Best and Worst Gear You've Used

[aron]

There have been a few threads around here lately with gear lists for newbies and light backpacking hunting so I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread to list the best gear you've owned and more importantly, the worst gear you've owned as we all know that your hunt could go south in a hurry with gear failures.

I don't have any bivy hunt experience so my gear would be from day hunts. My best gear would have to be thinsulate wool fingerless mittens. I've tried expensive gloves but keep going back to these mitts for some reason. The worst gear I've had was a very cheap headlamp which failed within a half days use.

[>>>---WW---->]

Outside of my bow & arrows, I have three things I would never go into the timber without. One is my Vortex 10x42 Viper binoculars. The others are my Lil Chuckler grunt tube and a couple of diaphragms.

I am also a day hunter. But I always pack enough gear to handle a couple of days and at least one night out if the need arises.

As far as the worse thing, well I have pretty much weeded all that stuff out over the years. But I suppose I'd leave my water bladder at home. For me, a 20 ounce diet pepsi and a 32 ounce container of water is usually plenty for a day hunt.

[Bartfrncs]

This got me to thinking about THE GOOD OLD DAYS. The worst Beeman carbon arrows. The best a 68inch Ironwood flatbow killed many deer with it.
Bart

[ElkNut1]

My Crispi Boots are the best purchase I've made in a while, they are a treat to wear & pack in.

Off hand I cannot think of any "worst gear"

ElkNut1

[Freebird134]

This thread is like asking "what's your favorite song" or "which politician do you hate most?" I'll have to think about it a while, but I'm going to definitely enjoy the responses!

In all seriousness, I rarely have "worst gear" experiences in the field because everything is well researched and tried before the season comes.

[sreekers]

Badlands 2800, worst i have ever bought. About the only brand i won't buy again.

[ElkNut1]

sreekers, what was wrong with your 2800? Ive used the 2200 for quite a spell in the past with no issues. Packed out a dozen elk with it.

ElkNut1

[sreekers]

I broke the bat wings twice hauling quarters. Third time around i gave it to a teen who uses it for light stuff.

2200 is a better design imo, but several of my friends have had zippers blow out.

[ElkNut1]

You mention the batwings blowout, do you mean the straps/buckles broke? It would seem impossible to rip a cylinder pocket off. Just trying to understand what happened.

My 2200 did break 2-3 of the zipper stems but only a 1/4" of it, the zippers never broke on any & all still operated just fine with the 3/4 stem that was left, I just tied on a piece of leather shoe string material to the hole that all zippers have drilled in them below the break & was good to go. Here's a 2200 with 1/2 an elk on the bone in this pack, it's tough as nails.

ElkNut1

[cnelk]

Worst = Rocky Boots

I had a pair a few years ago and the soles were really hard. They would break traction on rocks, especially if cold.
They did not hold up to my style of elk hunting.

Have not bought a pair since

[sreekers]

Elknut,
If i can get the guy i gave it to bring it over tonight and take some pictures. It was at the to where the strap was sewn into the main body of the pack.

[Freebird134]

Badlands quality seems to be consistently variable. I've personally had no trouble, but I've watched pieces snap, break, and fall off the guy standing next to me. I'm not against them at all, but I definitely suggest using them and putting them through the test months before hunting season starts.

[>>>---WW---->]

cnelk: Thanks for reminding me about the Rocky Boots. I threw mine in the trash can years ago.

[ElkNut1]

Scott, thanks, I certainly do not doubt you I'm just surprised with the use & abuse we've put them through with relatively little issues. Thank you!

ElkNut1

[sreekers]

No doubt implied, I have seen them used and abused as well.

[Z Barebow]

Best- Plenty of good stuff. Esbit stove. (On my first elk hunt, I had a cold camp and after that experience, I truely enjoy a hot meal) Mello Yellow diaprhagm.

Worst- I made some granola mix w/powdered milk for breakfast. (I didn't try it out before hand) I would have rather ate gruel in a Russian gulag than choke down that cr@p. Danner Elk hunter boots. Broke them in. (Took several weeks). Elk hunted for 5 days in them. They were soaked and the heavy pack ruined the heal counter in them. After they dried, they were comparable to some medevial torture device. I received a full refund.

[RockChucker30]

Pics posted for sreekers of his badlands.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1364245423.786092.jpg (69.27 KiB) Viewed 10536 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1364245472.161469.jpg (85.96 KiB) Viewed 10536 times

[sreekers]

For whatever reason i couldn't get my pics to upload.

You can see how they tore, in the same spot i had them repaired once before.

[aron]

I have a Badlands Superday pack where I've broke the buckles over tightening the straps but nothing to that extreme. Badlands customer service take care of you right away?

[pointysticks]

i went home to visit parents. my stepdad said.."hey wanna go quail hunting?"

i bought a license, grabbed my shotgun that i keep there, and ran to the store to find the cheapest boots EVER. ended up with a pair of Rocky boots.

at the end of the hunt, i put them in the dumpster. they were awful.

OP..i just go fingerless wool gloves. not mittens. OMG!! i loved them. they did snag alot of burrs, but they were so comfy and i could still work zippers and things. win!

[sreekers]

Well kind of, they sewed it up, but it ripped in the same spot. Didn't offer to replace, and i know this isn't the only 2800 to have the issue.

I gave it to a young hunter and told him if he wanted to send it in, go ahead. He didn't and uses it for ice fishing.

A great company has a warranty that the customer will never have to use.

[caperoll/Scott]

The worst Converser Desert Tactical Boots, nothing but blisters. The best socks I have ever had point 6. I wont go hunting with out them.

[scrubs]

A High Country bow had to be the worst! I couldn`t keep limbs on it. The bad part was everybody around here warned me of this issue, but I didn`t listen I did like shooting it though.

The Tiger string that came on my Mathews is by far the worst string I have ever seen.

Best stuff, Sims Vibration accessories, Leupold scopes, Mathews & Hoyt bows, Thunderhead BH`s, TT rests, SH sights.

[rudyc]

I've had a Filson wool vest, style 20, since the early 80's. It's packed and with me on all my trips, hunting or fishing. Kind of like a security blanket. I know if it's with me I'll be doing some "fun stuff"

[chainsaw]

Lightweight packable waders from Wiggy's. They pack very small and weigh less than a pound. You probably wouldn't want to fish in them all day but they are great for creek or river crossings. They go on and off easily, it really beats the heck out of removing your boots. I have used mine for 2 years now with no problems. I believe they are 60 bucks.

[cnelk]

Best - Army fatigue cargo pants

They wear like iron.
Lots of big pockets.
Camo pattern is universal.
Comfortable.