Holiday Gear Guide
It’s that magical time of year we celebrate Jesus’s birth and give gifts to one another to show we care. Since you’re reading this on huntingfit.com I can only assume that you’re a sportsperson or have one in your life. With that, I’ll try and eliminate some of the stress associated with finding them a present to let them know you’re thinking about them. Over the course of this year I’ve had a chance to tryout a couple products that are surefire ways to put a smile on their face after all the ribbons and paper have been removed.
Wiley X
Sunglasses are a staple in my truck or travel bag. It’s rare I take any trip, short or long, without a pair. From their website, Wiley X’s mission is simple, “Build the world’s best protective eyewear”. With that, protection goes beyond ANSI standards for Wiley X. It also includes providing a barrier from harmful sun rays in a stylish offering. Two of my favorite polarized pairs that I trialed are:
Peak
Protection from the sun is not only for the summer time. WileyX polarized Peak sunglasses help get me through the Winter while I wait for warmer temps.
WileyX Omega polarized glasses allowed me to see fish below the surface in varying light conditions.
Blue skies and bright sun were no match for the special edition Omega glasses.
Both offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and meet ANSI Z87.1 safety standards. They also have a high wrap that helps to keep out any peripheral light. The great news is they protect in both frigid whiteout conditions and blistering summer sun.
5.11 Tactical
5.11 offers more than just tactical related gear. For the traveling sportsperson their packs and bags are quintessential items to keep you moving and organized in both the field or at the airport. Two I’ve had good success with are:
Skyweight 24L Backpack
The Skyweight 24L backpack from 5.11 Tactical makes for a great companion during Spring turkey hunts. Not too big, not too small, just enough room for everything you need.
5.11 Tactical has some pretty nice backpack options to cover all your hunting and outdoor needs. The Skyweight 24L had me prepared to bag this beautiful tom last Spring.
They Skyweight accompanied me on my Spring turkey hunts this past year. It’s big enough to fit everything you need but not so bulky it gets in the way and slows you down. I could fit snacks, calls, water, knife, and a few extra layers of clothes perfectly. The top load design allowed me to easily pack, but most convenient was the access zippers on the bottom. This made it easy to reach the items I packed into the bag first without having to remove everything from the top down. Even when you’re not hunting, the Skyweight 24L makes a great companion for any trek, wild or urban.
AllHaula 65L
As far as travel bags go, the AllHaula from 5.11 makes it easy to hit the road. With a wide opening to pack through and a durable exterior it will be come your go to for outdoor adventures.
The nifty thing about he the AllHaula is that it can be switched into a backpack should you have to travel some distance on foot before arriving to your destination.
Whether it’s a hunting trip, spring break, or a trip to the in-laws, the AllHaula is ready to grab and go. It has plenty of handles to make carrying or moving around easy and reinforced corners to make sure it’s around for the long haul. The weather resistant TPU coated 840D Nylon shell left me feeling comfortable just tossing it into the bed of my truck without fear for the contents. Probably the coolest feature on the AllHaula are the stowable shoulder straps. You can treat it as a duffle but if you have to travel a significant distance you can turn it into a backpack in less than a minute.
YETI
No gift list is complete without something from YETI. The reason being…you can’t go wrong. Practically indestructible and the best at keeping hot things hot and cold things cold. I don’t go on any trip (or rarely leave the house) without at least one item from YETI. As a matter of fact, I just got back from deer camp with a Tundra full of good aim. On a more regular basis though, YETI drinkware is always at hand. Some newer items that I used on two separate deer hunts are:
Rambler 26 oz Bottle Chug
Getting hydration to the blind was a snap with a 26oz YETI Rambler. During an early antlerless hunt the afternoons were fairly warm. Having ice water for my son and I was imperative to keeping us on the hunt.
Not all activities take place in the field when at deer camp. Sometimes its nice to just kick back and relax with a drink and some football. Stackable Rambler cups from YETI keep the cold on a cold beer while you root for your team.
The YETI Hot Shot in the new Wetlands color made a rained-out morning at camp just a little easier to swallow. A good hot cup of coffee in the morning is always the best way to start out the day.
The YETI GoBox takes whatever you can throw at it and keeps on going. Bouncing around in the back of the truck during a rain storm didn’t compromise the contents on a recent hunting trip. My clothes remained high and dry keeping me comfortable and in the woods longer.
I find myself using the GoBox way more than anticipated. Since it’s air and water tight, I can pack anything I want in it and it will be safe from the elements. It’s spent days riding around in the bed of my truck with all the necessities of a hunting trip and traveled thousands of miles on the hitch hauler of my wife’s vehicle during family vacations. With the added shoulder strap it makes transporting from one spot to another hands free. You can even store non-perishable food in it to keep it safe from pesky varmints should you be doing any overnight camping.
Grayl
Depending on the extent of you or your loved one’s outdoor exploits, clean drinking water may be an issue. Grayl offers the GeoPress Ti Purifier to solve any concerns you may have. I’ve used the UltraPress before and loved it. The GeoPress goes above and beyond by giving you 24oz of capacity, handles, large cook surface, and lid/strainer for all your outdoor drinking and cooking needs. It basically takes your purification and cooking needs and rolls them into one total package.
GeoPress Ti
The GeoPress Ti from Grayl rolls your water filtration and cooking receptacle into one. The filter, cup, and lid/strainer all combine to be your one stop camp kitchen.
The GeoPress titanium bottle works perfectly over a campfire or jet stove to boil or heat water for cooking purposes.
Sawyer
I’m not gonna lie, bug repellant and sunscreen isn’t a sexy gift. BUT, when your sportsperson needs them this Spring, they’ll be a priceless commodity. From April through Sept I always have a bottle of Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellant and Stay Put 30 SPF Sunscreen stuffed in my gear stash somewhere. They’ve saved me more than once! Plus, they’ll make great stocking stuffers.
Insect Repellent
Spring is right around the corner and with warmer temps come bugs. Sawyer 20% Picaridin bug repellants works every time for me. Even in a small package, it can be a total game changer to keep you out doing what you love.
Sawyer Stay Put sunscreen travels all over the country with me. From Florida to Michigan, getting sunburnt stinks. 30SPF is a cheap insurance plan for a good time.
There you have it…something for everyone. I’ve trialed the products listed above and all met or exceeded expectations. There is a place for each of these items in your special sportspersons bag to make their outdoor experience just a little better. Let me know if you have any questions as I’m happy to answer!
