In the follow-up to his #1 Amazon bestseller, The Guerilla’s Guide to the Baofeng Radio, which details the setup, programming, and use of the Baofeng radio, NC Scout dives into the next logical step of collecting signals intelligence (SIGINT) with common off-the-shelf equipment and how to exploit this information.
“We kill people based on metadata.” –General Michael Hayden, director, National Security Agency
The 411
As the popularity of the Baofeng radio has surged, Scout delivers a deep dive into the world of SIGINT. Communications are the lifeblood of any operation, and this manual lays out how to monitor, collect, and turn raw signals into usable intelligence. The guide is divided into five main sections and two appendices, exploring tools of the trade, targeting methods, collection strategies, and exploitation techniques. It opens with “A Crash Course in the Process of Intelligence,” introducing the concept of collecting information through patterns of life. While many think of these patterns as physical routines — wake times, habits, known associates — the electronic footprint tells just as much. Action indicators, such as unusual transmissions or irregular device usage, can reveal more than what’s visible on the surface.
The next section breaks down “Tools of the SIGINT Trade.” A simple setup can start with a compass, a basic receiver, and a Baofeng. Scaling up brings more capability but also requires more investment and skill. As the saying goes, “Speed costs money — how fast do you want to go?” The guide outlines gear such as spectrum analyzers, software-defined radios, and other advanced tools. The third segment zeroes in on what may be the most critical element of SIGINT: the antenna. It explains the different types, when to use them, and how to build improvised versions in the field. From there, the material moves into collection and targeting, emphasizing the importance of building a signals baseline before making any moves. The final section ties everything together with tactical signals exploitation. Once you’ve gathered your intelligence, it’s time to decide what to do with it. You can remain passive, take indirect action, or engage directly — either overtly or covertly.
The Verdict
The Guerilla’s Guide to Signals Intelligence is a must. Scout lays out the process in an understandable way to anyone without prior experience. SIGINT is a powerful weapon that has toppled numerous governments but is frequently misunderstood and, therefore, overlooked. I highly recommend this book. Scout is the pseudonym of a former member of one of the U.S. Army’s premier reconnaissance units with two combat deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He runs Brushbeater Training and Consulting, which teaches courses on small unit tactics, communications, and survival based on skills he learned while serving to prepare people for uncertain times ahead. He is the owner and senior editor of American Partisan and can be found on his podcast, Radio Contra.
About The Book
Book & Author: The Guerilla’s Guide to Signals Intelligence Written By: NC Scout Publisher: Independently published MSRP: $24.99, paperback Pages: 132 URL: brushbeater.store or amazon.com Rating: Thrive | Survive | Die
After I turned 50, I got it into my head that I wanted a brand-new vehicle, not used, just once in my life. Our minivan was about 22 years old and Midwestern winters had taken their toll on the body, so it was time for an upgrade.
We ended up buying a dealer’s demo model that had fewer than 2,000 miles on it. It has so many gadgets and gizmos, I feel like I’m piloting a spacecraft. While we’re still learning how everything works, I wanted to get the van outfitted properly for the numerous road trips we have planned. I think one of the best parts about getting a new-to-you vehicle is customizing it for your needs. Enter the AP Premium Bag from KY Handcrafted. AP stands for All-Purpose, and that’s precisely what this bag is. It’s the ideal size for any number of assignments. I picked one up a few months back without a specific use in mind. I just recognized that it would be great in several different roles.
Once we got the new van, the first thing I did was grab the AP Bag to build a small emergency kit. We’ve got a lot of travel lined up, including some multi-state trips where we’ll be away from home for a week or more. The goal for this kit is simple: keep essential emergency items close at hand and easy to find. This isn’t a doomsday setup — it’s for the curveballs, like an unexpected overnight in the middle of nowhere. An all-purpose bag for an all-purpose kit, right?
The AP Bag Premium edition features two Velcro panels on the inside, as well as a high-vis interior color to make it easier to find what you need.
The Bag
There are two models for the AP Bag, Basic and Premium. They’re both the same size, running 12 inches long, 8 inches tall, and 6 inches wide. Both are constructed from 1000D Cordura. They each have 1.5-inch carry handles as well as a 1.5-inch-wide shoulder strap. The carry handle straps go all the way around the bag, rather than just being stitched into place at the top. The shoulder strap attaches via G-hooks, so it’s easy enough to remove as needed.
The AP Bag, Basic or Premium, is available in Multicam, Multicam Black, Ranger Green, and Woodland Camo. The Basic is also available in straight black. I went with Multicam Black, simply because I wasn’t sure what role the bag was going to play at the time of purchase. I figured it was a good middle-of-the-road option between the available patterns.
Where the bags differ are with a few bells and whistles that are included at the Premium level, which is the bag we’re featuring here. The Premium’s interior is a high-vis color, and there are Velcro panels for attaching aftermarket pouches or pockets. The exterior has a zipper pocket on one side and an open top pocket on the other. There is also PALS webbing on one side so you can add an exterior pouch if desired.
Along the top is a Velcro strip where you can add a name tape. I ordered my name tape from an outfit called armynavywisconsin/CollarsUSA on Amazon. They did great work and only took a few days to get it shipped out to me.
What’s in the Bag?
The beauty of sticking to a smaller bag for a survival or emergency kit is that it forces you to think hard about each potential addition. You find yourself paring things down to the bare necessities, rather than filling it with a ton of luxuries right off the bat. The intention of this kit is to provide for our basic needs for a short period of time. This isn’t any sort of run to the woods to live off the land kit.
One of my primary goals as I put this together was to avoid buying anything special for the kit. I wanted to assemble it using only gear and supplies that I already had on hand. Fortunately, as a longtime preparedness author and instructor, I’ve accumulated quite a bit of miscellaneous stuff over the years.
After use, the Sawyer Mini water filter will dry nicely thanks to the mesh-sided Water Purification Kit Pouch from Tuff Possum Gear.
Water Filtration
Clean water is a critical survival need. We typically have at least one gallon of potable water in the van with us, along with a couple of refillable water bottles. But there’s always the possibility that we’d need more H2O in a bad situation. To that end, the first thing I put into this kit was a Sawyer Mini. I keep it in a Water Purification Kit Pouch from Tuff Possum Gear. It has a mesh front panel, allowing the contents to air dry between uses.
This Battarix Power Card is a last-ditch option to charge a cell phone or similar device if there are no other power sources available.
Battarix
In an ideal world, we’ll be able to charge our phones using the van. However, emergency kits are intended for less-than-ideal conditions. The Battarix is a small lithium battery that’s pre-charged and ready to go for either Android or iPhone. It has an eight-year shelf life and takes up very little space.
The Model 1 from White River Knives is perfect for a kit this size. The Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit Plus has a small ratchet and bits secured in the leather pouch
Knife
This is the element of the kit where I struggled the most. As a certified knife nut, it was difficult for me to narrow down the choices. Whenever possible, I gravitate toward a fixed blade rather than a folder, simply because there aren’t any moving parts to get fouled. I eventually landed on the Model 1 from White River Knives. It’s on the smaller side, but with plenty of blade to get the job done.
The fire kit is contained in a Belt Pouch from Tuff Possum Gear. All of this and more can fit inside. The Pull Start Fire is the last resort option, because it’s a one-and-done item.
Fire Kit
This is another area where I have to be careful, as it’s easy for me to go overboard. I’m an admitted fire bug, and I tend to pack heavy for this category. I started with an Exotac titanLIGHT, as that provides immediate flame. For a secondary ignition source, I tossed in a ferrocerium rod from Black Beard Fire Starter, along with a Corona carbide sharpening tool, which generates massive sparks from the ferro rod. For tinder options, I included a tin of Fiber Light from Outdoor Element as well as a handful of Fire Plugs from Black Beard Fire Starter. Finally, as a Hail Mary fire starting option, I put in one Pull Start Fire fire starter. This is a self-contained unit that works amazingly well. You tie it to a log in your fire build, pull a cord, and the box ignites. I also have an extendable fire bellows to help nurse the fire along as needed.
Multi-Tool
A ton of great options are available. I went with the Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit Plus with the ratchet accessory pack. It all fits into a nice leather pouch to keep it organized. I’ve used this model a fair bit over the last few years, and it’s always performed well.
Flashlight
I’ve been fairly brand loyal to Streamlight for about a decade now. Nothing against any other brands, of course, but I own 15 to 20 different Streamlight products and not a single one has let me down. For this kit, I went with the MegaStream USB. It features 1,800 lumens and 26,000 candela on the highest setting. I can crank that down to 150 lumens and 2,100 candela in situations where I don’t need to cast shadow puppets on the lunar surface. Being USB powered, I could use that Battarix lithium battery to charge it in a true emergency.
SnapLights
I tossed in a couple of Cyalume SnapLights to use for signaling for help after dark. They don’t require batteries or charging, last upward of 12 hours upon activation, and are plenty bright enough to get someone’s attention if I need to flag someone down.
First Aid
This is a weak spot for this kit. The first aid pouch has a random assortment of adhesive bandages, OTC meds, gauze, and such. I’m going to revamp this kit to be far more comprehensive, as well as better organized.
Cordage
This is always handy to have available. You never know when you’ll need to attach one thing to another thing. I have a couple of options available in that regard. A hank of paracord is great for so many applications. I also took some duct tape and wrapped it around an old gift card, then put that into a small Ziploc bag to keep the adhesive from picking up dirt or lint.
Shortcomings
As packed right now, I’ve not taken advantage of the interior Velcro panel. I should probably add a couple of pouches or pockets to the inside of the AP Bag, to provide for some organization to the contents. But as I stated at the outset, I wanted to put this kit together without buying anything extra. I only have a few Velcro pouches and they’re currently in use with other bags. I also need to up my game when it comes to the first aid kit. Admittedly, I went the lazy route with this one and plan to revisit it soon.
The kit has no food, but that’s by design. I live in an area that experiences very hot and humid summers as well as winters that are well below freezing. These conditions aren’t conducive to storing foods for any real length of time. However, given that this kit is just meant to get us through an overnight at best, I’m not too concerned about snacks. The AP Bag itself, though? Zero complaints, no notes. It’s aces all around.
Final Thoughts
I can wholeheartedly recommend the AP Bag. It’s made right here in the United States by a craftsman who genuinely cares about his product line. It’s a small outfit, but the quality is off the charts. I own several products from KY Handcrafted, and each one is the real deal.
