Post by: fishngamereaper on April 28, 2020, 05:27:32 PM
For me a few things come to mind.
-Swarovski Bino's. Hands down the best bino's I've ever used. Even when soaking wet still bullet proof, clear and flawless.
-Meindl boots. Freakin rock solid. 10 years on my current pair and not a single issues, even knee deep in rivers they still don't leak. I did have to put hot rocks in them in the back country of the Frank Church one year to dry them out because my feet where so sweaty they got the boots wet, it was really cold out and I didnt want to die. :chuckle: But the best boots I've ever worn.
-Eberlestock back pack. I don't use it anymore because honestly there are better and lighter brands. But I was packing half a cow(I know, its a long story) anyway packing half a cow elk out in the Taneum one year. Probably 1030 at night, pitch black. Half mile to camp and I had this steep little draw to go down, cross a creek and up the other side before I was home free. I stepped over a log at the top and lost balance and rolled 50' to the bottom and landed in the creek upside-down. The elk was still attached to that back pack and it didnt bust a single stitch. Impresive.
-Prana pants. For the price those things just keep on going. Water resistant longer than I expected. Two thunbs Up :tup: :tup:
I'm sure I've got more but this is just a start. Lets hear em.
Post by: KNOPHISH on April 28, 2020, 06:11:56 PM
Post by: jackelope on April 28, 2020, 07:07:36 PM
Sitka Timberline pants. Best. Pants. Ever.
OR Crocodile gaiters. Bombproof.
Post by: Alchase on April 28, 2020, 07:18:55 PM
Columbia light weight camo hunting pants. Bought two pairs many years ago both still in great condition.
Lux-Pro 180-Lumen LED Portable Work Light, perfect for inside a tent.
Coast 130-Lumen LED Flashlight (4 in.) - I used to be heavily invested in Maglights. Once I bought one of the Coast HS5, I replaced all my Maglights (both minis and full sized) with these flashlights.
Post by: Stein on April 28, 2020, 07:32:22 PM
My best gear survival is a Petzl headlamp. It's been through numerous hunts, chores around the house and 12 Goruck events where it went into the ocean about a half dozen times, fully submerged multiple times. I got home, opened the battery compartment, dumped the batteries and saltwater and rinsed and it still works. It isn't waterproof at all, just very well built.
Post by: nwmein199 on April 28, 2020, 07:50:14 PM
I hunt thick wet nasty western wa elk and they have not let a drop of water through in 6 years (guessing at least 150miles hiked in them). Definitely the number one piece of gear I reccomend because of how fantastic they are.
Post by: TRD1911 on April 28, 2020, 08:06:47 PM
Post by: mburrows on April 28, 2020, 08:31:23 PM
Trioxane, wet wipes and kifaru woobie are some of other favorites.
Post by: h20hunter on April 28, 2020, 08:39:58 PM
Post by: greenhead_killer on April 28, 2020, 08:46:24 PM
Also my Zamberlan boots. I’m really hard on footwear and these things have been solid all year round. Non insulated and my feet still stay (somewhat) warm while I’m still hunting late season wt. just picked up another pair for backup
Post by: kentrek on April 28, 2020, 08:55:16 PM
Pretty cool what you can see with those
Post by: cougforester on April 28, 2020, 08:56:50 PM
Cabelas Alaknak 12x12 tent with stove. Had that thing warmed up to over 70 during Montana archery last year and it was incredible. Perfectly waterproof in nasty, rainy weather and a godsend.
Exo K2 5500. Most comfortable pack I've ever used before and has packed some heavy elk loads out.
Nitto Trail Grappler MT tires. They've been great for work and saved my butt in mud, snow, dirt...everything. Would highly recommend.
Darn Tough mountain socks. You're welcome.
Post by: Alchase on April 28, 2020, 08:58:44 PM
Preparation H Wipes singles, keeps the Monkey Butt away.
Post by: h20hunter on April 28, 2020, 09:22:55 PM
Post by: lewy on April 28, 2020, 09:43:07 PM
-kifaru
-kenetrek
-kuiu esp there rain gear
Post by: fowl smacker on April 28, 2020, 11:27:25 PM
Sitka Timberline pants
Prana Zion pants
Lowa Tibet gtx boots
******Body Glide******possibly the best product ever made!
Post by: baker5150 on April 29, 2020, 06:41:31 AM
I have a Rivers West rain coat from the mid to late 90's that still looks and functions like new.
It's gotta have over a thousands days in the blind and on the river under it's belt.
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 29, 2020, 08:21:05 AM
I wanted to add one thing to my list....
