The 20 Best Hunting Gear Picks for 2024

It’s time to round up all of our favorite hunting gear we hunted deer and elk with in the Rockies this season. Regardless of whether you spend your time chasing deer, or elk, or even birding, you can be sure to find some must-have additions to your favorite equipment.

Top 10 Big Game Hunting Gear

Sitka Ballistic Vest

When it comes to a company like Sitka, we could write an encyclopedia worth of positive reviews about their gear. No surprise here that the Ballistic Vest from this popular manufacturer doesn’t disappoint either. With its adjustable fit and durable construction, this high-visibility vest is perfect for any season when you need to stay safe in the field.

Weighing in under 1 pound, this vest won’t bog you down when you are layered up in the winter. The adjustable waistbands and removable shoulder pads are a testament to how Sitka was able to fuse comfort and safety into a piece of clothing for all hunting scenarios. Combine this with its durable construction and DWR layer, and you have a top-tier piece of hunting apparel that will keep you safe outdoors.

One of the first things that comes to mind when hunting is concealment. The last thing we want is to miss a chance at a big buck because we are sticking out like a sore thumb. That being said, we don’t always have the luxury of being the only hunter in the field. After a close call with a shot from another hunter during mule deer season, I opted to make this vest a permanent piece of my equipment. It is also a welcome addition during bird season with its extremely comfortable shoulder padding. Ultimately, Sitka’s Ballistic Vest is one of our top picks for 2023 because of the unrivaled versatility, comfort, and safety that it provides.

Price: $99.00

FORLOH Method Bino Harness

If you’ve never heard of Forloh before they are an American company that specializes in high-tech apparel and accessories for those who love to spend time in the outdoors. The Method Bino Harness combines functionality with comfort so that you can quickly and easily access your binoculars on the go. Whether you are tracking elk through the mountains or scanning the plains for deer, this harness allows you to focus on your surroundings without having to constantly adjust your gear.

The lightweight yet durable design is made of waterproof, 210d ripstop nylon, so you know these things can take a beating. The easily adjustable chest harness will fit almost any hunter and comes with a rear mesh pad that maximizes comfort by distributing weight and keeping sweat to a minimum. It even comes with multiple MOLLE attachment points, providing the option to attach a separate pouch for your rangefinder and other accessories.

What we really loved about this harness was how firmly and comfortably the straps held, even when the terrain got hairy. We didn’t have to waste any time readjusting. More importantly, our binoculars and phone stayed dry and protected. New phones and binos can get pricey, so it was nice not having to think twice about damaging anything within the harness. If you find yourself regularly hunting in unpredictable weather and uneven terrain, this is the harness for you.

Editors Note: If you only buy 1 items on this list this year the FORLOH Method Bino Harness Made Both of our Hunting Gear Roundups. We are in love with this piece and their gear overall..

Price: $199

New West KnifeWorks – JH Hunter/Forager 4“ Knife

A dependable knife is a must-have tool for any hunter. Whether it is for field dressing, skinning, or processing meat, the knife needs to be sharp, durable, and easy to use. This is exactly what you get from the JH Hunter/Forager 4” Knife. This knife from the Jackson, WY locals, New West KnifeWorks, is the perfect blend of your favorite kitchen and hunting knives all in one.

The blade is forged from high carbon, CPM S35VN stainless steel, meaning that is the top of the line when it comes to toughness, resharpening, and stain resistance. The ergonomically designed handle comes in either an epoxy/fiberglass blend or American Ironwood, both of which look stunning. Throw in the leather sheath and you have a field knife that will last you for many hunting seasons to come.

Using a dull knife to hack through meat is a time-consuming pain and it poses a safety risk for your hands and fingers, that’s why we prioritize the sharpness and durability of the blades we choose. That being said, this knife is sharp, and when we say sharp we mean incredible so. It had no problem cutting up an entire elk and it was still plenty sharp to cut more afterwards. The fact that New West KnifeWorks offers a lifetime warranty and free resharpening makes this a hard product to pass up. Do yourself a favor this hunting season and buy the perfect tool for the job.

Price: $199.50

CamelBak Mil Spec Crux™ 3L Reservoir

Sometimes it’s easy to forget the basics when the excitement of opening day is upon us. Staying hydrated is one of those things that can go by the wayside, but it’s essential for staying on top of your game in the field and avoiding a potential disaster. That’s where the CamelBak Mil Spec Crux™ 3L Reservoir comes in.