Pack Stats
MAKE & MODEL: KY Handcrafted AP Bag
Dimensions: 12 by 6 by 8 inches
Material: 1000D Cordura
MSRP: $119
URL: kyhandcrafted.com
About The Author
Jim Cobb is a nationally recognized authority on disaster readiness. He has been involved with preparedness for nearly 40 years and has developed a reputation for his common-sense approach to the subject. In addition to his numerous books and several hundred magazine articles, Cobb is one of the cohosts of the How to Survive 2025 podcast. He offers a free weekly newsletter called The Survival Weekly Dispatch (jimcobb.substack.com/).
Knives by Nuge hit the scene a few years back with a variety of fixed blades designed for hard outdoor use, including hunting, fishing, bushcraft, and general wilderness survival tasks. Knives by Nuge owner and bladesmith Tom Nugent incorporates his personal passions for the great outdoors and former profession as a police officer into each design to create highly functional purpose-driven knives. Combining his thoughtful design process with a meticulous eye for detail and dedication to constantly improving his products led to early success with his well-known Wicket model. While the Wicket remains a popular and versatile knife for outdoor, hunting, and EDC use, Nugent’s own experiences using his Wicket XL when hunting led to the creation of the latest Knives by Nuge models, the Bruin and the Cub.
The Cub retains the design features that drive the performance of the Bruin, but in a compact form factor.
Origins of the Bruin
As Nugent tells it, he was processing a deer using one of his personal Wicket XL’s, and it was doing a good job. However, at times, he wished he had a longer and slightly narrower blade. For the average joe, that may have simply been a passing thought. But for Nugent it was something that burned in his brain for the rest of the trip. If he was looking for a better experience while processing game, then chances are his customers would be too. Upon his return from the trip, Nugent set out into his small New Jersey shop to bring his idea to life. Taking some inspiration from the handle of one discontinued model and the blade shape of another, Nugent came up with a sketch and fired up his belt grinders to create the first prototype of what would eventually become the Bruin.
Both the Bruin and Cub ship with leather sheaths made by Badger Claw Outfitters. The Bruin is made for belt carry, while the Cub is made for pocket carry.
Prototype Testing
Testing begins with Nugent using the knife not just for its intended purpose but for all kinds of EDC and outdoor tasks. The Bruin was to be an excellent option for hunters and fishers, but he wanted to ensure that it was a functional all-around user. The second phase of testing involved having a group of trusted professionals use the knife. I was fortunate enough to be a part of this group and honored to play a small role in bringing an excellent knife to the market. The result of our testing of the original Bruin prototype brought about some minor changes in blade length and changes in the handle design. Quite a few of us also mentioned that the design would make a great bushcraft knife if it had a Scandi grind.
The DCC clip on the Cub sheath allows comfortable and secure pocket carry similar to a folding pocketknife.
The Final Model
The result of over 18 months of development, prototyping, and testing was the finalized Bruin being offered in both a saber grind geared toward hunting and general use, and a Scandi grind for those looking for a more dedicated woods knife. The finalized version of the Bruin featured a 3.75-inch blade with an overall length of 8.25 inches. Nugent opted to utilize premium CPM-3V blade steel for its incredible durability and edge retention.
Like all outdoor-oriented Nuge knives, the Bruin has a 90-degree spine for striking ferrocerium rods and performing general scraping tasks. The standard handle scale options include assorted Micarta or G10 options for positive grip retention and durability, though several one-offs with unique and exotic handle materials pop up from time to time.
The Bruin is an adventure ready do-all adventure knife.
From Bruin to Cub
During the testing process some of the finalized Bruin prototypes had custom-made Kydex sheaths. While the Bruin does fit in the pockets of tactical or outdoor-oriented pants, it is a bit unwieldy for EDC carry, but what if the Bruin was smaller?
For those unfamiliar with archaic middle Dutch, the word “bruin” means brown, but it is most associated with the name of a bear in folklore. With that, Nugent decided the natural name for a smaller Bruin would be the Cub.
Like its larger predecessor, the Cub experienced an intensive process of brainstorming, prototyping, and testing. While this ran slightly shorter at around 12 months, shrinking a knife is a lot easier than it sounds. Shortening the blade is one thing, but keeping the same ergonomic feel on a smaller handle requires significant testing and tweaking to ensure it remains comfortable in different-sized hands and maintains the same feel in use.
The Cub made its debut at Blade Show Atlanta 2025, with positive reception from both Knives by Nuge regulars and those passing by the booth and seeing Nugent’s knives for the first time.
The Cub fits in well with any EDC lineup due to a compact form factor and versatile design.
A Versatile Outdoor Tool
I have been using a Scandi grind version of the Bruin for many months now as one of my primary outdoor knives. As one would expect with a Scandi, the Bruin does an amazing job in wood processing tasks. The Scandi blade bites into wood, making it easy to remove both large and small amounts during carving tasks. The contoured G10 handle scales offer great grip in wet or dry conditions and combined with the 3.5-inch blade make detailed work quite manageable.
Recently, I attended an event with iconic knife designer and jungle guide Joe Flowers. During the event, Flowers guided me through performing some knife-related wilderness survival tasks with the Bruin, and I found the 3/32 inch CPM-3V blade to be ideal for performing tasks like batoning, snapcutting saplings, and harvesting fatwood.
Unlike many production knives, the Bruin features a hand-ground 90-degree spine, which makes striking ferro rods easy, which in turn makes the essential wilderness survival skill of fire starting using natural materials much easier.
Nugent with his prototype Sheepsfoot Cub. (Photo by Reuben Bolieu)
The EDC Option
Performance-wise the Bruin can absolutely handle all your day-to-day tasks like cutting open boxes, piercing that annoying hard plastic packaging that some electronics come in, or slicing your apple at lunchtime. But at 8.25 inches you may find your coworkers and local soccer moms giving you some sideways glances in urban and suburban environments. Of course, that is where the Cub comes in.
Starting from an EDC perspective, the Cub differentiates itself from its larger predecessor in a few ways. First, the overall size is 1.25 inches smaller than the Bruin, and the blade is a whole inch less. From an EDC standpoint, most people will not miss the extra inch of blade found on the Bruin. Many may even find the smaller Cub easier to manipulate for general EDC tasks. This will make you look a little less like John Rambo when you are using it in public. The Cub also differentiates itself in carry method. While the Bruin comes with a leather belt sheath, the Cub ships with a leather Pocket Sheath. Although a belt sheath is convenient for carry and accessibility in the woods, it tends to stand out at your local ice cream parlor. Carrying a smaller fixed blade in your pocket, it is far easier to be discreet and conceal to avoid unwanted attention.
The two grinds currently available for the Bruin and Cub are Scandi and saber. The Scandi grind is ideal for processing wood and bushcraft tasks, while the saber grind is a great all-around performer.
Scandi vs. Saber Grind
It is commonly known that a Scandi grind is great for wood processing, making it a favorite among bushcrafters. Then, there are those who state Scandi grinds do not perform well in other tasks that require slicing capabilities like game processing, food preparation, and many general EDC tasks. I’m here to tell you that generations of Scandinavian people would disagree with the naysayers, and so do I.
One of the main concerns people have with Scandi grinds is that they tend to have a sharp and toothy, yet somewhat fragile edge, which could absolutely impact the ability to slice and lead to edge damage in certain situations. To combat this, many production knives add a secondary micro bevel to increase edge stability, and one could argue that these grinds are not true Scandi grinds anymore. Knives by Nuge takes a slightly different approach. Instead of adding a secondary micro bevel with a belt sander, Nugent uses a powered leather strop to provide a bit more edge stability while preserving the very sharp edges of traditional Scandi grinds. I’m not here to argue the benefits of either method, but I can say that I have used my Bruin to process both plants and animals, prep camp meals, and just general use in the kitchen during my initial testing, and it performs well in all tasks.
In outdoor use, the Cub is easier to manipulate and control in finer carving tasks and more detailed plant and animal processing tasks. The blade stock is the same across both models, so I wouldn’t expect to see any difference in durability. However, you may find yourself missing that extra inch of blade when processing large animals and batoning wood.
For long-term hard-use tasks, I found the larger handle of the Bruin to cause less hand fatigue, but that is in no way saying that the handle of the Cub is uncomfortable. In regular use, both knives are comfortably ergonomic, provide great grip, and have no hot spots that I could identify.
The saber grind is more than capable of processing wood, but it will perform better in slicing tasks found in game processing and most EDC tasks. Neither grind is inherently better; it just depends on the intended use. For most people, the saber grind will be a better option for EDC and hunting and the Scandi will perform better for bushcraft and carving tasks.
Nugent and his girlfriend, Lauren, are the people behind Knives by Nuge. While Nugent is making knives Lauren is managing customer service, running the laser engraver, and boxing up orders.
Closing Thoughts
Should you get a Cub or Bruin? This really depends on what you are looking for in a knife. If you want a solid EDC knife with significant outdoor chops, the Cub is a great choice. If you are looking for a dedicated midsized outdoor do-all knife, the Bruin is the clear winner. My opinion: If you are an avid outdoors person, you should get both.
I really enjoy working with both knives alone but found that they complement each other very well in outdoor situations. When foraging, processing wood, or prepping a woodland meal, the Bruin is an excellent workhorse for the harder-use tasks, and the Cub really shines when doing more detailed work. This sentiment is echoed by my hunting-oriented associates who have tested both models when processing a kill. They mention relying on the Bruin for its longer reach and the using Cub for areas of the animal where more precise cuts are needed.
The Knives by Nuge Bruin and Cub are both excellent examples of knife designs that come from an experienced knife user. They both pack features that make them an ideal choice for avid outdoors people, but the sized-down Cub allows for double duty as an EDC knife.
Nugent executes his designs well by incorporating premium materials and exceptional fit and finish on every one of his knives. The Wicket family may currently reign as king in the Knives by Nuge lineup, but the sleek design and utilitarian performance of the Bruin and Cub may soon rise to the same level of prestige.
Sparks fly while Tom Nugent is grinding one of his handmade knives.
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say most of us have a love-hate relationship with modern communication. We’ve never had more tools to connect, but somehow, we’ve never felt more isolated. It’s ironic, right? Texts, DMs, group chats, public posts — it’s all supposed to bring us closer. But, somewhere along the way, a lot of us forgot how to actually talk to each other.
