Share Your “Gear of the Year” Winners For 2025!

[Drenalin]

Several new to me things this year that I really liked:

• Suppressor - I put a SilencerCo Hybrid 46 on an 11.5" AR and have loved it so far, out to 300 yards. My daughter went on her first hunt this year and shot her first deer with this setup.
• Fjallraven Singi Stubben for day hunts - love the structure, and it makes a great rest for shooting seated. I haven't used it as a stool at all; about 2 inches too tall for me. My daughter used this pack and a S2H Molinator bag to shoot her deer.
• SeekOne Wind Indicator (milkweed) - I've been aware of milkweed as a wind indicator for a long time, but the shit is frustrating to deal with. This little tube makes it entirely bearable.
• Duckworth Powder Hoodie - I've got two of these now and use them a ton. If there's no wind, I'm good down into the 40s with just this and a merino base.
• Enlightened Equipment Torrid Hood - my biggest challenge with using a quilt in cold weather solved! Way warmer than a heavy fleece gaiter and beanie.

Meant to include Carnivore Snax on this...170 calories per ounce, it's helped me be able to stick to carnivore without big energy drops in the field.

 

[robtattoo]

What fill weight, what type of insulation?

I couldn't tell you the fill weight, but it's all poly insulation with a light DWR outer coating. It'll turn a slight shower, but I can't imagine it'd hold up to more than a tiny bit of rain. My 32⁰ jacket is a 580 fill & it feels about the same to me.

Amazon.com

https://www.32degrees.com/collections/mens-outerwear/products/mens-ultra-light-down-packable-jacket?variant=41790121148505

EDIT:
Actually, looking at the 32⁰ vest, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it wasn't the exact same thing & right now, the 32⁰ is cheaper.

https://www.32degrees.com/collections/mens-outerwear/products/mens-lightweight-recycled-poly-fill-packable-vest

 

[benconfused]

I love that head too, just not from that brand. I’ve played with a few of them. They’re virtually the same $20 small rig head off Amazon with fancier hardware (I’d assume all from the same manufacturer), a hunting logo, and much higher price tag. It’s good to see these guys aren’t gouging customers as bad as other companies with the same head (I’ve seen this head for around $200 from other brands), but still much more than the small rig.

Update: I just checked the small rig and it’s now $40 on Amazon (if I remember right I got mine with an open box or something so it was discounted). And all the hunting brands (Alpyn, Mutnt, Mtn Hntr) that make it are now in the $90-120 range. So not as big of a jump as it used to be, but still much more expensive than the same head off Amazon.

This one?

Amazon.com

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My 16” suppressed (fast barrel) is “good” to 750ish at my hunting DAs with 115 Bergers. Longest kill this year was 623 with multiple 500+ yard kills in tricky wind. Not an issue at all.

Maybe a touch further I suppose…

 

[dreamingWest]

TBAC 22 Takedown Suppressor

 

[MuleyFever]

My top picks this year were with me for a 16 day Alaskan moose hunt. In order

Simms G3 wading pants and boots. I don’t see how people can moose hunt in regular boots and gaiters after using this combo.

Have a link to the ones you used?

 

[MTriplett]

1. Hogue Expel Scalpel. I ate tag soup and didn't get to use it for its intended purpose, but it made a great multipurpose knife I was able to store on the side of my bino harness.

2. Milwaukee Packout Rolling Tool Chest: I bought this for storing recovery gear in my truck, but ended up using it to store my hunting gear. It turned out to be absolutely ideal.

3. MSR Evo Ascent Snow Shoes: I had to head back into town for a set of snowshoes because the trails on the north side of the mts had gotten to knee deep in snow in some places (~Nov 20th). I think there's a good chance I would have filled my tag had these been with me from day one.

4. Biltong Fat Slab

I second the Milwaukee pack out roller. I have to XLarge pack outs that I attach to the top of the roller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sully_44]

This one?

Amazon.com

yes, or this one (CH3)

Amazon.com : SmallRig CH3 Video Head, Tripod Fluid Head Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate for Arca Swiss, Support 360° Swivel and 90° / -70° Tilt, Max Load 3kg / 6.6lb for Cameras, DSLR- 4936 : Electronics

Amazon.com : SmallRig CH3 Video Head, Tripod Fluid Head Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate for Arca Swiss, Support 360° Swivel and 90° / -70° Tilt, Max Load 3kg / 6.6lb for Cameras, DSLR- 4936 : Electronics

a.co

or a lot of the Neewer branded ones on amazon. I have the small rig you posted, and a Neewer head. Both are great. I use the Ridge Warden from Wiser now because of its upgraded feature set, but I’m seeing both Small rig and Neewer offer a leveling base for a little more $ now and that’s going to give you similar features my $300 Ridge Warden does (great for glassing and can be shot of of).

 

[Sully_44]

This one?

Amazon.com

I’m seeing an Avella branded one on there as well that is the same and has a coupon to buy it for $21. And it comes with a phone mount that would be awesome for taking kill photos.

 

[benconfused]

yes, or this one (CH3)

Amazon.com : SmallRig CH3 Video Head, Tripod Fluid Head Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate for Arca Swiss, Support 360° Swivel and 90° / -70° Tilt, Max Load 3kg / 6.6lb for Cameras, DSLR- 4936 : Electronics

Amazon.com : SmallRig CH3 Video Head, Tripod Fluid Head Pan Tilt Head with Quick Release Plate for Arca Swiss, Support 360° Swivel and 90° / -70° Tilt, Max Load 3kg / 6.6lb for Cameras, DSLR- 4936 : Electronics

a.co

or a lot of the Neewer branded ones on amazon. I have the small rig you posted, and a Neewer head. Both are great. I use the Ridge Warden from Wiser now because of its upgraded feature set, but I’m seeing both Small rig and Neewer offer a leveling base for a little more $ now and that’s going to give you similar features my $300 Ridge Warden does (great for glassing and can be shot of of).

Wish these would hold about 2 more lbs just in case I wanted to put a rifle on it..

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Wish these would hold about 2 more lbs just in case I wanted to put a rifle on it..

Just do it once if you need to, and if it breaks replace it. They're stupid cheap

 

[grfox92]

Wish these would hold about 2 more lbs just in case I wanted to put a rifle on it..

Ive shot plenty off of a $70 Amazon tripod for the last 7 years. No issues and a sub par weight limit. Ball head though.

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