GearBlast was started in 2006 as a one-night event at the Green Lantern Bar during Mid-Atlantic Leather in Washington DC. The event was meant as an opportunity for folks to meet who are into gear other than traditional leather. GearBlast continues to welcome people who are into many types of protective, fetish, and transformative gear. GearBlast is run by gearheads for gearheads.
This is a difficult question to answer as gear is so varied. The specifics of what qualifies as gear is personal and opinions differ. Full coverage gear, protective gear, form fitting gear, uniforms, and transformative gear are some types of gear that are popular at GearBlast. Examples of popular full coverage gear are motorcycle helmets/leathers, football, hockey, rubber catsuits/hoods, SWAT, tactical, cycling, wetsuits, zentai, etc. GearBlast also welcomes attendees who enjoy non-full coverage gear. There are activities at GearBlast for folks to wear uniforms such as soccer, lacrosse, military, and wrestling singlets. GearBlast also attracts folks into gear that transforms who they are, such as furries, pups, drones, superheroes, etc. Recent years have seen amazing and creative mixtures of different types of gear that take on their own unique look. To get a good impression of the types of gear at GearBlast we encourage you to browse our previous photo galleries.
GearBlast:US has evolved into a multi-day weekend event. People chill, socialize, and play over multiple days. Unlike the EU and UK events which are focused on events taking place in the evening, GB:US includes all meals and has activities from late morning to late night. GB:US is often described as a 'summer camp' type experience. Lodging is provided on site and also at a nearby resort.
Many activities at GB are outdoor and involve the use of some of the gear folks like to wear. No activity requires any level of skill (except for ice hockey), it is all about having fun and wearing your gear!
Examples of popular active activities are:
• Football
• Soccer
• Ice Hockey
• Pool fun (wetsuit and dive gear)
• Singlet wrestling
• Pup mosh / Pup "Olympics"
And more chill / social / and workshop type activities:
• Board games in gear
• Billiards / darts / foosball / table tennis / shuffleboard in gear
• Sneaker party
• Hazmat gear meet-up
• Rubber repair workshop
• Ropework skills workshop
There is also a playspace available for folks who want to have fun and explore. Access to the playspace requires gear and is monitored by staff. As with any of the other activities, participation in the playspace is not required.
We know seeing so many pictures from GearBlast:US of folks in amazing gear can be intimidating. Everyone had to start somewhere and remembers what it was like to first get into gear. There is no quality or type of gear you need to be considered 'a gearhead' or to come to GearBlast:US. However, we do ask everyone to participate in the event by wearing gear. For some people that may be an inexpensive wetsuit, second-hand gear, or items borrowed from other folks. One of the first events at GearBlast:US is a used gear sale on Friday morning where everyone is encouraged to bring gear they no longer use to sell or trade.
Registration for GearBlast:US 2024 will occur between June 19th at 12 noon CDT and June 26th at 12 noon CDT. Registration will remain open after that time but will be added to the waitlist. Registration will close completely on Sept 1st.
Anyone age 21+ who fetishizes gear and is comfortable wearing gear in a body and sex positive environment is welcome at attend.
Yes! Every year sees many first-time attendees of GearBlast:US. The registration process is intentionally designed to guarantee first-time attendees have an opportunity to register. Each year sees dozens of new attendees.
Aside from registering and agreeing to the cancellation policies, code-of-conduct, and waivers; everyone attending is asked to participate in the event by wearing the gear that makes them feel the best. GearBlast:US is what you want it to be, whether that be a completely chill social weekend with no play – or a weekend full of play and activities.
GearBlast:US does not currently require vaccinations of our attendees, however we recognize that the health and safety of our attendees is of the utmost importance, and the situation can change very quickly. GearBlast:US reserves the right to change the vaccination policy at any time - we will provide as much notice as possible when this happens, and our registration team will work with attendees who are unable to receive vaccinations to determine the best course of action for their unique situation.
We highly recommend attendees be up to date on their COVID-19, Influenza, and MPox vaccines.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a guide specifically for the LGBTQ+ community with recommendations for how you can best protect yourself. https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/summer/index.html
Although there is no formal application process, every new attendee is asked to tell us about themselves when they register so we can ensure that they understand the type of event if they are signing up for. All staff of GearBlast:US are also asked to review the list of new attendees.
This is a complex issue that deals with not only capacity limitations of our venues, but also balancing the type of event that we want to have with demand. The folks who run GearBlast:US are all volunteers who have worked hard to create an event that has its current feel. Growth is not an objective of GearBlast:US. The focus is to maintain a friendly, relaxed, safe space where folks can explore their interest in gear, with gear being the priority.
There will be 240 registration spots available. Starting on June 19th at 12 noon CDT the Registration Portal will begin accepting registration requests from anyone interested in attending GearBlast:US 2024. The Registration Portal will remain open through June 26th at 12 noon CDT. During this process as in previous years, you’ll fill out all of the registration information required, however payment will not be collected until we have reserved a spot for you as described below.
