It’s no secret that technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. In fact, it’s come so far that there are times when I wonder how many more improvements we could possibly achieve when it comes to our gear. In spite of that, every time I wander the halls of the Archery Trade Association (ATA) show or the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show, I find a few nuggets that I simply have to have. This year was no exception, and I wanted to share a sneak peek at some of my favorites over the next couple of issues.
KOWA – TSN-550 Series Ultra-Compact Spotting Scopes — $1,799
I started hunting bivy style before I could afford good gear. My packs were heavy and cumbersome, true backpacking tents were not in my price range, and sleeping pads were for sissies back then. However, I always took the best optics I could afford with me, even if they were heavy or bulky. After stopping at KOWA’s booth this year, I was pleased to see that quality optics companies are continuing to provide more options for ultralight bivy hunters. The new TSN-550 series is available in angled (TSN-553) or straight (TSN-554) bodies and features a 15-45x zoom eyepiece. At roughly 11" long and just over 28 ounces of weight, this scope is smaller than most water bottles. The 55mm objective lens is crafted from Fluorite crystal to maximize light gathering capability and crisp imagery throughout the entire viewing area of the scope. I’ve tried most of the small frame spotters over the years, and after giving this one a hard look, I can’t wait to give this Mighty Mouse of a glass a few backpack rides this season.
If you want to test the waters on an incredibly inexpensive ultra-compact spotter, KOWA also offers the TSN-500 series. This tiny spotter is less than 10" long, weighs 14 ounces, and features a 20-40x zoom eyepiece. The objective lens on this model is 50mm and does not feature KOWA’s Fluorite crystal, but I have no doubt that if KOWA is willing to put their well-deserved reputation behind this product, it will not disappoint at this incredible price point.
KLYMIT – V Ultralite SL Sleeping Pads — $99.95-$119.95
When it comes to getting a good night’s rest at base camp or on the mountain, it seems like Klymit offers it all. Furthermore, your wallet will thank you for shopping with Klymit as they have built their company on the premise that quality gear should be available at an affordable price. They also back up their sleeping pads with an impressive lifetime warranty that inspires confidence even when the price looks too good to be true.
For 2018, Klymit released two models of their V Ultralite SL sleeping pads. One pad is insulated with a 4.4 R Value and the other is uninsulated with a 1.3 R Value. Both utilize Klymit’s V-Chamber baffles, a long-standing design that I’ve spent many comfortable nights sleeping on. At 2.5" thick, 20" wide, and 6' long, the pads are ridiculously comfortable, yet roll up into a shape that is barely larger than a pop can. The insulated pad is 15.9 ounces and retails for $119.95, and the uninsulated version is 11.9 ounces and retails for $99.95. When you compare the size to weight ratio of these pads, the lifetime warranty, and the price, it would be hard to justify looking anywhere else for a sleeping pad.
OUTDOOR EDGE – RazorLite EDC 3" Blade Version — $34.95 ($12.95 for 6 Replacement Blades)
I’ve been an outspoken fan of replaceable blade knives for years, but I was unhappy with the earliest brands I used because the blades were a bit too flimsy for my taste. I was very happy when Outdoor Edge released their 3.7 ounce EDC knife line several years ago because it combined a robust replacement blade with a knife body that was significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessors.
For 2018, Outdoor Edge is offering an even more compact version of the EDC that features a 3" replaceable razor blade on a smaller body. At only 2 ounces, this is the perfect combination of small, lightweight, and sturdy. In spite of its small size, the handle spans the entire palm of my hand and the 3" blades are more than adequate for any skinning or deboning jobs I will undertake this year from elk to antelope and everything in between. I think Outdoor Edge has finally created the total range of replaceable razor blade knives I will ever need in the field, and I’ll definitely have one of these knives in all of my hunting packs for this year.
MYSTERY RANCH – POP-UP 28 — $299
I am a firm believer that you cannot have too many backpacks in your arsenal. My wife strongly disagrees with me on this one, but I have so many now that if I slip a new one into the pile strategically, it seems that she doesn’t notice. It’s probably more likely that she’s simply given up on stopping this obsession that I have. I’m particularly obsessed with packs that serve multiple functions. To me, the ideal pack doubles for bivy style hunting and for packing out heavy loads of meat.
The new POP-UP frame packs from Mystery Ranch do just that. The POP-UP 28 was the most interesting to me because its 1,700+ cubic inch capacity is large enough for multi-day bivy hunts in early season weather. However, at 4.8 pounds, it is also an excellent day pack that I could comfortably wear while bowhunting without feeling the need to shed the pack to make a shot. The part I really love about this frame pack is that the main stays are akin to aluminum tent poles that can be hidden inside the pack while hunting and then “popped” up into place once the need to pack a heavy load arises. This design keeps the overall dimensions of the pack quite small relative to the available space and capability to haul heavy loads. If I can sneak one of these into the hunting room, I’m quite certain I’ll have to test this pack out on some spring bear hunts in Montana.
KENETREK – Bridger Ridge Hikers — $165
Last August, I pulled into a trailhead in Nevada’s Table Mountain Wilderness after an all-night drive with fellow Hunt Advisor Isaiah Joner. He laughed at me as I unboxed my pair of Bridger Ridge lightweight hikers and cut the tags off before I slipped them on my feet. Each of us has had plenty of bad experiences with boots in the mountains, and we both knew that throwing on a brand new pair of boots prior to a five-day bivy hunt was probably not the best idea, even if they were light hikers. At the last minute, I tied an extra pair of broken in boots onto my pack just in case the Bridgers weren’t all I hoped they would be.
By the end of October, I had put nearly 300 miles on the Bridgers, and they proved to be one of the most comfortable, quiet, and supportive lightweight boots I’ve ever used. The only thing I used the extra boots for on that first trip was as a reminder to pack light when you’re on a bivy hunt! Like all lightweight hikers would, the Bridgers showed significant wear and tear after that many rough miles. However, it was clear why they were the only boot selected by Grays Sporting Journal for their 2018 “Grays Best Awards.” After my experience in 2017, I’ll plan on wearing out another pair of these 2.6 pound featherweights in 2018.
Stay tuned for SHOT Show Goodies part 2 in the next issue, and good luck in the draws!
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