ITS Tactical

Field Testing Magnum’s RD Rapid Deployment Apparel

Bryan Black

For three months now I’ve been putting Magnum’s Rapid Deployment Apparel to the test. I’ve primarily used the apparel for range use and during the Lone Star Medics course I attended back in May.

These last three months have been extremely hot here in Texas and I’m always on the lookout for comfortable clothing to abuse out at the range and for times when shorts won’t cut it. I’m happy to report that Magnum’s RD lineup fits the bill perfectly and was just released Tuesday!

Magnum RD Apparel

[flickr id=”5961809021″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] Staying cool in hot weather can be challenging for any kind of clothing material and nothing is going to “prevent” you from sweating, but during the activities I’ve put the RD Pants and RD Short Sleeve Shirt through I’ve definitely noticed a difference to other clothing I’ve worn.

One of the main contributing factors to this is the 5.4 oz. cotton ripstop that’s utilized in the RD apparel. I’ve got plenty of ripstop clothing I’ve worn throughout the years, but this is by far the lightest I’ve been in yet. I was worried at first that the lightweight nature of the ripstop would wear quicker and be more prone to abrasion, but I didn’t find that to be true. In the close-up photo of the pants pockets below you’ll notice a wear area near the rear pocket where my JMC OWB Hoster rides, but other than surface wear it’s not much at all.

Another important feature that helped with ventilation and overall heat reduction is the generous ventilation areas on both the pants and especially the shirt. Let’s get into all the features though and I’ll explain what makes this clothing something you should look at picking up, especially in this heat wave that’s sweeping the nation right now!

RD Pants

[flickr id=”5961809053″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] One thing I immediately notice when I put the Magnum RD Pants on for the first time was how well they fit. They’re cut very generously to allow full-articulation even if you have a Kung-Fu grip. Seriously though, I had no issues with range of motion whatsoever. A common problem I always have with tactical pants is that they’re cut too short for me. My inseam is a bit over 30″ but under 32 and typically when I buy a 32″ inseam to accommodate that, I get pants that fall well below my boots, I didn’t get any of this with the RD Pants.

My waist is between a 32 and 33 depending on what I eat for lunch and generally a 34 is too large for me, but I opted for the 34 due to the 100% cotton makeup. I did notice a bit of shrinking, but not anything that made the pants too tight. Clothing is always going to fit everyone differently and I won’t spend too much time on the fit other than to say for me personally these pants fit great, even after washing and drying!

[flickr id=”5961809161″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] Some notable features on the RD Pants are the low profile mag pockets that allow you to still access them while crouched and can fit a Magpul PMAG, 1 3/4″ reinforced belt loops to accommodate larger belts, vented mesh hand pockets for added comfort in the heat, dedicated folding knife pocket to take full advantage of the hand pockets, gusseted crotch with stitched vent holes and reinforced knees with knee pad pockets.

Some things to note on the RD Pants are that the rear pockets don’t have a flap or zipper, so they’re open like a pair of jeans. I didn’t mind this at all, but just something to mention if you like flaps on your tactical pants. The RD Pants weigh approximately   1.2 lbs, made in China and the color shown in the video and photos here is Mocha.

Full Feature List

RD Short Sleeve Shirt

[flickr id=”5961809033″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] The Magnum RD Short Sleeve Shirt is where the lightweight ripstop and venting truly made the difference in the heat. What I love about the mesh venting on this shirt is that it runs all the way from the interior chest to the upper shoulder blade, creating a nice draft throughout the shirt.

The armpit areas are also vented with mesh and exterior stitched vents. The fit was great overall and didn’t seem to be too short, even after washing the Medium size I have. Another great thing about the RD Shirt is the buttons, they’re very simple to snap together and easy to pull apart so you can throw on your cape quickly in a phone booth if you need to.

[flickr id=”5962363134″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] Some other notable features are the removable collar stays, non-shine buttons, concealed drop stash zippered pocket on right chest, Ab pockets that came in quite handy for storing smaller items.

The RD shirt weighs just 12.3 ounces, made in China and the color shown in the video and photos here is Desert Sage

Escape and Evasion

[flickr id=”5961809147″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] A pretty cool feature built into the Short Sleeve Shirt is an ingenious hidden stash pocket that’s concealed in the collar. The EEMS (Escape and Evasion Money Stash) is a great way to hide some extra cash, as even feeling the collar wouldn’t necessarily detect it. A small 3 1/4″ x 2″ void is sewn in to the reverse side of the collar and accessed through a 2 1/2″ slit.

This could also be great for concealing other items too, but I’ll leave that up to your imagination.

Full Feature List

Notes

The Magnum RD Apparel line is a winner in my book, definitely a well priced option for tactical clothing that works well in the heat of summer. RD Apparel is also available in women’s sizes too!

Don’t forget that Magnum has a 10% discount code for our Plank Owners and Crew Leaders to take advantage of! Head over here to view all our Vendor Discount Codes if you’re logged in.

Photos and Video Review

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