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

[Middle_Ridge]

#1 Favorite of 2025: Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder. This stuff kept me cranking out in the mountains. I wish I had started bringing along protein powder before! I mixed it in my GSI mug (which has a leak-proof lid). I also bought a tiny metal aggitator on Amazon to shake it up with. If I was feeling smoked on trail in the afternoon, I'd stop and mix up a protein shake and/or Tailwind electrolyte mix and that seemed to get me back on my feet in good spirits.

#2 Favorite of 2025: Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform Tarp. 13.7 oz tarp that I squeezed into all kinds of tiny spots. I like to sleep as close to my glassing spots as I can, so finding a flat spot to sleep is a real trick. This puppy is easy to rig up over my bivy. I like the dark color actually too, it's very conducive to falling asleep and makes me feel tucked away, out of sight. It also zips open from the side, which gives my brain far less to complain about when it comes time to wake up and glass.

 

[Stocky]

Dillon xl750, replaced Hornady lnl ap

Benchmark powder, replaced TAC

Sitka fanatic, replaced shivering

Total vise legacy bow press & accessories, replaced ez green

Those were the new to me things that stood out this year. Finally got into the stuff I wish I could have started with in the first place.

Thankfully now I'm at a point where most of my stuff is good enough and I can focus on just using it and improving my skills. Took a while to get here since I haven't hit the lotto.

What was the reason to sub out the LNL AP?

 

[Kimber33]

Finally decided to try a new scope. Went with the Maven RS1.2 and I’m sure glad I did. Between the reticle, zero stop, weight, clarity for FFP, and being able to find them under $1,000 it checks the boxes.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Added MSR pocket rocket, titanium cup, with premade packets of coffee/stevia/powder creamer. Having coffee midday on the mountain was awesome!!

Tried Peak Refuel meals. Sweet Pork & Rice with tortillas was really good!

 

[Nine Banger]

#1 Favorite of 2025: Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder.

Which one? Whey?

 

[Matt5266]

#1 Favorite of 2025: Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder. This stuff kept me cranking out in the mountains. I wish I had started bringing along protein powder before! I mixed it in my GSI mug (which has a leak-proof lid). I also bought a tiny metal aggitator on Amazon to shake it up with. If I was feeling smoked on trail in the afternoon, I'd stop and mix up a protein shake and/or Tailwind electrolyte mix and that seemed to get me back on my feet in good spirits.

#2 Favorite of 2025: Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform Tarp. 13.7 oz tarp that I squeezed into all kinds of tiny spots. I like to sleep as close to my glassing spots as I can, so finding a flat spot to sleep is a real trick. This puppy is easy to rig up over my bivy. I like the dark color actually too, it's very conducive to falling asleep and makes me feel tucked away, out of sight. It also zips open from the side, which gives my brain far less to complain about when it comes time to wake up and glass.

View attachment 994993

O man I choke this stuff down weekly for workouts but I would never take it hunting. Maybe im just getting tired of it but I dread drinking it. That being said I think its one of the better protein powders all around. I use the double rich chocolate I think its called.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

What was the reason to sub out the LNL AP?

Poor priming

 

[Poser]

Couple of more:

LMNT hot chocolate electrolyte mix. Satisfies the desire for "more coffee", replacing it it with an electrolyte drink.

Hunghee gel shots: Grass fed Ghee, seas salt, raw honey + a 4th ingredient: coffee, peanut butter etc depending on the flavor.

 

[Speaks]

EXO K4 pack, Tikka rifle with Rokstock, calibers smaller than 270. Big year that changed my hunting a lot.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Leica Geovid R 10x42 range finding binoculars. For me, in a year filled with relatively large purchases (five new rifles and as many suppressors and scopes), this was the one area in which I got a real performance upgrade. I went from a pair of cheap 30-year old Pentax 8x binoculars and a Leupold 1400 rangefinder to an amazing integrated unit that was better in every way.

Honorable mention to the OG 6.5 and ZG 6.5, either one of which is an awesome upgrade for anyone seeking a dedicated hunting suppressor.

 

[ThorM465]

My cabelas vacuum sealer really deserves a mention.

 

[DingleberryWilliams]

Is that the dual battery beast ?
Where’d you purchase at ?

Not a dual battery, but it has plenty of power to make a nice stack of firewood.

I caught it on sale from Home Depot.

 

[Middle_Ridge]

Which one? Whey?

