When shopping around for gear like battle belts, mag pouches, plate carriers or whatever mission critical nylon gear you need, there are a few things that are important to me. It has to be easily adaptable to a variety of weapon platforms, has to be comfortable enough to wear all day long and rugged enough to never quit. When it comes time to spend money, I want my kit to do it all, look good doing it, and never fail me when I need it. From what I’ve found, High Speed Gear delivers everything and more.
Here are a few things that stand out when looking at the HSGI brand as a whole.
Adaptable: The TACO from HSGI is probably the most adaptable mag pouch you will ever find. I can run a standard AR, SR25, M14, or AK mag and not give up anything. The Pistol TACOs hold my flashlight, multi tool, a variety of mags, or similar shaped tools. With this versatility, I can buy one belt or APC, configure it the way I want, and always have the same familiar feel and ergonomics. If you’re in the field and you find yourself with a new mission and weapon system in your hand, all you need to do is change out mags and you are up and running. The adaptable theme runs through just a about the entire product line.
Comfortable: If you’ve spent any time in the field while in military or law enforcement, you have a huge respect for comfortable gear. I served in the 82nd Airborne back when we had ALICE packs and pistol belts that would wear holes in your skin. When I got off active duty, I promised myself that I’d never be uncomfortable again. After wearing the Laser Slim-Grip belt at every range session or trip in the field over the past several months, I can say this is the most comfortable kit I’ve had. The neoprene pad keeps the belt secure and comfortable for long days of use.
Durable: This gear is built to last. The TACOs, Battle Belts, bags and other gear are made with 1000 denier nylon. I called into the company and asked about what gear gets returned for warranty claims and they said less than one-half percent. They went on to say the company isn’t really set up for dealing with repairs, so they over build everything so it never fails. Unless you take a knife to your kit or throw it in a fire, you’re probably good to go. You may have to change out a bungee if you happen to wear through it, but that would take some effort.
Made In The USA: I recently had the chance to tour the HSGI facility and one thing that stuck out is they make everything right there in NC. Being so close to Camp Lejeune, they have a lot of vets and military family members working there making gear every day. The other thing that really stood out is their operation isn’t some immigrant sweatshop; it’s a home-grown, all-American operation. I didn’t have a chance to talk to the ladies on the sewing machines but I bet most of them speak English pretty well. With so many companies selling out and taking their operations overseas, it’s nice to see a company loyal to the USA.
HSGI has a new polymer line of TACOs. The “Poly TACO” doesn’t quite mold around odd shaped objects like the traditional TACO, but it doesn’t hold moisture when it gets wet, and it maintains a good grip on whatever you put in them. Another cool feature is you can bolt multiple Poly TACOs together or attach them to other objects pretty easily. If you’re someone who finds yourself in a wet environment or needs to remove and replace gear quickly like in a match setting then the Poly Tacos may be a good fit for you.
With all things considered, when I’m buying any gear, I’m a “buy once, cry once” kind of guy. I’ll always spend more for a high quality product that I’ll never have to replace. From what I’ve found, the HSGI kit will do everything I need and more. Its adaptable, comfortable, durable, and made right here in the USA.