Alien Gear Holsters "ShapeShift Starter Kit" Now Called "ShapeShift Core Carry Pack"

by
posted on July 31, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ag_ss_thumbnail_core_carry.jpg

American Rifleman's various reviews of the Alien Gear Holsters ShapeShift Starter Kit have always included a mention of the great value it offers, highlighting the extensive and sophisticated content included in what sounds like an entry-level product. Check out this NRA Gun Gear of the Week video in which Joe Kurtenbach evaluates the kit, which includes a single polymer shell that is configured into four separately designed open and concealed carry styles on the beltline.

Now Alien Gear Holsters has renamed the "ShapeShift Starter Kit" to the "ShapeShift Core Carry Pack," which the company says more accurately describes its purpose and intended customer, and includes the most popular, essential everyday carry styles within the growing modular holster system.

The change was heavily influenced by customer feedback, according to Alien Gear Holsters COO Tim Treto. “There were questions about who the ‘Starter Kit’ was for and whether it had to be the first purchase in the ShapeShift Modular Holster System,” he said. “The four carry styles in the Core Carry Pack represent our most popularly requested holsters from all gun owners at all experience levels, which spurred the need for a name change in a system offering so many possibilities.”

The name change is the only alteration. It includes the same product at the same price with the same lifetime warranty.

“It’s similar to another recent change: our active retention thumb release,” Treto said. “As the product line was further developed, all aspects of it are continually revisited. These design and product changes take immense time and resources, but the outcome means we’re developing unprecedented holsters based on community feedback.”

Alien Gear Holsters says it is continually in the process of designing further holster iterations to expand and further develop the entire system, while a separate effort concurrently runs to increase the shell compatibility for additional guns in the ShapeShift Modular Holster System.

Additional Reading:
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Alien Gear ShapeShift Starter Kit  
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Alien Gear ShapeShift Expansion Packs
Tested: Alien Gear Holsters ShapeShift Starter Kit
Editors' Picks: Alien Gear ShapeShift Holster System
SHOT Show 2018: Alien Gear Holsters ShapeShift Expansion Packs
Alien Gear Announces Modular Shoulder Holster
Alien Gear Announces Car Holster Mount

Latest

Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard
Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard

Review: Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard

Lipsey’s has teamed up with Smith & Wesson to revive a pair of short-lived, but highly sought after, Night Guard revolvers. The K-frame options include the Model 386, a seven-shot design chambered in .357 Mag.

Standing Guard | We Need to Stand Tall Together

In the short time I have been in this position—humbled and honored to be serving you and our cause—I have focused on streamlining our programs and services, refocusing our efforts on our competitions and other events, and committing resources to the many legal and legislative fights we are in to defend and, where necessary, to win back our Second Amendment-protected freedom.

B&T USA Expands Manufacturing Operations in Utah

B&T USA's Utah location now handles product design and development, 3D-printing, machining, Cerakoting, engraving and shipping, and it boasts a production capacity of 7,000 suppressors a month.

PenFed Reports Strong Second-Quarter Performance

Building on the company's impressive first-quarter results for 2026, PenFed Credit Union, one of the nation's largest credit unions, reported strong financial results through the second quarter of 2026.

The NSCA Sporting Clays National Championship

Every fall, the National Sporting Clays Association holds its national championship at The National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, and thousands of sporting clays shooters from across the world come to compete for titles.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

Smith & Wesson and Lipseys brought a special .22 LR revolver to the Plinkapalooza event in May.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.