I picked this up using referral points after my son spotted it while browsing the Gear Shop. His birthday falls right after Christmas, so I took a mental note, ordered it quietly, and saved it for the surprise.
How I Ended Up With a Stuffed Flashlight Guy
After earning some referral points from a couple of successful referrals, I was hanging out with my kids one day and my son was scrolling through the Rivian Gear Shop, pointing out things he thought were cool. I didn't let on at the time, but I made a mental note of everything he wanted. His birthday comes pretty soon after Christmas, so I quietly placed an order and stashed the package when it arrived.
The Gear Guard Plush was one of two items he had his eye on (the other being the R1T Scale Model, which I review separately). When he unwrapped it, he recognized it immediately.
First Impressions
I'll give credit where it's due: the plush looks exactly like what you see on the website. No bait-and-switch here. The Gear Guard character is one of those things that makes Rivian ownership feel a little special. If you've ever watched the Gear Guard security camera footage on your car, you know the little guy with the flashlight who patrols around your vehicle. It's cute, it's clever, and it's become kind of an iconic symbol of the brand.
The plush even comes wearing a little orange safety vest, and here's what surprised me: my kids immediately noticed that the vest material feels just like my actual Rivian vest. That was a genuinely nice touch.
The Letdown
Here's where I have to be honest. Because the Gear Guard is such an iconic part of the Rivian experience, I think I built it up in my head to be something more than it actually is. At the end of the day, it's a stuffed animal. A nice one, sure, but just a stuffed animal.
My kids saw it, thought it was cool for about five minutes, and then set it aside. It's been sitting on a shelf since, mostly untouched. I think the issue is that my kids are a bit too old for plush toys at this point. If I had a five or six-year-old, I think they'd get a much bigger kick out of it. But for kids who are past the stuffed animal phase, the novelty wears off fast.
Who Is This For?
- Young kids (5-7 years old) who ride in a Rivian and recognize the Gear Guard character? They'll love it.
- Adult Rivian enthusiasts who want a desk buddy or collectible? It's a fun conversation piece.
- Older kids and teens? Probably not going to hold their attention.
Pros & Cons
Final Verdict
3 out of 5 stars.
It's not terrible, but there's really nothing particularly exciting about it or anything to write home about. If you've got young kids who love riding in your Rivian, they'll probably enjoy it. For everyone else, it's a nice little collectible that'll end up on a shelf. I used referral points so I don't feel bad about it, but I wouldn't necessarily rush to spend $35 of my own money here.
Want up to $500 toward Rivian gear?
Use referral code JOSEPH12262612 when you order your Rivian.
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