Episode Details

Arrowhead Tactical founder Alexander joins State of the Second hosts Kailey and John to tell the story of a brand that started with a real problem he could not solve as a customer. Living in Atlanta and going to the gym at odd hours, he wanted to carry his firearm before, during, and after a workout, but elastic waistbands and drawstrings are not built to hold a gun. The belly bands and free-floating belts he tried did not perform. He saw athletic apparel for concealed carry, built for men, as a blue ocean, and launched in April 2020 with the Carrier Joggers, three colors and a first run of fewer than 500 units. Five years later the brand has expanded into shorts, pants, sweatpants, hoodies, and a women's line it is currently retooling, all built around its twice-patented waistband.

Alexander breaks down the engineering and the philosophy behind it. The design takes a retention belt, turns it inside out, ties it to the apparel, and runs it all the way around the body so the load distributes and nothing shifts. He demonstrates the concept in his own content by carrying two Desert Eagles, roughly 11 pounds loaded. He also explains why his hoodies use pass-through pockets so a carrier can pre-stage a draw and speed up a first shot. His through line is that one of a brand's biggest competitors is inaction. If carrying is a hassle, the gun gets left at home, and a gun at home is no good.

The conversation widens into hot takes and advocacy. Alexander argues that men carrying in crossbody bags may as well open carry because the look gives them away. Kailey counters that there is still nothing maternity-friendly in the gun space, calling it a million-dollar opening. The episode closes on GOA's mission. With Tennessee's Gold Day happening that day, Kailey makes the case that voting once is not enough. Show up for primaries and midterms, call your representatives, and keep the momentum going. She notes it takes about 30 seconds to send a message to your congressman through GOA's website. Alexander points listeners to arrowheadtacticalapparel.com.

Links

• events.goa.org/goals

Questions this episode answers

What problem led Alexander to start Arrowhead Tactical?

Training at odd hours in Atlanta, Alexander wanted to carry during workouts, but elastic waistbands and drawstrings could not hold a gun and the belly bands and belts he tried did not perform. He saw concealed-carry athletic apparel for men as an open market and launched Arrowhead Tactical in April 2020.

How does Arrowhead's twice-patented waistband hold a firearm without sagging?

The design takes a retention belt, turns it inside out, ties it to the apparel, and runs it all the way around the body so the load is distributed and nothing shifts. Alexander demonstrates the concept by carrying two Desert Eagles, roughly 11 pounds loaded.

What was Arrowhead's first product and how small was the first production run?

Arrowhead launched with the Carrier Joggers in April 2020, offered in three colors. The first production run was fewer than 500 units.

Why does Alexander say men who carry in crossbody bags may as well open carry?

He argues the crossbody bag is a giveaway, so the look telegraphs that the person is carrying. In his view that defeats the point of concealment, making it no different from open carry.

What gap still exists for women in the concealed-carry apparel market?

Host Kailey points out there is still nothing maternity-friendly in the gun space, calling it a million-dollar opening. Arrowhead has a women's line that it is currently retooling.

How do the pass-through pockets on Arrowhead hoodies help with a draw?

The pass-through pockets let a carrier pre-stage the draw with the hand already on the firearm. That setup speeds up the first sho