flameless USB Lighter isn't just a lighter, it's a godsend. Style-wise, it's available in a host of colors. Functionality-wise, it's only available in one type: versatile. Windproof, rechargeable and open-top design, this lighter will light anything from cigarettes to the bottom of a jar-candle.

Buy Now: Light anything for only $36.99—that's a savings of 37%

Saberlight Thunderblade Tactical Arc Lighter

Plasma beam lighter? Check. USB plug-in for recharging? Check. Partially-serrated knife? Checkmate. The Saberlight Thunderblade Tactical Arc Lighter is an investment. Specifically, it's an investment in your survival. Not only does this lighter include a partially-serrated knife, it features an integrated USB plug and a 2mm steel ball at its base in case of emergency.

Buy Now: Plan for your survival with 48% off this lighter—just $25.99.

Infographic: Improving Your Posture to Fight Back Pain

Posted on September 14, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Physical fitness is essential for survival, but there's more to it than spending all day pumping iron to build muscle. You also need proper nutrition to keep your body running strong, and you need to stay flexible to avoid muscle and joint pain.

Working out builds strength, but stretching and maintaining good posture can help you avoid injury. Photo: Kevin Estela

Those who have experienced a bad sprain or extreme muscle cramping know exactly how debilitating these injuries can be during everyday activities — just imagine how much worse they'd be when you're carrying a heavy bug-out bag and trying to escape a dangerous situation.

Stretching can relieve muscle pain and stiffness, but it can't repair damage that has already been done.

Back pain affects 50 to 80 percent of American adults, and severe cases can make it all but impossible to even stand up. Obviously, this isn't the sort of injury you want during an emergency, so you should take steps to alleviate it during your daily routine. Back injuries often build up over weeks, months, and years, so taking a few small steps in the right direction now can save you decades of anguish down the road.

Ambulance hospital medical trauma first responder accident

You can't afford to be sidelined by back pain during a disaster, so take steps now to prevent it.

Maintaining good posture is one way to avoid back pain, since it prevents strain on your muscles, joints, and circulatory system. The following infographic from Greatist shows the physical effects of bad posture, its causes, and the dos and don'ts of posture in various body positions. Click here to download a full-size version of this graphic.

RECOILtv: Iguana Hunting with Air Rifles

Posted on September 13, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Invasive species, such as lionfish and wild boar, can be a major threat to the natural pecking order when they're introduced to a new environment. Often, these animals have no natural predators, or they simply reproduce too quickly and out-compete rival species. This leads to damage to plant and animal life, and can even have a negative impact on the livelihoods of local farmers and ranchers.

Recoiltv iguana hunting air rifle gun weapon food 6

Mango crops in Puerto Rico have been damaged by the out-of-control iguana population.

Despite these issues, there's one upside to the invasive species problem: they're an ideal target for hunting. By going after these species, hunters can help the environment by reducing the species' population, and also put a steady supply of meat on the table. That's a win-win.

In Puerto Rico, iguanas are considered an invasive species. While some may see these large lizards as pets, on the island they gobble up bananas, mangoes, and other valuable fruit crops. This has led the government to welcome bands of hunters, called iguaneros, to cull the population. Luckily, iguanas are packed with edible meat, which some say is similar to chicken.

A few months ago, RECOIL editor Iain Harrison traveled to Puerto Rico to participate in some iguana hunting. He met up with Ray Moore, of Hatsan, who provided some high-tech air rifles for the excursion.

Check out the 8-minute RECOILtv video below for a recap of the hunt, from jungle to table:

For more new firearms news, reviews, and hunting videos, follow RECOILtv.

Curated Offers: This 4K Action Cam Makes A Great Outdoor Companion

Posted on September 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

Written by Offgrid Staff

As much as we try to make it so, no memory is ever quite like the real experience. Luckily though, we live in an age where professional high-definition camera equipment is readily available, making it incredibly easy to relive our favorite adventures. Whatever the scenario, the XtremePro 4K Ultra HD Action Cam is ready to capture the insanity. Snowboarding? Mountain biking marathon? Hunt with the boys? Jet ski shark chase? This camera comes with over 20 mounts so you can hook it up to record any kind of extreme activity you're getting into.

With 4K recording capabilities and 12-megapixel still photo resolution via a wireless wrist remote, you have the ability to record high definition footage from a camera that fits in the palm of your hand. And if your hands aren't free, no worries. The mounts and accessories will let you attach it to a helmet, stick it on your car's dashboard or take it up to 98 feet underwater. Plus, a built-in WiFi connection lets you mirror the camera's screen on your mobile device for live previews of shots.

You can grab an XtremePro 4K Ultra HD Action Cam with Mounts for just $69.99, over half off the original $149.99 price tag.