Basemap app...hands down the best app Ive used. A game changer for back country navigation. Heck my map and compass skills are getting a little rusty now. :chuckle:
Post by: vandeman17 on April 29, 2020, 08:27:04 AM
Both my timberline and mtn pants. Love them
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on April 29, 2020, 08:44:31 AM
Lowrance IFinder Hunt-C GPS. It’s gotta be 15? years old and still works fine.
Russell Outdoors rain gear, top/bottom. It’s been great stuff for 10 or more years.
I’m sure I have more but these 2 are most noteworthy.
Post by: 7mmfan on April 29, 2020, 08:47:40 AM
The KUIU Yukon and Chugach rain gear has been phenomenal as well. Two years ago I spent an agonizingly long day in the pouring rain on the high hunt. I covered 10ish miles that day, most of it in knee to waist high blue berry bushes, crashing through dog hair stunted fir thickets, and crawling on hands and knees up avalanche chutes. I was wet, but it was from sweat, and all I had to do was open the zippers in the few dry protected areas I encountered, for 10 minutes or so and I dried right up. Totally sold on that rain gear.
Post by: vandeman17 on April 29, 2020, 09:02:21 AM
Post by: Ironhead on April 29, 2020, 09:07:30 AM
I have a ton of bad arse gear and these come to mind 1st.
Post by: Stein on April 29, 2020, 09:30:26 AM
Post by: 300rum on April 29, 2020, 09:30:41 AM
Post by: pawpaw1934 on April 29, 2020, 01:14:27 PM
Post by: rainshadow1 on April 29, 2020, 02:42:16 PM
Best mid-season boots I've ever had. I have a good relationship with gravity, and need quality. (I destroyed a pair of walmart lightweight hikers in ONE day of scouting in Montana, once upon a time.) I couldn't believe the life I got out of the Cornstalkers.
Upgraded recently when I happened to find the next generation of the same boot at a thrift store, but the old pair are still going strong. (Must be 12 or 15 seasons.) Not a thing wrong with them.
Fun to find a mid price range boot that gives you your money back several times over.
Post by: buglebrush on April 29, 2020, 03:35:25 PM
- OR gaitors.
- EXO K2 3500
- First Lite Aerowool
- Springfield XD
- Jet Boil
- Marmot Sawtooth
-Black Diamond headlamp
- Gaia GPS app
-Slick Trick Broadheads
These are items I've used extremely hard for years. They're irreplaceable, and have withstood the constant abuse of hunting thick country. The real test of great gear is would you buy the same thing if you lost it, and these are an emphatic yes.
Post by: Shawn Ryan on April 29, 2020, 10:28:13 PM
Go-Lite SL4 tent
Kifaru small box stove
Ti-Goat Omni Raven bivy
EE quilt
Kifaru paratarp
Swaro binos
Backcountry Navigator app
Go-Lite puffy
Post by: huntnnw on April 29, 2020, 11:18:44 PM
Post by: lewy on May 10, 2020, 07:08:55 PM
Post by: Cylvertip on June 10, 2020, 05:06:44 PM
The Bates Mountain Combat Hikers have been great too. They handle the same duty during the colder months of the year. Afordable, comfortable, and tough. I did have some glue "balls" from the collar fall down into the heel/Achilles area on these. It was between the leather and the gortex. Guessing the glue was not hot enough when applied and it balled up and some fell out. I was able to cut the seem between the gortex and the padded collar to gain access to the area and clear the lumps and bumps out. Glued the seem back up, and all is has been good since.
Glock 17 . My daily carry gun for almost 26 years. Everything from boating to snowmobiling to two weeks soaking wet in my hunting pack, trapping, and countless other adventures and activities, undeterred. It is on me/ with me "when allowed", pretty much without exception. It has been infoullable.
One more - Fiskar brush hook. I have a modified one that I cut the "hook" off of and wrapped the handle in para chord. I also made a custom kydex sheath for it. It goes in whatever rig I am in and on all outdoor adventures. It is an invaluable tool, especially on the trap line. I also keep it readily available on my elk pack for clearing trail when needed. I will add some picks. I had shared info about it years ago, but probably easier to take new pics. It just got a paint touch up, so it is relatively pretty again.
There are more, but these have been really exceptional.
Post by: Cylvertip on June 13, 2020, 02:41:51 PM
Post by: CackleBird98 on June 13, 2020, 04:36:21 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 21, 2020, 09:41:03 PM
Post by: huntnnw on June 21, 2020, 10:18:18 PM
Kuiu Yukon rain gear. Hands down the beat ive ever used. Have yet to get wet with them. Hell i wore the gaiters and my danner pronghorns clam diggin and stayed perfectly dry until I got hit with a wave I didnt see comin :chuckle:
:yeah: best piece of apparel I have bought
Post by: gee_unit360 on June 22, 2020, 12:57:15 PM