Best gear you’ve found

[375Fox]

I’m finding the thread on worst products and brands really interesting. It has me thinking what have you found the best?

For me I think the best gear I’ve found has been
4 stable sticks, just changed my ability to shoot accurately off sticks dramatically
Maven binoculars, their B series is assembled in USA and I think is approaching German quality at half the price. I’ve been using them about a year and half now
Havalon knives, I’ve never been able to keep a sharp knife and this changed things for me

 

[Philip Glass]

Sitka clothing, Leupold and Swarovski scopes, Swaro binos (have several), Pelican gun and ammo cases, Murray Leather ammo pouches and gun cases, & Russell Mocassin custom leather boots.
It’s been fun working through different kinds of gear and finding what is best for me for my safaris.
Philip

 

[Roller]

Kenetrek boots.

 

[375Fox]

Sitka clothing, Leupold and Swarovski scopes, Swaro binos (have several), Pelican gun and ammo cases, Murray Leather ammo pouches and gun cases, & Russell Mocassin custom leather boots.
It’s been fun working through different kinds of gear and finding what is best for me for my safaris.
Philip

Have you had opportunity to compare Russell and Courteney boots?

 

[Ray B]

I've used several top tier binoculars but I find I keep returning to my 1949 mfg Bausch & Lomb 8x30 Zephyrs. I never thought I'd get a rifle better than an Al Biesen M70 270 built to "Jack O'Connor" specs but then I came across a 1910 John Rigby Class C 470NE. I also thought a 1958 Randall Model 4 was great, then there was a Montana Ruana that works nicely, but all of them are now in the knife box, having been replaced by so far, three vonGruffs, soon to be four. Russell boots have been my standard footwear for 30 years, so I must like them. Other than that, I guess it's whatever will do the job.

 

[Jeffrey]

Polartec 100 weight fleece cap and Buff Original neck gaiter. Great compact combination that'll allow you significant temp fluctuations.
PKS Scandi Kephart sheath knife (my favorite field knife). Leatherman Wave+ in nylon button grommet (think quiet) sheath. Case Trapper CV for pocket knife if I feel like it.
Timex Expedition watch with Suunto Clipper compass on watch strap. Watch face facing toward me to reduce outward glare.
Bic mini bic lighter
Victorinox Skinning and Boning knives with clamp on blade covers for stowing in a pack.
30mm Swaro Binos (w/ RickYoungOutdoors strap), Leupold Scopes (and I really like their 6X "Yosemite" economy binos), Talley rifle rings.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit. Perfect size and a little room for extra stuff.
For rifles I like Winchester Model 70s, CZ 550s, and Ruger M77s, generally in that order. I really like the Coopers, Montana's, and Steyrs I've seen but Ive never used them extensively so can't be as informed on those.

AFRICA SPECIFIC:
Murray Leather Ammo Pouches (I've been eying their soft gun cases).
Courtney Safari Boots with Boyt Harness gaiters and the wool socks you buy at Sam's Club.
Viper Flex shooting sticks.
Robert's Bird Guide

Last but NOT LEAST Gorilla Tough and Wide extra wide gorilla tape. I use clear plastic packaging material and make a flat roll of it about eight inches long by three inches wide and wrap a quarter roll of that wide gorilla tape around it. If you can't fix it with gorilla tape...

 

[Alaska Luke]

I really like the Trigger Stick by Premos. It’s very nice for shooting over rocks or brush when you can’t find a good rest

 

[Mike B]

So many people don’t put enough thought into socks! Smart wool socks are my goto for hiking and hunting!

I like Osprey backpacks, but they aren’t really quiet for hunting (I have a badlands pack for hunting). I love them for travel or keeping at the blind or in the truck. Wear them hiking a lot.

Duluth trading underwear!

 

[Bearbait1]

Stay away from that gorilla tape if you may ever need to remove it. Thats some sticky stuff.

 

[mdwest]

Rick Young Bino harness...

 

[Whacker]

M70 Winchester Rifles.
1895 Marlin GBL 45-70 Guide Gun for brush.
Anything Leupold, Swarovski, or Night Force.
Henry Lever Actions.
I have had great experiences with all of these items and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to friends.

 

[Firebird]

Kuiu hunting clothing.
Leupold and Swarovski scopes
Lathrop and kenetrek boots-not the Africa version but their hunting boots and more recently my wildland fire boots-
Agree on smart wool socks and Duluth clothing
Big Agnes camping gear
Mountain house freeze dried meals

 

[BeeMaa]

Can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet.
Blaser R8 rifle.
Leica RF binos.
Contessa scope mounts.

Murray leather (already mentioned).
Swaro scopes (same).

 

[Philip Glass]

Have you had opportunity to compare Russell and Courteney boots?

I have some nice croc Courtney’s and they are nice but too wide for me. I went to the factory in Bulawayo a couple years ago with the intent of buying some custom made. Sadly they do not custom make boots. If you have wide size feet Courtney’s are great but not for me. The custom made Russell’s from my hippo skin work well for me as long as it’s not cold weather. I am hoping to get my rhino skin back and have Leddys make me some Courtney style custom boots later this year. Fingers crossed I get my rhino before Jan. 20!

 

[Philip Glass]

Rick Young Bino harness...

Yesssss. Sorry I forgot that one! Easy to forget I guess use it every day this time of year.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

2nd or 3rd gear, both are awfully fun!

 

[Firebird]

Talley and Timney

 

[mdwest]

I have some nice croc Courtney’s and they are nice but too wide for me. I went to the factory in Bulawayo a couple years ago with the intent of buying some custom made. Sadly they do not custom make boots. If you have wide size feet Courtney’s are great but not for me. The custom made Russell’s from my hippo skin work well for me as long as it’s not cold weather. I am hoping to get my rhino skin back and have Leddys make me some Courtney style custom boots later this year. Fingers crossed I get my rhino before Jan. 20!

FWIW I’m headed to Abilene with my buff hide to be fitted by Leddy’s for both a set of custom safari boots and a set of cowboy boots on the 15th... I’ll let you know how things go..

 

[Philip Glass]

FWIW I’m headed to Abilene with my buff hide to be fitted by Leddy’s for both a set of custom safari boots and a set of cowboy boots on the 15th... I’ll let you know how things go..

Please do! PM me with any info. I’ll be headed that way, Lord willing, in the next couple months.

 

[Pheroze]

Swarovski
Schnees boots