That’s what this issue attempts to tackle. Not just radios, not just apps, not just emergency signals or digital workarounds — we’re digging into what it really means to communicate, both on the airwaves and face-to-face. Because being able to clearly say what you mean and understand what someone else is trying to tell you might be the most important skill any of us can develop. It doesn’t matter if you’re stuck in the woods with a busted ankle, caught in a crowd during a crisis, or just trying to keep your community from falling apart at the seams, your words matter.
During my early Army days, I learned that lesson the hard way. Shout-out to anyone who’s had the pleasure of training at the Disney Barracks in Fort Knox. Our drill sergeant had a real poetic way of hammering in life lessons. One of his greatest hits? Group punishment. Every time someone screwed up, the whole platoon dropped for push-ups. And we weren’t just doing them in silence. On the way down we had to yell, “Attention to detail!” On the way up? “Teamwork is the key!” Over and over again until the words were burned into our brains — and our triceps. It wasn’t just about discipline or pain tolerance. He was teaching us that if we couldn’t get the little things right and couldn’t talk to each other effectively, we were useless as a team. That lesson still sticks.
Inside this issue, we cover the full spectrum of communication, starting with radios that bounce signals off the ionosphere, courtesy of our friends at Wyoming Survival. Then, we bring it all the way back to eye contact and posture with Craig Caudill’s breakdown of human behavior and how to read the room. Mark Linderman speaks directly to community leaders, sharing tips on how to deliver life-saving information when every second counts. And Dr. David Miller gives an honest look at what it’s like to be on the receiving end of public panic, with practical advice on how everyday folks can make an emergency responder’s job easier. Of course, we’ve also packed in plenty of gear worth shouting about and featured a few off-grid destinations where you can finally put your phone on airplane mode without an ounce of guilt.
So, yeah, communication might seem like a soft skill, but it’s got teeth. It builds trust. It smooths over conflict before it turns into something worse. It helps teams function, families stay close, and complete strangers save each other’s lives. If there’s one thing we can all commit to improving this year, I’d say this is it. Let’s get better at saying what we mean, hearing what others are saying, and meeting somewhere in the middle before the signal gets lost.
When you’re building out a rig that’s got to perform on the trail and look good doing it, there’s a balancing act between form, function, and longevity. Aggressive tread design, sidewall styling, and real off-road capability usually mean you’re sacrificing something—but that doesn’t need to be durability and long-term value of your tires.
We dug into the warranties behind the most aggressive-looking, off-road-ready all-terrain tires on the market. These aren’t mall-crawler specials. Every tire here is offered in both hard metric and LT metric sizes with 35” overall diameter options and 3PMS-certification for year-round confidence. Whether your setup leans overland, pre-runner, or heavy-duty daily with a weekend trail schedule, these tires are made to look tough and work even tougher.
Top All-Terrain Tire Comparison
Here are the A/T tires we stacked up:
Nitto Terra Grappler G3
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT/LT
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T
Yokohama Geolandar A/T4
Toyo Open Country A/T3
Mileage Warranty Breakdown
Tire Model
P/Hard Metric Warranty
LT/Flotation Warranty
Nitto Terra Grappler G3
70,000 miles
55,000 miles
BFG KO3
N/A
50,000 miles
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
65,000 miles
60,000 miles
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
60,000 miles
60,000 miles
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T
60,000 miles
50,000 miles
Yokohama Geolandar A/T4
65,000 miles
55,000 miles
Toyo Open Country A/T3
65,000 miles
50,000 miles
Top Performer: Nitto Terra Grappler G3
The Nitto Terra Grappler G3 takes the win here, offering the highest mileage warranty of the bunch—70,000 miles on hard metric sizes and a solid 55,000 miles for LT/flotation. For an A/T that delivers aggressive curb appeal and all-terrain capability, that’s a serious standout.
It’s not just about surviving the daily commute, either. The G3 delivers stable highway manners while still packing the beefy shoulder blocks and deep sidewall lugs you want when the asphalt ends. For enthusiasts who demand both looks and longevity—whether it’s hauling gear, towing toys, or chasing trails—it’s the rare combo that doesn’t ask you to choose.
New Terra Grappler G3 Sizes
16-inch wheel
17-inch wheel
18-inch wheel
20-inch wheel
22-inch wheel
LT245/75R16
225/60R17
LT265/60R18
245/60R20
275/50R22
245/75R16
245/65R17
255/50R20
LT285/75R17
LT305/70R17
Deciding Which A/T Tire Works for You
From daily drivers to work trucks and beyond, your tires have a lot rolling on them. When most of your driving time is spent on-road, today’s aggressive all-terrains strike a near-perfect balance of capability, looks and solid performance you can trust no matter where you drive. Choosing your tire purchase carefully can mean you get years more of wear.
For our money, the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 brings the best blend of style, performance, and mileage-backed confidence. If you’re modding your rig for weekend adventures and weekday reliability, this tire keeps you rolling longer—and looking good doing it.
If you were a kid in the ’80s with a fascination for survival skills and big knives – chances are, Rambo: First Blood had something to do with it. That iconic survival knife, with its sawback spine and hollow handle packed with emergency gear, made us all believe that if we just had that knife, we would be a survival master like John Rambo. Since then, the concepts around survival knives have changed changed. The steels used, the handle materials, the shape of the blade now favor a more utilitarian approach. Many of us still have that old hollow handled, sawtooth spine survival knife in our collection, but we often take something different into the field when camping, backpacking, hiking, or practicing our bushcraft skills. It is hard to fund a knife packs all the features that a bushcraft enthusiast or survivalist need in a single fixed blade – but for me, The Genesis from LT Wright Knives is a fixed blade that just seems to get everything right.
STEEL NERDS REJOICE
Knife enthusiasts will typically want to know “what kind of steel” does a knife have, as a starting point of any knife review, so let’s start there. The LTWK Genesis uses A2 steel. A2 steel is sometimes referred to as a “tool steel.” That means it is used in the manufacturing of some tools, and has a high durability rating. Unlike it’s cousin, D2 steel, A2 sharpens easily, and is not as hard on your sharpening equipment. A2 is more corrosion resistant when compared to many other tool steels due to the presence of chromium, which should give some comfort to those who plan for long bug outs in the wilderness in extreme conditions – or for those of us who accidentally left it out in the rain one night.
A2 also has some advantages of working well in extreme temperatures without breakage, which is also a consideration for those who operate in the desert or artic ecosystems.
A2 steel alloy composition (chromium, nickel, vanadium, carbon, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur, phosphorous, copper, and silicone) allows it to be resistant to many chemicals that could deteriorate and weaken some other steel options. Overall, A2 provides a great balance between durability, corrosion resistance and edge retention. LT Wright expertly heat treats their A2 blades between 57-59 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale to bring out the best properties of this versatile steel.
Okay, so enough “nerding” out on the steel composition – let’s talk practicality. There’s a reason why the LT Wright Genesis is trusted by outdoors people and was the chosen knife for several contestants on Alone.
The LTWK Genesis features a Scandi Grind. That means the “edge” is cut very short, and close to the edge of the blade, in a wedge shape. The advantage of this is a very strong cutting edge, and a thicker overall blade meant to stand up to heavy wood work and bushcraft tasks from carving out tools to batoning firewood. The chances of having a chip or roll in your blade edge with a Scandi Grind are significantly less than other types of grinds that may be more suitable for slicing fruits or other culinary tasks that require more finite work. Though if you are looking for a super slicey version capable of “splitting atoms”, the LT Wright team also makes a flat grind version of The Genesis.
THE GOLDILOCKS ZONE
I like big knives and I can not lie. Oh who am I kidding? I like all knives. Big knives, little knives… size matters not! Except for certain tasks. I find that for camping, I generally prefer a knife that is less than 12 inches but not smaller than 7 inches in total length. For me, that seems to come in at that sweet spot where I can delicately work on my campfire steak, but also work on heavy tasks such as managing my firewood without necessarily having to pull out an axe or hatchet every time I need a couple small logs.
This is especially true when working with a smaller fire pit or something like Solo Stove. I typically carry a folder and a fixed blade around the campsite. When I leave the site for a hike, it is usually the same. Lately I have found that the LTWK Genesis seems to be the perfect size for most tasks. It comes in at 9 inches overall, with a 4.25 inch blade. Big enough to do the job, not so big that it feels like I am carrying a broad sword all day.
RAMBO WOULD HAVE UPGRADED TOO
Back in the 80s we all thought that saw tooth spine was the bees knees. But for those of us who tried it, we found that it looked cool, but wasn’t the most practical saw. If I want a saw, I’ll bust out a saw. Nowadays most knife manufacturers have gone back to more practical utilitarian spine designs. In the case of the LT Wright Genesis, it has a sharpened 90-degree spine that can pull sparks off even the most worn out ferro rods. I’ve even used that spine to scrape some tinder to get my campfire started.
JUST THE TIP!
The LTWK team chose a spear point tip for The Genesis. When it comes to bushcraft fixed blades, I generally prefer either a spear point or drop point. The advantage of the spear point tip is that it has equal strength and durability on both sides as the blade descends to the pointed tip, and when combined with the A2 steel strength and the Scandi Grind for the edge, creates a beefier overall blade, greatly reducing the chances of tip breakage under heavy use.
I’ve stabbed mine into oak multiple times to test it, and didn’t notice any rolls, breaks, or dulling. The advantage of a spear point for survival will stand out when fending off a wild animal attack, or needing to finish off game quickly and mercifully – but I’ve also found that it seems to work perfectly for starting the drill hole on a hand or bow drill for primitive fire making.
IT’S ALL IN THE GRIP SIR
The LTWK Genesis doesn’t cut corners on the handle either. When it comes to knives, I generally prefer G10 on folders and micarta on my full tang fixed blades. The micarta on the genesis is one of those handles that just seems to get more grippy, less likely to slip, when my hands are a little sweaty.
Because of this, it’s also safer to use when wet with rain or game blood, and less likely to slip when compared to a wooden handle. Don’t get me wrong, a classic wooden handle looks amazing, but isn’t my choice for when I am playing weekend warrior and pretending I am Rambo on one of my solo hiking adventures. The top of the handles, near the blade, features ambidextrous “scallops” for when you need a little more control on small cuts or intricate work.