This special edition bladder was initially designed for the US military. It stands out among other reservoirs because of its lower profile, updated ergonomic fill handle, and angled exit port. These three features make it easier to fit in your pack without the annoying sound of water sloshing around. You can even attach accessories like in-line purifiers for those long days when 3L of water isn’t quite enough and you need to refill from a nearby stream.

It’s hard to say anything bad about CamelBak reservoirs because they’ve always made a quality product. They incorporated all of the best parts of their other reservoirs with some newer technology. The insulated hose is a lifesaver in both hot and cold conditions. It helps to keep the hose from freezing in the winter and keeps your water at a pleasant temperature in the summer when the sun is beating down. No matter the time of year you do most of your hunting, the CamelBak Mil Spec Crux™ 3L Reservoir will keep you hydrated and hunting for longer.

Price: $54

FORLOH Men’s AllClima Soft Shell Jacket

It’s not often that we find a company that can give Sitka a run for its money, but Forloh managed to do it with the AllClima Soft Shell Jacket. When the temperatures drop, this is the jacket you want to be wearing. It’s versatile, comfortable, and packed with features that every hunter needs – what more could you want?

This midweight hunting jacket was designed to keep you warm once the cool autumn days set in, and you can easily add more layers underneath while staying comfortable once the snow starts to fall. The double DWR technology is incorporated into every layer of the jacket, meaning that it will repel water longer in the rain or snow without having to reapply than other DWR outerwear. What really sets the jacket apart from the competitors is how quiet it stays when trudging through uneven terrain. FORLOH accomplished this feat by incorporating a fleece backer within the jacket which helps hold in heat and reduce noise.

We found it pretty impressive that a midsize jacket could feel so comfortable and stay so quiet while moving around in the field. It’s not every day that you find outerwear that can accomplish both, and we are really excited to see how FORLOH expands upon this design in the future. The Men’s AllClima Soft Shell Jacket lives up to everything that the manufacturer advertised and more, which is why it is one of our top picks for 2023.

Price: $449.00

FORLOH Men’s AllClima Stretch Woven Pant

By now you’re probably starting to notice that we have a few products from FORLOH listed in this article, and it’s no coincidence. They are consistently developing award-winning gear that continues to break the mold and advance outerwear technology. The Men’s AllClima Stretch Woven Pant is from the same line as our last pick, and it offers all of the same protection and comfort for your lower body.

What sets these DWR water-resistant pants apart from others is the time that was spent on creating a design that moved seamlessly in any terrain without hampering movement and staying silent. The articulated knees foam-bonded v are essential when stalking prey, and the gusseted crotch really helps when you need that extra range of motion without making any noise. It also has mesh hip ventilation zippers for when you need to let off some steam and silicone within the waistband so that your pants stay where they are supposed to, no matter how hairy the terrain may get.

We are always on the edge of our seats to see what FORLOH comes up with next, and it was nothing short of exciting when we got the chance to test out the AllClima Stretch Woven Pants. We chose to test out the Exposed pattern because it seemed like a great choice for high-country hunting – and it didn’t disappoint. The unique pattern helped us stay concealed when cover was sparse, plus the stretch of the fabric and stitching helped us move quietly when we had to do some crawling. Your outerwear shouldn’t hold you back, and this release from FORLOH does quite the opposite.

Price: $449.00

Maven S.3A – 20-40X67 Spotting Scope

You really can’t go wrong with any of Maven’s S series spotting scopes, but the new S.3A is the cream of the crop when it comes to size, magnification, and versatility. It is compact enough to fit securely into any pack, and powerful enough for any application. This makes it the perfect choice for any serious hunter who wants one scope for all situations.

At just under 4 lbs, this model is slightly smaller than Maven’s S.1 scopes and larger than the S.2 models. The 20x-40x magnification lens is made of fluorite glass, which is a key component of any scope with a larger objective lens like this one. It provides crystal-clear optics in any condition, even in low light.

We chose this scope because of how well it performed during elk season this year. At first glance, it seemed like there were absolutely no elk to be found, but after another look with the S.3A we realized that we wouldn’t be going home empty-handed. A high-quality scope is imperative when in the field because it gives you the ability to thoroughly scan an area before heading in on foot. This makes spotting scopes an invaluable resource for hunting, backpacking, and viewing wildlife from a safe distance. If you have your eye on some premium new optics this holiday season, Maven’s S.3A is the clear choice.

Price: $1,800

Scent Thief Field Spray

It can be a bit of a headache when searching for something to help mask your scent because of all the different products on the market, especially since it’s such an important part of hunting. Luckily for us, Scent Thief has revolutionized how we stay stealthy so that we can have more successful days in the field and fuller freezers.

