2025 gear review...what worked and what didn't?

Keep'er Movin

Keep'er Movin

Member
Started one of these last year but later in the season. Thought this may be helpful for folks looking to purchase items for the holidays.

What worked:

Fleet Farm markets and sells a gear tote that I used this season. Three removable compartments that held vests, first aid kit, bumpers, leashes, check cords, all my Garmin electronics. Very handy with side and front pockets and interior lid pockets. Was easy to throw in the truck knowing I didn't leave anything behind this year. Pics below.

Browning Maxus II Black Gold. Was 100% reliable and the only gun that I was able to shoot somewhat consistently with this year.

Scheels Outfitters performance dog hunting vest. Very secure fit, neoprene, used on opening gun deer season to keep Penny visible. Pic below.

Garmin 550 plus. Switched over from the non GPS unit and loving it. Great peace of mind, especially up in the north woods Grouse Hunting.

Orvis Dri-Cast 1/4 zip shirt. Found a blaze orange and I love it for early season. Very moisture wicking and dries fast.

Penny my Griff: More than once I didn't trust her point and it made me look like a horse's rear end. She is coming along very well and I'm very proud of the steps she took this year. Much more aggressive going in thicker brush/cover. Got a taste of dove and woodcock for the first time.

What didn't work:

Stormy Kromer "The Marsh Cap" Fit was kind of weird, ear flaps didn't do much to really cover and keep my ears warm. Still looking for that perfect Cap for cold weather.

My shooting. Geez, did I miss the birds this year. Will be practicing up hard core in the off season.
 

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What I have found that works well for a cold weather hat is just my regular cap, and I have a "Icearmor" cap I put over over it, it will cover my ears and I still have the "bill" to block the morning sun. It isn't a knit socking cap, but more of a fleece. I believe it has some type of a "plastic" liner in between the layers, as it is wind-proof. When it warms up, it gets pulled off and stuffed into the game-pouch. I bought it in Scheels, over 10 years ago now, not sure if they are still made. The one I wear hunting is blaze, I bought 2 camo ones at the same time, good caps.

One thing I bought 3 seasons ago, was a pair of Thorogood boots. Amazingly tough, still water proof, my socks were dry today after 2 hours in the fresh snow. I think there were designed for work, they have a steel or composite toes cap and rubber toe cover. The soles have decent traction. 400 grams of insulation. The outside of the laces are wearing thru, but I have applied neatsfoot oil twice a year and the boots are still in great shape, hunting 20 some days the last seasons. They were on clearance for half price ($120) in Fleet Farm when I purchased them. Not the tennis shoe weight many need, but a good HD boot that seem to be tough as nails. Wish I kept the box and knew the model.

I did buy a couple pairs of sheer "Mechanix" gloves Friday and used them today under a pair of gloves with fingers & finger cap with heater pockets in the caps. I actually slide a second heater against the palm of my hand and never had any "COLD finger" malfunctions today. I just don't need much more bird hunting gear, pretty set-up at this point.

My shoot has been good, had one outing that I struggled a bit. Great season so far.
 
The main new thing for me this year was the Mud River Seat Organizer. Worked great and can’t believe I don’t have one before this. Holds 3 guns plus small pockets for other stuff which we used for ammo mostly. Easy in and out with the guns. Only down side was 32” barrel O/U wouldn’t fit in it

Left it in the truck and my ML is in it now for deer season this week.
 
My one new thing this year was a new gun. Shot like chit last year so tried something totally different. Got a Fair 16 sxs off another forum. It was like a wand compared to my Berretta silver pigeon 12 . I could check weight but it felt like nothing when I carried it. My shooting improved vastly over last year. Was it as good as 20 years ago, no way, but still a major improvement. My first experience with a sxs over autos and o/u. Was very happy with the results. The only downside was finding ammo that I like. Found 2 boxes of golden pheasant #5 in a Runnings in Mobridge otherwise it was whatever. NExt year will have to order online and will have to research what nontoxic is available.
Oh I did get new glasses also, had them give me something with less of a distortion at the edges. Still not as good as before I needed glasses but some improvement.
 
