December 2001: Manhunt

تور بوړه ،افغانستان

Mere months after 9/11, the United States is already on the ground in Afghanistan — amongst the jagged 14,000 foot peaks near the border with Pakistan is a cave complex called Tora Bora.

According to our best intelligence, Bin Laden was inside, armed to the teeth, and the entire area is heavily fortified. We'd later find out we were too late and Bin Laden made his escape to Pakistan...

The hunt for the most wanted man on earth was tasked to the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, AKA "Delta Force". As far as special forces go, pretty much the best we had.

And they did it all in civilian clothes.

څوک چې لکه وکري، هغسې به ریبي

When In Kabul...

The US military was geared up for wars in the arid countrysides of Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. We were on our second round of desert cammies, and the only cold weather gear we had was in a woodland camo fit for a European forest. Neither of which fit the bill for the Arid Steppes & Mountains of the Hindu Kush range.

If you look up the few photos taken during the battle that took place, many are not in typical "tactical operator" kit.

Not Your Average "Gucci Gear"

هر ځلیدونکی شی سره زر نه وي

They look more like college students on their gap year enjoying the local culture. Pakol hats & Patu Shawls. Hiking pants. Full beards. And aquamarine-colored puffy jackets straight out of the L.L. Bean Catalog?

American camo screams "I'm an American, and I have a gun!", so they improvised both local kit and civilian clothing to conceal their kit & look a little more "Mountain Man" than "John Soldier".

Their tier-1 operator fits weren't built by Gucci gear brands or USGI suppliers, but at civilian storefront brands like L.L. Bean, Patagonia, and North Face.

Our Interpretation of the infamous puffer jacket.

Aesthetic Is Everything

The Legacy Of Tora Bora

خپله لاسه ګله لاسه

There's no doubt about it, the whole operation in tora bora was a mess. Political red tape and reliance on local militias allowed Bin Laden to slip across the border into Pakistan, but at the same time, The operation was a masterclass in unconventional warfare.

The opening hours of the Global War On Terror were symbolic of the changes in tactics, gear, and working with the local populace we'd deal with for the next decades. We wouldn't be fighting with overwhelming air superiority, we'd be on the ground floor, growing beards, riding horses in the mountains, trying to win the hearts and minds of the local populace.

Call it the pioneering act of "Gorpcore" or "Grey Man" fashion — we know it for it's role in what's become the greatest game of hide-and-seek ever played.

"General Issue" Classics & Timeless Homages

KSGI is made for fans of NATO kit that just keeps working, whether you're snuffing out insurgencies in caves or playing war in the sandbox...

It's not the gear that makes the operator, it's the stories of those operators that makes the gear legendary.

Retro Never Dies
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85 Reviews
Reviewed by Will L.
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I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
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Insta-Nostalgia

An instant and comfortable throwback to times when gas was still affordable

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Reviewed by Michael h.
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I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
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Bora jacket

It’s a good jacket it’s oversized so you can wear a body armour underneath it. It’s nice and warm. I do recommend it and it looks cool.

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Reviewed by Florian W.
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I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
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Great Jacket

Great Jacket for spring or autumn. I would love to see more items of this style.

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Reviewed by Ryan V. A.
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I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
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Great jacket

This thing is legit, my go to jacket

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Reviewed by Jos F. S.
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I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Good " lookalike"...

And maybe better than original...not yet tested in

Cold weather but seems to do the job.

Sizing avise is ok: i normaly use L in patagonia puffy .M in Filson.... i ordered S and fit is ok!

Willbuy M next batch to use with webbing under

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