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.
There will be 220 registration spots offered in two rounds. 110 spots for folks who have attended a previous GearBlast:US, and 110 for the general public. Please note that both rounds of registration will take place on the same weekend.
ROUND ONE, 110 spots - opens at Noon CDT on Saturday, June 10th for previous attendees. Previous attendees will recieve an email on June 1st with instructions on how to register.
ROUND TWO, 110 spots - opens at Noon CDT on Sunday, June 11th, to the general public. The registration link will be posted on the GearBlast:US website - us.gearblast.com
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 are 220 total spots, with registration being operated in two rounds.
• During round one 110 spots are made available for anyone who has attended a previous GearBlast:US.
• A week later, in round two, the remaining 110 spots are made available to both returners and newcomers.
Once all 220 spots are filled a wait-list is activated, which is first-come-first serve. When someone cancels the next person on the wait-list is offered to take the spot.
We understand that not everyone can be at their computer the day and time that registration opens, so we do allow folks to be registered by others, with the following restrictions:
• Only folks who have attended previously may be registered in round one
• Registrations are not transferrable between people, if someone cancels then the spot is released to the next person on the waitlist
• Registrants must complete their own waiver and provide an email address where they receive communication about GearBlast:US directly
• Only two (2) tickets / registrations can be purchased by one person
The price of registration for GearBlast:US 2023 will be $385. Lodging is not included in this price.
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 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 at least two 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 2023, lodging bookings will open in July.
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.
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.
The cancelation and refund policy is designed to ensure folks who are registered are actually planning to attend. To encourage getting folks off the waitlist and registered, the 50% refund and no refund dates are six weeks and then four weeks prior to the event. Refund policies are also in place due to financial spending that takes place in the month leading up to the event. Folks who no-show will not be allowed back.
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 being harrassed or witness someone being harrassed 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.