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 opportunity! I'm also a huge fan. Plus I'm Canadian so a bit more love for the company :D

I do search and rescue. I had some gear I was unsatisfied with so I designed my own solution. I was told by colleagues they'd buy it, and I genuinely think it's got innovative features worth pushing further.

• Since I have neither the capacity ($$$) or skill to manufacture even a few myself (my prototype took me forever), how do you think an individual can try to bring a product to market? (it's not so much about making money as making it available to others)

• What are common mistakes in design that should be kept in mind? (it's load carriage, but not a pack)

• Would any of you be willing to have a look at it a give me your thoughts?