The Best Hunting Gear of 2020

Published October 10, 2019 12:00AM

Mathews Vertix Bow ($1,099)

Our favorite option for delivering arrows in tight groups with relaxed precision, the sub-five-pound Vertix is damp and quiet. The bow has an 85 percent let-off and launches arrows at a blistering 343 feet per second.

Sitka Kelvin Down WS Hoodie ($389)

Mornings spent glassing for big bulls can put a chill in your bones. The Kelvin—with goose down and PrimaLoft insulation, and Gore-Tex Windstopper for a durable outer cocoon—staves it off.

Leatherman Free P2 Multitool ($120)

It’s not what you’d use to field-dress an elk, but the Free’s nearly three-inch blade will do in a pinch. And the Leatherman butterflies open for the most intuitive one-handed tool deployment we’ve seen.

Nemo Recurve Tent ($459)

When shopping for a hunting tent, look for something light enough to carry and big enough to keep all your stuff dry. That’s the Recurve, which weighs 1.4 pounds and has 21.4 square feet of interior space.

Maven C.3 Binoculars ($400 and up)

The C.3 let us quickly find and sort distant stumps from shooter bucks. It adds an amazingly sharp, reasonably priced option to Maven’s direct-to-consumer line.

Smartwool PhD Hunt Socks ($27)

Chances are you’ll be marinating in the same footwear for days on end. Here, 66 percent merino and 32 percent nylon come together in a sock with long-lasting loft and moisture wicking.

Kuiu Venture 2300 Pack ($219)

The Venture is a lean all-day pack for when you aren’t spending the night out—intentionally. At just over 3.5 pounds, it’s light enough that you’ll never wish you’d just worn a lumbar pack.

Filson C.C.F. Utility Pants ($95)

Filson wasn’t the first to make reinforced-knee canvas pants, but the triple-seam C.C.F. Utility has a lifetime warranty. Think of that next time you’re crawling on the ground in pursuit of your quarry.

Under Armour Speed Freek Bozeman 2.0 Boots ($149)

Staking out the intersection of svelte running shoe and burly hiking boot, the waterproof Speed Freek delivers grip and sneakerlike comfort at a good price.