GEAR | DEADLY CUSTOMS HIGH SPEED 2 POINT SLING!

Hey friends! Welcome back to the blog. 

Today I’m back with a review of the new Deadly Customs High Speed 2 Point Sling! I’ve been trialling this sling for a couple of months and I feel I am ready to give you my thoughts!

In the world of airsoft, firearms and tactical gear, we know that having the right sling can make all the difference in terms of comfort, stability, and overall performance. The High Speed 2 Point Sling from Deadly Customs offers unparalleled customisation options and superior quality. They are all made in-house in the UK using legitimate fabrics. It has been designed to provide maximum versatility and adaptability for users of all kinds. Now, let’s chat about the features and what makes this sling stand out from the rest. 

The High Speed 2-Point Adjustable Sling is available in two configurations, meaning it is able to cater to different preferences and needs. If you prioritise speed and manoeuvrability, the high-speed sling variant offers a streamlined design without a pad, ensuring minimal interference and maximum efficiency during dynamic operations. On the other hand, if you value comfort and want to reduce strain during extended periods of use, the sling can be equipped with a removable pad. 

One standout feature of the High Speed 2-Point Adjustable Sling is the pad's design. The pad is precisely engineered to float freely on the webbing, eliminating the risk of rubbing against your body or causing discomfort. This friction-free design allows for smooth and unhindered movement, ensuring that the pad won't hinder performance. By reducing friction, the sling provides a more comfortable experience, even during high-stress activities. 

The Deadly Customs High Speed 2 Point Sling is also completely customisable. There is a staggering range of 5,100 colour variations, allowing the user to express their personal style while ensuring their gear remains highly functional. On the website there are ‘off the shelf’ colourways to choose from and also a customiser that allows you to pick the front end colour, the draw tab colour, the rear end colour and the sling pad colour. You can also choose from a variety of end fittings, including Quick Detach (QD), HK-style, no end fitting, or even a combination of them. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of firearms/airsoft replicas, giving you the flexibility to switch between different platforms effortlessly. 

Now we have the features out of the way, let’s chat about what combination I chose and the usability. For my High Speed 2 Point Sling, I chose a combination of M81 for the rear and front end (or the webbing), a black draw tab and a Multicam Black sling pad (full disclosure if DNC was on the options list, that would’ve appeared in my build. For my front-end fitting, I chose a QD and for the rear fitting, I chose an HK Snap Hook which is the perfect combination for my Krytac CRB MKII which I use the most often in the summer as it’s my summer squeeze. 

On getting the sling out of the packaging, I immediately noticed its lightweight design, making it convenient to handle. The materials used in its construction feel durable, giving a sense of reliability for long-term use. Attaching the sling to your airsoft replica is also a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly design. Within minutes, the sling is effortlessly installed. Not only is the sling easy to handle and durable, but it also offers so much comfort, even during extended periods of wear thanks to the removable sling pad. The thoughtful design ensures that it sits comfortably on your shoulder, minimising any discomfort or strain. Additionally, the sling features a conveniently placed draw tab that is easily accessible and simple to use. 

My configuration cost £54.99 which for a handmade sling that is laden with features and completely customisable is really reasonable. My code ‘femmefatale’ can be used on the Deadly website to save you 10% (this isn’t an affiliate code, just trying to save you money). 

Overall, I think the High Speed 2-Point Sling delivers on all fronts - offering a huge array of colour options, a choice of end fittings, and the flexibility to use it as a high-speed sling or with a removable pad. The innovative floating pad design ensures optimal comfort, and the sling's UK-made craftsmanship guarantees durability and reliability. Whether you're a professional, airsofter or a recreational shooter, this sling is definitely something to consider when building your loadout. 

Post sponsored by Deadly Customs

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EVENT | PALOOZA 2023!

Hi friends!

Welcome back to the blog! In this post, we’re going to be taking a look at my recent trip to Houston, Texas USA where I attended evike.com's Airsoft Palooza 2023 at Evike Outpost Houston!

First, let me give you some background information on Evike Outpost Houston. Evike Outpost Houston is the largest airsoft store in Texas, located in Cypress near Houston. The Outpost shares space with High Ground Airsoft (to bring airsofters and an all-in-one experience). The premises is a whopping 42,000 sq feet with 8,000 sq feet of retail space - and this space is used well! 