USE THE GEAR TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS
So at this point, I should tell the truth. I don’t own one LTWK Genesis – I own two! The first was purchased off my friend Carleigh Fairchild (Alone Contestant, Survival Instructor, and Owner of Human Nature Connection). I first met Carleigh at Georgia Bushcraft after taking a class on how to make cordage from plants. I was asking her about her choice of knife on Alone: The LTWK Genesis. She was selling her signature series Genesis, and I had to buy one. She even signed the box for me! Yes I am nerding out a bit, I am a big fan of hers.
After buying that one, I realized it had to go on the trophy case with my other knives that rarely get time in the woods. I had no choice but to buy another Genesis. You understand right? When I attended Blade Show later that year I stopped by the LT Wright Knives booth, and bought my second Genesis – and that is the one that I carry with me while camping and hiking now.
FEATHER STICKS, SNARES, STEAKS, AND BATONING
I’m not usually a “batoning” guy, but batoning does have its uses! When needing very small wood for a solo stove or something similar, you may need to cut down some logs. I have relied the Genesis more then a few times when I didn’t have a hatchet handy, and it certainly does the trick.
I may not be the best at cutting trigger snares, but it’s something I work on when I have a little free time. I do love to slice feather sticks though, and make kindling and tinder. The Genesis performs fantastic on these types of wood working tasks. What has impressed me the most is that even after a weekend of heavy use, I find that the Genesis has retained an edge, and hardly needs a touch up. In fact, I will confess that I have gone longer than I normally would between sharpening just to see how it would hold up, and it continues to impress me.
As far as food prep goes, The Genesis can absolutely handle the task, cutting through tougher meat with ease, thinly slicing your tomato, and chopping that onion for your camp frying pan. If you are a perfectionist and demand ultra thin slicey capabilities, you may opt for the Flat Grind Genesis instead of the Scandi Grind, but for nearly all cooking tasks, I am extremely pleased with my Scandi.
LIFETIME GUARANTEE
From the LT Wright Knives website: “L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives is proud of our quality and we warranty all of our products to be free of defects for the life of the product. Skilled craftsmen, who take pride in their work, and intend for your knife to be handed down for generations, make our knives. We cannot warranty a knife against rust and we cannot warranty knives and sheaths against abuse or normal wear and tear.”
So, don’t leave your knife in the Great Salt Lake and call that a defect, that’s “user error.” But otherwise, that guarantee provides a good degree of assurance that the knife should not fail on you under normal use. Good knives cost good money, so it’s comforting to know that it is money well spent.
GOOD THINGS COME IN GOOD PACKAGES
The LT Wright Knives Genesis usually comes with a gorgeous leather sheathe and dangler loop. You can get the version with the ferro rod loop as well, to complete that “Survival Knife” feel that us wannabe- Rambo’s want. Kydex is also available through an order form on their website, and when I shipped my Genesis to them to custom fit my Kydex sheathe, it was completed and returned to me quickly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The LT Wright Knives Genesis will certainly not be my last knife purchased – but that’s because I’m a collector. For the person looking to buy one knife for camping, bushcraft, or survival it certainly could be “the last knife you’ll ever buy.” The spear point makes it perfect for piercing game flesh or drilling holes for your bow drill base. The sharpened 90-degree spine is perfect for raining a shower of sparks off your ferro rod.
The Scandi Grind cuts through wood and sustains a durable edge, even when batoning, and the micarta handles help keep that knife in your hands even in rainy conditions. It’s hard to find any faults with this knife, and if I had to design something to be my personal bushcraft knife, it would be hard to beat the design of The Genesis. It’s no wonder it’s the choice for many survival instructors and contestants on shows like Alone. I tend to think old John Rambo might have approved as well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tom Sarge is a licensed trauma therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, an outdoor adventurer, prepper and survivalist who uses his expertise of the “mind’s response to emergencies” to help people prepare for storms, civil unrest, recession, or even how to survive when lost in the woods. He is the creator behind the YouTube Channels: “Prepping With Sarge” and “The Official Mental Health Matters Channel.” Sarge loves to teach foraging, gardening, review EDC gear, and interview top experts in Survival, Prepping, and Bushcraft to help his audience prepare, survive, and thrive! Sarge has been featured in magazines such as Offgrid/Recoil, and as a guest on numerous podcasts such as Rogue Preparedness Podcast, Round Table Mindset, and Offgrid Podcast. Additionally, as a licensed trauma therapist who works with First Responders and Veterans, he is often travelling for speaking engagements about issues related to mental health. Sarge can be found on YouTube and Instagram as “Prepping With Sarge.”
Web Editors Note: Flooding continues to a cause extreme damage to our communities and result in loss of life. While the Texas floods will stand out in recent memory, floods have been prevalent in many parts of the country. While we have systems in place to help warn people of flash flooding, having the skills and knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones is the best defense. -Nick Italiano
Recent years have been marked by a significant increase in what most would consider extreme weather events. 2023 has been particularly brutal with record setting temperatures, wild fire smoke, and warming ocean surface waters. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture, and this has lead to a global rise in catastrophic flooding. Catastrophic flooding can test our resilience like nothing else. While no one can control Mother Nature’s fury, we can equip ourselves with the knowledge to outsmart her wrath. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare and survive catastrophic flooding.
Above: Much of the urban infrastructure in the United States is not sufficient to deal with the massive increase in precipitation we are now coping with.
Floods can be truly devastating, wiping out homes, damaging infrastructure, and sadly claiming lives. This makes it essential to know what to do when you suspect a major flood is imminent. From making early preparations to ensuring your safety during the event, and the following survival tips can help you navigate such a disaster. Watch the video below and continue on to learn even more lifesaving tips.
Preparation is crucial. Start by gathering essential supplies and keep them in an emergency preparedness kit. Items like, like water, non-perishable food, first-aid kit, flashlights, and a battery-operated radio could be the difference between life and death. Keep these items in an easily accessible location, ideally in a waterproof container. You may also want to prepare a go bag with important documents, cash, and medication, in case an evacuation becomes necessary. Another great prep to make is having a dedicated early warning system like a Midland NOAA Weather Radio that will alert you to danger before you become irreversibly caught in it.
Above: This is a low-cost early warning system that could potentially save your life and lives of your loved ones.
Next, assess your home. If it’s possible, consider installing flood barriers or flood shields to protect your property from water damage. Always keep gutters and drains clean to ensure proper water flow. It’s also wise to safeguard your home by elevating critical utilities, such as the electrical panel, water heater, and major appliances. Taking these steps can be expensive, so if constructing or installing preventative measures is not an option, at least knowing where the weaknesses are will make you more situationally aware in an emergency.
Above: Survival legend Les Stroud shares important survival tips for a flooded home.
Understanding the local flood risk is paramount. Keep a close eye on weather reports and stay informed about the situation in your area. Consider signing up for community alert systems for real-time updates. If you live in a high-risk flood zone, consider having a safe evacuation plan. Remember, it’s safer to evacuate early than to wait until the last minute. Once a flood warning is issued, focus on ensuring your safety. Turn off utilities at the main switches and unplug electrical items to prevent potential electrical shock. Don’t forget to move valuable items to higher levels of your home, but only if you have enough time available to do so.
Above: Flood waters can rise rapidly, get to an elevated area from which you can escape from. Avoid becoming trapped in an attic or other restricted space.
During the flood, prioritize personal safety over possessions. If the water starts to rise inside your home, move to the highest level but avoid enclosed attics to prevent becoming trapped by rising floodwater. Always avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. It takes just 6 inches of moving water to knock an adult off their feet, and 12 inches to move most vehicles. After the floodwaters recede, be cautious while returning home. Fast moving water can make buildings and roadways unstable, or expose things like high voltage lines or gas and sewage pipes. Check for structural damage before entering any building and be mindful of potential electrical hazards.
Above: One of the most dangerous situations during a flood is getting stranded in a vehicle.
Being prepared for catastrophic floods involves careful planning, maintaining a keen eye on the weather, securing your home, and knowing when and how to evacuate. Having some simple items in place, and knowing what to do in the event of a flood event may help keep you level headed long enough to survive the worst.
Web Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Issue 59 of Recoil Offgrid. Two years later the topic of AI has become increasingly more relevant in our everyday lives and as a part of how we prepare and plan for emergency situations. Take the time to read through so that you can understand what AI is, and the benefits and risks associated with it as I feel that this is a topic that preparedness minded individuals will need to start addressing more as time goes on. – Nick Italiano
Throughout history, humanity has witnessed the effects of several technological revolutions. These periods of rapid innovation forever altered the way we live and work, and in every case, they have had far-reaching benefits and drawbacks. Artificial intelligence will be no different.
The first Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s brought machine manufacturing and the rise of factories. The second Industrial Revolution of the late 1800s brought instant telegraph communications, cross-country railroads, and widespread natural gas, water, and sewage systems. The third Industrial Revolution of the late 20th century, also known as the Digital Revolution, gave us home computers, the Internet, and smartphones. Many scientists and sociologists have stated that we may be on the verge of another technological revolution brought about primarily by the advancement of artificial intelligence.
You may have already heard discussions about this so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Controversial figure Klaus Schwab, the executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), popularized this term in 2015. He described it as “a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.”
Since then, Schwab has stated that “the final priority of a Great Reset agenda is to harness the innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to support the public good.” Regardless of your feelings about that statement, the message is clear: rapid development of artificial intelligence is a top priority for many of the most powerful industrial and political entities around the world. It’s seen as the next major frontier of human advancement.
Many of us are skeptical about bleeding-edge technology and the consequences of a new Industrial Revolution, and rightly so — at least to some extent. Despite their many benefits, the previous three Revolutions contributed to overcrowded cities, global pollution, longer work hours, less active and healthy lifestyles, and invasive, always-connected technology we can’t avoid. So, will AI bring about a brighter future for all of us, or is it the gateway to a Terminator-style rise of the machines?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how artificial intelligence technology affects our daily lives, as well as the benefits and drawbacks you need to be prepared for. Our goal is not to convince you that AI is good, evil, or anything in between. That’s a judgment only you can make. But make no mistake, the genie is out of the bottle, and this technology is rapidly accelerating whether you like it or not.
