Today’s feature is from our service SHOOTING NEWS WEEKLY, available online with free email delivery every week.
When I walked the aisles of SHOT Show last month in search of some new items I’d like to incorporate into my life and lifestyle, I was delighted with what I found. Sure, I could list lots of guns. That’s what one would expect from a visit to SHOT, but there are so many choices depending on what type of firearm someone is looking for and whether it’s for self-defense, home defense, competition or plinking (just to name a few).
Instead I wanted to go a different route and find items I can use on the range or when I am out and about. Here are some of my favorite gear items from SHOT Show 2025.
5.11 Tactical Athene Legging
Before I tell you why I like the Athene Legging by 5.11 Tactical, I want to share a little backstory. I have been very vocal and brutally honest with my contact at 5.11 about why I didn’t like some products from years ago when I first entered the industry before she worked there. She told me things were changing at that time, and they certainly have. I am very impressed with the changes the designers at 5.11 have made over the past five years, especially with women’s pants. I actually asked her two years ago if 5.11 was planning to reintroduce yoga-style range pants again, so I was really excited when I arrived at the open house and saw she was wearing them.
First, I was impressed with the fabric. It’s not only comfortable but also thick, not flimsy. The length is plenty long, and the waist is high; no need to worry about bending over and having a plumber’s butt. Inside the waistband, at the front and back, are stretch pockets for concealed carry holsters, knives or magazines. On both thighs are pockets perfect for phones or other items you may need on the range. Moreover, my favorite is the size of the belt loops, which are great for range belts and the location, right where they should be, not too high or too low.
Available sizes: XS to 2XL
Nexbelt
Finding an EDC belt for a woman is not always easy. Usually, these thicker belts, designed for men, have larger buckles and are just not pretty. Also, women’s pants range from waist high to low on the hips, which means they need to have holes for those sizes and OWB to IWB carry holsters. Nexbelt has the solution to all those issues. The ratchet system allows the user to adjust the size easily as needed (up to 50-inches) and they have women’s EDC belts. For range time any of the EDC belts would work. If you are wearing the Athene Legging, choose a belt that is only 1.5″ since 1.75″ is also available. For those who need an inner belt they are also available. The women’s leather EDC belts are stylish and will match various outfits.
NeoMag
If you want to carry a spare magazine in the waistband of your Athene Leggings or any other pants or pockets, a helpful tool is the NeoMag magazine holder. A magnet holds the magazine, and the clip allows you to secure it inside a waistband, pocket, purse or anywhere else you may want to carry it.
Ironclad Tactical Pro Gloves
Whether it’s cold outside, you are trying to protect your hands from blisters or you want to get a better grip on the steel you are moving, having a well-made pair of gloves that fit correctly is imperative. Ironclad’s tactical gloves are breathable with touchscreen thumbs and index fingers and are available in women’s sizes. Why is this important? Women usually have longer fingers and a more narrow palm width. Women’s sizes may not seem like a huge deal, but when you shoot a pistol while wearing gloves, you want something that fits like a second skin. I also like the cuff pull, which lets me get them on faster and more efficiently. Women’s gloves are only available in black, in sizes small to large. Men have more color choices, and sizes range from small to 2XL.
Snakestaff Systems ETQ (Everyday Carry Tourniquet)
Carrying a tourniquet in a purse, pocket or belt is cumbersome. Snakestaff Systems found an answer to that problem with its ETQ (Everyday Carry Tourniquet). Its compact size, similar to a small multi-tool or a G19 magazine, makes it easier to fit wherever and however you choose to carry it. Its patent-pending locking carabiner and one-inch width make the smaller size possible. Before you poo-poo the width, read the explanation on the website. And if you are still a doubter, a 1.5 inch ETQ is also available. If the size of a typical tourniquet keeps you from carrying it daily, the ETQ is an excellent solution.
SHOT Show is a huge and somewhat overwhelming event. Above are just a few of my favorites, and yes, this is geared toward women, but not anything a man wouldn’t use. Well, maybe not the Athene leggings, but to each his own.
— Michelle Cerino
