About Us

At SFT Gear, our mission is to equip you with high-quality, affordable gear that fosters confidence and readiness for any situation. This isn't just a business; it's a retirement project born from a passion for superior tactical and outdoor equipment, built on a foundation of unparalleled real-world experience.

Juan Arango, a Colombian Army Infantry Officer, shaking hands at his OCS graduation.

Juan Arango OCS Graduation

Juan Arango: Engineer, Instructor, Rescue Operator

Most tactical gear sellers have never used their products where failure has consequences. Juan Arango has spent 20+ years in environments where gear failure isn't an inconvenience—it's catastrophic.

-Mechanical Engineer - Evaluates gear with engineering precision, not marketing hype

- Colombian Army Veteran - Tactical training and field operations experience

-Skydiving Instructor (20+ years) and Jumpmaster - Still actively jumping, Lead DZSO for Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA

-Grey Bull Rescue Operator - Active participant in humanitarian rescue missions worldwide

When Juan selects gear for SFT Gear, it's based on engineering analysis, field testing, and two decades of high-stakes experience.

Why SFT Gear Exists

The problem:

The tactical gear industry has a price-quality problem: Price and quality aren't correlated.

- New companies undercut competition to break in, then raise prices once established

- Some brands maintain quality as they grow, others cut corners

- Premium prices don't guarantee premium workmanship (especially in clothing/apparel)

- Budget brands sometimes deliver excellent value, sometimes fail quickly

The challenge: Most buyers can't tell the difference. They rely on brand names, marketing claims, or price as a quality signal. None of these work.

Juan's Background:

- Colombian Army service (tactical foundation)

- Career as mechanical engineer (understands materials, stress points, failure modes)

- 20+ years as skydiving instructor with wife Christina

- Lead Drop Zone Safety Officer for RCPT-USA (safety systems expert)

- Active Grey Bull Rescue participant (uses gear in real humanitarian missions)

The Solution:

SFT Gear curates equipment using:

1. Engineering analysis - Material properties, design quality, failure modes

2. Field testing - Used in skydiving, rescue operations, real conditions

3. Personal carry standard - If Juan won't carry it, he won't stock it

The result: You get quality gear at honest prices. Sometimes that's $80. Sometimes that's $180. But it's never overpriced for what you're getting.

Supporting What Matters

Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA

Juan serves as Lead Drop Zone Safety Officer for RCPT-USA, honoring Airborne heritage through vintage military parachute demonstrations. Safety systems expertise applied to every jump.

Grey Bull Rescue Foundation

Juan actively participates in Grey Bull's humanitarian rescue missions worldwide. Veteran-led operations saving lives in crisis zones. A portion of every SFT Gear sale supports their work.

Family-Owned

Juan and Christina run SFT Gear alongside Skydive Fundamentals. No corporate investors. No pressure to stock junk. Freedom to do what's right.

When you buy from SFT Gear, you support:

- Veteran-owned small business

- Airborne heritage preservation

- Humanitarian rescue operations

- Honest business practices

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Mechanical engineer, Colombian Army veteran, skydiving instructor (20+ years), Lead DZSO for RCPT-USA, and active Grey Bull Rescue operator. Founder of SFT Gear with his wife Christina.

  • Yes. Engineering analysis + field testing in skydiving/rescue operations + personal carry. If it doesn't pass all three, it doesn't get stocked.

  • Colombian Army veteran with tactical training and field experience. Primary career has been mechanical engineering, which shapes how he evaluates gear.

  • Juan made his first jump in 2001. He is still actively jumping as a USPA AFF Instructor and Tadem Examiner. He is also the Lead DZSO (Drop Zone Safety Officer) for Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA.

  • Yes, as an active participant (not just donor). He's participated in multiple humanitarian rescue missions using tactical gear in real emergencies.

  • Engineering precision + current field experience + professional safety training + personal testing + no brand markup.

  • Gainesville, Florida. Ships within 2 business days.

  • juan@sftgear.com | (352) 256-1198 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm EST

Ready for Performance You Can Count On?

Every item is hand-selected and field-tested to ensure it performs when it counts. Discover the gear built for the most demanding situations.

Shop our curated collection
Juan Arango, founder of SFT Gear, wearing sunglasses and a headset.
A group of military personnel in camouflage uniforms posing outdoors on grass, with trees and buildings in the background.
A group of soldiers in camouflage uniforms and helmets sitting outdoors on benches with brick supports. The background shows a rural landscape with some buildings and trees.
A group of young men in military camouflage uniforms posing outdoors on a rocky terrain, holding rifles.
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