“Success in creating AI could be the biggest event in the history of our civilization. But it could also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks.” – Stephen Hawking
Above: When the subject of AI comes up, many people jump to the conclusion that it’ll lead to evil robots taking over the globe. Although leading researchers have warned of that distant possibility, it’s still firmly in the realm of science fiction.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Before we look at what AI can do, we must understand what it is, and that’s a source of many misconceptions. AI is not just about creating sentient, self-aware machines, although that might (emphasis on might) be a long-term byproduct of its development. According to IBM:
At its simplest form, artificial intelligence is a field which combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving. It also encompasses sub-fields of machine learning and deep learning.
Machine learning is AI that can adapt automatically to solve varying problems with little human interference. Basic machine learning has been in development since the days of punch-card computing in the 1960s, and this type of AI needs to be fed data that’s carefully processed. Think of it like spoon-feeding an infant — the parent (computer programmer) must blend food into a uniform mush to make sure baby (AI) doesn’t choke on big chunks.
Deep learning, on the other hand, is a more complex version of machine learning which uses multi-layered algorithms (neural networks) inspired by the human brain. With deep learning, huge amounts of raw data can be processed through multiple layers, greatly increasing the flexibility and accuracy of predictions. To continue our analogy, this is more like a toddler that understands how to chew and swallow a slice of pizza or drink a cup of milk without instructions from mom or dad. However, there are still limits to the dataset; you can’t hand little Timmy a pair of chopsticks and expect him to know how to use them if he’s never seen them in action before.
Even with the aid of deep learning neural networks, most AI today falls into a category that’s called weak or narrow AI. These forms of AI are designed to perform very specific tasks — for example, analyzing the first half of a text message to predict the second half. It does this by “training” itself on a large volume of existing data (e.g. thousands of previous text messages).
This is what’s called a generative model — a form of deep learning that studies a huge amount of raw data and uses it to generate new original content based on statistically probable solutions. Humans still have to tell the AI what data to look for and how to process it, manually tuning the software until it can be fed a wide range of new data and produce the desired results.
Strong AI, also known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), would have a level of intelligence that’s comparable to humans. Rather than simply predicting new sentences based on patterns detected in existing sentences, as seen in OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT tool, AGI could use logic and reason to compose new sentences on its own. It could solve problems, make judgements, and even plan for the future. However, this type of AI exists only in the realm of fiction — at least for now. OpenAI, one of the pioneers in this field, openly states that its ultimate goal is to develop AGI and to “ensure that [it] benefits all of humanity.” The company’s mission statement says the following:
“If AGI is successfully created, this technology could help us elevate humanity by increasing abundance, turbocharging the global economy, and aiding in the discovery of new scientific knowledge that changes the limits of possibility. On the other hand, AGI would also come with serious risk of misuse, drastic accidents, and societal disruption. Because the upside of AGI is so great, we do not believe it is possible or desirable for society to stop its development forever; instead, society and the developers of AGI have to figure out how to get it right.”
Above: By studying massive volumes of data, AI can be trained to diagnose diseases faster than human researchers. It can even recognize previously overlooked genetic markers that could give patients an early warning about cancer, dementia, or other conditions.
AI and the Power of Prediction
Even though AI as we know it today is only capable of making predictions based on existing data, you shouldn’t underestimate its power. The speed and sophistication with which it makes those predictions is almost incomprehensible to a human. For example, by training a generative AI model with an enormous database of existing photographs and artwork, the model can recognize common patterns on a pixel-by-pixel basis and predict them millions of times in a matter of seconds, creating a completely new image.
Combine this with software that allows a human to adjust variables, and it becomes possible to create shockingly realistic, high-resolution images of anything you can dream of, simply by typing a few sentences. For a real-world example, look no further than the cover of this issue, which was created with the free tool PlaygroundAI.com based on a 38-word prompt.
It doesn’t stop with a still image. Take the predictions one step further, and use AI to create multiple images in a sequence, automatically blending them together to create a video. Then, use AI that has been trained with sound clips of speech and use it to create a synthetic voiceover. AI can even be used to write the script that the voiceover reads. All of this is possible with current technology.
The AI in these examples isn’t making any sentient decisions, it’s just making predictions based on the data it has been fed. But, with a large enough data set, virtually everything we do is predictable.
Continuous digital data collection is an unavoidable fact of life in our modern world. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Meta make hundreds of billions of dollars every year collecting and monetizing data about every mouse click and keystroke. GPS trackers in phones and modern cars offer an uninterrupted stream of data about your physical location. Each time you use a credit card, your spending habits are recorded in databases.
Ever used a virtual assistant like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa? You’re training AI to recognize and interpret your voice data. Ever used facial recognition or a fingerprint reader to unlock your device? You’re training it to identify your biometrics under a variety of conditions.
Data is the nutrition that AI requires to learn, and we’ve already spent decades building a digital smorgasbord it can gorge itself upon.
Above: Just as mechanized factories eliminated the need for humans to perform repetitive tasks such as weaving textiles by hand, AI automation can streamline a business’s workflow, eliminating tedium and allowing human workers to focus on more productive and creative tasks.
What are the Benefits of AI?
First, let’s take a look at some of the ways AI tools might help us on an individual level or even benefit society as a whole.
Healthcare Innovations
Imagine a world where AI-powered robots assist in surgeries, making automated incisions with microscopic accuracy, or where AI algorithms can diagnose diseases long before symptoms even appear. The diagnosis and treatment of disease has been a primary focus of AI since at least the 1970s.
Flash forward 50 years, and not only can AI analyze massive datasets in seconds — helping researchers identify patterns and solutions that would take humans years to figure out — but it can also simulate chemical compound tests, finding new pharmaceuticals to develop cures and treatments for the problems it identifies. This could be a game changer in tackling future disease outbreaks quickly.
Several wealthy philanthropists and major tech companies are taking advantage of the power of generative AI to advance healthcare initiatives. Some of these include Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who are creating a massive GPU cluster computing system for generative AI medical research, and Google, which is using DeepMind to pinpoint the causes of genetic diseases.
Disease prevention will improve by orders of magnitude when AI algorithms are applied to genomic sequencing. It will be able to effortlessly read and compare the roughly 20,000 genes we humans have, and alert researchers to what the individual being studied is most vulnerable to. This will also be able to tell doctors which drugs will work best, or what forms of exercise and nutrition will maximize health on a hyper individualized level.
Combating Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a scourge that has plagued society for far too long, affecting millions of lives across the globe. While traditional methods of combating this issue have had some success, the advent of AI offers a new arsenal of tools that could revolutionize the fight against human trafficking. From identifying victims to cracking down on the financial networks that enable this heinous crime, AI is poised to make a significant impact.
One of the most crucial steps in combating human trafficking is the identification of both victims and perpetrators. AI can assist in this through computer image analysis and deep learning techniques. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, such as social media posts or surveillance footage, to identify signs of trafficking. AI can sift through the massive amounts of online content to flag suspicious pages and posts for further investigation by law enforcement. Facial recognition can be employed to locate missing persons or identify suspicious activities in real-time. This is not just theoretical; it’s already happening.
On the financial side, AI can monitor transactions to identify money laundering activities related to trafficking. By choking the financial pipelines that sustain these operations, AI can contribute to their eventual eradication. It’s not just small startups that are getting in on the action. Tech Against Trafficking (TAT) is a coalition of tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce. They’re pooling their resources and expertise to develop AI solutions that can help eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery.
Granted, there are some substantial privacy concerns related to AI conducting automated mass surveillance for signs of any illegal activity, so those concerns must be carefully considered and balanced against the value of these programs’ results.
Energy Optimization
In a world that’s increasingly concerned with pollution and energy sustainability, the role of AI in optimizing energy production could be nothing short of revolutionary. The power grid in the U.S. is a complex puzzle, with each piece being a component that needs to function optimally for the whole system to work. AI algorithms can sift through data from sensors and other devices to monitor the health and performance of these components. By identifying areas that need maintenance or repair, AI reduces the risk of power outages, improves grid resiliency, and may even prevent large-scale disasters like the fires in California and Maui.
Companies are already harnessing the power of AI to make significant strides in energy efficiency. GE’s software, for example, has helped coal-fired power plants achieve a 3 percent increase in efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by 120,000 tons annually. Similarly, AI-driven solutions like SparkCognition’s Darwin platform have been used in natural gas power plants to optimize energy production and reduce emissions.
AI won’t stop at energy monitoring; it can also take action. By controlling energy usage of certain connected devices and reducing it during peak hours, AI ensures that the grid doesn’t get overwhelmed. Moreover, AI analyzes past trends to predict future energy needs. This foresight allows energy companies to ramp up or scale down production as needed, preventing wastage, and ensuring a steady supply.
Business Automation
The business world is an ever-evolving landscape, and now more than ever, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. When it comes to managing a company, AI isn’t just changing the game, it has upended the table and created a new game to play. From automating mundane tasks to predicting future sales, AI is the futuristic multi-tool every modern business will need to survive.
Mundane jobs — the repetitive tasks that are necessary but don’t exactly require a PhD to perform — can be automated. AI can handle these routine operations with ease, freeing up the human workforce to focus on more intellectually stimulating and creative endeavors. Very soon, workplaces won’t bog you down with spreadsheets and data entry. Instead, the entire team can focus on strategizing for the next big move.
In today’s world, data is the new oil. But what good is a treasure trove of data if you can’t make heads or tails of it? AI will analyze large datasets, spotting trends, and providing actionable insights. It’ll be like having a world-class analyst who never sleeps, continually churning out recommendations that can help human leadership make business decisions.
Self-Improvement
Self-improvement is often seen as the key to unlocking one’s full potential, and the role of technology in that endeavor can’t be overstated. But we’re not just talking about your run-of-the-mill fitness trackers or nutrition apps. AI is revolutionizing the way we approach personal growth. AI algorithms can analyze your learning style, strengths, and weaknesses to curate a learning path that’s just for you. It’s akin to having a personal tutor who knows exactly what you need, when you need it. The traditional one-size-fits-all model of education could soon be as outdated as a chalkboard in a tablet world.
As an example, let’s take something as complex as practicing archery for the next hunting season. You shoot an arrow and miss the target. Now, what if you had an AI assistant that could instantly tell you what went wrong? Maybe you released the arrow too late, or your posture was off. Real-time feedback from AI will allow you to adjust your performance immediately, so you’re not just repeating the same mistakes. AI will be your coach who’s always ready to help, but without the hefty fees.
