One thing that I really like about the internet is the ability to review outdoor gear prior to purchasing. Reviews are often un-boxing stories or videos of new equipment. While these reviews have their place, I'm interested in those special items that become irreplaceable over time. So what "can't live without", battle scarred equipment/clothing makes your roving/hunting/camping trips afield a more pleasurable experience for you?

Scott

All my stuff is old and battle-scarred!

I try to keep scares off my stuff and keep it nice since my bows are so expensive along with anything I use I try my best to protect everything I can. I'm very particular with my stuff and it all has big mojo though.

I've had lots of bows and other equipment and clothes come and go over the yers, but the one piece that I still cherish is a Remington brand merino wool watch gap that I bought about 40 years ago and still wear. That cap has seen a lot off critters meet their end.

Can't live without: My fletching jig.

Irreplaceable: My old insulated flannel shirt that has been my best friend on innumerous hunting, trout fishing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing trips. The collar and cuffs are threadbare. What comes after threadbare?

If the house was burning: And I could only save one item, it would be the old Ithaca pump gun.

My Alyce pack with only one shoulder strap. It rides on my climbing stand acting as a pack frame, is hoisted and hung on my right side, keeping most of my other gear/clothing organized and handy. I have one dedicated to the hunt and another, with two straps, I use for travel away from home for overnight or couple day stays.

Other than the coldest weather, below 35degrees, I wear uninsulated LLBean hunting boots, always with wool socks.

My old LL Bean “Snow Walkers”. Light weight, waterproof & tough. Sadly, No longer made.

Like Steve Baker, all of my stuff is old and mostly worn. The scratches and scars, like our own, tell a story if you're willing to listen. But at some point, everything was new...even us.

My 1978 Fratzke Sweater is like an old companion. I've sewn some holes shut on it, and even have a little binocular pouch on it. So, yeah...it is irreplaceable. I have no need for any new bows, but I'm glad folks still buy them and use them so they will be used and worn at some point.

One thing I have (along with many others) is a piece of parachute cord from WWII era that a friend gave me when I was a teenager its the flat thick kind. I carry it always and have drug many animals out with it, I've tied myself into trees hauled up my bow and did a hundred other things with it . Any rope could work but sometimes you have something so long you really look out for it . I have some knives I'm attached to and a knit hat I've hunted under for 20 years it probably looks as worn as Georges old sweater .

Killed a bear with a 1969 Bear Kodiak Hunter, one of dad's old 24SRTX aluminum arrows tipped with one of his 60's Zwickey heads last fall. Nothing wrong with old if it is taken care of. Unfortunately we have turned into a throw away society. Me, I like the old "stuff" that I use.

Thermacell.

Ill second the thermacell. Spring bear hunting is now fun instead of torture because of thermacells.

Ill add mora knives to the list. I skinned five elk in one afternoon with one then gave it to a buddy after i skinned a bear with it and he complimented the knife. They weigh nothing cost <$15 and are tough as hell. I have some excellent custom blade. But the moras are always with me on my trips. I also have a 1981 bucklite folder. I got it for xmas as a boy. The metal seems exceptional in that one for some reason. It gets crazy sharp. It comes with me on all my local hunts for whitetails and someday one of my boys can have it.

Yeah, some good old gear out there. I have a Filson Tin Cloth Packer hat that has been sheltering my bald spot for 15+ years. My Buck 110 was a constant companion for almost 40 years and took care of everything from fish to elk, campfire kindling, kitchen duties, digging arrows out of stumps, and digging up hundreds of plants for botany classes. My dads old Kelty day pack has seen many days afield from both of us. I've retired and replaced the Buck and the Kelty with new replacements. Hopefully I can dredge up this thread down the road and add some of those replacements to this list!

Scott

Buck 112 folder I got as a safety award in 1987, has gutted a lot of animals.

Bateman tab - not sure how old but won't give it up :)

Winona knit cap from about 1980, many "hero" pics with that hat over the years. They don't make anything that lasts anymore.

Same pencil I filled out first field tag with in 1976 ( yeah I still carry it), though it is only 3 inches long now :)

Several pairs of old wool socks, grey with red tops-circa 1978

British Commando sweater and army watch cap with short bill. Both 100% wool, wear a lot in fall for over 30 years.

30 year old Leica 10 x 40 Binocs, beat up Bison gear Teton pack.

Summit Titan Climber Lg. Bateman 3 under cordovan tab M.A.L. 3DB Armguard Thermacell Snuffers Magnus MA150’s

Lots of others good gear has come and gone but these 6 items have been constants for 10 plus years.

Canadian belt knife

35 yr old hooded sweatshirt, made by San Lar, out of business for a long time as far as I know. It has a full zip with a turtleneck that extends far enough to be a facemask. Has a huge hood, like you see on Asbell stuff, and is the old Treebark camo. I mostly wear it as an under layer nowadays, just love the option to zip up the turtleneck on cold windy days.

MP

My old tattered king of the mountain wool cloths after decades of use.

My dad's old hunting knife. He skinned his first dear with it in 49. I skinned my first deer with it in 83. I always have it.

I've got fanny packs and bags of different types, but I always end up going back to a large cloth duck camouflage bag with shoulder straps. It's got small pockets on the sides too. I have no idea how old this bag is, but I'm pretty sure it's the oldest one I have. By far my favorite.

Old gasoline Coleman lantern- sure makes camping in the dark much better.

Andy Man, X2 on the Canadian Belt Knife. I checked into them after reading one of your previous threads. I really like mine. Thanks!

Scott

I'm like George. All my stuff is used and some is well used. I like things that I started with, Coleman lanterns and stoves, old cast iron cook wear, old hats, camo that is not current and I haven't bought a new bow since the early seventies. All my bows are vintage, I do have to agree with Bighorn though as I too love my Mora knives.

Most of my new stuff would be considered old.

My Bean boots and Filson cruisers.

I have an old fleece neck gaiter my Mom gave me for Christmas many years ago. That thing has been with me on cold weather hunting and fishing trips all over North America. I don't leave home without it when it is cold.

All my "stuff"! Most of it is over 30 yrs old, and still tickin', since I take care of it like it's gold, which at today's replacement price, it is! Wyatt

This article appeared in an issue of the WI Bowhunters Assoc. magazine,...it concerns a new way of looking at a piece of old gear.

Other than my two bows...about ALL of my "stuff" is "old".

But the again...so am I, so.....

My wooly pulley and wool scarf issued sept 1988 keeps me warm every fall. A deer drag from the mid 90s that has drug many many deer.

A picture of my dad and I when I was just a kid and he was teaching me the hunting way of life. I take it out every time I go out into the bush. He spent his time taking me,,now I take his memory.

2 pairs of gloves that I got from Cabela about 20 years ago. I never found anything like them again. Slim fit, insulated, a napped cloth back with leather palm and fingers. A few minor repairs over time but they still have years of life left. If only.....

My merino wool next to skin and my Black Diamond rock climbing harness, and oh yes my silky saw.

My old, original thermostat underwear. Best winter gear I ever bought. Still going strong after 30+ years. They're warm when it's cold and comfortable if it warms up.

The Western knife my parents gave me way back when that still sees active duty after all these years.

An oak folding hunting stool I made from plans by Dr. Ken Nordberg...never leave home without it!

A beat-up nasty old rag wool sweater I bought at Goodwill before Goodwill was "cool"...keeping me warm for over 20 years despite the fact my hunting buddy teases me about it because apparently the buttons indicate it's a lady's sweater! Who knew..

My shooting glove...fits like a glove! I'll cry when it comes time to buy a new one.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here