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

[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.


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[Sully_44]

This one?

Amazon.com

yes, or this one (CH3)

Amazon.com

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

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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[ID_Matt]

Fjallraven Keb Trousers - Little too warm for early hunts but for the later hunts and shooting matches they are awesome. Good pocket layout, water resistant with wax, bombproof.

Morakniv - It is just crazy how sharp these knives stay. Feel silly for every spending more on a knife.

Revic BLR10B - have had these for a year now in use for hunting and matches. First time committing to a dedicated RF bino for hunting and I was happy. For sheep hunting, the 15X's were nice to have for long sessions but for deer/elk the revics were plenty.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I didn't tweak too much this year.
-Blaze orange puffy, that was really nice to toss on in CO when stopping to glass in the cold and not shuffling my blaze vest. This one is a lands end but nothing special about it other than its orange and warm.

-GPO rangeguides. First time running rangefinding binos, for the price point the glass is solid (not awesome) and the rangefinder worked fine for me (non-ballistics). For the sale price these were solid to use and leave my hand held RF behind. To be clear, there are binos with better glass (cost more) and ballistics on board, etc. that I am sure are better for those users. This was a solid mid tier option to try out.

3. Outdoor edge swing blade. I’ve had this for a couple of years and didn’t bring it on an elk hunt this year to save weight. I’ll never leave it out of my kill kit again. It’s amazing for zipping hide on deer, elk, moose, etc.

They make a folder that is just the zip blade (zip blade pro iirc) which I think is ~2.4oz. Been carrying one of those for a decade its been awesome for those quick hide cuts. Worth the grams for sure.

5. Almost forgot about the zip off Kuiu merino bottoms. Things worked great and we're easy to get off without having to take my boots off. I hate taking my boots off and having to put them back on. I much prefer to let my dogs rest at the end of day.

I bought my hunting partner a pair of them years ago because I got sick of standing there when he did the boots off base layer shuffle. Zip off baselayers for changing temps and activity levels are the way to go.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Fjallraven Keb Trousers - Little too warm for early hunts but for the later hunts and shooting matches they are awesome. Good pocket layout, water resistant with wax, bombproof.

Morakniv - It is just crazy how sharp these knives stay. Feel silly for every spending more on a knife.

Revic BLR10B - have had these for a year now in use for hunting and matches. First time committing to a dedicated RF bino for hunting and I was happy. For sheep hunting, the 15X's were nice to have for long sessions but for deer/elk the revics were plenty.

Get you a pair of the Keb Agiles

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’ll play.

1. Stone glacier Grumman. This thing is WARM. Punches way above its cost when on sale. I used it in a white out blizzard and was impressed. Picture right before the blizzard rolled in at 12000 feet.

2. Exo k4. Man this thing fit me like a glove. I packed out an elk hind quarter and 2 front shoulders in a lightning storm (I wasn’t going back) and was amazed at how well it balanced the weight. 2 shoulder fit in the bag and the hind quarter on the meat shelf. Only issue I’ve had so far is a mouse/rat/wolverine chewing a hole in the lid to get to my jerky.

3. Outdoor edge swing blade. I’ve had this for a couple of years and didn’t bring it on an elk hunt this year to save weight. I’ll never leave it out of my kill kit again. It’s amazing for zipping hide on deer, elk, moose, etc.


View attachment 979915View attachment 979916

I have an extra lid I can sell ya cheap if you want!

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I have an extra lid I can sell ya cheap if you want!

I have an extra green lid from the Teratorn as well if anyone needs one. Otherwise my wife can always sew @Ucsdryder s lid if needed. Sorry to block a sale haha.

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

Was this sarcasm?

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[Ucsdryder]

I ended up buying one with the 20% sale. Thank you both tho!

 

[Deadspace]

Have a link to the ones you used?

These are the wading pants

Men's G3 Guide Wading Pant | Quick Dry | Simms Fishing | Simms Fishing

SIMMS G3 Guide Men's Wading Pant. Waist-high waders for mobility. Rugged GORE-TEX waterproof breathability. Industry-best Guarantee.

www.simmsfishing.com

These aren’t the exact boots, but close. They may have discounted the ones I bought last year and these are the replacements. I’m a huge fan of the boa lace system for these. Not dealing with wet laces coming loose and untying was nice.

Men's Vibram Sole BOA Wading Boots - G3 Guide | Simms Fishing

Simms G3 Guide men's Vibram sole wading boots are the ultimate workhorse for fishing. Re-soleable, made for endurance, comfort & in-river stability,

www.simmsfishing.com

 

[Sully_44]

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

You’re not going to be as steady as a ball head made for shooting, but they 100% will hold a rifle, especially if your Arca on the rifle is fairly balanced. I’ve shot off mine before.