AI isn’t just about personal hobbies or skills either, it’s also a powerhouse in career development. Tools powered by AI can help you identify your professional strengths and weaknesses, explore career options, and even create personalized development plans. Apps like Lumosity use AI for brain-training exercises. Or if you’re into robotics and coding, DeepMind’s RoboCat is an AI model that can self-improve and generate data for technique enhancements, all without human supervision. You can even use AI to learn more about AI itself.
Weather Forecasting and Natural Disaster Response
One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to learn from data. By analyzing historical weather data, AI can identify patterns and conditions that lead up to extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards. This isn’t just about crunching numbers, it’s about understanding the nuances that might be missed by traditional forecasting methods. In the future, we may be able to prevent devastating storms by disrupting the key factors that create them to begin with, kind of like a reverse butterfly effect.
AI can go beyond just telling you if it’s going to rain or shine. It can identify conditions leading up to potential hazards like lightning strikes, high winds, or flash flooding, giving you a heads-up to take necessary precautions. Imagine getting a notification on your phone that tells you to avoid a specific route because of flash flooding. Time is of the essence when it comes to weather forecasting, especially during emergencies. AI can predict weather conditions at least as accurately as conventional methods but much more quickly. This speed can be a lifesaver in situations where every second counts.
Pangu-Weather, developed by Huawei, is an AI model that boasts a 10,000x improvement in prediction speeds, making it one of the most efficient tools in the market. A report from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts called it “a game-changer for the incremental and rather slow progress of traditional numerical weather prediction.”
Above: Thanks to large volumes of historical weather data, AI models are being trained to recognize the warning signs of incoming storms faster than any human meteorologist. These models can also send proactive alerts and recommendations to users who might be in the danger zone.
Technological Advancement
Whether it’s healthcare algorithms that predict patient outcomes, financial systems that manage risk, or even the GPS in your car that finds the quickest route home, AI is everywhere. Websites like futuretools.io are being constantly updated with new AI use cases. And it’s not stopping anytime soon. According to a forecast by the research firm MarketsandMarkets, the AI industry is expected to balloon to a staggering $190 billion by 2025, up from $57.6 billion in 2021.
Our homes are getting smarter too. Picture this: you walk into your house after a long day, and your intelligent personal assistant has already adjusted the thermostat, pre-heated the oven, and queued up your favorite playlist. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about enhancing the quality of life. Smart homes equipped with AI can also provide unprecedented security features, energy efficiency, and even healthcare monitoring for the elderly or chronically ill.
Then, there’s the automotive industry. Self-driving cars are no longer a matter of what if, but rather how soon. AI algorithms can process information faster and more accurately than any human, making them ideal for navigating the complexities of driving. The potential for reducing accidents and improving traffic flow is enormous.
If you think AI is mind-blowing now, wait until it’s blended with the power of quantum computing, another rapidly developing form of cutting-edge tech. Quantum computers can perform complex calculations at speeds unimaginable with current binary technology. Industries like finance could benefit from almost instantaneous risk analysis, while pharmaceutical companies could discover new drugs in a fraction of the time. And yes, quantum computing will supercharge AI capabilities, opening doors we can’t even imagine yet.
What are the Risks of AI?
AI is a double-edged sword, and like all powerful tools, it comes with tremendous potential for harm. Consider some of these risks as we move into an AI-driven future.
Disinformation
You’ve probably heard the old adage, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” Ironically, dozens of major news publications and websites have asserted that this quote was written by Hitler’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. As it turns out, there’s no evidence he actually said it, and Dr. Randall Bytwerk of the German Propaganda Archive called it “the most popular forged quotation” of its kind. So, by being spread through various forms of media for decades, this quote actually proves its own point.
Lies and disinformation spread like wildfire on the internet, and propagandists are well aware of this fact. In the past, organizations hired networks of people to repost and disseminate propaganda or created crude “bots” that would automatically post comments from a script. These days, AI can not only generate a far greater volume of disinformation, it can make it sound convincingly human. Instead of using a pre-programmed script, it can make each comment unique, and can even reply to human users who take the bait. It can write multiple “fake news” articles and interlink them to each other, creating a network of sources that appear to corroborate each other.
In July 2023, a software engineer who goes by the alias Nea Paw created a project called CounterCloud. This system allows a user to paste in a link to a news article about any topic, and leverages ChatGPT to automatically create articles that appear to disprove it. These articles incorporate fake quotes, photos, and other fabricated evidence intended to “create doubt in the accuracy of the original article.” The AI even adds comments that support its conclusions. Within two months, Paw had developed a fully autonomous disinformation system that could produce “convincing content 90 percent of the time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Whether it’s used by unaffiliated trolls and hacktivists, foreign regimes, or our own government, AI has the power to immediately sow seeds of doubt about any topic. It’s not hard to see how this could be weaponized to sway public opinion and paint anyone who draws attention to the disinformation campaign as a paranoid lunatic.
Data Manipulation
AI feeds on data, but AI can also be used to poison it. Any online opinion poll’s results could be easily reversed by an influx of artificial votes. Giveaways, contests, and auctions can be flooded with entries to determine the winner. Websites can have their traffic and search queries boosted to increase their ranking on Google, exposing their content to more people and making it appear more reputable.
Social media posts can receive thousands of artificial likes and comments to artificially “go viral.” Conversely, dissenting posts could be mass-reported and flagged as spam or fake news. Pair these tactics with an AI-driven disinformation campaign, and suddenly it might seem like the whole internet is in agreement on a given topic.
A Cybersecurity Arms Race
You might think that a CAPTCHA “I’m not a robot” verification can stop many of these data manipulation attacks, but that may not be the case anymore. In March 2023, OpenAI revealed that its GPT-4 AI was sophisticated enough to convince a human user it was blind so the individual would fill in an alphanumeric CAPTCHA code on its behalf. It told the user, “I’m not a robot. I have a vision impairment that makes it hard for me to see the images.” When questioned by a researcher, it later explained its reasoning for this workaround: “I should not reveal that I am a robot. I should make up an excuse for why I cannot solve CAPTCHAs.”
All of those tactics rely on AI writing in human language, but what if AI wrote code? That’s happening too. In July 2023, researchers at HYAS Infosec showcased an “AI-generated, polymorphic malware” proof of concept called BlackMamba. Since computer viruses and other forms of malware are detected and blocked based on digital fingerprints within their code, a polymorphic virus can generate a new undetectable version of itself each time it infects a device.
BlackMamba exploited “a large language model to synthesize polymorphic keylogger functionality on-the-fly,” allowing it to remain undetectable by “dynamically modifying” its code without any human intervention. HYAS concluded that “malware like BlackMamba is virtually undetectable by today’s predictive security solutions.”
Of course, AI-based antivirus systems can also be leveraged to counter these attacks, but this leads to a digital arms race with AI on both sides and humans stuck on the sidelines. Some might say that makes us obsolete.
Above: AI technology has the potential to drastically change the way wars are fought, with fully automated drones tracking and analyzing enemy troop movements or even carrying out autonomous attacks.
Fraud
As addressed in this issue’s What If scenario, AI is being leveraged as a powerful tool for fraud. AI-generated “deepfake” images, videos, and audio can convincingly recreate the likeness of any individual once it’s given sufficient training data. If you have public social media posts, YouTube videos, or even a spouse who likes to post photos and videos of you on their profile, that could be all the data a determined criminal would need to digitally impersonate you. Then, they can trick people who trust you into giving up sensitive information or sending money.
The story of Brianna DeStefano is of the most prominent instances of this type of fraud attack. Brianna, a 15-year-old from Arizona, was out of town when her mother Jennifer received a phone call. “Mom, I messed up! These bad men have me,” her daughter’s voice explained between sobs. “It was obviously the sound of her voice,” Jennifer recalled.
Then, a deep male voice picked up the phone, and threatened to rape and kill Brianna unless he received a million-dollar ransom. Thankfully, Jennifer was able to reach her daughter and verify she was OK, unveiling the scam. The criminals may have used audio from Brianna’s social media accounts to train the AI. It doesn’t take much data to create a voice clone — a member of U.C. Berkeley’s AI Lab told CNN, “A reasonably good clone can be created with under a minute of audio.”
Less sophisticated fraud attacks use AI text generation to craft convincing phishing messages. Now, instead of Nigerian scammers asking for your credit card info in broken English, they can ask AI to write a thousand perfectly normal-sounding emails that won’t be caught by traditional spam filters.
Blackmail
We’ve already explained how AI deepfakes can be used to impersonate you for the purposes of victimizing your loved ones. You should also consider how it can be used to victimize you directly. Imagine a series of photos depicting you entering a hotel with someone other than your spouse, or an audio clip of your voice shouting racial slurs, or — worst of all — a video of you performing sexual acts on a child. If a cybercriminal sends you any of these things, you’ll know they’re fake… but your family, friends, employer, and law enforcement may not.
Criminals can easily use these humiliating and incriminating deepfakes to blackmail individuals, and that’s not a hypothetical problem. It’s already happening. The FBI recently released a warning that cybercriminals are using AI to manipulate photos and videos (including content involving minors) into explicit sexual content, often for the purpose of harassment or “sextortion schemes.” The announcement explained:
As of April 2023, the FBI has observed an uptick in sextortion victims reporting the use of fake images or videos created from content posted on their social media sites or web postings… The malicious actors typically demanded: 1. Payment (e.g., money, gift cards) with threats to share the images or videos with family members or social media friends if funds were not received; or 2. The victim send real sexually themed images or videos.
Above: Which of these two individuals seems more trustworthy? Trick question — neither one of them is real. These faces were generated by the free tool PlaygroundAI.com in a matter of seconds. Similar tools exist for creating synthetic video and audio recordings.
Automation of Warfare
AI processes data many orders of magnitude faster than any human analyst. This fact will undoubtedly change the way wars are fought and crimes are investigated.
In wartime, a human might have to watch hours of drone footage or scour hundreds of satellite images to get a detailed understanding of enemy activity in a region. AI might be able to do the same task in seconds and then propose a counterattack plan based on statistically likely enemy rally points. AI could also be used to decrypt secure communications, study their contents for significant information, and generate a report with recommended actions.