Video: 3 Levels of Vehicle Emergency Gear

Posted on September 12, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

How much time each week do you spend in your vehicle? If you have a long commute to work, or often travel or run errands on the weekends, you may be spending many hours behind the wheel. On top of this, consider all the time you're spending away from home. During these hours spent at work, at school, or shopping, your vehicle is both your escape route and your gear cache.

AWD vs 4x4 off road vehicle jeep suv truck 5

If your vehicle is damaged or breaks down, the gear inside can help you quickly repair it and get back on the road.

It's only a matter of time until an emergency will occur in the vicinity of your vehicle, so you should prepare accordingly. This is why it's wise to build a kit of essential vehicle emergency gear, and keep it in your car or truck at all times.

The kit should encompass automotive tools — jumper cables, tow straps, work gloves, wrenches, pliers, and so on — as well as food, water, and other survival supplies you might find in a bug-out or get-home bag.

TinMan Bushcraft is a YouTube channel based in central Europe, and focused primarily on wilderness survival and bushcrafting. In the following video, the host shows off his vehicle emergency gear, which is separated into three tiers:

Tier 1 – small items, accessible from driver's seat
Tier 2 – basic automotive emergency tools, accessible even when the trunk is fully-loaded
Tier 3 – more tools and gear for long-term survival, stowed under the trunk floor

This three-tier system is an interesting approach, since it provides the fastest access to items that might be necessary in the first seconds after a collision, such as a flashlight and seatbelt cutter. It also translates to almost any type of car or truck — while an apocalypse-ready bug-out rig might be useful in some situations, even the most ordinary commuter cars can (and should) be fitted with emergency kits.

What does your vehicle emergency gear consist of? Let us know in the comments what you'd add to or remove from this YouTuber's loadout.

Review: Benchmade 1100 Damasteel Tactical Pen

Posted on September 11, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In Issue 22, on sale October 6th, we're launching a new recurring feature called Pocket Preps. This department will feature buyer's guides for various types of pocket-sized every-day carry gear, from multi-tools and carabiners to handkerchiefs and bottle-openers. In our first instance of Pocket Preps, we featured eight tactical pens, including the Benchmade 1100 series aluminum pen.

Bottom: the Benchmade 1101-1 aluminum pen. Top: the 1100-13 Damasteel pen.

Bottom: the Benchmade 1101-1 aluminum pen from our print buyer's guide. Top: the 1100-13 Damasteel pen.

When we started researching Benchmade's tactical pen offerings, we noticed aluminum, stainless, and titanium models — but there's one pen that stands apart from all of these. The Benchmade 1100 Damasteel tactical pen (model 1100-13) exhibits a distinctive marbled appearance as a result of its special composition.

As those who recognize the name might suspect, the Benchmade 1100 Damasteel is made from the material of the same moniker. Damasteel is a Swedish brand of Damascus steel, a pattern-welded material composed of alternating layers of different metals. Once the layered steel is carefully forge-welded and acid-etched, it creates a beautiful marbled pattern.

Specifically, the Benchmade 1100 Damasteel uses a layering pattern known as Bluetongue. The cross-section features dozens of tiny concentric rings, creating ovals near the tip and tail cap, and a streaked appearance along the sides of the pen.

Aesthetics aside, the 1100 Damasteel is functionally similar to the 1100 aluminum pen we reviewed in print. Its American-machined and -assembled body features the same fluted and knurled texture, and its dimensions and deep carry clip are identical. As we mentioned in the print article, we like the way the clip positions these pens deep in the pocket, but weren't as enthusiastic about how it tightly grips and clings to your pocket hem.

Benchmade Damasteel 1100-13 tactical pen 3

The 1100 Damasteel looks great next to our Benchmade Presidio II folding knife.

Benchmade includes a Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge in your choice of black or blue. Like the company's stainless and titanium pens, and unlike the aluminum variant, it doesn't include a glass breaker option.

The primary functional differences between the 1100 Damasteel and its aluminum counterpart are appearance, weight, and price. We've already covered the stunning etched finish, so we'll address the other two.

This pen weighs 3.2 ounces, 60% more than the aluminum pen, so it feels very substantial in hand. Writing with the pen is smooth, though it may not be as fast as you'd expect if you're not used to heavy writing instruments.

The Benchmade 1100 Damasteel at an MSRP of $300, although street prices from most online retailers are $255. That's more than many of Benchmade's knives, so this is clearly a premium product for a small pool of buyers.

Most tactical pen shoppers will opt for the $125 aluminum or $185 stainless models, but it's still cool to see Benchmade offering this high-end Damasteel model for those who are looking for a more unique EDC item. And we were pleased to find this pen fulfills its prime directive — it writes effortlessly.