On June 26th at 12 noon CDT, the entire list of people who have submitted a registration request will be reviewed and spots will be offered to people in the following order:
- Step 1 (First 75%): Spots will be offered to previous GearBlast:US attendees, and offered in the order of how many previous GearBlast:US events they’ve attended.
- Step 2 (Remaining 25%): Previous attendees who did not receive a spot in Step 1 will be included in the pool of people who have requested registration and have never attended. Spots will be offered to this group randomly.
- Step 3 (Waitlist): Anyone who has not received a spot after this process will be moved to the randomized waitlist.
- Any new registration requests received after June 26th at 12 noon CDT will be added to the bottom of the waitlist in the order they were received.
On or before June 30th, everyone registered will receive an email letting them know if they have a spot or are being placed on the waitlist:
- If you have a spot available: Your email will contain a link and instructions on how to pay for your Registration to confirm that you’ll be attending. Payment must be received within 72 hours from when we send your email in order to complete your registration. People who do not complete payment within the allotted time will have their registrations canceled and their spots will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.
- If you have been waitlisted: Your email will let you know which position you are at on the waitlist, and will provide you with a link to remove yourself from the waitlist if you are no longer able to come. Keep an eye on your email over the coming weeks as that’s how we’ll notify you if a spot becomes available and you’re next in line for it, then you’ll follow the same procedures for “If you have a spot available”.
You may only register yourself - please do not register other people.
The price of registration this year will be $425. Lodging is never included in the price of Registration.
Registration covers all meals, starting with dinner on Thursday. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks are provided on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the final meal being a light breakfast on Monday morning. Registration also covers all on-site activities, such as use of the playspace, common areas, pool, athletic activities, music/DJ, board games, etc.
Lodging arrangements are not handled until after registration has been open for a few weeks. The main reason for this is to give everyone coming to GearBlast:US time to work out who else is coming and thoughtfully arrange roommates. For GearBlast:US 2024, we will send out additional emails to those who are registered with details on how to book their Lodging a few weeks after Registration.
As folks register, they will be sent an invite link to an attendee chat on Telegram. This chat is only for folks attending this year’s event. This is where you can meet people and ask for things such as roommates, carpooling, advice, etc. There will be a “pinned note” in the chat (which is like a bulletin board for the chat) listing who is looking for roommates or to carpool. The pinned note is helpful for people who do not want to keep up with a busy group chat but want a place to let folks know they are looking.
We send out regular e-mail communications which go into much detail as the event approaches. Be sure to mark emails from usa@gearblast.com as safe in your email.
Our Cancellation Policy is as follows:
- Cancel any time before you pay for your Registration with no penalty (payment must be received within 3 days after a spot is made available for you)
- Once you have paid for your registration, a cancellation will receive a 75% refund. After Saturday, July 27th at 12 noon CDT: No refunds will be given.
- Because of the limited spaces available, anyone who has a spot and no-shows will not be allowed back.
GearBlast does not allow any sort of firearms or weapons: real, realistic looking, or prop (including ammo magazines) at any GearBlast event, activity, or in the playspace. We also do not allow any gear that represents hate.
Our Cancellation Policy is as follows:
- Cancel any time before you pay for your Registration with no penalty (payment must be received within 3 days after a spot is made available for you)
- Once you have paid for your registration, a cancellation will receive a 75% refund. After Saturday, July 27th at 12 noon CDT: No refunds will be given.
- Because of the limited spaces available, anyone who has a spot and no-shows will not be allowed back.
The cancelation and refund policy is designed to ensure folks who are registered are actually planning to attend. Because of the limited space available we set a date where there will be no refunds to encourage those who know they will not be able to make to cancel and free up their spot to someone who is able to make it but is on the waitlist. Refund policies are also in place due to financial spending that takes place in the months leading up to the event. Folks who no-show will not be allowed back at future GearBlast:US events.
GearBlast recognizes that those who share a common interest in gear are not all the same. All people, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, body type or economic status are welcome to participate in GearBlast.
Yes, anyone who registers for GearBlast:US must agree to GearBlast’s Code of Conduct, which applies to conduct both at the event and in the GearBlast:US Attendee chat online.
Code Of Conduct
Illicit drug use is explicitly prohibited.
GearBlast is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for all, regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, personal beliefs, fetish interests, or religion.
Harassment of any kind is considered a serious breach of this code of conduct. This policy applies equally to attendees, staff, vendors, and contractors.
Harassment includes but is not limited to:
• Discrimination or unfair treatment based on age, race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, personal beliefs, fetish interests, or religion.
• Unwanted physical contact of any kind.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Photography or video recording without permission.
• Deliberate intimidation, threats, stalking, or following.
If you are asked to stop harassing behavior you must immediately do so, and if you do not comply you may be asked to leave the event. If you are asked to leave either a play space or the event, you are expected do so immediately and without hesitation.
If you are being harassed or witness someone being harassed you should contact a member of GearBlast staff who can be identified with the word STAFF on their badge.
Any photos or videos taken at any GearBlast activity or event must be for non-commercial personal use.
Wearing or displaying gear or signage that are deemed by GearBlast staff to communicate hostile messaging or sentiment is not permitted. Individuals in violation of this policy will be required to remove such items.