It probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that I'm the kind of person who finds any excuse to get outside. I run, I bike (both road and mountain), I hike and on occasion I even paddle. Sometimes I do those things with friends, but more often than not, I find myself hitting the trail or road all by myself. This can be a cause for concern amongst loved ones, who occasionally worry that something might happen to me while I'm out on a run or a ride. Luckily I've found a new way to make them feel at ease in the form of Guerrilla Tags, an emergency identification system designed specifically for outdoor athletes.The concept behind Guerrilla Tags is simple. Put the wearers name, up to two emergency contacts, blood type and known allergies on a small metal tag that can be worn around the wrist or the neck in the form of a dog tag. That way, if something should happen to that person while they're out hiking, climbing or running, those rendering aid can identify who he or she is and have a method for contacting their closest friends or relatives. And if for some reason the injured person is in need of medical assistance, the doctors or EMT's will have some basic medical knowledge that can assist them.
The tags themselves are handmade with all of the text being engraved on a high quality brass or copper plate. The brass versions are affixed to leather wrist bands that come in several colors, while the copper plates are specifically made for the dog tags that hang around the neck. Both options are very durable and look good enough to wear around town as well as on the trail.
That's really all there is to the G-Tags. They are a simple and straight forward product that do exactly what you would expect. Prices for adult versions of the wrist band are $34.99, with kids versions available for $29.99. The dog tags edition will set you back a bit more, clocking in at $37.99.
I think the Guerrilla Tags will be a popular option for outdoor athletes of all types, including climbers, triathletes, ultra-runners or just about anyone else who spends time outside. They'll also be popular with the loved ones of those athletes, who will feel better sending them out into the wild wearing one. I have just two small quibbles with the G-Tags, with the first being that I would like to see the wristbands offered with a synthetic option. Some of us live in warm climates and sweat a lot while working out, and having a breathable, non-leather option, would be appreciated. I also found the copper chain that comes with the dog tags to be excessively long and I couldn't find a way to shorten it up. In my case, it tends to hang closer to my navel than the center of my chest, which is where I would normally want it.
Those nit-picks aside, the Guerrilla Tags are a high quality product that could potentially save your life or the life of someone you love. With the holidays just around the corner, they also make a great gift for your favorite outdoor athlete. Order one now to stuff in their stocking.
