The Gear I’ll Never Use Again

[S.Clancy]

Alpine Archery Soft Loc
Been on my bow for 20+ years.

I did try a Tight Spot a few years ago but man, it rattled and vibrated so I put the Soft Loc back on

I have the same quiver. They're awesome.

For me it's carbon trekking poles and expensive gore-tex rain gear. I have cheap, light rain gear for when the forecast is good, Grundens for when it's gonna be wet.

 

[COJoe]

Superfeet. I’ve tried them several times over the years and they always trash my feet.

I used Superfeet Green in my Crispi boots and have had no issues with overly sore feet or other issues when most of my hunting is in the mountains with rocks, slopes and such.

 

[IDVortex]

Same with Argali, both a tent and games bags ripped too easily. I barely touched my pitched tipi with my boot rind and the tent ripped 6 inches.

I have their sleeping bag, very impressed with it. Actually been looking at getting one of their tents for next year. Did you have a specific tent, more info?


Water bladders. I dont know how many times ive had a backpack get soaking wet and lose all my water.

Cheap backpacks. Can't believe I didnt spend the money on a good bag sooner than I did. And ive done a ton of backpacking to know better.

Camo, have learned my surroundings and wind are more of a issue than if I look like a badass.

Bi-pods on rifles. Since being a member here ive learned more about just basic shooting to learn to adapt.

Cheap binos.

Anything over a 6.5cm.

Muzzle brakes.

Most name brand hunting pants. (I am either way rough on them. Or they just suck, plus terrible fit.)

Superfeet. Made my feet more uncomfortable. Waste of money.

 

[AZ8]

I’m surprised to read all the issues with camelbaks. Been using them for who knows how long, 20+ years, and nary a leak.

 

[IDVortex]

I’m surprised to read all the issues with camelbaks. Been using them for who knows how long, 20+ years, and nary a leak.

Well, not all of us can be paid sponsors....

this is satire.

 

[Pro953]

Wool unless it’s socks, beanie, gloves or neck gaiter.
Hand warmer packets, they need to be exposed to air to work, but it’s usually my feet that need them and they don’t work inside of a boot.
Lighted knocks. I’m nowhere near a professional archer, but I’ve done enough basic comparison to notice a terrible inconsistency in their production that would throw off my arrow flight.
Overkill boots for the situation. I will spend the extra money to own several pairs to match the terrain and weather I’m in. Even if they’re comfortable and you’re used to them, it ain’t fun to wear sheep boots for a weekend mule deer hunt.

Not sure if you have tried them, but they actually make foot/boot specific versions that operate with lower air exposure to work. They adhesive on them as well. Far from perfect, but they have helped in some hunts in the single digits.


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[fngTony]

Not sure if you have tried them, but they actually make foot/boot specific versions that operate with lower air exposure to work. They adhesive on them as well. Far from perfect, but they have helped in some hunts in the single digits.


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I just cheat with heated socks now

 

[MuleyFever]

I’m surprised to read all the issues with camelbaks. Been using them for who knows how long, 20+ years, and nary a leak.

Been using the same one since 2011.
I can also get through an elk with one Outdoor Edge blade.

 

[Brightside]

SG Chilkoot 15. One night toucking condensation on my tipi soaked it through; water resistant my ass. One size fits people over 6'3"... slept very cold in 35° when it was dry.

Jetboil. Had it tip over and become a fireball.

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe. Didnt take much to destroy it, just one minor fall. Went back to Soto, total beast!

Leupold vx5. Lost zero after 500 rounds.

Go Hunt glassing pad. So light its useless.

Anything Vortex.

Big Agness Lost Dog 15. It good down to 45.

Dark Energy Poseidon. The waterproof door breaks within 4 months, using about twice a week. At about that same usage, it only charges my phone to about 75%. Anker 20000mah last way longer at very little weight gain and offer more than double the juice.

Almost all of Heathers Choice entrees. That chili isnt fit for dogs.

Kennetreks. Had 2 pairs, both leak.

Kuiu Kenai Jacket. Thing snags on air. Has runs all over it and pills terribly. Not warm when wet either.

Hydration bladders. Cant be trusted.

Sawyer minis. They suck.

