Upgrades , what are you changing out in your pack for next year ?

[5MilesBack]

I'm still searching for my "do all" hunting/packing pack so that's gonna change before September. Tried the Bikini route and didn't like it, trying the Paradox Evo route and may be able to configure it the way I want it, but we'll see. I took Paul up on his Black Friday deal and got the Vortex Razor 11-33x50 scope. Also bought the FL Stormtight jacket, no weight savings but should be a decent upgrade. Oh ya, also got some of Larry's TAG BOMB bags. Gotta love (or hate) Black Friday. Beyond that, I should be good to go with everything else.

 

[rodney482]

Agree with this!

I cut up 4 deer with same blade.

Been using the Havalons for many years now and have been very happy with them. You do have to remember that you are using a scalpel and NOT a heavy bladed knife. You cannot side load or twist the blades. The XT blades are must tougher and not as prone to breaking and the 22XT blunt tips are awesome for caping and removing the head from the cape. The BLUNT tip keeps you from cutting through the hide as much.

To remove the blade without pliers use a stiff stick to push the blade at the base over the holding slot. Please pack out used blades by placing them in the new blade wrapper.

The blades are easy to sharpen with a small steel or ceramic rod, or any sharpener just like any other blade. No need to throw them away unless you want to, again easy to sharpen.

Becca and I only used Havalons to buck up this moose and I have used them on dozens of animals.

 

[rodney482]

I think I will pick up another pr of Salamon Quest boots before they change them.. Love these boots.

BA q core for sure

 

[rodney482]

I'm still searching for my "do all" hunting/packing pack so that's gonna change before September. Tried the Bikini route and didn't like it, trying the Paradox Evo route and may be able to configure it the way I want it, but we'll see. I took Paul up on his Black Friday deal and got the Vortex Razor 11-33x50 scope. Also bought the FL Stormtight jacket, no weight savings but should be a decent upgrade. Oh ya, also got some of Larry's TAG BOMB bags. Gotta love (or hate) Black Friday. Beyond that, I should be good to go with everything else.

What didnt you like about the Bikini?
Im a huge fan of my original T1

 

[carpssublime]

I think I will pick up another pr of Salamon Quest boots before they change them.. Love these boots.

BA q core for sure

how long have you run the quest boots? i'm thinking about trying them out this coming season.

 

[Romo]

Stid, what's the word on the ASAT bowhunter jacket? Comporable to Kuiu Guide jacket?

 

[Stid2677]

Stid, what's the word on the ASAT bowhunter jacket? Comporable to Kuiu Guide jacket?

That is an old Sitka 90% jacket that was done in a limited run of ASAT. Yes it is very similar to my Kuiu guide jackets. Both the ASAT and VIAS work very well for fall in Alaska with all the reds we get.

 

[BSeals71]

I need to get back on the search for boots also, I did not like my Meindl Denali's like I hoped I would, the shank is way too stiff for me.

The Vasque Breeze 2.0 have been horrible, the toe box is too narrow. I am literally ready to set fire to these things, I hate them that much. I haven't worn a boot this bad since Danner's went to pot.

Going to try the Hanwag Cheyenne GTX next.

Does anyone know if any of the other Hanwag boots are bendy? I think I saw Lowa has some boots with a tapered shank, I will have to look into those if I don't find any Hanwag's that I like.

The bad deal is you can't really test a pair of boots without taking them up into the mountains, flat ground just doesn't tell the whole story. But once you do that, you can't send them back.

Other upgrades will be a Mega tarp, the new Enigma quilt from Enlightened Equipment, also a Vortex scope and binos.

I think that list will keep me busy this year.

I had the Hanwag Cheyenne GTX boots they fell apart after two years. I talked to the guys at Lathrop and Sons and they said, I was asking a lot out of that boot for using it backpack hunting. For the time that I had them, they were somewhat comfortable.

 

[mtmiller]

I am pretty happy where I am, but my down OR jacket is slowly losing it's insulation after 5 or 6 years. I will probably pick up a new puffy, but have plenty of time until I need one for mountain hunting again next year. Hint, always up for suggestions on this board. Some news ones that are out sound fine, but damn they are getting expensive. I may very well go back to manufactures that aren't just in the hunting clothing business. I don't care about color or water shedding too much on this layer any way.

I am toying with a new sleeping bag after being a little chilly in the mid-teens with my Marmot, but not bad. I probably wouldn't even be thinking about it, but that damn WM Badger sale is weighing on me.

I can say, I am good in the knife department.

