The Gear That Didn’t Quit: What Survived My Toughest Hunt of the Season

The Gear That Didn’t Quit: What Survived My Toughest Hunt of the Season

Some gear is “good on paper.” Some gear is “budget-friendly.” But the gear I trust? It’s the stuff that gets dragged through hell and keeps performing. Last November, I hunted three states in nine days—crossing dry creekbeds in Kansas, crawling through mesquite in Texas, and busting ice in a Dakota sleet storm. One pack. One shotgun. One pair of boots. And zero excuses.

Here’s the field gear that took a beating and came back asking for more.

🧢 1. Sitka Delta Wading Jacket

Category: Outerwear | Rated: 10/10

Where it got tested: North Dakota pothole sleet with 35mph wind gusts.

This jacket was bombproof. Seam-sealed, breathable, and warm without bulk. The pit zips were lifesavers during hikes in and out, and the hood cinch kept sideways sleet off my neck. Every pocket had purpose. Every stitch held.

“It’s expensive, but so is replacing cheaper jackets that fail halfway into the season.”

👟 2. Crispi Nevada GTX Boots

Category: Footwear | Rated: 9.8/10

Where it got tested: High-mileage desert muley scouting in south-central New Mexico.

I’ve worn everything from Danners to Irish Setters. These were next-level. Great ankle support without stiffness, zero blisters after 15 miles/day, and stayed dry after light creek crossings. Traction on shale was rock solid.

Bonus: Broke in fast and held zero scent by day four.

🔫 3. Benelli M2 12ga (with aftermarket Carlson’s choke)

Category: Shotgun Platform | Rated: 9.5/10

Where it got tested: Central Kansas mallard field hunt, frozen mud and corn slop.

It never jammed, even after riding in the bed of a truck and eating a few facefuls of prairie mud. Clean cycling. Quick shoulder. And with the Carlson’s extended mid-range choke, it hit ducks like a truck out to 40 yards.

🎒 4. Mystery Ranch Pop-Up 30 Pack

Category: Day Pack | Rated: 9.7/10

Where it got tested: Texas hog walk-in hunt with 3+ miles of brushbusting.

This pack rode low, cinched tight, and held everything from a med kit to a tripod to three liters of water. The frame support let me carry a quartered hog shoulder out comfortably. Quiet zippers. Smart compartments.

“I didn’t know a day pack could feel like a full-frame meat hauler. Now I do.”

🧤 5. First Lite Shale Hybrid Gloves

Category: Handwear | Rated: 8.9/10

Where it got tested: Montana ridge hikes and frosty Idaho mornings.

Great dexterity, surprisingly warm, and didn’t get wet during glassing sessions. The goatskin palm wore beautifully, and the cuff cinched tight without pinching. Not great in sub-zero winds—but perfect for 30–50°F.

🧠 Final Word: You Don’t Need More Gear—You Need the Right Gear

You can buy everything on the market. But when you’re five miles in, 10 hours deep, or ankle-deep in ice water… only a few pieces earn their keep.

These did.

“I didn’t write this list at a desk. I wrote it by crawling through cactus, breaking trail in snow, and tagging game with cold hands and sore feet.”

Test your gear. Push it hard. Find out what really works.