For more info on the Benchmade 1100 Damasteel tactical pen, go to Benchmade.com. For our review of the Presidio II (570) folding knife seen in some of these photos, read our Folding Knife Buyer's Guide from Issue 20.

Interview: Megan Hine & Her Book “Mind of a Survivor”

Posted on September 10, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In Issue 22 of our magazine, we interviewed Megan Hine, a full-time survival consultant and expedition leader from the U.K. Megan has proven her survival skills time and time again in challenging environments around the globe, and led TV crews and celebrities safely through these same environments. She has even worked behind the scenes on adventure TV shows such as Man vs. Wild and Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.

For our full exclusive interview with Megan Hine, pick up a copy of Issue 22, on sale October 6th. After chatting with Megan about her survival skills, life-threatening experiences, and perspective as a female survivalist, we also had the opportunity to discuss her latest venture: her new book, Mind of a Survivor.

For an inside look at Mind of a Survivor and Megan's motivations for writing it, check out the following OFFGRIDweb-exclusive supplement to our print interview.

RECOIL OFFGRID: Let's talk about your book, Mind of a Survivor, which is on sale now — what caused you to decide to write your first book?

Megan Hine: I was really fortunate in that I was approached to write the book, and I realize how lucky I was with that now. It comes down to that question: what makes a survivalist? Are these traits that are transferrable from a wilderness environment to an urban environment? I really believe that they are.

Photo by Ben Simms

I see a lot of people now who are suffering from anxiety and depression, and it seems to be on the increase. I’m sure it’s because our lives are so structured that there’s little room anymore for discovering your identity and building creativity and exploring that side of things.

I think that in the wilderness, it’s much easier. For example, if you’re standing on top of a cliff 50 feet up, and someone is asking you to jump off this cliff into water below, it’s obvious that you’re going to be feeling fear. There’s fear of hurting yourself, fear of exposure—it’s high, it’s not natural to be up there. If you can learn to control those emotions in that position, you can then take the lessons that you’ve learned there back and apply them to everyday life. We’re so overwhelmed by so many different things that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where those emotions are coming from.

In your book, you wrote, “In survival, people often talk about three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. I’d like to add another: three seconds without thinking.” What do you mean by that statement?

MH: Things go south very quickly. When things go wrong, it happens so fast. Staying alert, thinking — whether it’s thinking through your actions or being alert to the environment around you — could potentially save your life.

Megan Hine mind of a survivor book survivalist interview 1

Photo by Ben Simms

I was down in London for the publicity tour over the past week, just walking around the streets, and so many people have their phones in their hands and their heads just locked into their phones. They’ve got no awareness of what’s going on around them. With the way the world’s going at the moment, actually being aware of people’s body language around you or factors changing in your environment might actually save your life.

The title, Mind of a Survivor, clearly emphasizes the psychological aspect of staying alive. How would you compare the significance of mental survival challenges to the physical challenges? Is one more of a threat than the other?

MH: You need your mind and your body working together to overcome something. You could be super physically fit, and you can have all the knowledge on how to survive in the environment, but if your brain’s not on board with that, that’s when you’re going to start making the wrong decisions or giving up. So I think to some extent they go hand-in-hand. The physicality would certainly give somebody an advantage, as long as they’ve got the mindset to pull themselves through.

What I’ve found really fascinating from reading lots of survival stories is just how many people survived extreme wilderness scenarios who have zero outdoor experience — just because their mind does not let them give up.

Your website states, “The principles covered in Mind of a Survivor are just as valid in the jungle being chased by armed men as they would be in an intense business meeting.” How do you relate the lessons in your book to the average person who may not be a wilderness adventurer?

MH: The way I aimed to use the wilderness was not to necessarily encourage people to go out and find themselves in a position where they’re being hunted by bears or lions. It’s more as a medium to be able to get people thinking.

Megan Hine mind of a survivor book survivalist interview 7

Photo courtesy of MeganHine.com

If you can explain survival at the extremes, it’s easier to translate to when you’re sitting somewhere in the middle. At the extremes, it’s much easier to explain my decision-making processes at the time, and what my mind did to deal with the emotions. This could then be relatable back to any environment where you’re experiencing the same emotions. Our animalistic brains are amazing at trying to keep us alive, but they can’t distinguish between different threats. That’s what is so fascinating.

Looking at somebody’s Facebook post of their perfect life can trigger the same reaction as if somebody jumped out at you. It’s a target of your well-being, whether it’s emotional or physical. It’s like your brain has the same stressed reaction and response to it.

