FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category

High Speed Gear GEN 2 TACO Line Up Takes Off, Reinvigorating the Brand That Started It All

Friday, October 30th, 2026

Same TACO DNA, a whole new attitude: GEN 2 is lighter, tougher, more versatile and, yes, better looking, and customers have noticed.

SWANSBORO, N.C., October 29, 2026 — High Speed Gear’s GEN 2 TACO lineup has taken off since its release, becoming the company’s fastest-selling product line up in 10 years and putting fresh energy behind the brand that created the TACO. Built for military operators, law enforcement professionals and shooting enthusiasts, GEN 2 is a new generation of tactical nylon focused on four things: lightweight construction, uncompromising durability, true versatility and a clean, modern look. The full lineup is available at highspeedgear.com/collections/gen-2 and through authorized High Speed Gear dealers.

The TACO earned its reputation by doing one thing better than anything else: holding whatever you put in it, securely, without fuss. GEN 2 keeps that adaptive DNA and rebuilds everything around it for the way military operators, law enforcement officers, competitive shooters and everyday enthusiasts actually train, work and carry. It’s different, but it’s still the TACO people trust, and that mix is what’s driving the response.

“GEN 2 has been a blast,” said Daniel Chaney, Director of Research & Development at High Speed Gear. “We got to take the pouch that put us on the map and ask what it could be next, without losing what made it a TACO. Seeing how fast people have picked it up tells us we got that balance right. It’s lighter, more versatile and it looks great, and it’s brought a lot of energy back to our brand.”

Lightweight. Every ounce on a belt or plate carrier adds up over a long shift or a full training day. GEN 2 pouches are engineered to shed weight without giving up retention or structure, so users can carry what they need with less fatigue.

Durability. GEN 2 is built to take hard use in the field, on the range and in the back of a patrol car. Like every High Speed Gear product, it is Berry Compliant and backed by the company’s American manufacturing standardand Lifetime Warranty.

Versatility. GEN 2 TACOs are designed to work across platforms and mounting systems, from duty and range belts to plate carriers, chest rigs and bags. One pouch moves with the user as their kit changes with belt mount and MOLLE mount configurations all in the same pouch!

Looking good. Performance comes first, and everyone likes to look cool. GEN 2 features a cleaner profile and refined finish that looks as professional on a duty belt as it does on a competition rig.

Thin Air Gear Introduces the G5 Olympus Deployment Bag

Monday, October 26th, 2026

The original. The only. Built exclusively by Thin Air Gear™ for nearly 20 years.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – October 26, 2026 – When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. At Thin Air Gear LLC™, we take it as one. We also take it as a reason to say this plainly: if it doesn’t carry the Thin Air Gear™ logo, it isn’t an Olympus™.


Ruckable: carry it on your back when wheels can’t go

Today Thin Air Gear™ announces the G5 Olympus™ Deployment Bag, the newest generation of the bag that service members, units and mission planners have trusted for nearly two decades.

ONE COMPANY. ONE OLYMPUS™.

Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever designed, engineered or manufactured the Olympus™ bag. No other company has ever been licensed to build it. Every genuine Olympus™ ever fielded came off a Thin Air Gear™ production line, built to our design, our specifications and our standards.


Retractable heavy-duty 14″ telescoping handle

That matters, because copycats are out there. Lookalike bags, some sold under similar-sounding names, have appeared on the market. Some copy the shape. Some copy the color. Some copy the layout down to the stitch. None of them is an Olympus™, and none of them is built by Thin Air Gear™.

THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE BAG ON THE MARKET

Since Thin Air Gear™? first put the Olympus™ into the field, it has become the most recognizable Wheeled Loadout Bag™ in the military and government market. Units ask for it by name because they know what it delivers: a bag that survives deployments, airfield ramps, conex boxes and years of hard use, and comes home ready to go again.

That reputation wasn’t built overnight. It was built over nearly 20 years of feedback from the field, continuous improvement, and a refusal to cut corners on materials or construction. For nearly 20 years, no other bag has delivered the same quality, and no other company has built the Olympus™.

Expandable from 6,750 to 9,000 cubic inches

Hangable, with three Velcro shelves

INTRODUCING THE G5

The G5 Olympus™ builds on everything that made previous generations the standard:

• Expandable, wheelable, ruckable

• Unexpanded 30″ x 15″ x 15″ (6,750 cu. in.)

• Expanded 40″ x 15″ x 15″ (9,000 cu. in.)

• Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, dual ball bearing, 200 lb load capacity

• Retractable composite HD 14″ metal telescoping handle

• ABS frame system with 360° closed-cell foam protection

• 1000D Cordura fabric with ballistic back

• TEK69 twisted filament thread, double stitched and bartacked

• YKK #10 zippers

• Top opening 12″ access flap

• 3 shelves with top 360° Velcro

• 3 inside storage pockets, 3-D aerospace mesh

• Front document pocket, 4 x 6 marking window, ID insert

• 9″ cloth pull and hanging handle

• Available in Berry Amendment and TAA compliant versions

• TSA compliant · Limited lifetime warranty

PART NUMBERS

Patented 4″ Shark Wheels, rated to 200 lbs

Top access flap: reach your gear without unpacking

HOW TO KNOW IT’S A GENUINE OLYMPUS™

• Look for the logo. Every authentic Olympus™ carries the Thin Air Gear™ logo. No logo, no Olympus™.

• One manufacturer. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™. No other company is, or has ever been, licensed to make it.

• Watch the name. Lookalike bags are being offered under similar-sounding names. A similar name is not the same bag.

• Order it right. When buying through government channels, specify a genuine Thin Air Gear™ Olympus™ by our part number (OLY-G5-), manufactured by Thin Air Gear LLC™.

• When in doubt, ask us. Contact Thin Air Gear™ directly and we will verify it.

“When somebody copies your product, it’s a compliment. It means you built something worth copying,” said Anthony Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales at Thin Air Gear™. “But our customers deserve to know what they’re getting. Thin Air Gear™ is the only company that has ever built the Olympus™, and no one else is licensed to make it. If you find one without our logo, it isn’t ours. Accept no substitutes.”

thinairgear.com

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Pistol Magazine Pocket, Speed Reload, Triple

Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Three pistol magazines. One pocket. Fast access on every draw. The FirstSpear PISTOL MAGAZINE POCKET, SPEED RELOAD, TRIPLE is built on the same proven architecture as the FirstSpear M4 Speed Reload Pocket, purpose-sized for pistol magazines across a wide range of platforms including the G17/19, G21, G22/23, 1911, M9/226, S&W M&P 9mm, HK USP-9, HK P2000, and P30. Shock cord and speed tab retention secure each magazine independently, delivering positive retention with fast, consistent access under stress.

Features:

  • BASED ON THE FS M4 SPEED RELOAD POCKET
  • HOLDS THREE PISTOL MAGAZINES
  • SHOCK CORD AND SPEED TAB RETENTION
  • AVAILABLE IN 6/9™ AND 6/12™ ATTACHMENT STYLES

At its core, the PISTOL MAGAZINE POCKET, SPEED RELOAD, TRIPLE delivers positive retention and fast access across three magazines in a single, low-profile package. Speed tabs are removable for a more streamlined setup. Available in Black, Coyote, Multicam, and Ranger Green, and configurable in both 6/9™ and 6/12™ attachment styles to fit any platform. Also available in single and double configurations.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the Pistol Magazine Pocket, Speed Reload, Triple delivers fast, consistent access to three pistol magazines without adding unnecessary bulk to the loadout. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. To request an estimate, visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.

AXL Advanced Introduces LPX Structural Shoulder Pads

Wednesday, October 21st, 2026

A slimmer, contoured profile designed for mobility.

WYLIE, TX — AXL Advanced introduces LPX Structural Shoulder Pads, bringing a slimmer fit and contoured profile to its Structural Shoulder Pads family, with the quality and reliability users have come to expect from AXL Advanced.

LPX Structural Shoulder Pads combine structural support with a fit that prioritizes mobility. Their hourglass shape contours around larger trapezius muscles and accommodates broader necklines, providing a closer fit around the neck and shoulders.

LPX features a structural core, X-Pac wings, and elastic routing tabs, with provisions for organizing communications cables and hydration tubes while maintaining a low profile. The pads are compatible with most plate carrier systems.

LPX expands the Structural Shoulder Pads lineup, giving users another option to configure their carrier around their build, equipment, and preferred fit. For those seeking a slimmer setup, LPX emphasizes neckline contour and mobility.

Made in the USA, LPX Structural Shoulder Pads weigh 4 ounces per set and are available now for $74.95 in MultiCam, Ranger Green, Coyote Brown, and Black. Each set includes two shoulder pads.

Learn more and order at AXL Advanced’s LPX Structural Shoulder Pads product page.