Scent Thief’s Field Spray differs from the competition in the way it masks your scent. Other products like doe estrus are designed to help you smell like something less threatening than a human with a rifle. This particular formula actually works by shutting down the animal’s parts of the nose that can detect scent. With other products, it’s still possible for game to get a whiff of our predatory odor underneath the mask. If your prey can’t smell you coming, your chances of bagging the big one look much better.

At first, I assumed this product would only work for hunting while perched in my tree stand, but boy was I wrong. I was able to hunt hard, even with the wind ripping behind me. It’s hard to remember a situation like this in the past that didn’t go bust. I am more than certain that Scent Thief Field Spray is the only reason that I was able to stay concealed. I’ll always have a bottle of this handy going forward, and that’s why it made the best of list for 2023.

Price: $15.99

Alaska Game Bags

It’s easy to lose track of how much ground you’ve covered when stalking your kill. Covering long distances of uneven terrain is even harder when you have all that extra weight to lug back to camp. Not to mention, you have to do your best to keep the meat protected from dirt, insects, and the elements. The folks at Alaska Game Bags recognized this and developed a product that will help get your kill back home safe and sound with the least amount of effort.

A lot of testing went into the design of these game bags, which is why they work so well. Since they were designed in the Alaskan backcountry, they are extremely lightweight and durable, which is key when traversing long distances. There is a size for every hunter out there and they are easy enough to use in any condition, even for larger cuts of meat. Just roll the bag over the meat and voila, you can get back to camp quicker than ever.

I decided to switch it up this year and try out Alaska Game Bags for the first time, and I’m glad that I did. No other product on the market makes it this easy to bag your kill and get it back to camp. What’s really cool is that they offer different-sized bags for just about any species, and you can even order the material by the roll to create your own custom-sized bag. I really couldn’t ask for a simpler more effective piece of equipment that helps me get from A to B quicker.

Price: $29.99

Tactacam Reveal X Pro

The Tactacam Reveal X Pro is designed for hunters and is among the most reliable and advanced trail cams on the market for scouting and monitoring game. It offers high-definition photos and videos that can also be sent to your phone, so you can check in anytime. Taking some of the guesswork out of finding your target species allows you to spend more time bagging, tagging, and filling that freezer.

The Reveal X Pro takes beautiful 16MP photos and videos that you can send to your phone at any time using the Tactacam app via the trail camera. With a trigger speed of under half a second and a detection range of up to 96 feet, you can be sure that nothing will slip past you this hunting season. No need to worry about the elements either, it is IP66 waterproof certified and can be powered by AA batteries or a separate solar panel. This means no downtime even when Mother Nature just doesn’t want to comply.

We chose these game cameras over the mountain of other products out there mainly because of how easy it was to use, how little maintenance it required, and the crystal-clear snapshots it took. This cam is as close to set it and forget it as you can get. We were also really impressed at how clearly it took pictures at night, which is where a lot of the competition falls short. If you need a trail cam that won’t have you scratching your head on how to set it up, then the Reveal X Pro should be on top of your list of gear to grab.

Price: $159.99

Kryptek Takur Hunting Pant

One of the top waterproof, rain proof, snow proof hunting pants comes from Kryptek. The Kryptek Camo Takur Line of Pants is guaranteed to keep you dry when hunting, hiking or backpacking. Features of these Kryptek Pants include a built in belt & buckle, full length pit zips on both legs, almost 20k of waterproofing and it all comes together in a great camo Kryptek pattern.

This was the best hunting rain gear we tested and when layered with Ibex worked perfectly for staying warm in the mountains.  We sweat a lot while hunting and this jacket does a great job of regulating temps.

Kryptek Takur Jacket

One of the better camo hunting jackets we tested this year featuring advanced polymer fabric which allows the Takur Jacket to adjust it’s shape to the current temperatures and moisture levels by means of an Schoeller®’s fabric tech.  And when we say tech, were talking serious technology.  The Takur Jacket is a 100% waterproof, 3 – Layer Shell perfect for high alpine hunting.

The most unique feature of this jacket is during periods of low output, the jacket retracts in size keeping heat in place. And on the flip side during high output activities the jacket expands to allow trapped moisture to escape. Toss in the Krpytek Camp Pattern and it’s darn near impossible for animals to see you.  This pattern works best hunting in mid to late fall and through winter as the colors are darker. And best of all the material was able to stand up to elk hunting in Wyoming thanks to the abrasion resistant properties.