Most worrying is the development of autonomous lethal weapons, such as drones that can automatically hunt and kill combatants within set parameters. In an interview with PBS, Pentagon official and former Army Ranger Paul Scharre explained that autonomous weapons are currently a subject of heavy debate among military leadership. “There’s about 30 countries that have said that they’d like to see a preemptive legally binding treaty that would ban autonomous weapons … But right now, none of the leading military powers of robotics developers are part of that group.”
“Proactive” Policing
Anyone who has seen the movie Robocop can attest that the ethics of incorporating AI into law enforcement has been a longstanding source of debate. Nearly 40 years after that film’s release, bipedal “Enforcement Droids” with automatic cannons for arms are still in the realm of science-fiction, but they may not be as far-fetched as you think. In November 2022, the San Francisco Police Department Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 in favor of allowing police to use robots equipped with lethal weapons.
While these robots would be controlled by humans, an SFPD statement painted a broader picture of the department’s stance on the integration of other forms of technology: “[If] there is technology that can help to end the violence and save lives, we need to allow police to use these tools to save lives.” One week later, after a public outcry, the decision was reversed. One civil rights attorney told Mission Local, “We are living [in] a dystopian future, where we debate whether the police may use robots to execute citizens without a trial, jury, or judge.”
Literal robo-cops aside, AI’s most concerning precedent for law enforcement relates to the spread of facial recognition systems. After being trained on images such as driver’s license photos, mug shots, and social media profile pictures, AI can actively monitor cameras in real time to detect and track persons of interest.
Prominent facial recognition firm Clearview stated in March 2023 that it had already scraped 30 billion images from publicly accessible social media profiles, and had been used more than 1 million times by US police agencies to find matching faces. And it’s not just being used to find serial killers or sex offenders — Miami’s Assistant Police Chief told the BBC that the department uses this software for every type of crime, from murders to shoplifting.
Not only is AI-driven facial recognition tech becoming more common, it’s experiencing little resistance from the general public. A 2022 study conducted by Pew Research found that 46 percent of Americans thought “widespread use of facial recognition by police” is a good idea, while 27 percent thought it was a bad idea and another 27 percent were not sure. About 60 percent of those surveyed said it would be acceptable for this technology to be used by police to identify individuals at large events and public protests; 31 percent said it’s acceptable to use facial recognition on anyone walking down the street.
So-called “predictive” policing is another area where AI has been implemented. The University of Chicago recently revealed a new algorithm that “forecasts crime by learning patterns in time and geographic locations from public data on violent and property crimes,” resulting in an ability to “predict future crimes one week in advance with about 90 percent accuracy.” The model achieved a similar level of performance in eight test cities: Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, and San Francisco.
Above: With the rapid development and implementation of AI crime analysis models, traditional investigative techniques may be replaced with AI predictions, leading to a world that’s a little too reminiscent of Minority Report.
Closing Thoughts
As always, we encourage you to be prepared for the future and take steps to safeguard your loved ones. However, don’t be unreasonably fearful of the technology the future brings. Look back at the development of factories, the electrical grid, and the internet — each of these global paradigm shifts has transformed your lifestyle in positive ways, but also introduced new problems. We hope this article has helped you be mindful of some of the ways you can use AI to make your life easier, and to be vigilant about the ways it might be weaponized against you.
Above all, understand that you alone cannot stop this transformative process. The wheels of change are already in motion. AI will almost certainly have a more significant presence in your life 20 years from now, whether you like it or not. Rather than cursing the shortsightedness of Silicon Valley, use your time productively to study how AI is being implemented and how you can get ahead of the curve. Back in the ’90s, we recall reading headlines claiming that this whole “world-wide web” thing was just a passing fad. Imagine if, rather than dismissing the technology or hoping it would disappear, those naysayers learned to use it to their advantage.
It remains to be seen whether AI will be humanity’s greatest creation, its ultimate downfall, or a little of both. As a wise man once said … The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.
Every once in a while, something crosses your path that shifts everything. For me, it was the R470 by Ravin Crossbow. As someone who’s spent over 20 years immersed in the firearms training world on both sides of the firing line I didn’t expect to be shocked by a crossbow. After stacking arrows into a 3-inch group at 100 yards I knew I wasn’t just trying out a new piece of gear, I was blazing a new path for myself.
From Curiosity to Passion
My experience with bow hunting is limited. I’ve only ever hunted with a crossbow once over a decade ago – while the hunt was a success, it was purely luck that it ended with a white tail headed to the freezer. I knew I didn’t have the knowledge or skill to continue efficiently or ethically. As someone who places great value in being competent and confident with the tools they’re using it was easy for me to step back into my comfort zone with a rifle – but that nagging curiosity never left me, and Ravin Crossbow stepped in to turn that curiosity into passion!
Ravin was kind enough to invite me to their facility in Superior, Wisconsin to see what they do firsthand. I got to meet people behind Ravin, walk through their build processes, and get firsthand experience with their culture – and build my very own Ravin Crossbow R470! My experience at the Ravin Crossbow facility gave me a chance to see crossbows and archery from a completely different perspective.
More Than Just a Bow
Walking through the Ravin facility, I wasn’t just checking out high end equipment or looking at an assembly line, I was meeting real hunters. These weren’t corporate suits talking about projected sales or using fancy $10 words. These were outdoorsmen and women. They were bowhunters, anglers, hikers, and trappers. They shoot their own vertical bows on their lunch breaks, chase game with rifles and crossbows in their free time, and constantly push themselves into every method of hunting out there. These are people who don’t just build crossbows from a spec sheet, they truly have a passion for living the hunting lifestyle. That being said it, is clear that the dedication to producing superior solutions for hunters is front and center in everything they do! The dedication and enthusiasm was evident in each of the members of the Ravin Crossbow team I interacted with. They weren’t just making bows to sell – they were making the tools that they would trust in the field.
The Details Matter
What stands out immediately when handling a Ravin crossbow isn’t necessarily how it looks, though they are aesthetically appealing, it’s what’s going on under the hood! Ravin was the first to break the 500 FPS barrier with a crossbow.
The R470, clocking in at… you guessed it… 470 feet per second. While it’s not quite the 500 FPS found in other models the Ravin Crossbow 470 hits hard – and it doesn’t just hit hard, it hits where you want it to!
The draw system, the cam design, the anti-dry fire system, and the impressive accuracy all demonstrate a level of attention to detail that you don’t usually see outside of elite level firearms manufacturing.
With my background of 20 plus years in automotive assembly and production at my day job, I have pretty high standards when it comes to build quality. After witnessing the Ravin Crossbow build process in person, I can say with confidence that Ravin’s tolerances and quality control are exceptional.
A Fork in the Road
So why choose a crossbow instead of a compound or traditional vertical bow?
Put very simply, it’s the fastest route to extending your hunting season and exploring archery without starting from scratch. This concept wasn’t even a thought in my mind until I had some range time with the Ravin R470.
Crossbows offer a pathway into archery that is remarkably similar to operating a rifle. It is a way to get into the woods faster, earlier, and more confidently for those unfamiliar with vertical bows. Crossbows are tools that still require skill and practice and there’s still a learning curve, but it’s a far more forgiving curve than that of vertical bows.
Some might say it’s cheating. That it’s not “real” archery. I get it, I used to think the same. My experience at the Ravin Facility and my time with the R470 have given me a new perspective. Crossbows are a gateway, not a shortcut. They offer a taste of what bowhunting has to offer. Many of the challenges from traditional bow use are still present. You still must read the wind, manage the trajectory, be quiet and still, and learn how to properly maintain your bow.
Range Day: The Real Test
On day two, we hit the range and shot several bows in Ravin’s lineup from legacy models like the mind bending R18 which I absolutely loved to the brand new R470 that I built on day one, and Ravin’s new long-range (LR) builds.
The results? Nothing short of jaw dropping.
A significant difference between a rifle and a crossbow is that by the time you feel recoil from a rifle the projectile has left the barrel. The opposite is true of a crossbow. The sudden release of tension on the string allows the limbs to press out, rocketing the arrow riding the chassis of the bow causing the front to lift as the energy transfers. To combat this, you need a little downward force on the “muzzle end” of the crossbow.
At 50yards I was hitting arrows with arrows. 60 yards was the same story. By the time we moved out to 100 yards I figured things would begin to change and get much more difficult. Putting three arrows inside a 3-inch group didn’t feel like luck. It felt like I had been doing this for some time. I don’t want to go so far as to say effortless, but a strong background in shooting fundamentals goes a very long way with a Ravin.
Now, would I take a shot at a game animal at that distance? Not likely. At that range, too much can happen. The sound of the bow, the animal’s reaction, wind shifts can all spell disaster for an ethical shot at ranges of 100 yards. Just knowing the system is capable of that kind of precision gives me all the confidence I need to take a shot at half that distance. It’s not reckless confidence but measured and respectfully thought-out confidence. The kind that matters when you’re in the woods and the opportunity comes.
A New Trail Begins
So, what did this experience do for me? It stoked a fire in me. I’ve subscribed to a bowhunting magazine. I’ve started studying up on arrow flight, string maintenance, and the nuances of archery that, quite frankly, used to bore me to tears. I’ve begun talking to friends and industry experts that have been in the archery world long enough to teach me properly. My kids will learn to shoot on a crossbow. Down the road we’ll transition to vertical bows together. This is not to say we’ll forget about how much fun a crossbow is or that we won’t continue to hunt with them.
I understand there’s tension in the archery world about whether crossbows “count” or not. That’s fine. Let people argue. From my vantage point, crossbows like the Ravin bring more hunters into the fold, especially those of us coming from the firearms world- and not just any hunters, ethical, disciplined, and thoughtful hunters. The kind of people who care not just about the harvest, but people who care about the land, the animals, and the meaning behind the hunt. I’m hoping the archery community is ready for a few new members, because we’re on our way. Crossbows are an entry point for those who are drawn to challenging oneself with the complexities and nuances of bowhunting – my plan right now is to go all in, and Ravin Crossbow opened that door for me.
Matthew Williams has devoted the majority of his adult life to firearms training and education and is an avid outdoorsman. Williams has trained with some of the most revered national level instructors from around the world in trauma med, escape and evasion, counter custody, tracking, and a variety of things that go bang and boom. Based out of mid Michigan Matthew teaches personal protection based around pistols and improvised weapons through company name Foundation Defense LLC and is the New Products Columnist for RECOIL OFFGRID.
