The Unsung Gear: Five Things That Saved My Hunt (But Never Make the Gear Lists)

The Unsung Gear: Five Things That Saved My Hunt (But Never Make the Gear Lists)

It wasn’t the gun. Or the bow. Or the $500 jacket. It was the stuff you only notice when it’s not there—and can’t stop praising when it is. A lot of gear makes your hunt look good. This stuff makes it work.

🎒 When the Small Stuff Saves the Day

It was a rough-weather elk hunt in central Colorado. We’d backpacked in five miles. Rain turned to sleet. One guy’s rangefinder quit. Another hunter slipped into a wash and broke a trekking pole.

And that’s when the little things started pulling their weight.

Not the rifle. Not the layers. But the oddball tools in my lid pocket—the ones I almost left behind.

Here are the five pieces of gear that quietly made that trip a success.

🧰 Gear That Doesn’t Sell Itself—But Should

1. Leukotape P Sport Tape

• Why It Mattered: My boot rubbed raw by day two. This stuff held better than moleskin, didn’t bunch, and saved me from limping for 20 miles.

• Pro Tip: Pre-wrap strips on old gift cards to save weight and time.

2. Nitecore NU25 Headlamp

• Why It Mattered: Light as a feather, lasted all week, red mode didn’t spook anything, and never bounced off my forehead during sprints downhill.

• Pro Tip: Carry one extra battery and you’ll never stress a pack-out in the dark.

3. Sea to Summit Ultralight Dry Sack (4L)

• Why It Mattered: Held all my electronics. Stayed dry in a full sleet dump. Also doubled as a pillow, a lunch seat, and once—a water scoop.

• Pro Tip: The 4L size is perfect for gloves, batteries, and tags.

4. REI PackTowl Nano

• Why It Mattered: Wiped rain off optics, dried hands after a creek crossing, cleaned blood off my knife and my hands after a quarter job.

• Pro Tip: Sew a loop on the corner and hang it from your bino harness.

5. Zip-Ties (Assorted Sizes)

• Why It Mattered: Fixed a busted boot lace. Attached a loose panel on my pack. Made a sling loop in the field. More useful than duct tape.

• Pro Tip: Slide four into your bino harness and forget about them—until you need them.

🧠 Why These Items Matter

✔️ They solve problems—not just sell dreams
This isn’t sponsored gear. It’s utility, plain and simple.

✔️ They’re versatile beyond their label
Towel becomes first aid. Dry bag becomes storage. Tape becomes peace of mind.

✔️ They take up no space—but save your hunt
All five items together weigh less than a spare water bottle—and do more.

✔️ They’re the difference between surviving and thriving
On tough hunts, it’s the backup systems that keep you moving.

✔️ They rarely break—but always get replaced when they do
Because once you’ve used them, you’ll never hunt without them.

🌟 Final Shot: Gear Doesn’t Have to Be Sexy to Be Essential

I’ve never taken a trophy photo with Leukotape or a Zip-Tie. But I’ve also never packed for a real hunt without them since.

🎙️ “A lot of gear makes your hunt look good. This stuff makes it work.”

📍Filed under: Hunting Gear & Technology
🕯️ Difficulty Level: Wet, Cold, Remote
🎒 Result: Elk Quartered, Camp Intact, Feet Dry
📍 Location: Central Colorado Backcountry