 

[Blurry1]

I used Superfeet Green in my Crispi boots and have had no issues with overly sore feet or other issues when most of my hunting is in the mountains with rocks, slopes and such.

Not saying anything about them other than they have never worked for me over many expeditions and for general hiking or climbing.

I hate seeing posts about why doesn’t this work for me or what do I need to change. Often the answer is obvious. I’ve been walking for 45 years. If everything is fine why do I need some other magic.

 

[BuckSmasher]

- non bonded lead core bullets
- cotton
- boots that aren’t waterproof
- gloves (only use flip top mittens)
- pump style water filters

 

[wyosam]

In all seriousness. Jetboil, don’t try to melt snow with one. It became a puddle of plastic goo.

Interesting. I have melted a tone of snow over the years in jet boils (more while backcountry skiing than hunting) without issue


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[B_Reynolds_AK]

Only around the leather /rubber junction?
Just finished a long weekend hunt packing out 2 elk. Wearing the Vivos, best my feet have ever felt (have only been wearing barefoot shoes for a year) minus being wet the last day.

Exactly

 

[TheCougar]

I just finished a pretty rough elk hunt; my first mountain hunt in barefoot boots 100% of the time and was afraid of this happening to me. I am using resoled Jim green troopers which I’d look at if you really like barefoot boots. More solid construction than vivo trackers for sure and to my surprise, even the pack out, zero issues, not even sore feet like I would get in my kenetreks.

Now it was also wet or snowy for 5 of 6 days. Waterproof socks worked decently, but after 4 days my boots were just wet, but so were my buddies kenetreks.

The biggest downside of the barefoot boot imo now having used it from bouldering to snow and most in between; steep snowy terrain. My buddies could easily grab going up, down and side hilling, I think because of the rigid edge of the boot. I was swearing in my Jim greens and wishing I had my micro spikes, which imo in a scales with for barefoot boots in steep slick conditions. I resorted to supporting my foot on a planted trekking pole asa fall would have resulted in serious injury.

Anyways all that to say don’t give up. I’d explore some different boots. Jim green or those new nicks look to be a more appropriate boot for rough terrain.

I’ll absolutely try the Jim Greens. Do they have a wide toe box? What was the second brand you mentioned? “nicks”? I want to wear minimalist boots and I would love something more robust for work boots too. I haven’t been able to find anything yet that fits the bill, so hopefully these do.

 

[5MilesBack]

That’s funny, I had that Alpine quiver for years and it was super quiet but I made the mistake of getting the 3-arrow version, which I regretted a couple times

My Alpine has been sitting on a shelf in my bow room since the day I bought my Tightspot the year they came out. No rattles, no noise.

 

[Wprinkle]

Not so much of a fail, but mine is GPS/smart/Tech watches. I had a Garmin Instinct. All the cool stuff it can do and all I ever used it for was to tell time and a stopwatch when working out. Its a cool device but back to the ol G-Shock watches.

 

[5MilesBack]

what happened to the pronghorns? Just curious since we have a few pair of insulated ones, but we don't do much late season so I haven't used them much.

These were their original version. I liked their specs as far as weight goes. I wore them one day elk hunting and soon realized I hated them. Not comfortable at all, traction was horrible on slopes, and they're the only hunting boots I've ever sprained an ankle in over 45 years of hunting. I figured I'd just use them around home for outdoor work etc, but they were so darn uncomfortable I didn't even want to do that. I sold them in 2008. They were the only pair of boots I've had that I absolutely hated.

 

[5MilesBack]

Well, not all of us can be paid sponsors....

LOL. Those free o-rings that Camelbak will send you isn't much for compensation.

 

[satchamo]

Sawyer squeeze filter

Not entirely the products fault but user error lead to a bad case of giardia after a CO elk hunt.

 

[Bluumoon]

I’ll absolutely try the Jim Greens. Do they have a wide toe box? What was the second brand you mentioned? “nicks”? I want to wear minimalist boots and I would love something more robust for work boots too. I haven’t been able to find anything yet that fits the bill, so hopefully these do.

Yes the Jim Greens are wide toe box. Be warned if you start wearing barefoot shoes you’ll likely need to go up a size in all your other footwear after a while.