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

[Bado20]

For me:
New: 6CM, Suppressed 18” Tikka, Peak 44 Bastion stock, SWFA 3-15 gen 2 scope. Such a joy to carry and use. I have a custom 7PRC and chose to carry and use this rifle as soon as it was finished.

Not changing:
- Exo K4 system was something I tested and used in 2024: replacing SGs I used for 9 years. No need to change.

- late season puffy: Sitka hyperdown jacket. Remains extremely warm, good hood, gives me more glassing time, dries stuff I wear well, actually packs down.

As a guy who is in the SG camp but is Exo curious, what do you prefer about the K4 vs the X-Curve system?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

As a guy who is in the SG camp but is Exo curious, what do you prefer about the K4 vs the X-Curve system?

Build quality, stay heights to fit my torso, the lumbar/harness padding, fit, waist belt, and how it carries weight for me. The only thing I didn’t initially like with exo was the weight and bags seemed a little “busy” - that’s totally changed as I have used the system more and more. Just look at the website and how detailed they explain every little decision and approach to the packs - there’s a video for everything. It’s all just done so well.

One other thing I prefer: supporting Exo vs what was a grassroots brand, now being ruined by multiple company sales/hand changes. I had an SG pack when they still sold them through Schnees. With their main people gone, so am I.

 

[lightelk]

Hunted in the rain a lot this year and the OR Seattle Rain Hat (formerly Seattle Sombrero) really makes a difference in quality of life during a long rainy day. No need to wear a hood, no rain on your face or neck.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Which silky blade did you use and for wood/bone or both? I used the extra fine to try and cap a deer just to see and was less than impressed. Teeth broke, blade flimsy and bent. Seemed like bone and meat clogged up the teeth as well.

Curious as well,i bought that handle in a 170 but haven’t got any blades yet.

 

[TreeFarm]

Kuiu Ranger 2200
Stable/ light compressible