SHOT Show often seems to settle down into a rhythm by the second day. There is still way more than you can reasonably see, but there seems to be a little less rush to everyone’s movements. On this second day, my focus shifted to new tactical gear and clothes as well as survival and outdoor gear. Many of the tactical exhibitors can be found in the relatively smaller exhibition halls that are more focused on law enforcement, security, and military gear.
Most of the outdoor exhibitors are in the main second-floor halls and those exhibitors specifically focused on survival gear in the large halls on the first floor.
What follows are products that caught my eye based on a few criteria: 1) general usability and utility (does it serve a function), 2) innovation (see my article from after last year’s SHOT Show for my detailed thoughts here), and 3) relative affordability. This last one precluded many cool products that just cost more than their utility or are priced more for government agencies with deep tax-based pockets compared to the individual shooter.
Tactical Products
Lights
Two products caught my attention this year regarding tactical lights. The first was the smaller (keychain-sized) Oclip from Olight. This multi-level white and red light is USB rechargeable with an approximate battery life of 30 minutes. It is waterproof, with a maximum brightness of 300 lumens with a 70-meter max throw. It is made to easily attach to clothing, and straps, or can attach to metal with a magnet and has a retail cost of about $30.
The second lighting product to catch my attention was the Inforce Gen 3 rail-mounted light. The light is made to be top mounted on a rifle and has a selector between flash and sustained on the white light only model, or between white light and IR if using night visions. What was interesting was the lockout safety bar that can be engaged to ensure no accidental light-ups. The white light has a brightness of 900 lumens with a 200-meter maximum throw and a 200-minute battery life (two 123a batteries). The unit is waterproof and retails from between $150-180 depending on options and/or IR options.
Boots
Again 2 products caught my attention this year. The first is the line of slip-on tactical boots by Original SWAT. The Alpha Freedom hands-free boots in 3”, 6”, or 8” high ankle are designed to be tied into proper comfort and support position once and then can be removed and reacquired by just using your feet to slip them off from the back heel or put them on with a pointed toe push.
Prices ranged from $150-160, depending on the ankle height. The next boot was a line of Lalo Shadow Amphibian boots designed for waterborne special operations. The boot is designed with multiple layers in the soles and drain points at the bottom to fully remove any water from the boot upon exiting water. Prices for these boots centered around $350 but they also carry other lines of boots in the $180-$200 range.
Shotgun Buttstock
Tactaload was demonstrating their Flash 5 shotgun buttstock with an ammunition supply built-in. The shells (five 12 gauge from 2 ¾” to 3 ½”) can be accessed from the bottom of the buttstock and the retail is around $130. Different butt plates and spacers are available to adjust the length of the buttstock for the individual shooter.
Gloves
I was impressed with Zettacut from South Korea and their line of tactical cut-proof heat-resistant gloves. The cutting protection ranged from A3 in the thinnest gloves to A9 in the thickest and most protected with heat resistance ranging from level 1 to level 3. They were showing off the cutting resistance of the A3 with a box cutter and I could not leave a scratch on the gloves even when I tried. Prices for these gloves that are just coming to the U.S. range from $25-50.
Food
It likely comes as no surprise that I like to be prepared with quality survival and range gear, including having a reliable backstock of food if ever needed. I looked at two products, the first being Bridgford pocket sandwiches. The pluses include a 3-year self-life, boil-proof packing for heating (not required), no need to add water (subtracting from supplies), and a taste that would be welcome if better food was not available. I am honestly less interested in taste as I am focused on calories for cost when looking at emergency rations, but the better taste and no need for water are both plusses.
Calories varied between 220-380 per sandwich, and with a cost of approximately $3-4 dollars, you are looking at about $25 to feed a person 2,000 calories. The second company was Mountain House providing more traditional just-add-water emergency rations. Packs were again fairly edible, but at $11-12 dollars a pack for 400-500 calories, these packs cost around $45 for 2,000 calories. Though these packs do require water to be added, there is a 30-year warranty guaranteeing their shelf life. How important taste is will dictate how much you are willing to spend, just be careful of bulk deals claiming a certain amount of days of emergency supplies which are often based on the minimum average number of calories to sustain life.
Car Safe
This is likely my personal ‘best find’ at the SHOT Show this year. The car-mounted headrest gun safe from The Headrest Safe Company is a perfect example of utility, need, and cost. The headrests replace the standard headrests in a vehicle and are compatible with almost all models.
The headrest is made of safe-grade steel covered in foam padding and has been crash-tested to the same standard as normal headrests (though perhaps a little less comfortable). If bought as only one safe, a dummy headrest without the safe can also be installed for a consistent look. The posts use locks that ensure they can only be removed with the safe open. The safe door is concealed with a pressure lock (in the removable safe model) or a magnet in the non-removable safe model.
Different colors and textures (leather or fabric) are available and once the safe is revealed there is both a biometric finger reader and a set of code keys for access. The current static model with a second non-safe headrest is approximately $500 and the slide-out safe version is about $600 (also with a second non-safe headrest). I love that these allow you to fully lock your guns in a vehicle, while also being concealed from criminals in a place that they would not normally look. Finally, they provide a safe that does not take up storage space (under the seat, in the center console, or the glove compartment) by utilizing a feature not normally used for storage in existing vehicle designs.
Summary and Swag
Swag is defined as an alternate term for pirate booty by Urban Dictionary. In the world of conferences and trade shows, it refers to free promotional items companies offer attendees for advertising purposes. This is different than full products that often require convincing the exhibitor it is worth their while to give a product (not a sample) away for review. All trade shows have some swag, but SHOT Show is known for it and I have never seen more cool swag at any other event I have attended. Free hats, shirts, morale patches, key chains, bags, badge holders, stickers, and more traditional freebies (pens, ChapStick, candies, squishies) are everywhere, and many exhibitors have exclusive challenge coins or morale patches only available at SHOT Show.
Day two is in the books with another business lunch, networking, and many discussions completed. For days three and four, I will focus on the firearms that have caught my attention, so look out for my next article!