AXL Advanced. It’s Advanced for a Reason.–

FirstSpear Friday Focus: RAGNAR Stretch Carbine 3 Magazine Pocket

Friday, October 16th, 2026

Three magazines. Fast access. Flat profile. The FirstSpear RAGNAR™ STRETCH CARBINE 3 MAGAZINE POCKET is a purpose-built flat pocket designed for operators who need to carry three 30-round 5.56 magazines in a low-profile, rapidly attachable configuration. Hook backing on the rear allows for fast attachment or removal from any loop-compatible surface, while a low-profile loop front keeps the exterior clean and snag-free. FirstSpear shock cord and Speed Tab retention secure each magazine independently, delivering positive retention with fast, consistent access under stress.

Features:

  • HOLDS THREE 30-ROUND 5.56 MAGAZINES
  • HOOK BACKING FOR FAST ATTACHMENT AND REMOVAL
  • LOW PROFILE LOOP FRONT
  • SHOCK CORD AND SPEED TAB RETENTION

At its core, the RAGNAR™ STRETCH CARBINE 3 MAGAZINE POCKET is built as a flat, low-profile solution that mounts directly to any loop-compatible platform without adding unnecessary bulk to the loadout. PFAS Free and Made in the USA. Available in Black, Coyote, Manatee Grey, MultiCam, and Ranger Green.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the Ragnar™ Stretch Carbine 3 Magazine Pocket delivers fast, consistent access to three 5.56 magazines in a flat, low-profile platform. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. To request an estimate, visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.

Drone Fast Deploy Pouch

Monday, October 5th, 2026

From Israel’s Night Heron Gear comes the Drone Fast Deploy Pouch, specifically designed for carrying and protecting your indoor tactical drone, while enabling rapid one-person deployment when needed.

This highly modular case accommodates the drone, its accessories, and extra batteries. Crafted from cutting-edge materials, it provides a secure yet quick-access solution for drone operators who require efficiency and readiness in various operational situations.

Product Features:

  • One-person fast deploy system
  • Quick release buckle with magnetic flap closure
  • Modular interior with StuffBox™ organizer made from laser-cut durable material, equipped with Velcro One-Wrap and shock cords
  • Efficient attachment system: wide Velcro® loop on the pouch and Velcro hook on the bottom of the StuffBox™ for quick stowage

nightherongear.com/products/drone-fast-deploy-pouch

MATBOCK Monday: Raider Shoot-Through Dry Bag

Monday, October 5th, 2026

MATBOCK’s Raider Rifle Bag is a waterproof, inflatable weapon case built for over-the-beach and maritime work — designed to get a rifle ashore dry without adding bulk to the load-out.

It’s a shoot-through dry bag rated waterproof to 92 feet for four hours. An oral inflation valve doubles it as flotation: fully inflated, it produces 70 lbs of lift. Empty, it weighs just 9 ounces and folds down small enough to stow in a cargo pocket when it’s not in use.

Specs:

  • Waterproof, shoot-through design — rated to 92′ (28m) for 4 hours
  • 70 lbs of lift when fully inflated
  • Oral inflation valve
  • 8 attachment points (4 front, 4 back)
  • Carrying handle
  • Weight: 9 oz (255.2g)
  • Dimensions: 35″ x 14.5″ x 3″ (88.9 x 36.8 x 7.6 cm)
  • Volume: 1,522 cu in (25.4L)
  • Berry Compliant – Made in the USA

These are in stock and ready to ship today at matbock.com.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: E+R Waist Bag

Friday, September 18th, 2026

Fast access to mission-critical items starts with where you carry them. The FirstSpear E+R WAIST BAG is a lightweight, purpose-built waist pack engineered to keep tourniquets, eye protection, and essential gear immediately accessible without adding bulk to the loadout. It mounts directly to an Assaulters Gun Belt via a 2-point QD buckle configuration, or carries independently on its own integral waist belt secured with a low-profile G Hook, accommodating waist sizes up to 44″. Shock cord mounted on the top provides a quick stash point for a TQ, eye pro, or similarly sized items without opening a zipper.

Features:

  • 2-POINT QD BUCKLE — MOUNTS DIRECTLY TO ASSAULTERS GUN BELT
  • SHOCK CORD TOP STASH — QUICK ACCESS FOR TQ AND EYE PRO
  • 4 ZIPPERED POCKETS WITH DRAINAGE
  • INTEGRAL WAIST BELT WITH G HOOK — FITS UP TO 44″

At its core, the E+R WAIST BAG is constructed from lightweight, state-of-the-art materials that keep weight low and features numerous. Four zippered pockets keep gear organized and accessible, while built-in drainage and a removable top flap stiffener add durability and configurability for field use. Currently available in MultiCam, Coyote, and Grey/Rust.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the E+R WAIST BAG delivers fast access to mission-critical gear in a lightweight, dual-carry platform. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. To request an estimate, visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.