It’s about learning to be able to control and stop those emotions, because things like fear and stress are natural emotions. They let you know that something has changed within your environment. But what we’ve stopped doing is listening to those emotions, because they’ve become such a huge part of everyday life. All the stress — we now take for granted that it’s there, and it shouldn’t be. Our animalistic brains were never designed to experience it. Stress should’ve been a passing thing, a protection mechanism that then recovers.

Speaking of which, what are some of the best ways to combat fear in a daunting survival scenario?

MH: What I tend to do in those situations is take a couple of deep breaths, because it gives you something to focus on.

Then I separate out my emotions — I do it automatically now. I put any emotions that could potentially be overwhelming and stop me from being able to focus on the task at hand into what I call my mental box. This is something that paramedics, emergency crew, and doctors do a lot as well. They have to be able to separate out the human emotions from what’s going on, and put them away so they can get on with dealing with these extreme situations.

Megan Hine mind of a survivor book survivalist interview 2

Photo by Ben Simms

Have you noticed any common psychological roadblocks or misconceptions among those who you’ve trained to survive?

MH: Well, lack of belief in yourself. As soon as you start doubting yourself, that’s when you lose the will to survive. It’s a good idea to question yourself—I think it’s always a good idea to question what you’re doing. You can only become better or make better decisions through questioning yourself. But it’s really when you start doubting yourself and doubting the fact that you’ll survive that problems occur.

When I’m giving a talk, I would always ask people at the end, “Would you survive?” A lot of people would say no. Well then, you probably wouldn’t survive. You’re already going in with that preconceived idea that you can’t do it and you won’t survive. Whereas if you’re in a genuine life-and-death situation, you don’t have the luxury of making that decision. You have to survive. The other option is death.

The final chapter of your book is titled, “The Selfish Mind”. What does that term mean to you, and how would selfishness affect survival?

MH: “The Selfish Mind” is a chapter where [laughs] there was a question about whether I’d put it in, because the way that I end the book is by questioning — because I don’t know the answer — is there a situation where I might abandon my clients to save myself? And that, for me, was a really interesting question.

Megan's gear contains several ways to start a fire, multiple bladed tools, and different forms of communications.

Although I have confidence in myself that I can survive a lot of situations, at the same time, survival is on a cellular level. Every part of your body wants to survive and is doing everything it can to survive. If you think about it on that level, it’s all about you and making sure you survive.

We live in this lovely society where you’re expected to help out other people, but when things go horribly wrong, society is very fragile. It breaks very quickly. You see the aftermath of natural disasters or terrorist attacks — a city will just go mental. Things like rape and murder and looting happen. And that’s really, really quickly. That’s in a matter of hours and days, not months and years, which is quite terrifying, really.

So, yeah, that chapter was more about making people question how they would honestly react in that sort of situation.

If our readers would like to find out more about you and your book, what is the best way to do so? Social media?

MH: Yeah, through social media. Obviously, I spend a huge amount of time actually out on the ground, often in places where there is no signal, so it makes it hard to keep my social media channels up to date, but that’s the best way to get in touch with me. [Editor’s note: You can follow Megan on Instagram at @megan_hine or at Facebook.com/officialmeganhine] I find it quite relaxing when I’m sitting in airports to look at other people’s Instagram pictures and adventures as well.

Aqua Dam: Instant Flood Protection

Posted on September 10, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

How far would you go to save your home and everything inside it? If you're willing to put in a substantial amount of effort and money to prepare your property, it may be possible to save it from destruction, but this requires preparation, creativity, and quick thinking.

Randy and Jennifer Socha, of Rosenberg, Texas, had previously experienced severe flooding in 2016. Back then, $150,000 in damage was done to their home by the rising water, and this experience motivated them to prepare for the next flood. When Hurricane Harvey began its approach towards Texas, the couple took immediate action, and spent $18,000 for an Aqua Dam system. It was delivered within hours.

The Aqua Dam system comes in various sizes and configurations. Photo: Aquadam.net

This system consists of large waterproof fabric tubes, which can be rolled-up and stored in a garage or backyard until they're needed. When water approaches, gasoline-powered pumps are used to fill the Aqua Dam from any nearby water source, creating a 360-degree barrier around the home.

Aqua Dam flood water storm hurricane protection preparation 4

Left: An Aqua Dam system packed in a garage. Center/Right: The same system deployed. Photos: Aquadam.net

Fully inflated, the Sochas' Aqua Dam was 3 feet high and 380 feet long. Even with this huge barrier, Randy Socha told KPRC-TV that he needed eight additional sump pumps around the perimeter to evacuate water that leached through the soil underneath. In the end, the system did its job and saved the Sochas' home from Hurricane Harvey.

For the full story and more photos of the Sochas' Aqua Dam, go to Click2Houston.com. For more information on Aqua Dam flood protection, go to AquaDam.net.