Your (limited to 3) top gear items for 2024

[MatukaJoe]

Hey all,

As its the time podcasts are all doing their gear dumps and gear of the year I thought it could be interesting and informative if people left just 2-3 things they used in 2024 that were new to them and worked really well for them in their hunting scenarios. I mean I could go over many items I use and have used but thought it better to limit to just a couple new items for the prior season...

For me it was:
Darned Tough OTC Hunting Socks - why did I wait so long to try these? They are as good or better than advertised and are now my primary hunting socks. No seam, super comfy, not too warm, not too cold. I want to wear them every day!
EXO K4 pack (5000) - I've run a K2 3600 for many years and I was very impressed with the K4. The frame the most - it really distributes weight phenomenally well, I quite like their updated rifle holder, my only quible and its super minor is I wish the spotter side zip pocket was only on one side with an open top pocket on the other so I had the option of either style. Dang good pack and looking forward to years of its use.
Panditas Extreme Heat gummy bears - found these at a little store and they are my new favorite hunting snack and gummy bear. I used to be team Haribo Gummy Bear but these have as good or better chew and much better more realistic and more intense flavor. Add in just a minor touch of heat (they are not actually spicy) and dang these are epic good!

Look forward to seeing what others found were new kit that excited them.

Cheers!

 

[Geewhiz]

#1 is definitely my Riven Cambium Elk Bugle tube

#2 is certainly my Yeti cast iron skillet

#3 is undoubtedly my Hunter's Specialties Butt Out Tool

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Wiser pully- second season of use but that thing is clutch when solo deboning in field.

Exo bugle tube and Reed holder. Small and probably could have come up with something. But it just works.

Ambient hoody fills alot of rolls. From spring bear, elk, to whitetail. Thought it was one of the better clothing additons in awhile.

 

[kswaterfowl]

Diligent defense wolfhunter- it is an impressive suppressor for its size. I wish I had one on each gun.

Spika drover (40L)- For a cheap pack, it works really well.

Squak mountain grid fleece- breathable and dries fast. And inexpensive.

 

[HuntHarder]

Gunwerks 2.0 bipod- Been great prone and works sitting in a lot of instances.

Garmin Chrono- Amazing piece of equipment that is yet to miss a bullet or arrow.

New 2024 gmc 1500 at4 duramax- Not really gear, but has been really impressive so far. Upgraded the suspension to Kings with slightly larger 34" tires. Rides like a dream, great fuel mileage and plenty of power. The A/c seats here in Az are absolutely phenomenal.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Gunwerks 2.0 bipod- Been great prone and works sitting in a lot of instances.

Garmin Chrono- Amazing piece of equipment that is yet to miss a bullet or arrow.

New 2024 gmc 1500 at4 duramax- Not really gear, but has been really impressive so far. Upgraded the suspension to Kings with slightly larger 34" tires. Rides like a dream, great fuel mileage and plenty of power. The A/c seats here in Az are absolutely phenomenal.

Nothing like cool air on your balls in the summer.

 

[Mojave]

HK Micro handheald thermal spotter. Legal here.

Swarovski 8x42 EL Range TA. Now that I have the damn thing figured out.

Stalon silencer. Oh so nice!

 

[n816kc]

Ambient Hoody
Scythe suppressor
BD Windshirt

 

[voltage]

1. Sig Zulu6 HDX 16s - game changer

 

[Drenalin]

Diligent defense wolfhunter- it is an impressive suppressor for its size. I wish I had one on each gun.

Spika drover (40L)- For a cheap pack, it works really well.

Squak mountain grid fleece- breathable and dries fast. And inexpensive.

How’s the fit on that Squak fleece - true to size? General idea on length?

 

[kswaterfowl]

How’s the fit on that Squak fleece - true to size? General idea on length?

You definitely want to size up. Im 6 ft and 220 lbs. I wear xl in shirts and coats, and I ordered a 2xl. It's still more of an athletic fit on me. Length isn't bad, but it's not loose fitting by any means.

 

[StupidLightweight]

This year, I didn't try many new things, but the time I spent behind SIG Zulu6 HDX Pro 14x50s opened my eyes to how powerful image stabilization is for hunting. Nothing else comes close.

 

[MatukaJoe]

Ambient Hoody
Scythe suppressor
BD Windshirt

I want a Scythe TI so badly lol

 

[keystone112]

Eberlestock X2 (2450) pack: didn’t even notice it until I had an elk quarter on it. The waist belt works great.

Kings preacher pants 2.0: great in so many temperatures and situations.

Grizzly 75 cooler: it just holds ice in any place.

 

[MatukaJoe]

#1 is definitely my Riven Cambium Elk Bugle tube

#2 is certainly my Yeti cast iron skillet

#3 is undoubtedly my Hunter's Specialties Butt Out Tool

I would love to try one of those yeti cast iron skillets I am curious if they've made any changes at all since they bought out butterpat.
I've never owned a butterpat either just because of the expense. I'm a cast iron lover but I also find that for the average person who doesn't use them much the good old and inexpensive lodge is probably the way to go. I do have a couple finex that were gifts and raffle prize that are quite nice and do a very good job but they are so bulky and heavy.
Smithy makes a really good one imo too.
Ironically one I use most frequently is just a cheapo somewhat vintage cast iron that and ex gave to me many years ago