The storefront is clean, well-presented and organised, so it is easy to navigate even if you aren’t quite sure what you are looking for. It has literally everything you could need and even things you didn’t think you’d need. The walls are lined from top to bottom with airsoft replicas, and they’re two/three rifles deep - bar evike.com's headquarters in Alhambra, California, I’ve never seen so many airsoft guns in one store. As well as airsoft replicas, you can find racks of gear, BDUs and outdoor clothing, eye pro, face pro, helmets, ear protection, patches, upgrade parts and even grenade-shaped USB sticks. It’s crazy the number of products that Evike has in their store and it’s impossible to name all of the brands they carry. It would probably be easier to name the brands that they don’t! There is also a shooting range in the store that has some insane targets!

The staff are all experts in their fields, knowledgeable and always happy to help with anything from kit advice to how to improve the performance of your gun. They are friendly, approachable and there is always a relaxed atmosphere in the store which makes for a positive shopping experience. There is an in-store teching service which is super affordable so there’s always help on hand for any technical issues you may have (or for a cheeky upgrade). 

I have been to a fair few Airsoft shops in the time I’ve been airsofting, some very good and some not so good. Evike Outpost Houston’s location makes the store a reachable location for a large proportion of Airsofters in the Southern States, and any potential customers that are out of reach can get most of the items they stock in-store through the evike.com website. The range of products that they stock is fantastic and they only stock brands that you can trust so you know you can be confident in your purchase. Their after-sales care and support are second to none so never be afraid to pop in with any queries or dilemmas you have – you will always be greeted by a smiling face behind the counter. The staff are my favourite element of the store, as they are a great bunch of people who always make you feel welcome. They are always happy to help and are knowledgeable, offering sound advice to their customers on a range of subjects. It is clear from watching them interact with their customers in-store that they are passionate about Airsoft. All these elements make the store a great place to shop.

Now you’ve got some background on Evike Outpost Houston, let us talk about Airsoft Palooza! Airsoft Palooza is an airsoft event that happens every year at Evike Outpost Houston, this year it took place on the 20th of May 2023. It is a free-to-attend event and there is so much to do so you can definitely make a day of it. As the store/field location was previously a Walmart, there is plenty of free car parking. Upon arriving you’ll see an entrance gate right outside of the store's entrance where you can collect your wristband and your sack of Palooza if you ordered one! Once inside the gates, you can take advantage of everything Palooza has to offer!

The store always has a huge sale during this event which is good news for players who are looking to pick up kit and guns for a fraction of their usual cost - the sale is announced on the evike.com socials shortly before the event so it’s well worth following and keeping up to date. The store also hosts a shooting competition by KWA which is always a fun endeavour. Separately to the store, High Ground Airsoft runs all-day play and this has to be booked in advance via the Evike website (and can be purchased with your sack of palooza! The gameplay on Palooza Day is really chill and has a great vibe!

This year there was a great selection of exhibitors in attendance including Krytac, G&G Armament, ASG, Dye Paintball, Body Armour Vent, PTS Syndicate, KWA, Elite Force and a few others. Players can chat and meet their favourite manufacturers and check out new and exciting products. The exhibitors are outside under branded gazebos which makes it easy to find each of them. This year the US Coastguard was also in attendance and they brought one of their boats with them which you could go on and have a look around (I of course took the opportunity to do this!). Alongside the exhibitors are a number of food trucks.

This year, at 2pm, an exciting change was introduced to the event schedule. Rather than a traditional Q&A session, a meet and greet with well-known players from the airsoft community took place. The opportunity to personally interact with players such as Jet Desertfox, Unicorn Leah, Scott from US Airsoft, and myself. The meet and greet provided a unique chance to engage in conversations, capture memorable photographs, and get signatures from your favourite YouTubers. It was an incredibly enjoyable and heartwarming experience, as enthusiasts had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals.

At 3pm, the highly anticipated raffle takes place, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. Every attendee is presented with a wristband, which proudly displays a unique raffle number. Armed with this ticket participants must make their way to the EMG/Evike booth, to deposit their ticket in the raffle chest to be in with a chance of winning one of the many prizes. Collectively the prizes are worth thousands of dollars. The atmosphere brims with anticipation as the raffle winners are called because the prizes include everything from vouchers to tactical kit and even airsoft guns.

Overall,was an unforgettable experience that left me filled with joy. The event brought together passionate airsoft enthusiasts, showcased incredible products, and offered a wide array of engaging activities. I am immensely grateful to evike.com for extending the invitation and allowing me to be a part of the day. The opportunity to connect with fellow players, share my insights, and contribute to the airsoft community was truly an honour. I extend my heartfelt thanks to evike.com for their hospitality and for creating a truly wonderful event.

