WillSteph

As much as I'd love it, there's not enough money in it for a large company to build products specifically for SAR volunteers. That is, cheaper. Besides the price (it's a premium brand after all!) the rest of Arc'Teryx's pro line is rather suitable for what you're asking for.

In which area do you live? Depending on your teams' structure, the best solution is really to do fundraising drives.

Aaaannnd when available (can't list because NDA and stuff) but look for companies that offer pro programs. More often than not, SAR volunteers are eligible.

You're probably reffering to the (old-ish) ILBE system. As the label says, these are manufactured by Propper.

As far as I know, the newer FILBE is an in-house design with collaboration from Mystery Ranch; manufactured by Eagle Industries.

By money I'm not talking about profits in a capitalist kind of way; simply that this requires an investment for what would be a very small market.

A lot of the people - from my experience in SAR teams in eastern Canada - in it are not "gearheads" at all and despite all possible demonstrations and (attempts) at convincing, many still see their surplus cotton pants and walmart 100% waterproof (and airproof...) rain jacket as appropriate.

But it varies: look at Mountain Rescue teams in the UK, or some of the biggers teams in BC like North Shore Rescue and it's a entirely different mindset and kind of people. Gear follows.

• Is there a specific reason that upper-arm pockets aren't more common than this? They are particularly useful when wearing a pack, unlike anything on the front, and very few (outside of LEAF) have them.

• Have hybrid shells : hardshell on the more exposed areas (hood, shoulders, arms); and softshell on less exposed/sweatier (back, under the arms, chest) been tested? If so, any reason they haven't been more widely adopted?

Thanks for the answers!

1. That's pretty much my plan. I have a pretty good (though not final yet) proptotype, took some "beauty shots" and I was going to email around with a short pitch. Sounds about right?

2. Yes! It's been a challenge since at first I built it for me but then others shown interest, so I have to make it a bit more... generic? Especially making it fit various body types... particularly women's chest!

3. Thank you, will keep that in mind.