Stealth Physicality: Silenced Clothing, Footwear and EDC Gear

Your own activity noise that you generate (walking, working, existing) is often oblivious to your own awareness, you hear it but it doesn’t register.

While the same noise from others are quite audible – at least to a trained / aware operative.

The persistent and active practice of audibly imperceptible (or volume reduced) physical movements by way of a deliberate and comprehensive stealthy state of being.

The sound of approaching footsteps and the rustling of a jacket for example, immediately (or should) grab your attention even if momentarily to understand that there’s another person within range.

These sounds can be the difference between mission failure and success or being mugged in the street and an assailant not getting the drop on you.

A target or assailant may not be able to see you but they may be able to hear you. Hence, silenced clothing, footwear and everyday carry gear.

Stealth physicality and situational awareness is much about what data you produce and give out, in this case, personal equipment acoustics. Being silent increases your ability to take in more sounds while giving less sounds to potential adversaries.

      Silent Clothing

You can have the blackest black or visually most effective camouflaged clothing but if they are audibly loud, then it defeats the purpose of stealth.

Synthetic fibers such as polyamide and polyester generally make much more sound just by moving in them compared to natural fibers such as cotton and wool. But there are exceptions such as the Vollebak Ceramic Shirt and 100 Year Pants (as pictured).

They are both fully synthetic but because of the armored construct, they make very little noise when in active use. Also being form fitting reduces sounds caused by fabric rubbing against itself and rustling.

      Silent Footwear

The sound of footsteps are often the most effective method of tracking someone within range, to get the drop on them or for them to get the drop on you.

Dress shoes with hard soles / heels are obviously loud and thus not ideal for stealth. Basketball shoes tend to be squeaky while running sneakers are more quiet.

Natural rubber soles are the most quiet, as pictured is the Timberland Euro Boot – a tactical capable boot that can be worn for everyday wear.

      Silent Knife

Fixed knives have very little sound when unsheathed unless there’s a snap button that may “click” very loudly. However, this means that it may take additional split seconds to deploy.

Folding knives, especially flippers, also have a loud and obvious sound when the blade is actuated and locked into place. And so must be actuated well before engaging with it if stealth is imperative.

The Microtech Dirac as pictured, being an automatic knife is the loudest to deploy / actuate. However, because of its actuation mechanism, the blade can be seamlessly deployed in the same single motion as a strike, making sound irrelevant.

      Silent Flashlight

For the purposes of stealth, a flashlight may seem counterintuitive but it depends on how it’s used. In this case, instead of the you being able to see in darkness, it’s to get within range then temporarily blind an adversary to engage optimally against him.

An ideal flashlight for this are certain tactical ones such as the 511 Rapid L1, as pictured.

The power button on this is located on the tail (opposite end of bulb) and is pressure sensitive. Meaning you only need to apply certain pressure (but continuously hold) for full function without having to fully press down, making a distinct clicking sound that all operators know very well.

      Silent Watch

Despite the advancements in digital / smart wristwatches, mechanical timepieces are still preferred among professionals. One advantage is they don’t produce any audible sounds.

Digital watches like G-Shock can accidentally be set to “beep” every hour, alarm going off or by merely pressing any button. Smart watches can also “beep” or worse, ring if there’s a call or notification.

Robust tool watches like the Rolex Submariner, as pictured, can be second hand hacked with team members for synchronization for ultra precise and visual time management, without making a sound.

      Silent Backpack

Bags, especially the faster you’re moving, make the most amount of sound. Backpacks in theory should be the most convenient and quiet while keeping your hands free. However, motion inevitably makes noise, not to mention the contents within it rattling audibly.

A solution is to firmly wear the backpack and have the contents organized and compartmentalized.

The most effective option, if minimal loadout is viable, is a custom designed ergonomic backpack that forms to your body like a glove. As pictured is a Stealth Armor Backpack that is part Kevlar body armor and part gear carrying device.

      Silencing Helmet

This is highly situational and dependent on certain conditions to be useful. Instead of a “silent” helmet, a full face one is often situationally used to silence your own voice when you need to communicate via earpiece or bluetooth for calls and radio comms.

It’s useful when you’re around other people and can’t talk freely but communication is crucial, wearing a helmet can suppress your voice volume enough where prying ears won’t be able to eavesdrop or know you’re talking to someone. The helmet as pictured is by JPX.

Silence is security, stealth is invulnerability.