Ibex Woolies

Staying warm while hunting is key.  Some hunters prefer to sit in a tree stand for long periods of time, for them staying warm standing in place can be tough.  Same can be said for hunters hiking in rugged terrain at some point you start to sweat which is quickly followed by the cold.  That’s where performance base layers like the Ibex Woolies come into place.

Thanks to Merino Wool these Ibex Base Layers are one of the most important pieces of cold weather insulation layering hunting gear as Merino wool clothing tends to stay warm even when damp. Sure you can still soak through these base layers if your hiking for miles and miles but unlike synesthetic. The perfect shirt for yoga, lounging around the house or high output activities in the mountains.

Ravean Electric Hand Warmer Power Bank

Lets face is cold hands in the mountains suck, and loosing power on your cell phones sucks even more.  So what can you do to make sure both of these things never happen?  Simple, toss one of the Ravean Hand Warmers in your pack or pocket and stop fussing with cold hands and dying batteries.

Out of all the things on this list the Ravean Electric Hand Warmer / Power Bank takes up the least amount of space while offering the ability to charge your devices and keep your hands warm all in one. Pro Tip: Try putting the Ravean Hand Warmer on High in a chest pocket, it really helps to keep your core warm. This is one of the best pieces of winter hunting gear you can own that hopefully you won’t have to use too often, but when you do, its a game changer.

Howard Leight Impact Sport Shooting Protection

What was that you said? Was that a branch breaking off in the distance.  The Howard Leigh Electronic Shooting Ear Protection allows you to easily amplify or turn down just about any sound you might experience at the range or while walking around in the backountry . Plus, if you shoot guns long enough you’re going to damage your ears, simply put.

Now  you can stop additional damage by using the Howard Leight Impact Sport Shooting Protection, I wish I found these for bird hunting many years ago, shotgun blast are loud! These headphones are able to keep you warm, can fit under a beanie and work for playing mp3’s are great for snowmobiling and more and they pack down tiny.

Technaxx Hunting Nature TX-160 Camera

Stop wondering around on cold mornings and late afternoons looking for deer and elk. Instead try setting up the Technaxx TX-1600 Trail Camera in an area you plan to hunt. A must have for  Ideally on a game trail or near known bedding areas.  Here in Wyoming hunting with Bluetooth trail cameras are illegal, which makes the Technaxx Hunting Camera a safe and legal way to capture photos of animals walking by the motion activated trail camera.

One thing that you must do with this camera is mark on your phone, where it’s located as the camera is designed to blend into the backcountry, which can make finding the tree with the camera a bit tough.  Once you find the camera the wait to get home feels like forever, simply pop the microSD card into a reader or adapter and there’s photos of each and every animal to walk by your camera.  Keep in mind tree branches can set off the camera, so mount in a clear area.

LEKI Makalu Lite Cor-Tec Trekking Poles

Plan on hiking in the snow? Hiking down the mountain with a heavy pack? The LEKI Makalu Lite Poles are an excellent option for staying safe. Their comfortable and ergonomic grips are made from 80% natural cork to absorb sweat and moisture while keeping your hands dry. Wrist straps are moisture-wicking and easily adjustable for maximum comfort. The aluminum shafts are heat-treated for durability to withstand the toughest hikes while remaining light enough to carry. Carbide Flextips provide solid traction for a variety of terrain and surfaces encountered on the trail. With patented SpeedLock Plus locking system, you can adjust pole length even when wearing bulky gloves.

Optional attachments enable easy transformation from trail poles to snow poles so you can use these all year round. Try out the LEKI Makalu Lite Trekking Poles, and you’ll see why hikers and hunters everywhere use them for their go-to option on the trail.

Phoozy Phone Case

What happens when your phone dies in the cold is ALL BAD. Prevent that scenario with the Phoozy Phone Case. More than just a basic case for your phone, the PHOOZY Insulated Phone Case offers thermal protection for your phone, tablet, laptop and other accessories. There is nothing worse than getting stuck somewhere and finding out that your device overheated in the sun, froze in the cold or drowned in moisture.

onX Hunting App

Out of all the gear on this list, the one thing that will safe your butt at some point is the onX Hunting Map App. Getting lost and having to spend a night in the mountains is no fun, especially after a hard day of hunting.  Not only will onX Hunt show you where you are on the map, (which can be downloaded in advance for your hunt zone) but it shows land boundaries, legal areas to hunt and not hunt.

Don’t get caught trespassing, poaching or not knowing where you are in the mountains, simply by downloading the onX map which is guaranteed to have all the hunt information and maps for your hunt areas.

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