Gear

In kink and leather communities, gear refers to the specialized clothing, equipment, and accessories tied to particular fetishes, roles, or scenes. Common examples include leather harnesses, jockstraps, boots, rubber and latex suits, chaps, and puppy hoods. Gear can be practical, erotic, or purely a matter of identity and belonging. "Wearing your gear" signals participation in the culture, and specific pieces can communicate role, interest, or affiliation. Gay leather culture took shape in US cities in the years after World War II, growing out of biker and motorcycle-club scenes, and the harness became a recognizable identity symbol within gay leather and fetish communities during the 1980s. Etiquette around gear values consent, respect, and community norms.