SHOT Show 2014 - Product Highlights

We made it! The first month of 2014 has come and gone. As we launch into February it means that turkey season is quickly approaching. While thankful for the emergence of Spring in the next few months, I'm reminded of how quickly time marches on. 

I posted an update on some of the products / companies that caught our attention while at SHOT Show last month, and promised a follow-up post. I'm afraid I got a little distracted with the excitement of a football team from Colorado headed to the Super Bowl and have neglected to wrap things up post SHOT Show. By now, us Coloradans are done licking our wounds and have fought back the urge to crawl back in the hole to hibernate with Punxsutawney Phil. 

Usually I complain through the month of January ... it is cold, hunting seasons have ended, putting away all the Christmas decor is a chore, and did I mention it is cold? This year was different, I don't know what happened, but January came and went in a flash. I think the distraction of SHOT Show helped me get through my January blues, but now that it is February, I realized I haven't shared all the wonderful products that I discovered several weeks ago at SHOT. My initial post after the show highlighted a few of the new products for 2014. However, I have more to share!

While meandering through the miles of booths, we had the opportunity to see so many great products. As promised in our first SHOT Show post, here is our second list of products that deserve a shout out:

FLASHBANG HOLSTERS
Lisa Looper started her holster business after a creating a unique holster design for herself. She simply wanted an accessible, safe way to carry her gun. After quickly realizing that holsters designed for a man's body rarely work well for women, she was on a mission to discover a place to hide a gun without compromising style in order to accommodate a bulky holster. As a result, Flashbang holsters were born which utilizes the space just below the bust line. Word got out quickly about this new, clever design and her desire to simply protect her family developed into a business in concealed carry options for women. 

As I walked up to the Flashbang Holster booth, I immediately spied a friendly face. Britney Starr was hanging out showing off these amazing holsters. It was so fun to meet my friend that I've been chatting with online now for a couple years. One of the highlights of SHOT was getting to meet so many of my  social media friends. She quickly showed me the Ava and the Betty holsters. I've had my eye on these holsters for a while now, and I can honestly say that after seeing them first hand, I want one for my own more than ever now. The soft leather back piece is amazing and am positive it would be comfortable as a concealed carry option.

Ladies, if you are looking for concealed carry option, I would recommend checking out the various Flashbank Holster options. Also, new for 2014 ~ competition holster belts and Glock42 holsters

As stated in their catalog ~ "It's a Heart Project!"

Emily and Britney ~ checking out the Ava Holster

My favorite feature ~ soft leather back piece
that conforms to the wearer's shape

​GRIZZLY RIDGE
Straight out of the catalog ~ "For outdoor enthusiasts, sportsmen, and nature lovers alike, the Grizzly Ridge line of outdoor meals and snacks is designed for those great adventures in the wild, or in your own backyard."

Troy and I are always looking for food options for our backcountry hunts. Grizzly Ridge offers a great variety of freeze dried meals and snacks. We snacked on the honey coated banana slices while walking around at SHOT, and let me just say ... AMAZING!  I'm positive this light-weight, potassium rich snack will be found in our packs this summer during our scouting trips. 

We are excited to try out their main meal options as well. One feature I really like about the packaging is the smaller bag size. While the serving size is comparable to other freeze-dried meal companies, the bag is smaller. Honestly, I've cut a good portion off the top of other packages and then freezer sealed the bag. If you've ever planned a back country hunt, you know how valuable every ounce is. Weight and space in your pack quickly become serious considerations.

Check out the full line of Grizzly Ridge products here.

LOWA BOOTS
A good pair of boots while hunting in the mountains is one of the most important pieces of equipment to have, in my opinion. If your feet are cold, wet or tired, it can quickly end a hunt. Both Troy and I promised each other after last year's elk hunt, that the priority for our 2014 hunting shopping list would be quality hunting boots. LOWA boots are currently at the top of our list. 

After looking at these boots at SHOT, I'm especially excited about the Tibet hunting boot models made for women:  Tibet LL WS and Tibet GTX.

FIRST LITE
We are fans of First Lite outerwear, merino wool and accessories. So navigating our way to the First Lite booth at SHOT was top of the list. Troy was excited to check out their new Sanctuary Insulated Jacket. Combining warmth and waterproof features, it is bound to be a favorite jacket for many hunters this Fall ... including my husband! 

Also, included in the First Lite line up for 2014 is a new North Branch Soft Shell Jacket, Halstead Tech Fleece, and Boundary Stormtight Pant. 

After attending ATA this past January, Aaron Farley offered a great review on his blog, Rustic Man, on the new First Lite products for 2014. I'd highly encourage you to check it out.
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First Lite:  Go Farther, Stay Longer

Sanctuary Insulated Jacket