Table of contents for December/January #70 2026 in RECOIL OFFGRID

When it comes to operating in highstress 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 a 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…

You’ve just been briefed on the mission. Time is short, so hit your cage or wall locker and get geared up. Success begins with preparation, and preparation means making smart choices about the kit you’ll trust your life with. Plan for how long you expect to be out, then add half again to that time. Check the weather and layer up accordingly. Load mags, top off canteens, swap batteries, and inspect snaps, zippers, buckles, and swivels. If it shakes, rattles, or rolls, tape it down. Bring what you need, leave what you don’t. Link up with your battle buddy for gear checks. We step off on in 30. 1 MAKE & MODEL 5.11 Tactical TacTec On Duty Bundle MSRP $390 URL 511tactical.com NOTES This is a great quick mission setup. The TacTec…

Iain Harrison Serves as editor-in-chief for the RECOIL group. He is a former British infantry officer with decades behind rifles and an ongoing connection to current conflict. He has spent time on the front lines in Ukraine and brings a clear view of modern small unit problems. His presence on the range matched the calm of someone who has seen the real thing. Patrick Diedrich Carries the voice of RECOIL OFFGRID as senior editor and host of the OFFGRID Podcast. He has a professional background in combat reconnaissance, and as a SAR Training Officer. He has responded to terrorist insurgencies and natural disasters alike. His instruction favors field results over cool theory, and keeps the focus on people, decisions, and what wins under stress. Michael Caughran Founded American Reconstruction Concepts.…

Embers from the fire glowed like the eyes of some ancient animal, watching from the shadows. A few candles guttered in the damp air, their halos of light swaying whenever a breath of wind slipped through the gaps in the canopy. Beyond the circle of light, the jungle was a black wall, the hum of insects and frogs muffled by the stillness of the hour. Beside me sat Quini, a Matis elder whose numerous piercings gave his face the fierce visage of a jaguar. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and spoke in a voice so soft I had to tilt my head toward him. His words moved in a rolling current of vowels and consonants that I didn’t understand, yet the rhythm alone carried a weight that pressed…

On the first day of Undisclosed all the participants were issued the gear they would be using over the course of the event. Part of their setup included the Mission First Tactical ACHRO 22L EDC Backpack loaded with some minimalist survival essentials. While I received the same pack, my role as support staff and field photographer put me in the position to require a bit more gear, so I decided to modify my loadout to accommodate my duties for the event. Like the participants, I was facing long days and nights in the intense summer heat while traversing the rough terrain of the Ben Franklin Range. Keeping my kit as minimalist as possible to keep the weight down and reduce fatigue were top of mind when building out my kit.…

The participants who signed up for RECOIL OFFGRID Undisclosed knew very little about what they were getting into. They knew that they were signing up to be part of an immersive tactical training event that would last approximately 36 hours somewhere in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — and they knew that we had selected some of the best instructors in their respective fields to train them. On arrival, Undisclosed VIPs hit the Lodge, got the mission brief, split into teams, geared up, and prepped for what was coming next. The night set off with a trauma care overview, a primer for the training to follow. The evening was spent getting to know one another, the instructors, and the support crew over good food and easy conversation. Still, unease lingered.…

The kit I put together was comprehensive, but as our participants learned during the event, your pack doesn’t do you any good if it is not on your person when an emergency happens. While the participant faced a staged mass casualty event, I have learned from firsthand experience how easy it is to become separated from your pack in high-stress situations. Developing some redundancy in your kit to store on your person should be part of every survival kit build. Even though my on-body gear is not as robust as the gear in my pack, it is important to remember the best survival gear for any situation is the gear you have on you. My on-body carry included The Reiff Vicon, Skallywag Tactical Iron Jaw, Fenix PD25R, Sunshine Safety BRIK…

The Premise Fixing Your Feet focuses on the one system that quietly limits performance more than almost any other: your feet. John Vonhof and Tonya Olson combine years of racemedical work, ultrarunning, and clinical practice to show how anatomy, gait, and gear interact mile after mile. The book’s heart is preventive care that keeps you moving rather than patching up after the damage is done. It explains how shoe fit, sock choice, moisture control, and smart lacing reduce friction and shear. It also teaches what to pack, how to monitor hot spots, and when to intervene so a nuisance never becomes a showstopper. The authors go beyond generic tips. They walk you through the decision tree used on aid station cots and in trailhead parking lots. You learn to match…