5 Great New Products for Women from SHOT Show 2015
Britney Starr 02.02.15
As I speed walked through the New Product Center at SHOT Show this year, electronically scanning interesting items to have specific information emailed to me at a later date, I made note that roughly 10 of the 600 products on display were women-specific. Not a large percentage by any means, but more than I’ve seen in past years.
The actual show floor is where I saw an overwhelming amount of women’s products displayed. I could hardly make it down two aisles before I was stopped in my tracks by a gun, piece of gear, or some other shiny object that caught my eye. I’m not surprised. According to a recent study released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the percentage of women hunters has increased 85 percent from 2001 to 2013, and the percentage of women shooters has increased 60 percent in that same time frame. It’s nice to see a large number of companies getting on board the women’s movement, and making functional products for the serious female hunter and shooter.
Below are five of my favorite women’s-specific products from SHOT Show 2015.
1. Beau + Arrow Concealed Carry Purses
Beau + Arrow designers Betty and Iris Yen have worked with brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, and Nicole Miller, so you can bet their concealed-carry designs are just as fabulous as the sun and surf loving, gun-toting cousins who design them out of their Los Angeles-based design house.
Beau + Arrow’s website launched on January 20, to coincide with the kickoff of SHOT Show, and it created quite a buzz among the female community. With eight sleek and stylish designs, each with ambidextrous access and a separate compartment for a firearm, pepper spray, taser, or any other defensive tool, there is sure to be a style that you’ll fall in love with for your everyday carry.
All of Beau + Arrow’s luxury concealed-carry purses are available on their website. They range in price from $405 to $595.
2. Próis Hunting & Field Apparel for Women Sojourn line
The newly-released Sojourn line from Próis is designed with the female safari-goer in mind. The short-sleeve shirt, lightweight hoodie, and safari jacket boast unique moisture-wicking polyester/spandex fabric as well as a scent-eliminating treatment that helps rid the garment of human odors. These technical pieces look great and provide maximum function for the huntress on a trip of a lifetime. Heck, I would wear them around town, just because.
Each of the three new garments will be available in the fall of 2015 on the Próis website in sizes XS through XXL. They’ll be available in either khaki or olive color.
- Sojourn Safari Jacket MSRP: $199.99
- Sojourn Safari Hoodie MSRP: $79.99
- Sojourn Safari Short-Sleeve Shirt MSRP: $59.99
3. Pack’n Heat earmuffs and eye protection
If you’re like me (easily distracted by shiny objects), you’ll love the bling on Pack’n Heat’s earmuffs. The sparkle stopped me in my tracks on the show floor.
All earmuffs are passive, Howard Leight brand (23db rated), decorated with genuine Czech crystal, and come with matching 3M-brand eye protection.
Pack’n Heat earmuffs and eye protection are available in 17 color variations and patterns at GunGoddess.com. My favorite is the pearl set, modeled in the photo by my stylish friend Michelle Whitney Bodenheimer.
The earmuffs and eye protection combos run $175 each.
4. Irish Setter Boots
Did you know that there are 27 differences between a man and woman’s foot? Me neither. But, the people at Irish Setter Boots know, and that’s why they use a special women’s last (the 360-degree mold upon which the boot is constructed) for their line of women’s footwear.
They’ve expanded their women’s line for 2015 to include the “Rutt Master” rubber boots (available in stores and online in August) as well as a non-insluated version of their popular, lightweight Vaprtrek (available in stores and online now).
- Vaprtrek non-insulated MSRP: $154
- Rutt Master non-insulated MSRP: $139
- Rutt Master 1,200-gram insulated MSRP: $169
5. Flashbang Holsters’ Audrey
Known best for their original bra holster, Flashbang Holsters has been designing concealed-carry belts and holsters for women since 2011. New for 2015, the reverse cant, inside-the-waistband Audrey holster was designed with the curvy female in mind.
By making the firearm tip backward into a reverse cant, and positioning the it slightly higher on the waist in the appendix position, this allows the user to achieve a full grip without reaching inside her pants, and achieves a higher level of comfort for curvy girls. The Audrey can be worn on the strong-side appendix, or cross draw.
The Audrey will be available to order by February 6 at Flashbang’s website, and will begin shipping mid-February. It will list for $59.99.
Did you attend SHOT Show? If so, what was your favorite women’s-specific product?
A southpaw from Michigan’s "North Woods," Britney Starr is a freelance writer and editor in the outdoor and shooting markets. She is part owner of Starr & Bodill African Safaris. In the fall, you will most likely find her in an aspen cutting with her German Shorthair Pointer, Wesson, hunting ruffed grouse and woodcock. She would prefer a beautiful over-and-under shotgun to jewelry, any day. Along with being a pro-staff member for Próis Hunting & Field Apparel, a member of Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, the National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, Britney is the founder of the Women’s Outdoor & Shooting Industry Dinner, held annually during SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Britney truly has an affinity for all things outdoors and strives to connect with and empower other women who share her love of hunting and shooting, or are interested in becoming more involved in those activities.