Alaskan swamp collies said:
My one new thing this year was a new gun. Shot like chit last year so tried something totally different. Got a Fair 16 sxs off another forum. It was like a wand compared to my Berretta silver pigeon 12 . I could check weight but it felt like nothing when I carried it. My shooting improved vastly over last year. Was it as good as 20 years ago, no way, but still a major improvement. My first experience with a sxs over autos and o/u. Was very happy with the results. The only downside was finding ammo that I like. Found 2 boxes of golden pheasant #5 in a Runnings in Mobridge otherwise it was whatever. NExt year will have to order online and will have to research what nontoxic is available.
Oh I did get new glasses also, had them give me something with less of a distortion at the edges. Still not as good as before I needed glasses but some improvement.
Click to expand...
Fiocchi makes a lead load of #5’s…probably 11/8 oz…usually reasonably priced online…
 
So far this year the thigs that have worked...

1. RexSpecs for the dog! An absolute must have...
2. The new CZ Teal SxS 28ga. It has been a wonderful gun on roosters with a 2 3/4" shell loaded with 1oz of #5 and #6 loads.
3. Crispi boots keep getting better.
4. Kuiu Pro Brush pants are now my absolute favorite.
5. Cuga dog vest...

What I am not totally happy with...

1. Garmin Pro 550+ collar and transmitter - For the life of me I can't figure out how to isolate just the areas the dog has run/walked. Garmin does not do a good job of allowing the user to just isolate specific areas. You have to turn off and on the collar/transmitter to not incorporate the travel between fields, etc.
 
airmedic1 said:
Could you post a link?
Click to expand...
I looked it up…very cool! About $120…I’ve been using a large plastic tote, just throw everything in! May get smaller containers, like dopp kit for toiletries, and have things broken down that way. I just enrolled for ‘26 health insurance, I can’t afford anything but that and my hunting trips! 😬 Bot a Dopp kit on Amazon…$4…fleet farm version is sweet…really sweet…
 
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benelli-banger said:
I looked it up…very cool! About $120…I’ve been using a large plastic tote, just throw everything in! May get smaller containers, like dopp kit for toiletries, and have things broken down that way. I just enrolled for ‘26 health insurance, I can’t afford anything but that and my hunting trips! 😬
Click to expand...
I bought a pair of these a couple of years ago. One in Large and one in Medium.

www.planooutdoors.com

Sportsman's Trunk - Large

Plano® Sportsman's Trunks provide plenty of storage space for outdoor gear, tools, and more. Ideal for use in the garage, attic or work shed; these durable trunks feature molded grooves for easy stacking and tie down points on the side for transporting. Trunks are lockable and airline friendly.
www.planooutdoors.com www.planooutdoors.com
 
LC Smith said:
I bought a pair of these a couple of years ago. One in Large and one in Medium.

www.planooutdoors.com

Sportsman's Trunk - Large

Plano® Sportsman's Trunks provide plenty of storage space for outdoor gear, tools, and more. Ideal for use in the garage, attic or work shed; these durable trunks feature molded grooves for easy stacking and tie down points on the side for transporting. Trunks are lockable and airline friendly.
www.planooutdoors.com www.planooutdoors.com
Click to expand...
I use two of the large ones. Mainly cooking stuff and food in mine. Buddy uses the small one. They work well.
 
LC Smith said:
So far this year the thigs that have worked...

3. Crispi boots keep getting better.
4. Kuiu Pro Brush pants are now my absolute favorite.


What I am not totally happy with...

1. Garmin Pro 550+ collar and transmitter - For the life of me I can't figure out how to isolate just the areas the dog has run/walked. Garmin does not do a good job of allowing the user to just isolate specific areas. You have to turn off and on the collar/transmitter to not incorporate the travel between fields, etc.
Click to expand...

