A modular holster system is all that Alien Gear’s ShapeShift Modular Holster System provides. ShapeShift starter kits come with everything needed to make four types of holsters: standard inside-the-waistband holsters, appendix IWB holsters, belt slide holsters, and paddle holsters. For those who need concealed carry options, the system is compared to a Lego kit.
ShapeShift Holster Starter Kit from Alien Gear includes everything you need to create four different carry configurations. (Photo courtesy of Alien Gear)
ShapeShift modular holsters developed by Alien Gear were inspired by the company’s transition from thermoforming to injection-molded polymer holsters. As we switched to injection molding, we also set up an engineering department to improve our parts and experiment with design,” he says.
As part of the company’s expanded engineering capabilities, rapid prototyping on high-end 3D printers was also available. Tedder aimed to produce a stronger thermoformed shell with a smaller footprint. A holster shell covers a gun in an envelope of material. He says the shell he developed barely exceeded the size of the handgun. We realized that once we had that shell shrunk down, it could do just about anything really well. It could be mounted in a variety of configurations.” This was the foundation for ShapeShift.
ShapeShift, the system on the market today, took two years to build from the idea to prototyping to launch. Tedder explains that the designs were iterated hundreds and hundreds of times. We can have an idea, develop it in 3D, 3D print it, test it, reject it the next day, and build a new prototype the next day.”
Tedder insisted that the ShapeShift should be comfortable to wear, which led to many iterations. A member of our engineering team had been working on that project for a year. “We wanted to get the fabric cut and the plastic design just right. After wearing it for a while, I told him that it was ‘pinchy.’ He became very tired of hearing that. The result is the most concealable and comfortable holster system available today.”
Compared to similar holsters, Tedder says the ShapeShift’s size isn’t the only factor that makes it more comfortable. He explains, “It’s breathable and flexible.”. “Our holsters are lined with perforated neoprene so they are easier to wear.”
According to Tedder, the ShapeShift offers Alien Gear customers substantial economic benefits in addition to comfort. For under $100, you can carry in four different configurations with one shell and four backs. Why pay $200 for four complete holsters when they are exactly the same shell with different backs?
ShapeShift is more than a starter kit from Alien Gear. Additionally, the company offers ankle holsters, MOLLE holsters, drop leg holsters, and backpack holsters along with the starter kit holsters. Tedder says all expansion kits work with one holster. ” We have a lot of customers who purchase the expansion kits. They purchase each expansion as it comes out,” Tedder explains.
