Introducing Magpul Apparel

Magpul has come a long, long way from it's origins making polymer magazine pull loops back in 1999. The brand steadily grew from a basement operation, producing a single product, to eventually dominate the AR accessory market. It’s become a leader in polymer magazines, buttstocks, grips, weapons training, slings, developed it's own M-LOK accessory mounting system and in 2015 released it's own line of belts and gloves while stepping out in the precision and COMBLOC accessory markets. In 2016, Magpul's moves out again in new direction, this time bringing its design talents to bear on a line of apparel.

We reached out to Magpul's Duane Liptak, the director of product management and marketing for Magpul Industries, about the new product line debuting at SHOT 2016.

RECOIL: We hear Magpul has something unexpected brewing for SHOT 2016?

Duane Liptak: In late 2015, Magpul released belts, gloves, and a new offering of in-house engineered t-shirt constructions. Shown at SHOT 2016 for the first time is a glimpse at the upcoming 2016 full apparel collection.

RECOIL: How did the idea for an apparel line come about?

DL: The idea of producing dedicated apparel to meet the specific needs of our staff started 7 years ago with the idea for “instructor wear” for range activities. Those concepts never made it past prototype and testing phases. With the far more diverse scope of Magpul Core’s mission and the activities they engage in, we revisited the idea of apparel to suit this broad range of activities.  Many of those concept items are featured on the “Gear” wall in our SHOT show booth.

RECOIL: What makes Magpul's approach different than the rest of the tactical clothing market?

DL: The common thread behind the apparel line concept is the idea that clothing with performance features doesn’t have to have flashy branding or make you stand out as overly “tactical”. Things like stretch fabrics, anti-microbial treatments, breathable wicking materials, and other traditionally high tech features can be incorporated into clothing that allows the entire world to be your training area, but doesn’t look out of place in a casual setting and doesn’t have giant logos all over it.

RECOIL: But, Magpul is a hardware company. Where did this clothing expertise come from?

DL: The team behind this apparel program is a hand-picked group of apparel industry professionals with vast experience in design, development, and sourcing brought together over a period of time and assimilated into Magpul to both grow the company capabilities and be faithful to the principles that have made Magpul what it is today. This group is focused on their areas of expertise, and only adds to the company’s ability to innovate and introduce new products.

RECOIL: How big is Magpul going with the apparel line?

DL: As 2015 brought expansion into a larger group of firearms applications, 2016 continues that effort by applying our strengths to additional firearms diversification, but also to gloves, belts, and other apparel items. As we move through the year, you can expect additional growth in our product line in these areas, as well as other areas that you might not expect.

RECOIL: With all the attention on clothing and softgoods, does this mean firearm parts are taking a backseat in the product development process?  

DL: Our core focus will not be ignored, of course–and you will find that our continued dedication to our roots will keep the innovation flowing in the areas that Magpul is known for. Throughout 2016, we will see the release of some of our most exciting AR products to date. Our promise to our customers, is that everything we make—in every category we touch– carries the same promise of Magpul function, form, and value…and always will.

RECOIL: When will the apparel be available for purchase and where will it be offered?

DL: Many of the items seen on the “Gear” wall will be coming to market in Q1 of 2016 and be available direct from Magpul, some of the items are in development form and will make appearances over the course of the year.

Follow us on Instagram, @RECOILmagazine and keep an eye out for these hashtags: #recoilmagazine, #recoil, #shotshow2016, #mediadayattherange and especially #recoilSHOT2016.

We will updating the Constant Coverage article, well…constantly. Bookmark that here at this link or click on the image.

What is the NSSF SHOT Show?

The NSSF SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) and Conference is an annual event held by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Typically attended by thousands of people from all 50 states and over a hundred countries, it is (quite rightfully) described as the “…world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics, and related products and services.

Imagine the Worlds' Fair, but packed with everything from mini-guns and every breed of body armor, bows and boots; from eye pro and ear pro to optics and ordnance, socks to swords…you get the idea. If you'd like to see a sampling of the companies who will be showing at this year's SHOT, there's a live map right here, though it doesn't reflect the organizations set up elsewhere, in hotel suites, etc.

View imagery from our coverage of last year's SHOT Show right here.

2016 SHOT Show

January 18 — Media on the Range (numerous shooting facilities in and around Las Vegas)
January 19–22, 2016
Sands Expo and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours:
Tuesday, January 19 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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