What gear was a pleasant surprise?

[netman]

My Wrangler hiking pants that I now have around ten pair. My Jetboil and my REI sleeping bag. My Honda generator.

 

[TJfromTX]

Leucotape (for blisters) - Legit option over any band-aid or other tape option (thanks to Snyder for that)
Tenacious tape - For everything else not skin related, millions of uses
Kifaru Urban Ruck - IMO beats any other EDC pack out there,

 

[IdahoElk]

Wet Wipes

 

[Schism]

Factory loaded Barnes TTSX ammunition. I haven't shot factory loaded ammunition in several years. I wanted to switch to copper bullets last year but didn't have time to work up a load for my 30-06. Apprehensively I purchased a box of the 168 grain Barnes TTSX ammo. This ammo shot better in my rifle than I could have every hoped and provided one shot kills on three deer ranging from 75 to 375 yards. I was pleasantly surprised!

 

[Dcrafton]

Kowa 884, absolutely awesome and pair well with 10x42el’s


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[INgunner54]

My Wrangler hiking pants that I now have around ten pair. My Jetboil and my REI sleeping bag. My Honda generator.

I second the Wrangler pants. Outstanding value, I wear them all the time. They've made small changes, but I will be buying more. The shorts are great as well.

 

[cornfedkiller]

What is this product? I used Google with no luck....

See post #93. There's a link there too.

 

[Newtosavage]

Pleasant surprises:

1) Cabelas Outfitter HD binoculars. Hard to find but worth 5x as much as I paid for them.

2) Eberlestock Dragonfly pack. Got it for under $200 new on clearance and I love it.

3) Tikka rifles (as someone said, boring in a good way).

4) Kings Camo polyester pants. Best $40 I've ever spent on hunting clothes, period. Never seem to get dirty, dry fast, are warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot. I have no idea why they are so good, but I'm glad I bought two pairs when I did.

 

[Newtosavage]

I second the Wrangler pants. Outstanding value, I wear them all the time. They've made small changes, but I will be buying more. The shorts are great as well.

Ditto x10.

I discovered those Wrangler hiking pants at a Wal-Mart in Durango, when a sweet lady who worked in the clothing area directed me to them. I bought two pair that day, and have worn the crap out of them since. My wife thinks they look good, and I haven't found a situation they weren't suited for, from cold weather hiking and camping to kayaking to surf fishing. They are just fantastic pants for the money.

 

[NDGuy]

Cabela's original Microtex and Microtex Lite on clearance for $20 per shirt/pants. Great stuff.

.

That stuff is awesome, I am sure Bass Pro will ruin it

 

[NDGuy]

I was pretty impressed with my Ruger American Predator 6.5 I bought last year. Pretty nice shooter for $400 and us lefties don't have much besides Tikka in the mid to low budget range.

 

[Holtc12]

Good socks made a huge difference for me and then my buddy convinced me to buy the Helinox chair zero and that thing is amazing.


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[JV3220]

Mora knives! Awesome and cheap


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[hardscrabbletoo]

This is a useful thread.

I will second prAna Zion stretch pants. The first pair I purchased set me back $90. They are something like $58 on Amazon right now. They are light, tough, stay clean and best of all extremely comfortable.

I will second (third, etc) AGC Cub binocular harness. I had quit carrying glasses during TN deer season because they are a PIA dangling and I hated the old elastic harness thingy. The Cub is the bomb. I’ve got a WY elk trip this fall and I’m looking forward to carrying this thing.

Souls vide immersion heater. I’m grinding a LOT less venison because every cut I’ve thrown at it turns out great.

Havalon knife.

 

[Johnson27]

Inreach for communicating with home (happy wife, happy life)
Oxmap I Phone app - worked way better than I expected

 

[FLAK]

Many years ago a girlfriend got me a pair of Leupold Wind River 10x42's.
She's gone, but still have the binos.
Also, a Cabelas fleece daypack that has to be 25+ yrs. old.
A pair of Cabelas Mtn. Hunter boots that refuse to give up.
HH rainwear.

 

[Jimb03]

My merino wool base layers from Midway USA have been great. A lot cheaper than some of the big brands but extremely comfortable and very warm.

 

[Jimb03]

Mora knives! Awesome and cheap


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I will second this. Hard to believe they can be so nice and so cheap.

 

[tracker12]

Kayland Cross GTX boots. Super lightweight, waterproof, surprisingly warm and the fit is awesome. Plus, the price on STP right now is 109$

Best belt ever

 

[tracker12]

Not that many will be shocked but I finally sucked it up and bought Swaro SLC 8 powers and a Marsupial set up to carry them. Both should have been bought years ago amazing what quality glass does for your hunting enjoyment.

Did the same bino purchase SLCs are great and the 8x are perfect