 

[dotman]

I am pretty happy where I am, but my down OR jacket is slowly losing it's insulation after 5 or 6 years. I will probably pick up a new puffy, but have plenty of time until I need one for mountain hunting again next year. Hint, always up for suggestions on this board. Some news ones that are out sound fine, but damn they are getting expensive. I may very well go back to manufactures that aren't just in the hunting clothing business. I don't care about color or water shedding too much on this layer any way.

I am toying with a new sleeping bag after being a little chilly in the mid-teens with my Marmot, but not bad. I probably wouldn't even be thinking about it, but that damn WM Badger sale is weighing on me.

I can say, I am good in the knife department.

I think sreeker's is getting a puffy review put together.

 

[eleaf]

I'm new to this kind of hunting so I need a bunch of stuff. Fortunately, I'm not new to backcountry camping (ultralight) or hunting, so I actually have a lot of the gear I need.

I'm likely to get the GS Solo with Approach, new boots, an under and over quilt for my hammock to go down to 0. I need new binos too. I'm probably going to get some Vortex Viper 10x.

 

[dirtytough]

Right now I'm getting the parts together for a 6.5-06ai for some long range stuff. Mostly plan on using it for targets, pdogs, and coyotes out here in Nodak.

Was pretty happy with my gear this year. Still want a 30-70x95 Swaro ATX though. Maybe another bag for the bikini frame. Ran the bt3 all year and it was pretty slim and lightweight.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I need to make a lot of changes to my gear. I am happy with my highcamp and duplex but my sleep system and tripod need help. I am using the bogpod spotter head with my viper 80. It can't handle my spotter. I just can't spend 200+ on one. I love my Meoota hds. I also am looking at getting new trekking poles and a new tent. Probably the mountain shelter lt. I have watch what I buy cause being newly engaged the fiancé is watching the funds pretty close. I am also going to go to Texas hog hunting for my bachelor party.

 

[Brock A]

I need to make a lot of changes to my gear. I am happy with my highcamp and duplex but my sleep system and tripod need help. I am using the bogpod spotter head with my viper 80. It can't handle my spotter. I just can't spend 200+ on one. I love my Meoota hds. I also am looking at getting new trekking poles and a new tent. Probably the mountain shelter lt. I have watch what I buy cause being newly engaged the fiancé is watching the funds pretty close. I am also going to go to Texas hog hunting for my bachelor party.

Take a look at this tripod. Littlebuf & I have both been using them with our razor 85mm. With about 10 min of modifying we cut the weight down pretty significantly on them. Then I had my buddy machine some new feet that weigh nothing to replace the big rubber ones to save even more weight. Let me know if you get it, I could have him make you some pretty easy. He already has the program written.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004H1M4IY/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1386649479&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

Probably doing to upgrade my boots. Already have a carbon spyder turbo on order. Lastly I will be going with a enlightened equipment enigma zero degree quilt.

 

[pacific-23]

OR has the infinity warranty, send it back and they fix no questions asked period. Nothing wrong with a new puffy, but don't retire OR Stuff unnecessarily!

I am pretty happy where I am, but my down OR jacket is slowly losing it's insulation after 5 or 6 years. I will probably pick up a new puffy, but have plenty of time until I need one for mountain hunting again next year. Hint, always up for suggestions on this board. Some news ones that are out sound fine, but damn they are getting expensive. I may very well go back to manufactures that aren't just in the hunting clothing business. I don't care about color or water shedding too much on this layer any way.

I am toying with a new sleeping bag after being a little chilly in the mid-teens with my Marmot, but not bad. I probably wouldn't even be thinking about it, but that damn WM Badger sale is weighing on me.

I can say, I am good in the knife department.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Brock,
Thanks man! I have been looking at the model under that at best buy. I will take a look at that one though cause it looks like what I am looking for. How do you like the pistol grip?

 

[Brock A]

Brock,
Thanks man! I have been looking at the model under that at best buy. I will take a look at that one though cause it looks like what I am looking for. How do you like the pistol grip?

The pistol grip is a little on the small side but it works just fine. Its smooth but there is better options out there. In that price range though, not sure. I would describe it as wildly mediocre lol.

 

[Buster]

It's sad, but my swarovski spotter sits on a $29.95 tripod. It works because I've had it for 12 years and know how to squeeze every last bit of performance out of it, lol. Looking to spend $20 more to get a real top end base. Ok, maybe add a zero to that.

 

[Matt W.]

Take a look at this tripod. Littlebuf & I have both been using them with our razor 85mm. With about 10 min of modifying we cut the weight down pretty significantly on them. Then I had my buddy machine some new feet that weigh nothing to replace the big rubber ones to save even more weight. Let me know if you get it, I could have him make you some pretty easy. He already has the program written.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004H1M4IY/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1386649479&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Way cool... Any pics of final product? What did it end up weighing?