In reference to the 550+, I'm assuming you're talking about linking it to the Explore app or on your computer after the fact? I quit using mine through my phone because the tracks of two dogs just got too cluttered up, running them at home daily just led to a globbed up mess and not easy to clean up. I just told my intern (get yourself a hunting intern by the way) an hour ago as we were pairing my 550+/collars to his 300 handheld, that Garmin's interface sucks and has always sucked. Otherwise though, for simply using the handheld/collars in the field, I won't be without them.

My wife bought me the Kuiu brush pants for Christmas last year. I too think they're awesome. Didn't know if I'd like the suspenders, but they're good. I wear a 34 waist size in everything I own, except the 3 different pairs of KUIU pants (Pro Brush and Attacks), and a 36 fits perfectly. Try to catch them on sale- https://www.kuiu.com/products/pro-brush-pant-ash?variant=42075894775966

I also like the Kuiu Attack pants for hunting, not brush busting though. All I wear when big game hunting. On sale for $109 right now. Link to $109 Kuiu Attack pants

If I didn't have too many pair of boots already, I'd be trying the Crispi Upland boots. I have not seen but 1 bad review on them, everybody else raves about them.
 
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cheesy said:
In reference to the 550+, I'm assuming you're talking about linking it to the Explore app or on your computer after the fact? I quit using mine through my phone because the tracks of two dogs just got too cluttered up, running them at home daily just led to a globbed up mess and not easy to clean up. I just told my intern (get yourself a hunting intern by the way) an hour ago as we were pairing my 550+/collars to his 300 handheld, that Garmin's interface sucks and has always sucked. Otherwise though, for simply using the handheld/collars in the field, I won't be without them.

My wife bought me the Kuiu brush pants for Christmas last year. I too think they're awesome. Didn't know if I'd like the suspenders, but they're good. I wear a 34 waist size in everything I own, except the 3 different pairs of KUIU pants (Pro Brush and Attacks), and a 36 fits perfectly. Try to catch them on sale- https://www.kuiu.com/products/pro-brush-pant-ash?variant=42075894775966 I also like the Kuiu Attack pants for hunting, not brush busting though. All I wear when big game hunting. On sale for $109 right now. https://www.kuiu.com/products/attac...m_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{adgroup.name}}&utm_term={}&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22877032206&gbraid=0AAAAADg1feutZg9bHYq_HcY91PGR_1103&gclid=Cj0KCQiAubrJBhCbARIsAHIdxD-OkNYQZAUHwc2p8zpHu21i3QMnzeoOmTZrmnx6lmpmyFCnxP1Xl6UaAi88EALw_wcB

If I didn't have too many pair of boots already, I'd be trying the Crispi Upland boots. I have not seen but 1 bad review on them, everybody else raves about them.
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Cheesy, you are spot-on about the Garmin Explorer app. I love the 550+ combo, just hate the app interface. I am on season 5 with the collar combo and replaced the batteries in both the collar and transmitter this spring. It was super easy and extended the life of my units. I would like to get one of the more updated transmitters, but not sure it is worth me dropping another $$$.

I love the suspenders on the pants. They are a huge benefit when walking in the fields and not having the pants fall, etc. When I get back into the truck, etc. I just flip them off my shoulders and go.

I too would LOVE to try the new Crispi Upland boots, but I know the looks I would get from the family CFO for getting a new pair of boots right now with what I already have in the rack. LOL
 
I bought some Danner boots on black friday, so looking forward to trying them out. They are one of their cheaper boots, I think they're g insulation.400 gram
 
cheesy said:
I also like the Scheels Endeavor pants, but their size offerings/availability have been limited for 2 years, slow boat from China must need replinished or something.

www.scheels.com

Men's Scheels Outfitters Endeavor 2.0 Upland Pant

Elevate your outdoor adventures with the Men's Scheels Outfitters Endeavor Upland Pant, designed for the discerning hunter and outdoor enthu
www.scheels.com www.scheels.com
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I have those pants there great for the price. That's all I wear now when hunting.
 
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