All Risk Uniforms vs. CalFireGear — Which CAL FIRE Vendor Should You Choose?
Quick Verdict
Both vendors carry CAL FIRE-branded apparel. CalFireGear is owned by BareBones WorkWear and operates 11 retail locations across the Sacramento Valley. All Risk Uniforms is owned and operated by an active CAL FIRE firefighter, is L2881-endorsed, and is the only vendor where you can order a Class A uniform 100% online — including tailoring. If you need ceremonial Class A, Nomex, Policy 1500-specific gear, or you're working off an academy kit list, choose All Risk. If you need a quick T-shirt or souvenir near Sacramento, CalFireGear is convenient.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | All Risk Uniforms | CalFireGear |
|---|---|---|
| Class A complete package available online | ✓ Only online vendor with full tailoring | ✗ Not offered as a complete package |
| Policy 1500 compliance documented | ✓ Per product + dedicated guide page | ✗ Not mentioned |
| Nomex 6.5oz NFPA 1977-2016 category | ✓ Dedicated category | ✗ Lumped into "Tops" / "Bottoms" |
| Owner identity | ✓ Active CAL FIRE firefighter | ⚠ BareBones WorkWear (parent company) |
| L2881-endorsed | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical locations | 2 (Redding HQ + Ione satellite) | 11 (Sacramento Valley) |
| Shipping pricing | ✓ Pay-by-the-pound, capped at $15.99 | Standard rate |
| Class A 3-day rush | ✓ $300, with $50/day late guarantee | ✗ Not offered |
| Academy kit lists ready | ✓ 9 academies pre-vetted | ✗ Generic browsing |
| Department POs | ✓ Owner takes the call directly | Form-based at /bulk-orders |
| Verified reviews | ✓ 100% on Judge.me + Google | Unknown |
When to Choose All Risk Uniforms
Choose All Risk if you…
- Need Class A and can't make it to a Sacramento store. We're the only online tailor.
- Are on an academy kit list (Trinity Center, Shasta College Fire Tech, COS Fire, Future Fire). We maintain the lists; one click and your kit ships.
- Need Policy 1500 specifics. Every product page documents the requirement it meets.
- Are a department buyer. Call (530) 215-1522 and the owner takes the call.
- Need 6.5oz Nomex (NFPA 1977-2016) and want WorkRite or CrewBoss without hunting through generic categories.
- Want a re-tailor or refund guarantee on a Class A you ordered without an in-person fitting.
CalFireGear may be more convenient if you…
- Live in or near Sacramento, Auburn, Placerville, Rocklin, Yuba City, or any of their 11 storefront locations and want to walk in today for a T-shirt or souvenir.
- Need a non-uniform "merch" item — keychain, mug, sticker. Their selection in that category is broader than ours.
- Don't need Class A. They don't sell it as a complete package.
How Pricing Compares
All Risk Uniforms shipping: pay-by-the-pound, capped at $15.99 maximum per order. You pay only for what you order.
CalFireGear shipping: standard rate (varies by order size and destination).
We don't have public pricing for CalFireGear's full uniform line because they do not list a complete Class A package. If you find one and want a like-for-like quote, call us at (530) 215-1522 and we'll match the spec.
How Class A Turnaround Compares
All Risk Class A turnaround: standard varies; rush options 4 weeks ($125), 3 weeks ($150), 2 weeks ($175), 1 week ($225), and 3 days ($300). The 3-day rush carries our $50-per-day Risk-Free Arrival Guarantee — if we're late, we pay you.
CalFireGear Class A turnaround: not offered as a complete package.
Policy 1500 Compliance — What to Verify
Before buying a CAL FIRE Class A from any vendor, verify:
- Eureka buttons — only manufacturer approved.
- Double-breasted, peaked-lapel jacket cut — not notched-lapel.
- 100% wool worsted trousers — not poly-blend.
- Plain-toe black oxford shoes — not brogues or cap-toe.
- Hat device matching your assignment — generic devices fail inspection.
Read our full Policy 1500 plain-English guide for the complete checklist and common compliance failures.
What Real Customers Say
"This place is great! My husband works for Cal Fire and now he has somewhere to go that's 10 minutes away."
— Madison Simmons, Cal Fire Family
"Such an awesome store. A great family run business that has any of your structure fire needs. The owner/operator is a Cal Fire firefighter himself and is very knowledgeable."
— Rory O'Malley
Frequently Asked Questions
Is All Risk Uniforms an authorized CAL FIRE vendor?
Yes. All Risk Uniforms is L2881-endorsed and owned by an active CAL FIRE firefighter. Both stores open after-hours by appointment for current CAL FIRE cadets — call (530) 215-1522.
Can I order a CAL FIRE Class A uniform online?
Yes — and we're the only vendor that ships fully-tailored Class A uniforms nationwide. Walk-in fitting is available at our Redding HQ and Ione satellite, but if you can't make it to either store, we'll size you online and re-tailor or refund if it doesn't fit.
Where is All Risk Uniforms located?
Redding HQ: 991 Lake Blvd Suite A1, Redding, CA 96003. Ione satellite: 14 W. Main St, Ione, CA. Phone (530) 215-1522.
Does CalFireGear sell Class A uniforms?
Not as a complete package as of this writing. Their categories list "Tops" and "Bottoms" but no dedicated Class A category covering jacket, trousers, shirt, brass, hat device, and shoes together. If they add one, we'll update this page.
Which vendor is closer to me?
If you're in the Sacramento metro or Sierra foothills, CalFireGear has 11 storefronts. If you're in Northern California (Redding, Shasta County, the I-5 corridor north) or Amador County, All Risk Uniforms is closer.
What about distinctiverecognition.com or 2hotactivewear.com?
Both are smaller CAL FIRE-themed shops focused on T-shirts, hats, and lifestyle/off-duty apparel. Neither carries Class A uniforms, Nomex, or Policy 1500-spec gear. Useful for casual wear; not the right vendor if you need duty or ceremonial uniform.
This page is published by All Risk Uniforms. We've made every effort to be objective about CalFireGear's offering — including the cases where they're a better fit (their 11-store Sacramento Valley footprint). Information about CalFireGear was sourced from their public website and product catalog. If we've mischaracterized anything, email us and we'll update it. We won the Cal Fire union endorsement on merit; we're not going to lose it by exaggerating.