Post sponsored by Evike.com 

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EVENT | BBS N BREWS AT HIGH GROUND AIRSOFT, HOUSTON, TEXAS!

Hi friends! Welcome back to the blog! For those of you who follow me on socials, you’ll have seen that last month I was invited back to Houston, Texas for Palooza 2023 hosted by evike.com and High Ground Airsoft. I flew into Houston from London a little early so I could attend their over 21’s night - BBs n Brews! And this one, in particular, was a themed night, Romper night! 

For a little background information on High Ground Airsoft for those who are unfamiliar with the field: HGA is located in Cypress, Texas. The new store/field site was previously a Walmart and as such, it is enormous and has a large car park. They’ve just added their signage and the building has been freshly painted in the evike.com colours so it’s unmissable. The building has both the Evike Outpost and the field contained within it so as you go through the sliding doors, there are then two doors - one that leads to the Evike Outpost storefront (you can read my review of that here) and the other door leads to the players' lounge. 

The facilities at HGA are fantastic. On the way through to the players' lounge, there are men's and women's toilets - they also have a disabled toilet and a family bathroom. The sign-in desk is just before the player's lounge and is always staffed by a friendly face. Here you can pay for your arena entry (although you do get a discount if you pre-book online!) And you can also pick up your Skirmesh band. The player's lounge has plenty of tables and chairs for airsofters to prep their gear and get ready for the day. It’s air-conditioned so even in the Texas heat it’s a comfortable place to set up. There are 2 party rooms (also air-conditioned). There is also a full snack bar and a bar. 

It is a sizable facility - the player's lounge and bar is 6,000 sq ft and the playable area is 25,000 sq feet which includes two full-size two-story buildings. By far one of the most notable buildings is the Alamo which is located in the very centre of the play floor with two elevated towers inside. One of my personal favourites is the arcade room which had a load of old, battered arcade machines to fight around. 

All players are given a comprehensive safety brief explaining the rules and regulations of the site before they enter the arena to ensure safe gameplay. The brief covers everything from Chrono limits, what do to when you get hit, emergencies, pyrotechnics and MEDs. One of the things I dislike most about American sites is the MED and bang rules - in the UK we don’t have MEDs and we don’t operate a bang-bang rule so going to a site that implements a MED of if you can reach out and touch them with a rifle you’re too close but otherwise crack on is a breath of fresh air. 

The games played include a variety of deathmatches and objective-based games - most of which are just 7 minutes long which means the games are fast-paced and keep players on their toes. The arena can handle 40 on 40 play but usually, they run at 20 v 20 games which means the play is fast but not overwhelming. The entire field is set up with the Skirmesh.net system for prop interaction and stat tracking - each player is given a rubberised wristband that they can scan in respawns to track their in-game ‘deaths’ or in objective areas so points can be collected for areas held or for the time held. There are live video feeds of the play floor in both party rooms and the bar along with Skirmesh live game tracking so spectators can watch the action. There is also a projector in the player's lounge with live game tracking and updates. 

The site itself plays well and isn’t geared towards speedsofters which is pleasantly refreshing. It is a mix of different-sized rooms and open spaces with cover which makes it a varied site to play. 

The Marshalls are a really friendly bunch who do a great job of keeping the games running smoothly and on time. They were super helpful during my visit and nothing was too much trouble - which I greatly appreciated. 

Now onto BBs n Brews! BBs n Brews is High Ground Airsoft's over 21’s night. It is every Wednesday night and runs from 6 pm-10 pm with 3 hours of play from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. For this event, you have to be over the age of 21 due to the presence of alcohol on site. Players are allowed to bring their own alcoholic beverages to consume however it is important to note that if you are too intoxicated you won’t be allowed to enter the gaming area (so please drink responsibly!) 

For this BBs n Brews, it was themed night and players got a $5 discount if they turned up in a romper, yes, a romper! Now, unfortunately, the romper I ordered didn’t turn up on time so Kurt from HGA kindly lent me a Reno 911 Halloween costume which somewhat resembled a romper. Now I will say playing airsoft in a tight polyester costume did suck a little but I embraced the suck and it ended up being a really fun evening. 

It was a great laugh and as you can see from the photos a lot of players joined in the fun. What I really love about these nights is that no one takes it too far - there is always a great atmosphere. I absolutely love these nights at HGA and I can’t wait to be back soon!

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