Nite-ize Gear Ties

It’s not often that shooting journalists can agree that a piece of gear is a ‘really good thing’... and even more unusual when the gear is only marginally shooting related. But that’s what happened at IWA this year, when we kept hearing about Nite-ize Gear Ties. Despite the tens of thousands of shooting items at the show, these cheap and cheerful items seemed tp be impressing everyone.

I’ve seen lots of Nite-ize gear, but these Gear Ties were new to me – and a lot of other people it seemed. The idea is simple; imagine a piece of kit that was as strong as a heavy duty cable tie, but as easy to use (and as reusable) as a ‘twisty’ wire – as used for closing plastic bags and bin liners or tying plants to sticks in the garden. And that’s what Gear Ties are; a sturdy flexible wire core with an extremely tough ribbed rubber exterior available in various lengths that can be used to tie up just about anything in seconds. They can be twisted, tied or shaped for any number of tasks and then used time and time again.

There are several sizes; we have been looking at 3”, 6”, 18” and 24” – and a mega 32” version is available too. The smallest (3”) are ideal for tidying up small charger lead coils or USB connection wires – a brilliant use in these days of re-chargeable batteries, phones, cameras etc. The 6” versions are also good for this, and also for use as ‘cable-tidies’ for multiple components such as behind computer stations, TV/DVD/Satellite/Games units etc.

The larger versions are great for heavier jobs – hanging tools or materials up in the shed or garage, attaching bundles to roof-racks, suspended lanterns when camping… there must be hundreds of uses. It took me just seconds to attach a heavy camera tripod to a shoulder bag using the 18” Gear Ties and the connection was rock solid, yet easy to detach when required.
The outer rubber covering also ensures that whatever you tie up will not be damaged. They could also be used to tie a shooting mat into a roll, attach gunbags to a trolley for a ‘long haul’, temporarily mend broken buckles, straps etc. You can even twist them into an ‘S’ shape and use them like a butcher’s hook to hang lighter items of clothing or kit up out of the way.

The ties are available in various colours (depending on size) and include Black, Blue, Bright Orange, Coyote Brown, Dark Navy Blue, Desert Tan, Foliage Green, Forest Green, Lime, Purple, Red, Silver, White, and Yellow. Our advice is always get the smaller versions in bright colours – the Black and Dark Navy Blue ones are almost impossible to see when wrapped around bundles of black cables in the dark corners behind your TV stand.

We can highly recommend these versatile Nite Ize Gear Ties. Prices are around £4.95 for 3” (4 pack) or 6” (2 pack), £5.95 for 18” (two pack) and £6.95 for 24” (two pack). For details of stockists, contact the UK distributers, Whitby & Co. on 01539 721032 or visit their website at

www.whitbyandco.co.uk