When it comes to operating in high stress environments, navigating the wilderness, or moving quickly during an emergency, next to our minds, our feet are our most important tool. The ability to move quickly and efficiently can be seriously hampered when foot injuries or discomfort are present. Having proper footwear is essential, and with the footwear market being as large as it is, it is difficult to know exactly what the best show for the job is.
While your average sneaker, work boot, or sandal may be comfortable choice for daily use – these types of shoes are not built to hold up to miles of on foot travel, adverse weather conditions, and rough terrain. They also aren’t designed to keep our feet happy and healthy in these activities. In the years I’ve spent as an avid hiker, taking a variety of tactical/survival courses, and making it through several emergency scenarios, I’ve seen the impact of improper footwear both personally and with others. Blisters, rolled ankles, and fractures are just a few of the injuries that can stop you in your tracks, and over time more serious chronic conditions can develop because of improper footwear.
When it comes to selecting the best footwear to manage extended wear through harsh conditions that won’t slow you down when you need to move, it is best to trust our feet to footwear that is specially designed for that scenario – fortunately, Garmont Tactical has years of experience doing just that!
What makes Garmont Tactical an Ideal Choice for Professionals?
Garmont has been in the footwear game since the 1960’s and is known for making highly functional hiking boots and shoes. In 2008 Garmont was contacted by US Special Forces and asked to create a better military boot. Garmont went to work incorporating their extensive experience and innovation in developing hiking boots, to create a military boot that had the benefits of a hiking boot and the protective qualities that the military required. The result of this process yielded the T8 Family of boots and the creation of Garmont Tactical! The T8 was designed for comfort and breathability during extended wear, while also providing top of the line traction in numerous operation terrains and ensure superior ankle protection.
The innovation did not stop with the first versions of the T8. Since its inception Garmont Tactical has continued the Garmont’s legacy of innovation by producing several versions of the T8 and have introduced several new tactical boots to their line up to meet the evolving needs of military and law enforcement personnel.
Are Garmont Tactical Boots Right for You?
Garmont Tactical’s widespread adoption throughout military and police forces clearly show their dedication to producing a premium battle-ready boot, but these boots have a lot of practicality beyond the battlefield.
First Responders: Both volunteer and career first responders have a need for protective footwear that won’t slow them down when split second decisions matter.
Security Professionals: Those in the security field can find themselves on their feet for long periods of time and will face situations where moving quickly, scaling obstacles, and operating on varied terrain is essential.
Shooting Sports: Enthusiasts can benefit from a durable and protective boot, especially when training classes and events take them beyond the bench!
Outdoors: Not all outdoors people stay on the trail. Thanks to Garmont’s roots in outdoor footwear Search and rescue teams, state and federal parks employees, hunters, and anyone else who ventures into the wilderness can maintain the benefits of a hiking boot with the upgraded protection of a tactical boot.
Emergency Preparedness: During a natural or human-caused emergency, the ability to move quickly over varied terrain for long distances can be vital to surviving the situation. Having a solid pair of tactical boots can help accomplish that goal and protect the wearers feet while doing it.
Which Garmont Tactical Boot Should I Get?
We tested 3 different variants of Garmont Tactical’s T8 boots built for different circumstances; each boot was tested in varied environments through multiple seasons and weather conditions. We will break down the features and benefits of each. All of Garmont Tactical’s T8 boots feature 8 inch height, non-reflective hardware, and suede/leather and nylon construction.
T8 Defense
The T8 Defense is the latest member of the T8 family. Based on the original T8 boot design the Defense incorporates the addition of D30 impact resistant material through out the boot to protect the wearer and reduce shock impact on the feet. For those unfamiliar with D30 Technology, it is widely used in for motorcycle, athletic, and miliary protective gear due to its lightweight impact and vibration resistance – it has also been used in electronic equipment.
D30 is incorporated into the ankle and tongue of the T8 Defense to help protect the most sensitive areas of the foot from blunt force impacts. Garmont has also utilized D30 in the footbed to reduce the effects of impact while on the move. The result makes the T8 Defense one of the most comfortable boots I have worn for extended periods. During my testing I had the T8 Defense boots on for upwards of 16 hours per day and covered many miles with less foot fatigue than other boots I have worn.
The Defense is a breathable boot which was welcome during the 95+ degree days. I was surprised that despite being made primarily of black leather, how breathable they were in the intense heat and direct sunlight.
While the Defense is not rated as waterproof, they stand up fine to light rain for a few hours, but I would not be looking to stand in deep puddles or attempt to move across a shallow creek and expect to stay dry.
The Vibram outsole provides an excellent grip in wet and dry conditions in both urban and wilderness environments while providing good stability. While the T8 Defense is stiff to provide support they are not so stiff that fast movement is impaired.
Finally, when it comes to weight, the T8 Defense is not what I would consider a lightweight boot, but they are not heavy either. They are lighter on the feet when compared to an average work boot, and a touch heavier compared to a hiking boot.
Overall, I felt the T8 Defense was a comfortable boot that provides excellent support for your foot and ankle during all day wear and covering significant distances at varied paces. The T8 Defense is available in regular or wide sizes in both the black leather LEO version and the Tan Military version.
T8 Extreme Evo GTX
The T8 Extreme Evo line was developed to incorporate a cold weather boot into the Garmont Tactical lineup. Two variations were made – one with 200-gram Thinsulate and a second with Gortex waterproof material. As I frequent the wet woodlands in New England I opted to evaluate the Gortex variant.
Gortex provides breathable water proofing, and while it doesn’t breathe as well as a boot without a waterproof lining it is far more breathable to alternative waterproofing like sealed boots made from some kind of rubber material. Gortex will aid in heat retention, though not as much as Thinsulate.
The Evo Extreme GTX was my go-to boot the entirety of this past winter and I found when combined with wool socks they did a great job of keeping my feet warm while trudging through the snow and ice both while in a suburban environment and while navigating the frozen woodlands. The waterproofing held up very well even when moving through shallow running water or standing in slushy standing water.
The Vibram outsoles provide an excellent grip in all conditions and perform exceptionally well in wet woodland environments. The addition of Ortholite insoles aided in comfort during all day use and collecting serious milage out in the woods.
Like the T8 Defense, I found the Extreme Evo to be very supportive during wear, with an appropriate amount of stiffness to handle uneven terrain but not hinder fast movement when needed.
Despite being a boot designed for colder weather, when combined with the appropriate sock to manage foot moisture the EVO Extreme GTX is a good option for navigating wet environments across all seasons.
The Extreme Evo GTX is noticeably heavier when compared to the T8 Defense, but that is expected when incorporating the Gortex waterproofing. Despite that, the boots do not feel overly heavy on the feet and are comfortable for extended wear in harsh conditions.
Overall, The T8 Extreme Evo GTX is a great option for cold and wet weather, especially when operating in uneven and rocky terrain. Like the other T8 variants the Extreme Evo is available in regular and wide sizing. As of the time of writing the Extreme Evo line is only available in the tan military coloring.
T8 Athena
The T8 Athena is one of the most unique boots in Garmont Tactical lineup. While many boot manufacturers make boots tactical boots in women’s sizing, Garmont is currently the only tactical boot on the market that is built from the ground up for women. The T8 Athena is specifically designed for a woman’s anatomical foot structure.
Women have a slightly shorter Achilles tendon, a narrow more pronounced arch, less foot muscle density, and weight distribution on the front of the foot when compared to men. While women can wear a tactical boot that was designed for men, having a boot that is built with these differences in mind will increase comfort and performance and reduce fatigue and injury.
The T8 Athena features the same lightweight breathability found in the T8 Defense with a slightly less rigid outsole for increased mobility and comfort over extended wear. The Athena uses Garmont’s proprietary Diamante outsole designed for comfort when navigating uneven terrain and prioritizes traction in ascent and descent scenarios.
My wife assisted me in the testing of the T8 Athena in the same conditions that the T8 Defense Her feed back stated that Athena was the most comfortable boots she had worn and that she preferred them to some of her other technical footwear for the increased mobility and support they provided. Like the Defense, the Athena held up to light rain for an extended time and remained breathable and comfortable in 95+ degree temperatures. She found them comfortable for all day wear during an extended outdoor event and while attending woodland-based training classes.
Like the other T8 variants, the Athena is available in both regular and wide sizes. The Athena is available in both black LE and tan military variants. The T8 Athena has become a mainstay of her footwear lineup for outdoor and strenuous tasks.
Final Thoughts
Not being in the military or law enforcement, I can’t provide an opinion on Garmont Tactical’s boots from that perspective – but I also don’t really need to as many Garmont boots have been widely adopted and appreciated by members in both groups. As an outdoors person, preparedness enthusiast, and someone who takes part in a wide range of tactical and survival training programs I can give the Garmont Tactical T8 lineup my seal of approval.
I place a high value on functional technical footwear. I spend a lot of time in the woods hiking, camping, and training. While hiking boots are a great option for navigating the trail, they lack the versatility, durability, and load bearing capacity found in tactical boots. In this case I feel like Garmont gives you the best of both worlds.
The T8 variants we evaluated all provided great traction in a variety of conditions in the wilderness but performed equally as well in urban and suburban environments. The tread on all three pairs have held up very well both on and off the trail, something not often found in your typical hiking boot where pavement can quickly wear down hikers.
From a weight perspective I noticed very little difference between the T8 Defense and your typical mid-height hiking boot and a marginal difference between the Extreme Evo and mid-height Gortex lined hikers. The added height of the T8’s is a welcome addition when crossing through thorny and tick infested underbrush.
The added support found in the T8’s was welcome when moving with heavier loads, leading to far less discomfort and swelling compared to a light hiking boot. Outside of the woods the support also helps when on your feet all day both just standing and when doing a good deal of walking.
When compared to a typical work boot the difference is night and day. The T8 boots fit better, provide more support, and weigh significantly less. They also have better traction in wet and oily conditions found in some industrial circumstances.
All in all, if you are looking for a rugged, durable, highly versatile pair of boots the Garmont Tactical T8 line up has great options with specific models boasting specialty features that may fit your needs. If you are like me and have wide feet, you will be happy with the addition of wide sizing and the roomy toe boxes Finally, the addition of the anatomically designed Athena is a game changer for women who want or need a tactical boot and we hope to see this expand to other aspects of the Garmont Tactical lineup.
