About Tacticalreadyhq
Why I Started This Site
I was three miles into a twelve-mile ruck when the shoulder strap on my "tactical" pack sheared straight through the cheap nylon stitching. Had to rig it with 550 cord for the next nine miles while the plastic buckle dug into my collarbone. That was 2011, and I was an 11B in the 2nd ID carrying way too much weight in the gear I'd bought with my own money because the Army-issue stuff was garbage. I've watched too many guys waste paychecks on equipment that looks great on Amazon but falls apart when you're dragging a battle buddy out of a training lane or humping plates through 120-degree heat.
Most tactical review sites are run by marketing teams who've never depended on their gear to save their life. They unbox, take photos in a studio, and write about "vibe" and "aesthetics." Tacticalreadyhq exists because I got tired of watching good people buy bad gear. If you're trusting your life, your family's safety, or your mission to a piece of kit, you deserve to know how it performs when the zipper is clogged with sand, when the stitching is loaded past spec, and when you need to access your med kit one-handed while your heart rate is through the roof.
About Marcus Cole
I spent eight years as an Army infantryman, mostly with Stryker units, including two deployments where I learned exactly how quickly cheap MOLLE webbing frays and why "waterproof" pack claims are usually lies. I transitioned out in 2014 and spent the next six years in private security consulting, working high-threat protection details in environments where equipment failure wasn't an option. I've personally carried plate carriers for twelve-hour shifts in 110-degree heat, packed bug-out bags that had to sustain teams for 72 hours without resupply, and tested flashlights that needed to survive vehicle rollovers and concrete impacts.
This background matters because tactical gear isn't fashion. A plate carrier that sags three inches when you load it with Level IV plates will destroy your lower back. A "tactical" boot that flexes wrong will give you stress fractures on concrete. A first aid pouch that requires two hands to open is useless when you're applying your own tourniquet. I've lived the difference between gear that looks tacticool and gear that actually functions under load, under fire, and under fatigue. When I review a pack, I'm not checking color options—I'm checking if the frame transfers weight to your hips when you're hauling 60 pounds of ammo, water, and comms gear.
What We Cover
This site is for military veterans building civilian kits, security contractors upgrading duty rigs, first responders, hunters who actually hike in, and prepared citizens who refuse to own mall-ninja garbage. I focus on:
- Load-bearing equipment: Tactical backpacks, plate carriers, chest rigs, and MOLLE pouches that maintain their shape under weight.
- Illumination and EDC: Flashlights that survive impact, EDC belts that support appendix carry without sagging, and blades that hold an edge.
- Survival systems: Bug-out bags with actual packing logic, hydration systems that don't slosh or burst seams, and emergency medical kits organized for stress access.
- Footwear and mobility: Tactical boots that provide ankle support on uneven terrain and don't delaminate after six months.
Every piece of gear here gets evaluated for integration—how it works as part of a system, not just as a standalone item.
How We Test & Review
I don't do unboxing reviews. Every product spends a minimum of 60 days in rotation—loaded, worn, and abused. Plate carriers get worn with full plates for eight-hour days. Packs get 45 pounds of irregular weight and get dragged through brush and dumped in mud. Flashlights get drop-tested from vehicle height onto concrete. I check stitching counts, pull-test MOLLE webbing, and submerge "waterproof" gear to see where it actually leaks.
My scoring prioritizes function over form. If a bag has great organization but the zipper binds when dirty, it fails. If a plate carrier looks cool but the cummerbund slips under weight, it's trash. I disclose that Tacticalreadyhq uses affiliate links—if you buy through my links, I earn a commission at no cost to you. That relationship does not influence scores. I return more gear than I review, and when something breaks prematurely, I update the review to tell you exactly how it failed. My reputation as a combat veteran and consultant matters more than any single affiliate payout.
Get In Touch
If you've got questions about a specific piece of kit, want recommendations for your particular use case, or need to report that a product I recommended didn't hold up, hit me at info@tacticalreadyhq.com. I read every email, and if I'm wrong about a product, I'll update the review and tell the community. Stay sharp and keep your gear honest.
Questions? Reach us at info@tacticalreadyhq.com