As chief mantracking instructor at Hull's Tracking School, I am constantly traveling, moving from one country to another about once a week. This involves taking airplanes, buses, trains, and lots of traveling on foot. And of course, it means utilizing various pieces of kit to carry essential supplies. Over the years I’ve lost count of how many pieces of equipment I’ve used, from modern tactical solutions to vintage style gear without being entirely satisfied, which is why FROG.PRO caught my attention.
My idea of the perfect gear system which can cater to all of my needs must meet the following criteria:
Above: Many of FROG.PRO's components are handcrafted, making it easier to produce one-off custom orders.
Not asking for too much, right? I was actually looking for something I had in mind, a variation from what I saw the SAS use in Malaysia and Borneo while I was writing my book “Jungle Trackers.” Basically, I wanted to replicate that kind of equipment by employing modern materials and more innovative concepts.
After much research, trial and error, and countless hours of field testing, I ran into FROG.PRO. FROG.PRO is a company founded by Italian tactical craftsmen. They make tailored gear suitable for anything from outdoor activities and recreation to tactical operations and private security. The materials they use are some of the best on the market, including Cordura fabric, ITW Nexus fastenings, YKK zippers, Hi-Tech laminated fabrics, Velcro brand hook & loop fasteners, and mil-spec webbing. And rather than outsourcing to a factory overseas, the production process is handled and executed within the company itself.
Since this was a product I desperately needed, I placed a call and asked them if I could pay a visit to discuss my needs in the field.
Above: At FROG.PRO's production facility in central Italy, components are prepared and organized.
Fabio Casali, former Italian Army Soldier, and the owner and founder of FROG.PRO, welcomed me directly and invited me to tour their facility. The company's manufacturing facility occupies the ground floor of an elegant building not far from Parma, in the central area of Italy. Totally renovated by Fabio, the facility hosts all the company's production phases, from design, to product realization, to sale. Founded in May 2013 – and solely operated by Fabio at the time – FROG.PRO now employs 13 people; 9 in production, and 4 between administrative offices and marketing.
In 2015 FROG.PRO brought laser cut gear to Europe for the first time. This makes their products less webbing-dependent, but also extremely lightweight.
FROG.PRO's reputation for quality has allowed them to partner up with different units, like 17° Stormo Incursori (their very first cooperation), then with all the Italian Special Forces units (G.I.S., N.O.C.S., 9º RGT “Col Moschin”, G.O.I, 185° RGT RRAO, etc.). They've collaborated with foreign countries as well, including a Belgian government agency.
Above: The HAWK Plate Carrier with several modular pouch systems on display.
Fabio kindly asked me to show him the contents of my Tracking Kit and to explain my needs. After discussing and evaluating different solutions, we ended with a set up that included:
Above: Kyt Lyn Walken using her custom tracking rig in the field during a tracking exercise.
The whole system was designed and tailored for my needs, according to my body size. Since receiving the custom made Tracking Kit, I have been impressed by the quality, performance, and how well it fits my needs throughout my field training and classes that I lead.
Custom work aside, some of FROG.PRO's most iconic products include the Sniper CORE (released in September 2022), the HAWK Plate Carrier, the Chiron Mini IFAK, the SFD-Responder 2.0, and the already mentioned Multi Purpose Organizers. Many of these items have proven ideal for tasks we perform at Hull's Tracking School, and for the rigors of the field.
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Written by Kyt Lyn Walken
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