Yes, I've only tried the Double Rich Chocolate whey and that's the one I get. Amazon

I also drink it all the time at home when working out and ramping up for the season. So, by the time I'm hunting, the benefit might merely be out of habit rather than nutritional necessity-- it's possible my body just expects it. But either way, it seems to give me what I need to keep going, even if it's just a placebo. But I don't think that's the case, I think the protein is helping me recover faster. Enough to be my favorite new kit change of 2025, personally.

 

[displacedtexan]

Honorable mention goes to this...... goes up in minutes, lots of room for me & gear, you can put it up fly first, inner second to stay dry & for under $100, fantastic value! I bought it for a motorcycle trip, but it'll get used a much for hunting as it will motocamping.

Amazon.com

I ordered one of those tents. On accident. Lol I really like it for the money. Needs some aluminum stakes, but it'll see a lot of use!

I got a 2020 Waypoint, added a Tenmile and ScytheTi, wish I'd spent the money on a nicer rifle setup sooner. Especially the suppressor.

I was given some individual packets of hot honey. They're great for adding to freeze dried meals.

 

[Stocky]

Poor priming

Interesting like failure to prime or primer depths? Sorry can pm you if you dont mind. Cheers
Cam

 

[Stocky]

Random thing thats allowed me to hunt more but isn't hunting related. Is brought a robot mower. One less chore to do in the weekends means ive been getting out more since theres nothing i need to be home to do in my time off. Going to chase this thread to automate and simplify life to be able to spend more time doing things.

Sig Stabalised binos also. I had them stolen a few weeks ago and had to pull out the NL Pures and honestly it sucks not to be stabalised. Now im in the awkward position of do I wait for swaro to release something.

 

[Pilsner]

Here are a couple of my end-of-the-season upgrades that are, based on early indications, gonna be a normal part of the rotation for range work, hunting, and NRL-H matches.

2 Vets inverted tripod replacing a CF Bog tripod with the upgrade kit

Sig Kilo 10 ABs Gen 2 RF binos replacing my Maven 10x42's and a Vortex RFer.

Cole-Tac big square "body pillow" and rear bag both filled with GitLite, replacing my other "special" sock - the one filled with sand and AirSoft BBs.

Also, items that were new this year or just got used enough to finally give educated feed back upon:
Seek Outside Cimmaron tipi tent that replaced a cottage maker tipi tent that was awesome except for its round/octagon shape which took either 2 people or 4x the set-up time of the square base SO.

Another purchase that wasn't really an upgrade but that made life easier, less messy, and quieter around the ranch when doing habitat work was a DeWalt battery powered chain saw and a knock-off extending pole saw that takes DeWalt batteries.

 

[northernalpine]

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Dude…great photo for the tarp/bivy combo, hell of a view!

 

[CMF]

Any issues with the locking mechanism?
Can you put some weight on them?

No issues at all, maybe a rare instance my hands were wet or slippery and they were hard to loosen up, but never slipped on me. Definitely put some weight on them.

 

[Running on empty]

Had a great year hunting blacktail in SEAK and moose in central AK. Used a lot of gear extensively from August alpine season, early September moose, and late season blacktail rut hunting. Some standouts include:

1. DST tarp - for the wet alpine season in SEAK it was indispensable for a glassing and gathering spot outside the tent. Pitched almost exclusively in diamond shape with two trekking poles. Fits up to four adults in a pinch.

2. 15x binos - replaced a spotter for most of my hunts. I bought the meoptas on sale from europtic before some folks chimed in that they are hard to warranty. Oh well, at least they are bomber. Much prefer 15s to a spotter for 2 miles and in glassing.

3. Tailwind drink mix - echoing another on this thread. Just super helpful when I started to flag on heavy packouts. Seems to hit the system quickly and prevents cramps.

4. Tarptent cloudburst 3 - phenomenal tent that mimics the hilliberg tunnel tents for weather resistance just with lighter materials. I purchased two years ago and have close to 30 nights in it. Sleeps 2 very comfortably and has fit 3 adults shoulder to shoulder a couple times without issue. I’m 6’2” and it’s a spacious tent for me. I opted for the carbon poles and carry the three included poles. The tent can be pitched with just two poles so if I had a failure on one, I can sub in the center arch pole and still be in the game. Also just ordered 3 DAC 9.6 poles for cheap from Tarptent to be able to beef up the tent if I expect terrible weather on a fly in.