A lot of companies release new products year-round, but I like it when they release new things just before or at SHOT. Even if the new products are not on the market yet, being able to see them in person is exciting. This year, Safariland had some big reveals with their products. Most of these are just around the corner (if they are not already out), so watch out for them.
I’m going to jump right in and give you a quick look at the cool products Safariland has already released, or is about to release.
Ballast Holster Line
The Ballast Holster is not new for this year, but it’s still the newest and hottest duty holster from Safariland. It was built specifically for officer safety and is the most secure holster made by Safariland.
After years of feedback and designs, Safariland developed a proprietary “crush-resistant” design made to protect the internal components of the holster and the trigger on the handgun.
It comes with a removable RDS optics lid, integrated Axon Signal Sensor Port, and open muzzle design. The open muzzle design lets dirt and debris pass through the holster instead of building up where the muzzle rests.
For those wanting a tough and secure holster, the Ballast is the best there is.
HOLLE Duty Belt
For the law enforcement officers out there, the new HOLLE duty belt is one of the coolest things I’ve seen yet. How many times have you set up your belt, only to realize you left something off? This means each item must be removed one at a time and put back on in the right order.
With this new design, you can mount each belt attachment directly to the belt. This means it won’t slide around throughout your shift, and it’s easier to add or remove items.
This belt works by using a hole pattern across the entire belt. With this design, a duty holster can screw directly onto the belt, making it secure but also easier to install or remove.
I haven’t been able to get my hands on one for a full review yet, but I’m looking forward to using one.
SafariMesh
You normally think of holsters, belts, and vests when the name Safariland comes up. But this new communications system may be the coolest and most innovative thing I’ve seen from Safariland yet. Don’t get me wrong, their holsters are extremely impressive. But the SafariMesh system is in a league of its own.
At first glance, it looks like a simple PTT adaptor. Ok, it looks like an oversized, bulky PTT adaptor. But it’s actually its own communications system.
Most radios use a repeater, tower, or some kind of centralized network to make the radios work. In other words, there is a central point of failure in the system. But Safariland built the SafariMesh on a decentralized mesh architecture. This creates a self-forming, self-healing system that adapts to the environment and grows as you add more units.
It also uses AES-256, military-grade encryption, to make sure your communication is secure. Each unit acts somewhat as a repeater of its own, meaning the more units that are spread out, the further the signal will reach. You can have up to 50 users on one system.
Another awesome feature is that multiple people can talk at the same time. Every cop has experienced that dangerous incident where everyone was trying to talk at the same time. When this happens, everyone is broken up and cut off, leaving you to ask someone to repeat what they said.
With this system, you can key up and talk at the same time as others or turn on auto activation, and it will key up when you talk. No more cutting off others who try to talk at the same time.
This system went live while I was at SHOT Show 2026, so I’m hoping to get my hands on a couple of units soon and do some testing of my own. I think this could be one of the best new products I’ve seen in a long time!
A holster that works with silencers???
This holster isn’t out yet. In fact, the sneak peek I had at SHOT was just a prototype of what’s to come. But I don’t think we will have to wait long, from what I understand. Safariland is always pushing the limits on what they can do with a holster. A holster that works with silencers only makes sense as they are becoming so popular lately.
My first thought with this type of holster is that the silencer would stick out too far past the holster, making it look weird and awkward. After seeing a gun with a silencer in it, however, I thought it looked pretty cool.
Another question I had was about heat. How well does it hold up to heat, and can you holster it right after you shoot? The short answer is you need to let the silencer cool down a bit before holstering it. Leather lines the inside of the holster to help protect it, but it’s not made for the extreme heat of a silencer that has just been fired.
This doesn’t bother me because a silencer will cool down pretty fast. But the fact that you can now carry a handgun with a silencer on it is so much better than what we’ve had in the past.
SilencerCo ran a full article on this soon-to-be holster that explains the holster in more detail. For those who like to use a can on their handgun, be on the lookout for this one.
Questions & Answers
What is the primary safety innovation featured in the Ballast Holster line?
The Ballast Holster features a proprietary crush-resistant design specifically engineered to protect the internal mechanics of the holster and the handgun’s trigger during high-impact situations or physical altercations. It also includes an integrated Axon Signal Sensor Port to automatically activate body cameras when the weapon is drawn.
How does the new HOLLE duty belt improve on traditional belt setups?
Unlike standard belts that require threading gear on and off in a specific order, the HOLLE belt uses a continuous hole pattern. This allows gear to be screwed directly into the belt at specific points, preventing accessories from sliding during a shift and making it much easier to add or remove items without dismantling the entire setup.
What makes the SafariMesh communication system “self-healing”?
The SafariMesh uses a decentralized mesh architecture rather than relying on a single tower or repeater. This means every unit in the network acts as its own node; if one unit moves out of range or fails, the remaining units automatically reorganize their connections to maintain the signal, allowing the network to “heal” and adapt in real time.
Can multiple users talk simultaneously using the SafariMesh system?
Yes. One feature of the SafariMesh is its ability to allow multiple people to talk at the same time without cutting each other off or breaking up the audio. This solves a common and dangerous issue in law enforcement where high-stress radio traffic often leads to “stepped on” transmissions.
Is Safariland’s new silencer-compatible holster safe to use immediately after firing?
While the prototype has a leather lining to protect the equipment, it is not designed for the extreme heat of a suppressor that has just been fired. Users are advised to let the silencer cool down briefly before re-holstering to prevent damage to the holster or the lining.
